Happy New Year Wishes to YOU!

To each and every one of you I wish you a happy and growth filled new year! I have NEVER been one to make resolutions but I look forward to the freshness of a new year and what it brings.

Be safe and I will see you in 2011!!!

The hurt in others

I was waiting in a rather long line at the art and craft store today. As I waited my turn I did what I often do and watch people in line and those around me. I find myself "filling in the blanks" about these people I do not know...

~that man holding embroidery thread looks grumpy 'cause his wife sent him out to get one more skein of blue to finish the baby bib for their great nephew out in California...
~that little girl has a birthday gift card and is gleefully waiting her turn to pay for her Crayola craft set...

The lady directly in front of me looked to be 70ish and had a sweet, soft face. She turned around to look at something and she seemed sad and distant, deep in thought. I noticed the only thing she had was a beautiful Christmas wreath. It had been crafted in the store with pine cones, holly, berries and a gorgeous antiqued Christmas ribbon with Cardinals on it. My mom enjoys Cardinals so I was intrigued at how pretty the wreath was. Then, I remembered that I had a great coupon for any hand crafted wreath. I pulled it out of my purse and asked the lady if she would like to use it. She smiled and graciously took it thanking me. I told her how lovely her wreath was...and she said she had bought it for her husband. As we chatted I discovered that her husband had recently died and she would be spending her first Christmas without him. He had been a lover of birds, especially Cardinals and she was tickled to find this wreath and planned to place it on his grave later today. By the time it was her turn to pay, I knew she had suffered long with her husband in his illness and then death. I completely understood why her sweet, soft face seemed so sad and thoughtful to me...she was buying a gift for him.

I am thankful for this lady today...amidst the beauty, joy and excitement of celebrating Christ's birth there is also sadness...I pray I will remember those that hurt ALL the time but especially at this time of year.

*I wrote this a couple of years ago. I re-post it today in memory of my Uncle Michael. My Aunt spent her first Christmas without him this year and she did it with grace and dignity as she does all things but we ALL miss him terribly. TO UNCLE MIKE!

Being different is a blessing

Do you know this story?



A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty
apartment window into the chilling December night.

His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob's
wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand
why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's
eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?"
Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought
waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life.
Life always had to be different for Bob.

Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was
too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names
he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never
seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and
was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during
the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it
was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer had stripped them of all
their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a
two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before
Christmas in 1938.

Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even
afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was
determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal
character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara
to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story,
embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was
the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography
in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he
was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a
big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his
little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.

The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little
storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to
print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores.
By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies
of Rudolph . That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the
rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all
rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and
marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing
family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving
daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph.
Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby
and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a
phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song,
with the exception of "White Christmas."

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept
on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the
lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so
bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

We had a GORGEOUS, unseasonably warm day in November and the kids indulged me by posing for Christmas Card photos. Mitchell led the pack in his typical crazy shenanigans and the crazy ones are ALWAYS my favorites.







Nate finished up his classes today and all the kids are officially on Christmas Break. The wrapping is done but we've cookies to bake, games to play, movies to see and FINALLY time to really play in the snow. Looks like a white Christmas for us this year.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you WITH LOVE. May your season be BRIGHT.

Christmas Library

Each year we add a new Christmas Story to our Christmas library box. It is pure pleasure for me to find the perfect book each year. There are books in our box from when Rob and I were little kids and my kids adore re-visiting the stories each year. I have to admit that I regularly read them by the sparkling tree after the kids are in bed. I had not found the perfect book yet this year. I was thrilled to visit my friend Julie at Circle Cliff Views and knew the moment I saw her post that I had found our book for 2010.


Isn't he a quirky looking fellow? Around here we do SO LOVE quirky! The story is so precious! If you have little ones to buy for this Christmas this book is a GEM!

Thank you Julie!

Whimsical Christmas

I have a small tree on the mantle in my dining room decorated with these antique ornaments given to me by my Nana. They are hand painted and I love their colors.

