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“Christmas Waltz”

. Holidays

When I went out with the hounds last Friday morning, we had such a picturesque frost on the ground. Mother Nature and the art that she creates is incredible: the ice crystals on the clover or the feathery, ice designs on the sheets of ice on our pond. The frost was so heavy that there was still frost on the ground in the shaded areas at 10 o’clock that morning.

The frost reminded me of the opening lines of “The Christmas Waltz” song. I never really appreciated the song until one of my favorite singers/actresses, Kristen Chenowith, sang it on her Christmas album from 2009. I want to share the song with you all. Enjoy and have a blessed Sunday.

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Olympia, Greece/Haven’s Son worship

. European Destinations, Family, Jesus Christ Follower, Spiritual Fitness . , , , , ,

Well, we were supposed to see and experience Olympia on October 13, 2011, the site of the original Olympic Games; however, the operators of the historical sites chose to go on strike. I decided to stay on the ship. I am posting some “post card-type” pictures, but they are not mine. That morning I had a spiritual experience, and that is what I am sharing with you all now. Have a blessed weekend during this blessed season of Advent leading to Christmas.

Revelation 21:23

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (NIV)

Thursday October 13, 2011

After a great night’s sleep on Wednesday, I arose to a new day around 6:45 am. I got my coffee and water, and jogged for 20 minutes aboard the Star Princess. When I finished, I enjoyed a good breakfast that I carried to just about the highest point where passengers are allowed. The full moon was setting on the west side of the ship, the sun was rising above the mountains east of Katakolon, Greece (our port of call), and I was in between enjoying my meal. I had been waiting and waiting for the sun to rise the whole time I jogged. On the same platform stood 4 Asians who I am pretty sure were Japanese. One of the men had a camera, and I was quite sure he was waiting for the sun to peek over the mountains so he could get a good photograph.

I had already said several morning prayers as I jogged, and I had asked God to bless my breakfast before I ate, but I had yet to bow my head in prayer or kneel in prayer as I often do. I looked at the Asian gentleman, and he was, indeed, snapping a few pictures of the peeking sun. The two women seemed a bit giddy, and one was waving her hands in an upward direction “encouraging” the sun to rise. I was amused. When the entire sun was above the mountain top, the other Asian woman placed her hands in a prayer position, faced the rising sun and made a grateful shoulder-bow while the other Asian woman did the same in front of her. The only time I have knelt publicly in prayer has been for communion at St. Martin’s. When I saw the women bow towards the sun, the Holy Spirit moved in me, and my heart started beating faster. I knew what the Spirit was encouraging me to do: I was to kneel in prayer and thank my Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ (God’s Son) for the new day in view of those people. I have always been a firm believer in “going to your closet” to pray, and I have. Prayer is VERY PERSONAL and should not be for show. I placed my plate on the bench, went down on bended knee, placed my hands in the prayer position, and thanked God for the day. I was immediately ENERGIZED in the Spirit. I gathered my things and I did not look back to see if the Asians had watched. However, if they did, I wanted them to know that I was a Son worshipper, and not a worshipper of our nearest star, the sun.

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Wrapping Up New York for December 2011

. Family, Family Travel, Holidays . , , , ,

We had a great and safe time in New York City. We finished up with our 2nd Annual trip to Toys R Us for a ride on the Ferris Wheel with our picture taken.

Nana, Carter, & Sean: December 5, 2011 at Toys R Us, Times Square

If I can, I will try to make a copy of last year’s photos to you all can compare 2010 with 2011.

Haven & Ammon: December 5, 2011 Toys R Us New York, Times Square

Sean and I had seen “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” last May, and we knew then it would keep Ammon and Carter’s attention. It did not let us down. All 5 of us went to see it Sunday evening, and the children did, indeed, enjoy it.

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Harry Connick, Jr. : On a Clear Day you can see Forever

. Theater Shows (Broadway)/Movies

On Friday Night, Sean and I went to see “On a Clear Day, You can see Forever” on Broadway with Harry Connick, Jr. It was a wonderful presentation, and we got Harry Connick, Jr.’s autograph on his Christmas CD. If you like Harry’s music and/or acting, you will not be disappointed, and I do recommend seeing the show. (By the way, that’s my huge, shiny, bald forehead to the right! ;o)

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New York: Friday December 2

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Friday Morning was spent watching the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes! As usual, the ladies did an EXCELLENT performance. I am still amazed at the Christmas Story: the birth of Jesus Christ where they present the live Nativity.

We got to have our pictures made with both Santa Claus and a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. Ammon and Carter were great spectators!

