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Fall Fun 2015

. Family, Seasons . , , ,

Here in the Southeast Autumn is Awesome! We may not have the spectrum of autumn colors that New England has, but we do have some great colors. To me, the best part is the cool, sunny days that are not too cold! If you notice what Carter and Ammon are wearing, they are wearing T-shirts and jeans. However, at sundown, it got so chilly. I think the low for this night was about 45 degrees.

I love the magical, autumn memories Carter and Ammon have been making during their lives: autumn leaves, beautiful views of Hunter’s Moons in October, the early frosts covering our roses, learning to ride bicycles, and now starting to learn to skateboard. We are so blessed, and I want to share, once again, what our mantel looks like from the First Day of Autumn until the Day after Thanksgiving.

Autumn_angels

Our harvest angels have graced our home for several years now. During the autumn, they flank our Lladró figurine of Jesus Christ, The Master Teacher. As I turned their faces toward the figure of Christ, I couldn’t help but think of Dante’s Paradiso XXIII 43-45:

Then her eyes turned to the eternal Light
Into whose depth we may believe the eyes
45 Of no other creature penetrates more clearly.


When there are angelic figures or human figures on our mantel, I try to position them where their eyes are fixed on the Eternal Light, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Correct Alexander Dates

. Family . , , , ,
My Great Grandparents buried in Varnell, Georgia

My Great Grandparents buried in Varnell, Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Hartsfield Family Bible, The Atlanta Journal -June 29, 1935, and The Dalton Citizen News the week of May 9, 1945, the stone should read:

William Oliver Alexander : May 15, 1875-June 29, 1935

Sarah Maro Cox Alexander: September 26, 1886- May 9, 1945

These great-grandparents are paternal, and it goes next to Mary Naomi Alexander Caylor (May 15, 1918-August 10, 1985), to Oliver Haven Caylor (September 19, 1939-May 28, 1982) to me, Haven William Caylor-Brown (May 7, 1966-present).

 

 

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Christmas Hawk (Teaser)

. Books, Christmas, Christmas Hawk . , , , , , , ,

 

"Christmas Hawk"

“Christmas Hawk”

“Christmas Hawk” on Amazon

 

Who would ever think Santa could use raptors (Hawks, Eagles, etc.) to help him find children for his nice list?

Written together with my two children—Carter and Ammon— this book speaks to young readers and imparts a timely lesson. Enjoy our This N That (WTVC-ABC Affiliate-Chattanooga, TN) Interview : photo below

 

This N That -11-23-2015 Interview with Brian Smith

This N That -11-23-2015 Interview with Brian Smith This N That Christmas Hawk Interview

 

The story follows a “Christmas Hawk” who is recruited, along with other birds of the world with keen vision, by Santa himself to help him with the names on his Nice List. This sees an adorable hawk find not only nice girls and boys but also those who are the givers themselves. After all, the Christmas spirit is all about giving.

The “Christmas Hawk” arrives just in time to remind readers that “it is always more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

Rock City's Birds of Prey Red-tailed Hawk, Cody

Rock City’s Birds of Prey Red-tailed Hawk, Cody

 

Christmas Hawk
Haven Caylor

Hawk and keen-eyed birds from around the world had been recruited by Santa Claus to watch children, place them on his Nice List, and in doing so, helping spread the spirit of Christmas. Some of Hawk’s friends from around the world called to help Santa included the Bald Eagle from Alaska, the Golden Eagle from Mexico, the multicolored, Chinese sparrowhawk from China, and the South American Caracara from Venezuela. Santa sent his helpers forth with magical reindeer food to help them fly faster.

Hawk’s area of the world included the Mississippi River, rolling plains, plateaus, and the ancient Smoky Mountains. With Santa’s special reindeer food, it did not take long to fly, watch the children being nice, and take note of their giving spirits. Outside her nest in a tall White Oak Tree, Hawk found a brother and sister who touched her hawk heart. Their names were Carter and Ammon.

Carter and Ammon had sent a letter to Santa asking for new bicycles. They were friends with their neighbors, Jenny and Henry, but Jenny and Henry’s parents were too busy for Santa Claus “shenanigans”. “Did you write to Santa for presents?” Ammon asked Henry and Jenny. Henry sighed, “What good would it do to write? Our parents don’t believe in Santa. They will not help mail a letter.” Ammon was sad…..