As we grew up, my grandparents gave a new ornament to my brother and I each Christmas. Gramps and Gram have carried on that tradition. These adorable Gingerbread boys and girls are this year's special ornaments for the kids. Hand made by a friend right in our village.

I found this jolly fellow in a second hand store.

This ornament is a favorite of mine from the 1970's. Given to my brother from my Grandad and Nana Boo.

We have to have a touch of the Irish here at Killeny Glen.

Our local coffee shoppe roasts its own coffee and produces a special Christmas blend each year. It is a rich, dark coffee and tastes even better in my Christmas mug.

I enjoy decorations both old and new but find myself loving anything previously owned that comes with history. Happy Christmas.

A Christmas Birthday

The preparations for a very special birthday begin. Emma busy at one of her favorite things: spending time in the kitchen - - CREATING!

A labor of love.

We had planned to eat out Italian for dinner but a snowstorm came in with gusto so we decided to have Gram and Gramps to The Glen for some Pasta E Fagioli. We had a cozy dinner, birthday cake and gifts for the birthday girl.
Gram and her Fab Five.

Happy Birthday Mom...you are the BEST Momma in the whole world!!!

A CELEBRATION!

I am celebrating five years blogging today! It has been so much fun for me. When I think of the HOURS I have spent blogging and visiting my bloggy friends it makes me wonder if I have wasted precious hours on an unproductive activity. But upon closer examination I cannot count how many of you have enriched, blessed, encouraged and expanded me and my world. I have learned so many things about those in different cultures, travel, recipes, poetry, original art, literature, virtual parties, photography, games, giveaways, decorating, crafts and child enrichment. I have expanded my passion for the orphans of the world and met people that I truly count as dear friends. I love those who comment and e-mail regularly and appreciate my lurkers that visit regularly but do not speak up ever or often. (I have to admit that I would love to hear from you though!) You read my drivel, and in the world of blogging there are so MANY wonderful, creative, ingenious, talented, insightful and inspired writers. It is a treat each time you stop by The Glen for a visit.

It has been a life changing journey for me and I am thankful for you.

So today I celebrate five years and 800 posts!
Thank you dear friends and family!

End this day with a Silent Night

I Need A Silent Night
Amy Grant


I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

Hello?

I sleep lightly...VERY lightly...I hear EVERYTHING in the house.
My husband, on the other hand, can nap peacefully in the midst of ALL the kids wrestling on the floor IN FRONT OF HIM.

My oldest son's high school has a great automated telephone system called "One Call." It is an excellent way for the Principal to communicate with the entire student body with only...one call. Great program, very efficient. I know this system and I am very aware that it exists.

When our phone rang at 5:47AM I became instantly airborne. After peeling myself OFF the ceiling I stumbled/ran toward the kitchen. (You see we do NOT have a phone in our bedroom - NOT smart.) In a blurry quest of confusion I thought: Who died? Who is in the hospital? Who needs us RIGHT NOW!? As I clumsily made my way to my desk I FORGOT we have a counter in the kitchen and slammed into it full force. In continued chaotic movement I grabbed the phone for the bad/sad news.

"School has been canceled today due to failure of the heating system."

Oh.

Sigh.

Back to bed.
Hubbie asked, "So what part of your body did you hit the counter with?"

NOT so fond of the ONE CALL system.

Thinking of asking Santa for a telephone for the bedroom.

Tea at Torosay Castle

I have arrived at Torosay Castle for this year's Christmas Tea. It is snowing here and quite cold. Mr. Toast has paid careful attention to every detail and an elegant time is to be had by all who attend!


There is a lovely old Grand Piano in the main hall at Torosay and I plan to ask sweet Mr. Toast if he would indulge me by playing this amazing instrument! I've chosen a wonderful arrangement of Oh Tannenbaum to play.

I had the privilege this morning to take a my coffee into the Torosay library and peruse the thousands of books that make a home there. A real treat.


I found these shoes in a vintage shoppe and KNEW they were perfect for the Christmas Tea. I know one typically buys a gown before the shoes but in this case the shoes came first!

