Light the night sky

 I know it's hard to see the sky in these pictures, but I thought it was really fun to see the buildings lit up at night.

                                                  

This is the office building where my daughter works.

                                          Skywatch Friday 

Milk and Cookies

What better way to enjoy the rest of Christmas week than with Christmas cookies and milk.

Yum!

                                                       All About Home

                                                      Grace at Home

Tablescape Thursday

Full Plate Thursday

Saturday Sparks

A Christmas Prayer

 

CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the Song of the Angels, the Gladness of the Shepherds, and the Worship of the Wise Men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of Love all over the world.  Let Kindness come with every gift and Good Desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the Blessing which Christ brings, and Teach us to be merry with Clear Hearts.  

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy Children and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with Grateful Thoughts, Forgiving and Forgiven.

For Jesus' Sake........ Amen.

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Baby it's cold outside

Our Florida weather turned freezing this morning. At 29 degrees even the fountain froze.

I think the birds could have skated on the ice that formed.

Hope you are staying warm where ever you are.

The Reason for the Season

 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. ) And all went to be taxed every one into his own city.And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: ) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2: 1:7

Dressed for Christmas

And around the rest of the house.

Wishing you the merriest of Christmases.

                                                       All About Home

                                                      Grace at Home

Tablescape Thursday

Full Plate Thursday

Farm House Friday

Saturday Sparks

The Legend of the Candy Cane

 

The red and white striped candy cane has become one of the most popular symbols of Christmas. Legend has it that in 1670 a German choirmaster, wishing to remedy the noise caused by children during church, asked a local candy maker to make sugar sticks for them. He asked to add a crock to the top of each stick, which would remind the children of the shepherds who visited the infant Jesus. The candy was originally white in color. The candy cane became associated with Christmas time.

The white canes made their appearance in the U.S. in 1847. Designed by a candy maker in Indiana, he thought about several aspects of Christmas and used these ideas in the candy canes design. The pure white represents both the virgin birth of Jesus and His sinless life on earth. The smaller red stripes symbolize the "stripes" Jesus received when He was whipped shortly before He died.  The larger red stripes stand for his blood that was shed as he died on the cross. The curled top makes it appear as a shepherd's staff. Upside down, the cane forms the letter "J" the first letter of the name of Jesus. Most of these symbols are not commonly known today. 

ref - American Holidays - Bill Perry'

History  

Wikipedia

Let's celebrate Christmas on the porch

Living in Florida affords the luxury of wonderful weather. Enjoying the warm and sunny days, I opened the doors to the porch and set a Christmas table.

 The tool box arrangement was inspired by a post from the amazing Rosemary and Thyme when she shared a Christmas Home Tour.

    

I hope this Christmas season is a joyous one for each and every one of you. 

                                                     All About Home

                                                      Grace at Home

Tablescape Thursday

Full Plate Thursday

Farm House Friday

Saturday Sparks

Florida in winter

 

                                                            Skywatch Friday 

Famous for a Living

 

Famous for a Living is the story of New York influencer Cat Cranwell. Who finds herself being accused of financial mischief along with her business partner.  Needing to get away and out of the spot light, she accepts her uncles offer to work at the Kannery National Park, Montana. She meets her match when she meets mountain man Park Ranger Zaiah Smith.

Melissa Ferguson writes contemporary stories that are humorous and challenging. I fell in love with the secondary characters. Mina, Jax and Kevin added so much charm and humor to the story. The topic of social media addiction brings home a good point. I did enjoy Ferguson's other books a bit more, but this is good clean reading, in a beautiful setting with a bit of rom-com. 

 I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.