Christmas in February

No - we are not reliving our Navy days.
We once celebrated Christmas and Easter within days of each other in March
because hubby was gone for Christmas and we both love the Christmas holiday.

I mentioned yesterday that hubby's work had taken us to Pigeon Forge, TN.

It really is a tourist trap.
Though the lights and activity draw me less and less, I still love to travel.
The good part about the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is the variety of lodging options.

Enter ... The Inn at Christmas Village

Entrance complete with doormen.

Since both hubby and I love Christmas and its decorations,

when I found a Christmas-themed hotel

that was more reasonably priced than many of the normal places we stay,

I just thought I had to take a chance.

It was a great choice.

Christmas decorations EVERYWHERE.

Comfortable beds.

And a continental breakfast to beat all others ...

made to order omelets,

hot breakfast items such as potatoes, bacon, sausage, fresh carved ham,

fruit,

even a cheese platter!

Definitely nice for our diet limitations.

Enjoy the tour.

 

 Plenty of greenery in the room - and a Christmas tree lit up.

A Glockenspiel strikes the hour
and plays carols.

A different seasonal display on each floor by the elevator.
Enjoy the scene while listening to Christmas music as played on an old disc music box.

Changing

Hubby's job frequently takes him away for training.

This week was no exception.

At his former job, training was often in Atlanta, GA.

The new job typically takes him to Raleigh, NC.

But, this week took us to Pigeon Forge, TN.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg ...

A tourist trap to beat all others ...

or as we now call it ... a modern vanity fair!

When we first got married,

this would have been paradise to me ...

mini golf on every corner ...

souvenir shops galore ...

fancy dining ...

but yesterday as I walked around town,

there was emptiness in it all ...

an emptiness I was pleased to feel.

While there is still room to grow more,

I am thankful that God has worked to change my focus.

I am thankful for His patient work in my life

and thankful for the changes that are yet to come!

A Serious Matter

Proverbs 22:15 

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; 

but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

On Friday, the forum was a reminder to take the Bible literally -
to think Biblically -
to not play with sin especially in the area of pride.

The reminder fits well with today's verse.
Foolishness.
I am not a parent,
but from the outside,
it seems that many parents are fearful to address foolishness.

It is easy to call it by other names -
childishness, immaturity, playfulness ...

God calls it foolishness
and gives the plan to follow.

The question then ...
Will you heed it?

Breathing Deeply

Though Autumn is my favorite season,

Spring has to be a close second.

The warm air that draws me outside.

The signs of new life all around.

The end of the dead looking trees and grass.

The babies at the local sheep farm.

Of course that also brings work,

but to me it is enjoyable work.

The physical labor,

the fresh air,

the pleasure of looking at a neat yard or productive garden.

Saturday,

we spent the afternoon trimming 2 of our 3 Bradford pear trees.

It was a blessing to have the help of friends

along with a second truck with a trailer to haul limbs.

It was 4 trips to the dump to get rid of all of the branches.

From this:

 To this:

  Monday,

I spent an hour cleaning up the small branches and twigs that were left behind -

Only about 4 trash cans full.

I also weeded around the front flower bed.

Today,

I turned the garden for the first time.

I usually turn it about 3 times before I plant.

Hopefully,

the last pear tree will be trimmed Saturday,

and the garden will be started next week.

Fresh as a Daisy

In my efforts to remove some toxins from my daily routine,

deodorant was the first to be overhauled.

I have given two different recipes on the site

and actually have made a third as well.

I loved the first recipe - 

it worked great,

but it irritated my skin.

The second caused irritation as well 

and did not work as well.

The third caused no irritation,

but was weak - 

no sense of confidence with this product.

Recently I read that I could use straight tea tree oil.

Well, wouldn't that be easy!

Both hubby and I have used it for a week now,

and ...

it is our favorite yet.

Easy to use.

No mess.

VERY effective.

(I did an 18 hour test including yard work and still smelled good)

So -

if you are interested in the easy recipe.

Just head to Wally World and pick up some Tea Tree in the vitamin aisle.

Friday Forum: Pride

So here is the thought, or question:

Is all pride bad?

The Bible would seem to suggest it.

But,

what about

pride in a job well done,

pride in your children...

You know ... "I am SO proud of you."

What do you think?

Is it a matter of semantics?

Should we just change the wording?

Is "good" pride just a pleasure in good work?

Look What Was In My Mailbox

More happy dances at Trailer 2!

The seed packets came today -

we had spring like temps today.

Now if it just dries out a bit ... we can have some action in the garden!

I am thankful for the promise of spring

and the therapeutic nature of my garden.

I am thankful for the healthy food that the garden affords.

I am thankful for a plot of land that has had a year to rest.

I am thankful for some tips to keep the bugs away - 

I am trying to grow borage this year as a natural repellent.

I am thankful for the physical exercise that the garden gives me.

I am thankful for the sun that I will enjoy.

I am thankful for the together time that it provides with hubby.

To Train

Proverbs 22:6 

Train up a child in the way he should go: 

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

to train:

to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of by discipline and instruction: 

to make proficient by instruction and practice

to make fit by proper exercise, diet, practice, etc.

to catechize

During these days of the winter Olympics,

it is easy to see the value of good training.

Oh, the sacrifice for one event,

for one year,

for even one second.

There is such dedication in the world-class athlete.

It is easy to lose that focus in training a child,

and yet, what a necessity it is.

Thoughts, actions, dress, words, character, 

health, helpfulness, discipline ...

the endless list of things that must be trained.

It is not "the path of least resistance"

but rather "the road less traveled by."

It is work.

But the reward is more than just a gold medal and a moment in the spotlight.

Don't lose heart, dear mother or father.

It is work that counts for eternity.

Look Up

Psalm 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, 

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, 

which made heaven and earth.

How can you not be encouraged by a verse like that!

12 Years of Donuts

It is February 17th and in grand Bickish tradition,

we celebrate Donut Day.

We began our day with cinnamon donuts that I had tucked away in the freezer from a Christmas gift.

We also enjoyed a cup of Teeccino - my coffee substitute.

I also made a half of a recipe of our favorite protein smoothie to hold hubby over until snack time.

It is always special to remember our first date, now 12 years ago.

The donuts aren't near as special as they were at that little Italian bakery,

but the remembrance is just as sweet!

Life continues to teach us many things.

On Friday, after taking hubby his valentine lunch,

we went to a 7-11 for a coffee.

Just a decaf coffee with some amaretto cream.

It sure was good.

I was very moody on Friday night.

And then on Saturday,

exhaustion and more tears when I awoke.

I felt "glutened"!

But I had cooked all of our meals,

and there are very few "oopsies" at home anymore.

It must have been the creamer, right?

Alas, the creamer was gluten free.

The coffee?

Does coffee have gluten?

No, coffee is gluten free,

but I have since found out that there is a protein in coffee 

that many gluten sensitive people react to just like gluten.

I think that I am past the reaction now.

Maybe another detox brew this morning for good measure.

This weeks menu plan:

Monday:  Deer Tenderloin

Tuesday:  Clam Chowder

Wednesday:  Vegetable Frittata

Thursday:  Creamy Vegetable Beef Soup

Friday:  Balsamic Chicken

Saturday:  Roast Beef Au Jus / Chili

Sunday:  Hoppin John