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New York City: December 2011

. Theater Shows (Broadway)/Movies

Guy, we hope all is well in Chattanooga. You’re the best house sitter in the universe!

This year we arrived early enough to go see a Broadway show the same evening we landed. Sean and I went to see Spiderman: Turn off the Dark. The staging for the flying is, indeed, awesome.

On Thursday, we did some great shopping at Macy’s, and all 5 of us went to see the Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center, Koch Theater.  It was fabulous! This was Carter and Ammon’s 1st ballet, and they did a great job of sitting quietly. I am by no means a ballet expert, but the Sugar Plum Fairy, Teresa Reichlen , is absolutely amazing and talented. Her strength and control in the pas de deux was spectacular! She is so tall and elegant. I hope to see her again one day in another New York Ballet presentation.

Food! Pon Sri Thai restaurant on 48th Street near 8th Avenue! Go there if you like Thai food! I HIGHLY recommend the pineapple fried rice!!

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Mamaw’s Birthday: Sunday November 27, 2011

. Family

Mamaw, MaryLou Wimpy Caylor, turned 71 yesterday. It was a quiet, rainy birthday for her, and it was the kind of birthday she appreciates: No fuss or muss!

I know everyone enjoys “their day”, but Mamaw has always seemed to enjoy sharing the week with Jennifer, her granddaughter and my niece. Jennifer’s birthday is November 23. I host a birthday, pancake breakfast as a “transition” between Thanksgiving and Christmas for our family. However, the emphasis is on Mamaw and Jennifer’s birthdays. We had a great time with family, food, fellowship, and fun on Saturday morning.

Jennifer & Mamaw: November 26, 2011

Carter, Ammon, Sean, and I also visited with Mamaw on her birthday. We had placed Christmas poinsettias on Ammon and Carter’s grandfather’s graves, and on the way home, we spent some birthday time with her.

For everyone out there, I want to share, yet again, how much my mother means to me: love, support, acceptance. She is an awesome mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law. I am so blessed to have her as is everyone whose life she touches.

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Corfu, Greece: October 5, 2011

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Corfu, Greece

This was our second time in Corfu, Greece. Like Dubrovnik, we’ve only seen it in the autumn. However, I believe that Corfu must be at its most attractive during the summer.

Two years ago, we took a tour of the island, and we saw an Orthodox monastery, downtown Corfu, and the Achillion Palace. The palace was built by the Empress Elizabeth of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the latter part of the 19th century.

This time we decided to spend time shopping since we had such little time to shop in 2009. We also took a “train ride” around the city where some archaeological reconstruction is going on. The ruins are from the 4th Century before Christ.

All aboard the Corfu Express!!

Corfu ruins

Carter, Ammon, & Haven sailing away from Corfu

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Thanksgiving Cookies

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Pumpkin Spice Cookies: November 22, 2011

The first thing I cooked all by myself was my mother’s birthday cake in 1976. I was 10, and she was turning 36. I have loved cooking ever since. On the evening (Tuesday November 22, 2011) of this photo, Carter, Ammon and I had started mixing the ingredients together, but Ammon became bored and went to play in the living room with Daddy S. When I had the “presence of mind” to get the camera, Ammon wasn’t interested in dropping the cookie dough onto the baking pan.

I haven’t baked too much with Carter and Ammon because it would mostly be cookies, cakes, and pies …things my fat and I do not need. However, I want them to enjoy the kitchen and learn how to bake and cook, so especially during the holidays, we will bake. I want my children to start making cookies and MAKING MEMORIES they can hold and cherish in their hearts forever.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia: October 4, 2011

. European Destinations, Family Travel . , , , ,

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia is such a tourist treat. It is on the Dalmatian Coast (yep, the area of Dalmatian dogs) on the Adriatic Sea. In the past 10 years, it has become quite popular for summer vacationers who love to swim and sunbathe.  It does seem crowded in the downtown area, but that’s because the main attraction is the medieval walled city. Unlike many middle-ages walled cities, Dubrovnik’s walls (not built all at once  but fortified and added on to from the 12th to 17th centuries) were kept intact and are still utility to the city.

Downtown Dubrovnik

Cavtat, Croatia

It was our second time in Dubrovnik, and we even had lunch at the same grinding mill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtRNp2Ub9Qg) where we visited in 2009. The embedded video in the previous sentence is from the mill.

The city of Cavtat was an additional stop this time. It is on the coast as well, but the rhythm of the town is much slower than the rhythm of Dubrovnik. The next time we go to Dubrovnik I hope it will be in the summer so we can all swim in the gorgeous waters of the Adriatic there.