Join us for tea! Tomorrow at 12:00 PM, EST

Ten reasons I LOVE Fridays!

1.) I always get this giddy, euphoric feeling about Fridays...a sense of freedom even when we have a FULL weekend.
2.) The kids get RIGHT UP and out the door (without TOO much protest) knowing the weekend is FINALLY here.
3.) I like to treat myself to a coffee at the local coffee shoppe and it is steamy, sweet, goodness, especially in the cold!
4.) PIZZA! We love our Friday night pizza!
5.) Basketball season is here...I am a HUGE basketball fan! (I only like live basketball and I am a yeller!) We also have the jazziest Pep Band on the planet!
6.) This weekend is "Little Town of Lights" in our village. I so enjoy taking the kids around to all the merchants enjoying treats and meeting up with Santa Claus for a chat.
7.) I get to watch some of my favorite shows that I have missed through out the week!
8.) Saturday mornings mean NO ALARM CLOCK and an extra pot of coffee I can share with my Number ONE Guy!
9.) I do NOT...I REPEAT...I do NOT do laundry!
10.) OH! I am going to Scotland on Sunday! Actually to the Isle of Mull which is off the coast of the Western Highlands. Join my friends there for a Christmas Tea hosted by dear Mr. Toast!

**I downloaded photos and found this one (someone is always kidnapping my camera) of the smiling ten toes. It definitely made ME smile.

SO good

Last night I brushed my teeth with clean, clear water.
I applied my lip balm.
I put on some hand lotion.
I slid between warm, cozy, flannel sheets.
I turned on my alarm on my digital clock.
Sitting next to my alarm clock sits my box of tissues and the book I am reading.
As I fell asleep I could hear the sound of my furnace running efficiently.

I have it good.
I have it SO good.

What can I do to make it "so good" for SO many children that do not have it "so good?"

There are 143 MILLION orphans in the world.

Busy hands

Thanksgiving break was wonderful. The weather turned cold but the sun shone brightly most of the long weekend giving us the illusion of warmth. We stayed busy and enjoyed some family down time.


We enjoyed playing games and cards.

Three of the kids picked up Latch Hook Kits. Remember those? They are an enjoyable activity. They have been busy working on their projects.

Madeleine got two new Christmas books from Nana Boo and she loved playing on Nana's grand piano when we visited. I enjoy hearing the Christmas Carols as I work around the house.

Indoor basketball play breaks out often in Mitchell's room...it sounds like elephants stampeding with the jumps and shouts that come from upstairs.


Everyone is out the door this morning and it is a bit TOO quiet for me. Hope you all have a great Monday.

Best wishes to each of you.

Dear friends and family,
I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving! I have SO much for which to be thankful! ALL OF YOU that faithfully visit The Glen are dear to me!
I pray your Thanksgiving will be filled with good things.
XOXO
Jill



For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

~photo from Google Images. (A FAVORITE of mine!)

J-O-Y

Ever have one of those days when you get up and everything is right in the world? Let me re-phrase that...with everything that is WRONG in the world I decide to choose JOY. Thanksgiving is just three days away I am filled with gratitude over the many blessings in my life.

We celebrated Nate's 17th birthday. So C-R-A-Z-Y that he is THAT old!

My Nana Boo always wears beautiful jewelry...some precious but mostly costume pieces. I wore this necklace that Nana gave me today and thought it quite stylish considering that it is sixty plus years old.

I love to browse and find treasures at second hand shops. You just NEVER know what amazing trinket, book or scarf you will find! I found these sassy shoes (brand new!) and LOVE THEM! I just love the squared toes and buckles!

We had the most AMAZING fall weather today. I decided to SEIZE the day and try a photo shoot with the kiddos to do a card for Christmas mailing. They HATE the dressing up photos so I thought I would just take some casual snaps. I heard the COLLECTIVE GROAN when they all got wind of my idea. A bit of resistance from the Fab Five so I did what any good parent SHOULD do and placed those unruly kids under arrest!