…. to find if Hawk has, indeed, chosen nice children with the Christmas Spirit please finish reading “Christmas Hawk” available from both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

November 28, 2015-Haven reads "Christmas Hawk" to a crowd at Barnes and Noble

November 28, 2015-Haven reads “Christmas Hawk” to a crowd at Barnes and Noble

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Christmas Hawk

. Christmas, Christmas Hawk . , , , , , , , ,
My 1st Publication. Thank you, Ammon & Carter

My 1st Publication. Thank you, Ammon & Carter

Ladies and Gentlemen “Christmas Hawk”

(Available at Amazon & Barnes and Noble)

Who would ever think Santa Claus could ever use raptors (Eagles, Hawks, etc) to help him with his Nice List? Well, Carter, Ammon, and I did, and the result is an awesome tale. It has the potential to be a Christmas Classic, and you all can help it make it one.

Carter and Ammon helped me write “Christmas Hawk” one December afternoon as we watched the Red Tailed Hawk who lives behind our house circle above our heads.

It would also be a blessing you would write a positive review after you read “Hawk”

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Summer Beach (Mixed Media Artistic Delight)

. Art . , , , , , , ,
Ammon & Carter share another Mixed-Media Masterpiece July 20, 2015

Ammon & Carter share another Mixed-Media Masterpiece July 20, 2015

Need (Suggested beginning doses: more paint for darker color OR add more water to lighten it up)

1 Plastic Cup

4 tsp. Water

2 drops Watercolor Blue 

1 Burnt Sienna Oil Pastel Crayon (Rembrandt)

1 Turquoise Blue Oil Pastel Crayon

1 Light Orange Oil Pastel Crayon (Rembrandt)

1 Sheet Water Color Paper

1 Paintbrush

Beach Scene Stickers (eksuccess brand)

Clear glue ( I prefer Elmer’s)

Step 1: With a pencil, etch the line of the beach and etch a line of where the ocean meets the sky.

Step 2: Make a perfect circle for the sun with the round lid of any container.

Step 3: Color the beach, ocean (sea), and the sun with your oil pastel crayons.

Step 4: Mix your water and drops of watercolor blue and apply it liberally over the sky. Once again, the oil based pastel repels the watercolor, so if some gets on the ocean, it’s okay. It can also add to the different hues in the colors of the ocean. 😉 Allow to dry for 24 hours.

Step 5: Stickers do not go well on the slick oil based crayons, SO add clear glue to the backs of the stickers and place them where you want them. Beach scene is ready for display!

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Awesome Week (49th Birthday, Mother’s Day, & Thank you, Beth Rogers)

. Birthday, Family, Learning . , , , , , , , , ,

My last year in my 40s. Wow! I’ll never forget my father purchasing a calculator (like nearly $25 for a simple, bare-bones, with the highest function of multiplication…LOL) and placing a year then subtracting 1966 to see how old I would be. 2015-1966= 49 😉

1966

49th Birthday

Okay, my birthday (LIVING) was MAGNIFIED a bit with seeing “fragile life” with my emergency appendectomy on Sunday April 27. The inflamed appendix was caught early, but it could have burst, and I could have been gravely ill. Thanks to good health and God, my recovery went well.

Surgery

I was riding rides at Dollywood 6 days later.
Dollywood_May

My Birthday was totally awesome. We went to see “The Avengers: The Age of Ultron” then went to eat at Provino’s Italian Restaurant: Eggplant Parmesan!

Birthday Movie: May 7, 2015

Birthday Movie: May 7, 2015

Several weeks ago, my friend, Beth Sexton Rogers, from our Lipscomb University days sent me a picture and video with a suggestion to make Sun Catchers for Mamaw & Nana. Beth is one of those friends who everybody needs. She sought me out on Facebook over 3 years ago. She is an awesome friend and Sister in Christ. Well, Carter, Ammon, Sean, and I rounded up all the necessary articles, and made sun catchers for Mother’s Day gifts.

Sun Catchers

Mother's Day Sun Catchers for Mamaw & Nana

I grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and we had Mamaw and Nana over for Mother’s Day lunch. My only regret is that we didn’t take any photos.

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Ornamental Cherry Tree Pastel: A Spring Masterpiece in 4 Easy Steps

. Art, Family, Learning . , , , , , , , , , ,
Carter & Ammon's Spring Pastel Painting

Carter & Ammon’s Spring Pastel Painting

Need (Suggested beginning doses: more paint for darker color OR add more water to lighten it up)

1 Plastic Cup

4 tsp. Water

2 drops Watercolor Blue 

2 drops Watercolor Green

1 Brown Oil Pastel Crayon (Holbein Oil Pastel)

1 Big dollop of Pink tempera paint 

1 Sheet Water Color Paper

1 Paintbrush

Step 1: On the Water Color Paper, lightly pencil the ground and tree

Step 2: With a brown oil pastel crayon, heavily color the tree

Step 3: Trying not to allow the green and blues to mix, saturate the ground with green and the sky with green. Once again, the oil pastel repels the watercolors. 

