a spirit of simplicity

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Real or artificial Christmas tree? I think there are arguments for both. I purchased an artificial one 7 or 8 years ago.  I live in a small apartment and needed a tall, skinny tree.  I could never find one in the Christmas tree lot. Here are the things I miss about not having a real tree: * Shopping for the tree. I love Christmas tree lots. A friend I grew up with sells trees every year  and I miss being a part of that community...supporting a local cause, running into people you know,  seeing the joy on children's faces, even the cold fingers and toes, even lugging it off the car  and into the house.  Here are the things I don't miss about having a real tree: The expense...it costs about $75.00 every year!  The search for a tree that isn't very full. I like a skinny tree that has space between branches. The clean up. I am not clear on which type is better for the environment...or the overall good. Real trees must put a stress on the land but they also suppor

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The weather...It got quite cold after Thanksgiving.  We are at just about freezing temps in the mornings now but it gets warmer as the sun comes up. Right now I am sipping coffee and thinking about what a lovely and very busy weekend I've had.  I have just started The Stationary Shop. My cousin picked it out for our cousin's book club. My three grandchildren spent Friday night at my house and we watched a few Christmas specials. It was fun to see these through the eyes of a child again. They love Frosty the Snowman! Something fun to share... I purchased a beautiful rolling pin that is embossed with dragonflies. It inspired me to make an apple pie over the weekend. My grandchildren were visiting so Abigail (4) and Natalie (2)  dragged their stools over to the  counter and helped. We all had a little snack of apple slices in cinnamon sugar and then I rolled out the pie crust with the fancy rolling pin. You can barely make out the dragonflies after it baked.  I'

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ~ ~ ~ Scripture and a snapshot You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My new to me bowl which I am sorta in love with. I plan on calling it the stuffing bowl because it is perfect for making stuffing in. Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. ~ I did a little bit of Christmas decorating on the hutch. I like using red and green books...I have so many books. ~ I drove about 3 hours to my sister's house on Wednesday. Her husband went to visit his family and mine had to work so we decided to spend the day together. It was lovely. Her oldest friend, who grew up next door to us also came and her daughter as well. It was just the four of us girls....so relaxing. Her silly dog checks out the TV every time there is another dog on. We were watching a dog show until it got so silly we had to turn the channel.  ~ I found this carrot while I was preparing Thanksgiving dinner. My niece said it looked like a peace sign. ~ ~ ~ Friday fave fives

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The frost settled just around the edges of the fallen leaves. It looked so pretty.  ~ ~ ~ communal Global Wordless Wednesday Nature notes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ the dressing bowl Is it dressing or stuffing where you live? We've always put it into the bird and called it stuffing. In her later years my mother would put some extra in tinfoil and place it in the oven as well. I think when it's not in the bird it's called dressing.  Or...maybe it's just a regional thing...or a family thing. This bowl, which I picked up on the side of the road a few weeks back, will forever be known as the stuffing bowl. I had a friend whose mother made a potato stuffing that was delicious.  I only met her one time but my friend made it with me a few times. I think I remember enough to attempt to make it this year. I have been eating plant-based for about a year now...with an occasional bit of cheese or fish... so I will cook my stuffing in a casserole dish. t  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 The weather.....It has been cooler this weekend and I have to say I am enjoying temper