The kids are ridiculously silly and I took about two dozen photos that make me smile every time I look at them.

I choose joy.

Cravin' Cupcakes

My week's posts seem to have a "FOOD" theme and I think I must be gettin' ready to hibernate. There is a buzz about town that there is a new bakery near us called Gigi's Cupcakes. Cupcakes are so en vogue right now. I have never heard of Gigi's but I did what any decent person WOULD do and googled it. I am NOT a cake lover but if it is homemade OR gourmet I will NOT say no. Have you heard of this newer, small business - now turned chain? The flavors and photography are amazingly appealing. I imagine I should do a field trip and take the kids to sample these cupcakes and expose them to a small business done right? Right?

The Tophat Cupcake

The Classic Red Velvet Cupcake

Peanut Butter Cupcake


Happy Weekend to all.

The ultimate comfort food.

I was inspired as I listened to the radio the other day when the discussion was about one's "earliest food memory." A food or meal that you remember that brings back memories of time spent someWHERE special or with someONE special or...in some cases, maybe NOT so special.

As I look back on my childhood I realize the wonderful existence that I had as a child. In winter, my mother would wake my brother and I for school. We would sit at our counter and breakfast would be waiting for us. What ever we were eating that day would be accompanied with a glass of orange juice and a vitamin sitting alongside it. A special breakfast my mother prepared was Chocolate Oatmeal. My mother did not make it often but when she did we always enjoyed it. As I talked about it at my recent family reunion my aunts told me that my Mamaw would make Chocolate Oatmeal for them as well.

I ALWAYS prefer Hershey's brand cocoa...I think its the best. This also may be the reason I am so VERY fond of No Bake Chocolate Cookies.

What is your earliest food memory?

The beauty of autumn continues...

Every year we spend time at Jenny Wiley State Park. A beautiful 1,100 acre park sitting on Dewey Lake. Jenny Wiley has quite a tragic story. She was born in Pennsylvania and later witnessed the murders of her brother and children and was captured by Indians. She was held captive in Kentucky. When she escaped she was reunited with her husband but returned to Kentucky and made her home in Johnson County. She died in 1831. Her grave site is a part of this beautiful park.

Elk were introduced to Johnson County beginning in 1997 as a restoration project from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Prior to the release, elk had been gone from Kentucky for nearly 150 years. The herds are plentiful now and the lodge that we visit has impressive Wall Mount Elk Heads.

I love the mountains of Kentucky and the color of the foliage and the beauty of the water as we travel the winding roads but my family adores lunch at the lodge which highlights, FRIED catfish, FRIED pork chops and FRIED apple pies...one visit a year is probably all we could handle!

~google images

Sunday Snapshot

Madeleine was born in Hunan Province. People like to say that girls born there are "spicy" like the food. Yet Madeleine is a rule follower, efficient and practical in the way she approaches everything. She works diligently at the tasks at hand and finishes what she starts. She is pensive and quiet amongst those she is unsure and LOUD and boisterous when in the company of those she loves. She is NOT quick to ask for things and would not want to be considered selfish. Despite her oftentimes demure demeanor the TRUTH is that she DOES indeed have a SPICY side. She moves and talks with great assurance, she loves BRIGHT colors and patterns and if it has sequins or glitter, it will be her first choice. She begged to cut and color her hair when she was only SIX years old. We compromised on a sassy haircut. Recently, she grew her bangs out and Cousin Beppie fixed her up with a new haircut and a handful of colored extensions.





Oh, how I love this SPICY girl and how she KNOWS what she wants with SUCH confidence!

Lest we forget...

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life.


Image from Examiner.com

Wednesday WHIMZY

I work hard to try to feed my family HEALTHY food. Sometimes we have to break out and eat some JUNK! Once a year we go to Kentucky with my extended family and one of our "traditions" is to eat a LOADED hot dog from Dairy Qu*en. They are AMAZING!


Only a couple more days until I order up!
I am ready for a ROAD TRIP!