Allow the Painting to Dry for 24 hours

Step 4: With pink, tempera paint dollop out pink. With the child’s finger tips (prints) dabb the tree with pink fingerprints to make the pink, ornamental cherry blossoms then allow to finish drying.

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Easter 2015

. Family, Holidays . , , , , ,
Ammon & Carter: Easter 2015

Ammon & Carter: Easter 2015

Happy Easter Everyone: “He’s alive, and he is risen”

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Jesus in The Garden of Gethsemane: Holy Week: Revised April 9, 2020

. Holidays, Jesus Christ Follower . , , , , , ,

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, was human like us. He did not want to endure the physical pain of his upcoming crucifixion. From Mark 14:36, Jesus implores to God in the Garden of Gethsemane  “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” The “Abba” is Aramaic for “Daddy”. It reminds me so much of when Carter wants something and says “Please, Daddy!”, and my heart either wrenches and gives in or I say  “No” to what Carter wants.

God’s answer was for Jesus to endure the cross and be the sacrificial lamb for all mankind. My human heart can only imagine the anguish God was feeling for Jesus to die for us. An angel came from God and comforted Jesus (Luke 24: 43) so as to fortify him for the excruciating death that awaited him.

I also think of the 12 disciples being “cowards”, but yet, what would I have done? Do I betray Jesus like Judas did (Matthew 26: 47-49)? Do I like money, cars, clothes, traveling, or food more than Jesus and put them before my love and dedication to him? Sometimes I feel that I would have run like everyone but Peter and John. However, Peter snuck around and denied that he knew Jesus. Tradition tells that John and his family was well-received in high Jerusalem circles and probably mingled with the crowds during those early morning hours being as close to Jesus as could even until Jesus gave up his Spirit on the cross (John 19:25-27). Oh, how I would love to think that I would stay by Jesus’ side until the end.

No matter what, Jesus still loves me like he loved Judas until the end. Jesus STILL called Judas “friend” (Matthew 26: 50): Unbelievable and remarkable! However, that’s Jesus! He is LOVE and forgiveness!

Tonight as we lay down in our cozy beds for a great night’s rest, let’s remember our tired and sleepless Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and getting ready to face the death on the cross so he could be our sacrificial lamb and take on our sins. What a man and what a savior! Thank you, Jesus!

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Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

. Family, Holidays . , , , , , ,

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, was human like us. He did not want to endure the physical pain of his upcoming crucifixion. From Mark 14:36, Jesus implores to God in the Garden of Gethsemane  “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” The “Abba” is Aramaic for “Daddy”. It reminds me so much of when Carter wants something and says “Please, Daddy!”, and my heart either wrenches and gives in or I say  “No” to what Carter wants.

God’s answer was for Jesus to endure the cross and be the sacrificial lamb for all mankind. My human heart can only imagine the anguish God was feeling for Jesus to die for us. An angel came from God and comforted Jesus (Luke 24: 43) so as to fortify him for the excruciating death that awaited him.

I also think of the 12 disciples being “cowards”, but yet, what would I have done? Do I betray Jesus like Judas did (Matthew 26: 47-49)? Do I like money, cars, clothes, traveling, or food more than Jesus and put them before my love and dedication to him? Sometimes I feel that I would have run like everyone but Peter and John. However, Peter snuck around and denied that he knew Jesus. Tradition tells that John and his family was well-received in high Jerusalem circles and probably mingled with the crowds during those early morning hours being as close to Jesus as could even until Jesus gave up his Spirit on the cross (John 19:25-27). Oh, how I would love to think that I would stay by Jesus’ side until the end.

No matter what, Jesus still loves me like he loved Judas until the end. Jesus STILL called Judas “friend” (Matthew 26: 50): Unbelievable and remarkable! However, that’s Jesus! He is LOVE and forgiveness!

Tonight as we lay down in our cozy beds for a great night’s rest, let’s remember our tired and sleepless Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and getting ready to face the death on the cross so he could be our sacrificial lamb and take on our sins. What a man and what a savior! Thank you, Jesus!