If I’ve talked to you since January 1st you already know. If not the picture below is your clue.

 

 

I’m pretty excited about this new endeavor, so I will post more about it in the next day or so.

2016 was a good year for us. We are truly grateful for so many blessings, and with that statement I share with you my 2017 resolution. My resolution is not something new that I’m going to start but a continuation of something that I have been doing, that I need to continue and perhaps do more of.

My resolution for 2017 is to acknowledge and give thanks for all of our blessings.

When I was a teenager, I remember my dad saying, “gratitude will change your attitude”.  At that time, I didn’t get it. These words were simply dads way of pointing out that I (or someone) had a bad attitude, or as he also liked to say I (or someone) “needed an attitude adjustment”.

As I matured I came to have a greater understanding of this phrase and believe this to be true. One time when my two youngest daughters, who are three years apart in age, were preteen and young teen, they were fighting over a scarf. For some reason, that day, the girls both decided to wear that particular scarf. I don’t believe the scarf belonged to either girl specifically so it was probably a hand-me-down given by a friend or relative. The girls’ words to each other were mean and hateful, and I thought that they were going to start hitting each other. I put an end to the fight by confiscating the scarf; neither girl would wear it that day. Having three sisters myself, I realized that fighting over clothes was something sisters do, but this fight was so disturbing that I could not overlook it. I couldn’t understand how these girls who had so much – lived in a nice house, were well fed, had closets and dressers full of clothes, toys, books etc… could be fighting over something so petty. These girls obviously did not appreciate all that they had, they did not realize what things were truly important, and they needed an attitude adjustment. I gave the girls an assignment. Each girl was to write down 25 things that they were thankful for and give me the list by the end of the day.

This was a powerful lesson. As I was driving to work that morning I began developing my own list in my mind. I saw the blue sky and the sun still coming up and was grateful for the gift of sight. I could hear the radio playing and the noise the vehicle made as it traveled down the road, my hands and feet worked properly to operate the vehicle, and these were blessings that not everyone was fortunate enough to enjoy. I thought about how I was thankful to being born in, and live in Michigan, in the USA. My list grew to include my job, my (now) husband, my family and so many others in my life, and I was truly humbled. Most of these things were not things that I had earned or deserved, they certainly were not entitlements, and any of these things could be taken away from me at any moment.

Humility turned to empathy and compassion as I thought about people who did not have these things, and I realized it was from the goodness of God that I was who I was, I had what I had, and I was living the life I was living.

Eventually I came to realize that greed and pride cannot coexist with gratitude and humility, and while empathy and compassion may foster kindness, they are not compatible with anger and resentment. Not only does acknowledging and giving thanks for my blessings make me a better person, it gives me a peaceful feeling.

I’m not sure if this lesson had an impact on my daughters. I did receive their lists and while I can’t tell you what was on them, I can tell you that neither of them listed the scarf.

I don’t know that I will write a gratitude journal, but I will not wait until the 4th Thursday in November to celebrate Thanksgiving. I will carry the spirit of Thanksgiving with me throughout the year.

Wishing You a Happy New Year and Godspeed in 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“Everyone needs one” that was what my dad said after using a garlic peeler similar to the one pictured below.

Because I find these garlic peelers to be such a handy kitchen tool, I had ordered some to have for sale along with our garlic this fall. Unfortunately my order did not arrive until after we sold our garlic. On Christmas day my husband suggested we give them to our guests, and everyone was happy to receive one.

Two days ago my dad called. He had tried his garlic peeler and was amazed at how well it worked. His words,”Everyone needs one,” echoed my thoughts, and in fact that is why I bought some to have available for sale. These simple little tools make peeling garlic so easy.

While this isn’t a sales pitch, I do have some available. If you realize that dad is right and you need one you can contact me at ruth20012001@yahoo.com .

 

 

 

 

What a blessed day we had.

