By Candle Light

 The rain fell.  The wind blew.  Our electrical power went off for nearly eight hours.  I lit the beautiful beeswax candles Teresa made for me and admired the candles and the holly and greens her husband Dayle cut from their property to decorate the candles. I wrote a Christmas card.  I crocheted some on a red yarn bag for a granddaughter for Christmas.

 I made tea light Celestial Imperial Tai Chai tea two cups at a time.  The teapot is sitting on a pretty doily, Tammy kindly made for me.  The teapot wrapped in the Christmas tea cozy Amanda made for me years ago helped the tea to brew more rapidly.

 Uncle Tim read a book about a sailor bear to Hayley and Joy, and read it again when requested to do so.

 It got darker.  We made sandwiches for dinner.  We sang some Christmas carols.

We ate candy kind friends had sent.  Aunt Lissie rocked baby Sarah.
The candles burned lower.

Just as we were getting ready to go to bed the Christmas tree lights came back on and the heater started filling the house with more warmth.

I had awakened in the morning with the beginnings of a cold I did not want.  I had other busy plans for the day.  I have been attending more gatherings than usual and enjoying seasonal celebrations. But this unexpected time of living in candlelight while challenging and worrisome in some ways, was simply wonderful.

During this season I have been listening to the modern Michael W. Smith Holiday channel on Pandora, and enjoying it very much, but as I'm typing this I am listening to ancient, classical styled "Till Morn Eternal Breaks" Sacred Choral Music of Benedict Sheehan performed by The Chamber Choir of St. Tikhon's Monastery, which my dear friend Becky sent me from NY, and I am enjoying it very much as well...its like a candle light versus electricity contrast for my ears!

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in this season, may God bless you.

xx

Gracie

Christmas Is...

Christmas is....a wonderful time of celebration for me!  The fourth week of Advent included several types of celebration for me.  I loved gathering with my East Hill Church Family for a candlelight service that included the giving of time, talent, funds, scenes from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Scripture reading-discussion, and music on a very cold and foggy Christmas Eve.

I also loved gathering with some of my blogging family at Teresa and Dayle's lovely farm near the great Columbia River for lunch on Monday.  We brought food to share and Teresa and Dayle fixed delicious salmon for us to enjoy.  We had fun visiting and popping open the English Crackers Teresa provided.  The crackers were  filled with hats and riddles and prizes like marbles.  Fun :)

We also exchanged an assortment of creative gifts we had made or purchased.  But the first gifts we opened were from our Florida blogging friend, Meredith.  She  knew we were gathering and made each of us a colorful yarn ball with knitting needles ornament and sent them to Teresa.  Thank you, Meredith!  Betsy and I crocheted ornaments.  She made lacy covers for shiny round colorful glass ornaments, and I crocheted little wreathes.  Betsy also brought us jingle bells, tea, and fans from her recent trip to visit her son in Japan. Taci crocheted little granny squares and cleverly put them in jars with the other parts we need to stitch together a pin cushion.  She even included colorful heart headed pins!  Teresa also gave us rolls of pretty washi crafting tape, and little jars in which she had lovingly arranged Nativity scenes.

Christmas is...a special time I celebrate that God loved the world [even me] so much He gave His only Son.  Whoever believes in Him will have life forever with Him because He did not come to condemn the world but to save it. 

However you came to visit One Saylor's Log, I am grateful you come to visit, and that we have the opportunity to creatively explore life together.  Merry Christmas : )

Blessings,

Gracie xx  

Thanksgiving On...

Thank you for celebrating the birth of my newest Grand Girl, Rose, with me!  I appreciate your loving comments so much!  Can you believe she is already six weeks old?!?

Our family celebrated Thanksgiving with a dinner on the day after the official USA holiday so that all in our household could attend. In the following days I lit Hanukkah candles and the first candle in my Advent wreath. I have much for which to be thankful: home, health, happy relationships with God and others, and much beauty in the world around me.

The ice has been growing thicker on our ponds, and this morning a dusting of snow made them even more outstanding. Mt. Hood is collecting a thicker snow white cape which we get glimpses of as the clouds lift from time to time.  When I have gone out to the car the leaves have crunched under my feet due to the shards of ice hiding among them, and my favorite neighborhood holly tree is full of bright red berries.

In between attending gatherings at church, shopping, and swimming, I am getting a bit of stitching done.  I love this time of year...my cozy electric fire in the fireplace, tea, and cocoa, and toast.  I am crocheting some Christmas wreath ornaments.

What are you celebrating and creating?

Gracie xx