The beauty of God's earth

Living in the deep south, we never see snow. A couple of years ago our family experienced the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. It always overwhelms me how the beauty of God's earth declares His holiness.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!"

Isaiah 6:3

Today I am joining in Spiritual Sundays and Foto Finish.

Have a blessed weekend!

Christmas Cloche Party

I am so excited to be participating for the first time in the Christmas Cloche party hosted by Marty at "A Stroll Thru Life". Ever since the first time I visited her Cloche parties, I thought about participating. And now that it is Christmas I've gathered up all of my cloches and displayed them.

It is festive all around our house.........

But as we enter the last days of the holiday season.........

We point towards the Reason for the Season..............

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ”
Isaiah 9:6

Wishing each one of you a very Merry Christmas!

Outdoor Wednesday

We are still learning how to decorate our new home, but our son just went outside and started adding lights.

And a peek from the patio into the living room.

I hope your Christmas is turning out to be Merry and Bright.

Join me at Outdoor Wednesday.

Christmas Tea Cup Tuesday

Although I have quite a few Tea Cups, I have very few for Christmas.

This one is part of my Christmas Dishes "Happy Holidays".

I love these Christmas dishes. I've had them for several years, but I've never found a teapot to go with it.

I think they set such a pretty table.

Today I am linking up with these Tea Parties -

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday
Tea Cup Tuesday
Martha's Favorites
and Tuesday Tea for Two

Stay warm, wherever you are :-)

Deck the Halls

Holidays. It always brings out the best in decorating. We have enjoyed decorating our new home and wanted to share a little peek with you.

So welcome, to our Holiday House.

At the front door you will be welcomed by our little snowman.


Won't you please sign our guest book in the entry way.

Here is our Christmas tree in the Living Room.

The stockings are hung......

Our centerpiece in the Dining Room.



Even the buffet is decorated.

Let's sing a few Christmas Carols around the piano.




We've also decorated the Family Room.

What a wonderful time of the year.





Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting the "Deck the Halls" party.


Julia is hosting her party at Hooked on Holiday House Tours.

Words to Live By

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"

George Frideric Handel wrote the oratorio "Messiah".

"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain."

In 1741, Handel was deeply in debt, his health was failing and he seemed certain to land in debtor's prison.

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

Charles Jennens, gave Handel a libretto based on the life of Christ, to set to music.

"Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: Yet once a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, the sea and the dry land, and I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come." The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple; even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in, behold he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts."

Handel began composing on August 22, 1741. He grew so absorbed, he rarely left his room, hardly stopping to eat.

"And He shall purify the sons of Levi that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness"

The structure of the text follows a chronological portrayal of the biblical story of the Messiah.

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel."

The work is in three parts. Part I contains the broad themes of Messiah's coming foretold.

""O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold you God!"

His birth, life, and ministry.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Might God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

Part II features Messiah's passion and resurrection, Pentecost, and the birth of the Church.

"Behold the Lamb of God, tha taketh away the sin of the world."

This section ends with the celebratory "Hallelujah Chorus" proclaiming Messiah's ultimate victory.

"Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." "The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

Part III is the believer's personalized response, expressing the hope of those redeemed by the Messiah.

" I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."


This section ends in a hymn of praise to the eternal, reigning Messiah.

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain and hath redeemed us to God by His Blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

Last evening we attended a presentation of Messiah at my son's college. It was an outstanding performance by some very talented students. But the thing that continues to strike me every single year is, although many believe that Handel's work is not inspired, I continue to see how his music has been played through the years in honor of the Son of God. When I listen to the classical music stations (which in our area is housed by a liberal university) I am praising God for HIS Words that are filtering through their airwaves.

Hallelujah!!!

Please join me at Spiritual Sundays.

Tampa Bay Hotel

We live in an area that is steeped in history. It has more interesting historical factors then two Super Bowls.

One point of interest is the Tampa Bay Hotel.

In the 1800's the railroad came to town. And this hotel was built to accommodate many wealthy northerns whose desire was to escape the frigid winters.

Built by Railroad owner, Henry B. Plant, The Tampa Bay Hotel was in a class of it's own. Henry Plant built several hotels along his railroad line. This one may be the only one that has survived.

The hotel was financed by Plant personally, not investors, at a cost of $2,500,000 and an additional $500,000 was spent for furnishings. It took two years to build, covered six acres and was one-quarter mile long. The 511 rooms were the first in Florida to be electrified.

The grounds of the Hotel spanned 150 acres. The amenities included an 9-hole golf course, flower conservatory, tennis courts, croquet courts, boathouse, hunting and fishing grounds, stables, racetrack, kennels, exposition hall with Florida products on view, casino with 2000 seat auditorium, heated indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, spa facilities and card rooms, totaling 21 buildings in all. Not a bad winter destination :-)

There were many celebrated guests of the hotel, most noteably Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy Roosevelt headquartered his Rough Riders at the hotel before deploying to Cuba.

The hotel closed after Henry B. Plant died, but the city eventually bought it from his heirs. It now houses a University, but the building still stands in all of its magnificent beauty.

Please join Coloradolady's Vintage Thingie Thursday.