We wanted a simple Christmas so we decided early on not to put up the Christmas tree this year. Rearranging the furniture, dragging out the artificial tree, assembling and decorating it, only to have to undo it all again in a few weeks, did not fit our definition of simple. A few days before Christmas, knowing we were going to be hosting some of our family,  we decided to put up a small tree. On Thursday we identified one of the Norway Spruce trees that we had planted, as a seedling, on the farm, in 2012. My husband looked for a Christmas tree stand, that he thought was stored in the shed, but it was nowhere to be found. I decided to call our local Kmart to see if they had any tree stands left, I figured this was a longshot being so close to Christmas. When the girl came back on the phone, after checking their stock, and told me that they only had one tree stand left and it was a small one, I said “I think that is exactly what I need. Can you hold it ’til I get there?”  Not only was this tree stand perfect for holding our small tree, it was on sale for 50% off the regular price.

On Friday afternoon we went to the farm, and for the first time in our 16 years together, cut our Christmas tree. Perhaps this is the start of our new tradition.

We only had to move some plants from this table in order to put the tree in position. It took one strand of lights and a small portion of our ornaments to decorate the tree. We added one box of candy canes and the angel and tree skirt for the finishing touches. Our homegrown Christmas tree was perfect!

We decided to keep our Christmas Day celebration low-key. We opted for a simple luncheon of (mostly) finger foods, including a meat and cheese tray with crackers and bread, spinach-artichoke dip, a veggie tray, a fruit salad, pickles and olives, cookies, pumpkin pie and a wonderful dessert called Sopapilla Cheesecake, that Aunt Donna brought.

I wasn’t sure who was going to show up, but I was thrilled upon receiving a phone call from Tina on Christmas morning. She said her and Ken and Jackson were coming over but probably not until around 2:00 P.M. My dad arrived around noon followed by Aunt Donna and shortly there after Kara and Lindell.

Scout and Trooper had a Merry Christmas as they reveled in all of the attention they received from the girls.

Good food and great conversations made the time fly by. It was fun listening to Dad and Aunt Donna share stories about “nutty” neighbors, and Lindell razzing Kara for taking all of the cheese with toothpicks in it from a plate at a party that they went to. Before we knew it Tina and Ken and Jackson arrived.

While gift giving is part of our Christmas, I don’t like it to be the main focus. I like gifts to be practical, homemade and/or from the heart. About a month ago when my husband was cleaning out the closet, in a room formerly occupied by the girls, he came upon a pile of their clothes, mostly t-shirts from when they were in high school. There were shirts from homecoming events, school plays, and other activities they participated in.  It was apparent that they were no longer a part of their wardrobes but the girls could not part with them either. Even though sewing is not one of my strong points, I decided to make them into memory quilts for the girls.  I spent many hours in December cutting, fitting, pinning, sewing, and clipping. My sister, who is very skilled at sewing, describes the fabrics that I was using as “very forgiving”. Fortunately she is right, because even though I probably committed every sewing sin there is, I was pleased with the results.

 

Kara and Lindell loved them.

The gift that Kara and Lindell gave to us was given from the heart,

and now fills hangs on a previously empty wall in our dinning room.  I had thought, only the day before, that wall needed something.

 

Everyone “awed” as this special gift, that Popa  Dom (my husband) picked out for Jackson, was opened. I suspect he will wear this when he visits the farm this spring/summer.

This beautiful ornament we received from Tina and Ken now hangs on our tree. It will remain there until the tree comes down, but in the meantime I am looking for a permanent home for it. This gift is too precious to be packed away for most of the year, so we will find a special place for it.

It wasn’t until later that night that I realized how the beautiful message conveyed by Tina and Ken’s gift to us was reflected onto their son by way of Popa’s gift to him.

Our guests stayed for only a few hours but it was a precious time, and after all were gone, the peace, love and joy that this day brought, remained in our home and in our hearts. This day was everything that Christmas should be.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season!

From our home to yours we wish you peace, love and joy this Christmas. However you are spending this Christmas Day, I hope you take time out to consider the greatest gift ever given, the gift of the Christ Child, that was given to you and to me and to all of humanity, and to reflect upon what precious gift this is . Merry Christmas.