Santas, Santas, Santas.......

Back in the early 70's Home Interior was very popular in  my area.  Everybody was having a party and I certainly wasn't the exception. I ♥♥♥♥♥ed Home Interior ! ! 

(Are they still around?)

So, my party was in the fall when they were promoting all their beautiful Christmas items, and oh how I wanted those Christmas pretties ! ! I worked really hard and earned enough points to acquire several things that year.  It was the year of MY FIRST SANTA...woohoo...and this is him....

I had no intention of starting a Santa collection, the thought never entered my mind, but the next year another Santa came to live with my Home Interior Santa, and year after year more Santa's arrived at my house.  WOW...I had a collection..Now I try to acquire a new Santa each year, the trouble is I am having a problem finding room to display them, so, I have to STOP...

Up on the housetop reindeer pause,

Out jumps good ol' Santa Claus !

 This one was made at school by one of my girls.

1980...whew....30 years ago

Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say,

Rudolph with your nose so bright

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight !

Gingerbread Cookie Anyone?

I think he went on a diet. lolololo

I call this Santa, St. Nick

This Santa plays Christmas Music ! !

This Santa was made from an old chenille bedspread !

Patriotic Santa

HO HO HO

Santa Claus is coming to town ! !

Santa Claus Bell

Lots of toys and goodies on the way !

The next Santa is one of my favorites.  My hubby, Dean, has played guitar for many years, since a teen-ager.  When I saw this Santa a few years ago I knew it had to come home with me.  This is for you Dean.

And for the grand finale, here is this years Santa.  I wasn't even shopping for him, he just kinda grabbed me at the Cracker Barrel.  The picture does not do him justice....he lights up and sparkles all over himself ! !



Hope you enjoyed my Santa's....Everyone of them are sending you and your family a

 BIG, VERY BIG, Merry CHRISTmas ! !

And remember, JESUS, the most wonderful gift ever given.

Mary

In Christ Alone

Sorry to say there have been some negative issues in my life the past several days.  You know, Satan just can't stand for us to be happy all the time, he has to come along and cause unpleasant issues to come into our life, then he stirs the pot, then he sets back and laughs....grrrrr....

Job 1:7  And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"  So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

I've had to take a few days to sort out these issues, deal with them and file them away in the corners of my mind.  I've had to deal with a hurt heart, not caused by someone, but just issues I wish would not have happened.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

I've had to STOP and wait on the LORD, for it is through Him that all things, people and situations find peace.  My mind, my heart and the situation at hand are all things that He can and will bring peace.  His peace.  His understanding.  His love.  What a wonderful God we have.  He is Abba Father.



Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;

Be still and know that I am God......repeat.......Be still and know that I am God......repeat.....Be still and know that I am God.....In the quietness of my soul I know this to be true.  In Him alone I place my whole being, all that I am...peace, sweet peace.

So Satan, walk to and fro all you want because victory is mine through my Savior, Jesus Christ.  You might get me down for a moment, but Christ will lift me up for eternity.

In Christ alone, I place my trust.

And find my glory in the power of the cross.

In every victory, let it be said of me,

My source of strength, My source of hope

Is CHRIST alone.

Merry Christmas, I just love those words.

Mary



I Am Who I Am....Exodus 3:14

The first time He came,
He was draped in swaddling clothes,
When He comes again,
He will be adorned in royal robes.

He came and brought
Everlasting Peace
to those who know Him.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name.

Merry CHRISTmas

Mary

Monday...In The Kitchen

I thought we would spend some time in the kitchen today.  I have always worked outside the home which made my time in the kitchen very limited... AND... if the truth be known, I can "cook" but I'm not "a cook." Cooking has just never been my favorite thing to do.  I would much rather be crafting, sewing, or on my computer  working on a fun project.  With that said, I do go in the kitchen on occasion, so let's go see what we can find....

This is my favorite cookbook, The Cotton Country Collection.  I love this book not only because of the great recipes in contains, but also because of the way I came to own it.  While visiting with my daughters' mother-in-law I noticed this great cook book on her shelf.  As I began looking through it I noticed it was by The Junior League of Monroe Louisiana, this really fascinated me as I had family in that area.  When I mentioned this to my hostess she very kindly took the book, signed the inside cover and gave it to me.  What a sweet thing to do, but she was just that kind of person, I liked her very much.  She has since been called home by our Lord...I was so blessed to have known her and thankful she visited that season of my life.

The recipe I'm going to share with you today is from this cook book.  It is a delicious casserole and will fit in with almost any meal... It has become a tradition with our Thanksgiving turkey and dressing. 

Squash Casserole

12 medium yellow squash

1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

2 T. butter

1 can cream of celery soup

2 whole eggs

1/3 cup bread crumbs

1/4 t. garlic powder

pinch of basil

1 T. Worcestershire

1 t. salt

grated cheese

bread or cracker crumbs

butter

Cook squash in salted water until tender. Drain and break up, but do not mash. Brown the green onions in butter and stir in celery soup. Add eggs, bread crumbs and seasonings.  Combine the soup mixture with the squash.  Put into a buttered casserole and cover with grated cheese and bread/cracker crumbs.  Dot with butter.  Cook at 375 for 45 minutes.  Serves 8 to 10.

hmmmm....it's good ! !

"CHRISTmas is a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God. It is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand."
[Unknown]

 

Stay in the Christmas Spirit, honoring our Lord and Savior...

Mary



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Sunday....A Day to Worship

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism - and with a serious purpose.
It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.

The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds blasphemous, remember:

"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so."

(Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34)

The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself.

The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian.

So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Mary