Games and Elfs.

 

Word search Day

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I've really been searching the web for new games to play on Christmas Eve.  We have always played a few Bingo games, simply because my kiddos say it's tradition.  Can't stop playing Bingo now..... after 35 Christmases.  

See how close you come to being more like an Elf...   don't cheat!!

Here are a few little games for you all ...Have fun!!  Maybe everyone can share their number of points that they scored on "Who is most like an Elf" game.   Lets find out who is a "Real Elf."

Shug..

Change of plans yesterday

Glee......Brightens days, eases ways, sees the best and offers rest!! 

Oh what fun we had yesterday!

A totally unexpected trip to our favorite antique shop!!

I was on a mission but since some of the family reads my blog each day, I can't really say what I was shopping for.  Something fun though!

My planned out day did not end up being planned at all.  I didn't wrap gifts, I didn't open my computer and I didn't sit in my recliner.  Plans sometimes change on us, don't they?

Instead....I found what I wanted at the antique shop and I helped the girls shop.  

It's the small stuff, like wrapping paper, ribbons and tape....stocking stuffers....last minute gifts for this person and that person....but, for the most part, they got it all done. 

We have our menus planned out for Christmas eve and for Christmas day.  Totally different from what we have done in years past.  

Making sure that our Menu is friendly for Sam!

Christmas eve will be a couple of different soups with the fixings and for Christmas day, it's simply going to be chicken spaghetti with salad and garlic bread.  Simple enough!! 

Our temps are cold this morning but mainly because the wind is blowing pretty hard.  

Let me show y'all a couple of things that I thought was cute at the antique store..

A small suitcase, turned into a Christmas scene.  

And...another one!!

Deer "Dear" Friends...I will leave you all today with one one other photo...

I love designing pictures on snap chat..

(((Hugs))) and much love,

Shug....

I did want to answer a few questions from yesterday's post...

My friends and I went to school together, graduated together and have remained friends for the past 54 years.  We all live within 30 miles of each other and we get together once a month for lunch...However, if we come up with something like (hey, you want to go to town today or...hey, you want to go with me to run an errand) then we hop in the car and head out.  They are great Christian ladies...

A meal and great conversation

 Waking up to a cool morning...It is 46 degrees outside and an expected high today of 69.  It's going to be a nice day ahead. 

Thought I would share my yesterday with y'all.  I didn't even have time to open my computer, except to make a quick post that morning. 

The day was filled with sweet December moments that sure filled up my cup. I enjoyed a Christmas lunch with my dear friends. We drove out of my driveway around 10:00 yesterday morning and pulled back in around 2:30 pm. 

No rushing at all...we were taking our time enjoying the good food and the wonderful conversations.  I think we lingered a couple of hours just chit chatting and enjoying catching up about life.  The meal alone felt like a nice celebration.  Lobster bisque and warm bread for beginners..It was so rich and warm and I will honestly say that I just wanted to pause between each bite to make it last longer.  lol.  The entrees were awesome, but I ended up bringing mine home.  The bisque FILLED me up!

We shared a lovely lunch, exchanged gifts that were thoughtful and fun and we shared some emotional moments as well as a lot of laughter that only comes when friends truly know one another.  

I'm holding this gathering in my heart...as I truly love these ladies.  And you know what? These are the things where I am reminded that the greatest gifts do not come with bows...they come with the moments when we share a meal with friends and when we sit for hours finding comfort in the season of giving. 

They come wrapped in familiar voices and soft understanding that friendship itself is one of God's sweetest blessings.

Last night's dinner?  Sam had leftovers from Longhorn steakhouse, and I had a peanut butter cracker..I was still too full from the delicious bisque. 

Today is a day of wrapping gifts, catching up on reading blogs and for sitting in my recliner.  

I love you all like family..  

shug.

Silly but so much Truth!

 I woke up yesterday morning and decided to wash my hair.  Now you might be asking why on earth would I be telling you that I washed my hair.  It's something we all do several times a week.  But...There is more !!

You see..  I missed my normal hair appointment about 3 weeks ago when Sam was in the hospital.   Well.. my grey roots have really grown out fast this time.  I still have 2 more weeks before my next appointment. 

As I was blowing drying my hair...looking in the mirror...I thought about how many times I have seen other women with such long grown out grey roots and have made the comment to Myself.... "If they have colored hair, why do they let their roots grow out like that?"  

Then.. this voice spoke to me... "Have you ever stopped to consider that life may have interrupted them?" 

"Maybe they too were caring for a loved one. Maybe grief showed up in their life. Maybe sickness or finances or responsibility took priority."

In that moment, I realized how easily we form conclusions from the surface, never considering the unseen sacrifices beneath. Scripture reminds us, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7

So what if grey roots tell a story of endurance, of compassion, and choosing what really matters in life?  Seeing life through heaven's lens is what is important...Grace outweighs judgement and love always counts more than appearances.  I pray that my life will show evidence of a life poured out in love and not one full of criticism of others.   

I know this is a silly story, but silly or not, I am thankful that the Lord spoke to me!

Shug...

Today, my family honors my brother (Joe) on his birthday...his first birthday in heaven. There is a quiet ache knowing we cannot call, laugh or celebrate the way we always did, yet there is also a gentle peace in knowing that he is wrapped in a joy far greater than anything we could possibly imagine.   I think of how (on his first birthday in heaven) he is celebrating and praising the Lord.