German Christmas Pyramid

YES, it's a bit early to be posting about Christmas, but anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE celebrating Christmas and the birth of our King.

This morning, on the way home from my Round Top Library board meeting, I stopped at an estate sale just a few miles from home.  I usually hesitate to stop at those because, quite often, it means older couples have passed away or left the lives they once knew--and loved--to live in unfamiliar surroundings.  Rummaging through prized possessions and personal belongings seems intrusive and tugs at my heart.  

Initially, I passed up the drive way--but for some reason--I backed up and drove down the dirt road to some structures nestled among the trees.  The treasures of their lives had been rummaged through by so many before my arrival, and prices were reduced to mere pennies on the dollar.  I didn't need anything, but I walked up and down the aisles creating stories in my mind of what memories those items must have brought to the family.  

Tucked away in a back corner was a broken German Christmas Pyramid.  Because it was broken, it had no value to the estate sale company, and the ladies gave it to me for free.  For those of you who don't know what a Christmas Pyramid is...it is a delicate wooden structure with a decorated pyramidal outer frame, candle holders, and a central carousel with a rotor at the top.  The rotor, driven by warm air from the lit candles, turns the carousel, which is usually decorated with nativity scenes and other Christmas figures (angels and wise men).

Ella and I love reading Christmas stories by the light of the Christmas Pyramid.  Last year, I was hanging an art string on the wall to display Ella's artwork.  When I stepped off the stool, I lost my footing and stepped slap dab on top of the delicate wooden figures.  I was crushed because I had broken something valuable to Ella and me.  Not valuable in a monetary kind of way, but in years of memories and stories told by the firelight of that little wooden carousel.  

As fate would have it, the family had the piece we needed, and we had the piece they missed.  Call it kismet or the proverbial "one man's trash is another man's treasure," but seeing the worth in this broken pyramid, returned its value, to us, exponentially.  With grateful hearts, our pyramid is now restored.  

Reminds me why I love celebrating Jesus so much.  When we're broken, He comes in, scoops up the pieces and puts us back together. 

So much to celebrate! 

11andfree.ellab

 

For years, Ella has been interested in finding her birthfather.  Troy and I promised her we would do everything in our power to help her.  We've been down a few dead ends with information from the birthmother, but last week 23andme revealed her heart's desire:  a connection!  Just three days later...they met.  

I believe God's timing is so much better than ours, and for many reasons, He chose now to make her connection with him and his beautiful family.

You don't choose your family--family is God's gift to you and them!  

Holy Enchilada!

Just finished Henry Wrinkler's book, Holy Enchilada!  Most people my age remember Henry as the cool, vivacious guy known as "The Fonz or Fonzie" on a popular sit com.  What people may not know about Henry is he spent a lifetime struggling to read books due to his undiagnosed dyslexia.  It wasn't until he was 31 that he discovered his learning difference.   

When he was a child, no one knew what dyslexia was.  He got called stupid and lazy and was told by kids, teachers, and even his parents that he wasn't living up to his potential.  As you can imagine, those weren't "Happy Days" for him.  Despite his challenges, Winkler "eventually graduated and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama" and wrote a series of 17 best selling children's books about the "world's greatest underachiever," Hank Zipzer, a bright/struggling dyslexic kid.

Most homeschooling days are "Happy Days" here on the farm, but the dyslexia struggle is real.  Imagine opening up your reading assignment, and this is what you see...

Grateful for pioneers like Henry Wrinkler who help educate others about the struggles of dyslexia and show the gifts/successes those struggles can create.  And, grateful for our bright, beautiful Ella who works hard everyday with true grit and grace.  

Cheese Enchilada recipe from the back of the book....  We added our own twist to the recipe, and they turned out pretty tasty.  

Ella and I were feeling like caged chickens searching for ways to fly the coop.  We googled outdoor things to do in Fayette County and hoped to find an off-the-grid naturescape to explore.  Ella said she found a chicken ranch (which seemed fitting), so we packed her nature bag and headed out the door.  She already had the location mapped in my phone, and off we went.  

Twenty minutes later we arrived at an empty field.  Puzzled, I pull over to search for details. Ummmm...the idea NEVER crossed my mind that she found THE Chicken Ranch brothel...THE Best Little Whorehouse in Texas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_Ranch_(Texas) Oh Lord "Have Mercy"!  I wasn't prepared to have that conversation, but we were slap dab in the middle of "that shack outside of LaGrange." (ZZ Top lyrics).  

We had a little chit chat before heading over to Plum Park on the Colorado River. This 40-acre park had sandy/rocky beaches along the river, boat launches, campsites, grills and hills.  We held hands soaking up sunshine as we walked along the river, even rolled down a few hills before moving on to our next google find. 

On our way, we happened upon the Sanctuary Serengeti and spent the rest of our day with some super cute animals.  

Needless to say...it was a rocky cocky hilly silly wonky zonky zebra donkey kind of day.  

Hee Haw!

Snow much fun...

Winter has arrived on the farm.  Snowflakes started falling this morning and continue to fall as the day draws to a close.  

The animals haven't strayed from the barn.  I imagine them all huddled together in an attempt to stay warm.

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold. Aristotle

There's something exciting about walking on an untouched snowy path.

Big snowflakes fell to the ground...the kind of snowflakes that makes you want to open your mouth and collect some on your tongue (you know...that first taste of winter).

Always a treat to see Cardinals against a snowy backdrop.

And of course, the day couldn't end without a little mother/daughter snowball fight.  I'm thinking a warm cup of tea and a good book is next on our agenda.  

Winters are never cold for those with warm memories! 

By the light of the moon

Ella and I had intentions on this cold, dark night of a walking farm tour by the light of the Cold Full Moon.  Mother Nature (cloud cover/misty rain) and potential Christmas Covid/Cedar Fever had other intentions.  

In celebration, we lit a candle, talked about the13th full moon this year, the oddity of 2020, the unexpected gifts, and things we might like to change in 2021. 

Days and nights will get colder, but His birth, hope and some of our favorite things with keep us warm.  

 

May you always find warmth and light on the coldest, darkest night...

“Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

Love Advent season and the nightly ritual with Ella as we make the journey from The Place Where Love Grows to the Never-Ending Christmas.  Its our quiet time together each night where were celebrate the best love story of all time!

Our Jesse Tree ornaments were handmade back when Ella was a toddler and are cherished every year during this season of anticipation. https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8263750636378117994/1662489515595442533.  

First, we read the scripture/story each day, ask/answer questions, and pass on God’s blessings.  Next, we place the appropriate ornament on a special tree, add one piece of straw to the manger, and end in prayer.  

   

Day after day we repeat this ritual as we retrace His lineage, prepare a comfy place in the manger, and fall in love with Him all over again.  

May your greatest gift this season be His birth!