And that's a wrap!

Hello friends!  

I did it!  I managed to post every day up to Christmas day!  Whew!  I am going to take a few days off but I will be back in January!  If you've been here this whole time, I can't thank you enough!  You are loved and appreciated more than you know!

If you haven't been here, I have listed all the days of Blogmas over on the right and I will leave it there until I come back.  

I pray everyone had a blessed and safe Christmas!  God bless you!

Grace & Peace,

Pam 

Blogmas -- Day 25

 THE MESSIAH HAS COME!

The Christ Candle is white, symbolizing purity, just like the spotless Lamb of God. It reminds us how the birth of Christ fulfills all the prophecies regarding the Messiah. It reminds us to anticipate and long for Christ’s return. It reminds us to be light in the darkness, to be the light on the hill proclaiming Christ is Lord! This candle reminds us to keep Christ in our hearts.

 

I am the light that has come into the world so that everyone who believes in me will not live in the dark. John 12:46

 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7).

Friends, one day soon, Jesus, the light of the world, will return to the earth and God’s promise will be fulfilled.  Peace, justice and liberty will be forever ours if we have been born again!  If you don't know Jesus and would like to know more about the love He has for you, please reach out to someone who who walks in light and truth.  

If you don't have anyone, by all means, email me at OsageRose63@gmail.com.  I would love to share what God has done in my life and how I am assured of eternal life through the salvation of Jesus!

May the light of Christ fill you with joy, hope, peace and love!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

When we believe in Jesus, the light who has come into our world, we are forever changed. We no longer live in darkness. Because his light is within us. We in turn, are lights in this dark world. And yes….the darkness can not overcome HIS Light!

This is what Christmas is all about!

The LIGHT has come!! Jesus…Immanuel…God with us. Now and forever.

Blogmas -- Day 24

Hello sweet friends!  Welcome to Blogmas -- Day 24!  

It's Christmas Eve, Y'all!!!  

I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite Christmas poems/books.  

"Cajun Night Before Christmas".  Oh you've all heard "The Night Before Christmas" but I bet you ain't never done heard nuttin' like 'dis!  LoL...

There is even a coloring book to accompany the book!  I had no idea!  I may have to get that!  I do like me some coloring!

Down below, I am linking to a Youtube video of the book being read by a Sho' 'nuff cajun.  You may or may not be able to understand it so I'm putting the words here so you can read along!  

Cajun Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas an' all t'ru de house,
Dey don't a ting pass Not even a mouse.
De chirren been nezzle good snug on de flo',
An' Mama pass de pepper t'ru de crack on de do'.

De Mama in de fireplace done roas' up de ham,
Sit up de gumbo an' make de bake yam.
Den out on de by-you dey got such a clatter,
Make soun' like old Boudreau done fall off his ladder.

I run like a rabbit to got to de do',
Trip over de dorg an' fall on de flo'.
As I look out de do'in de light o' de moon,
I t'ink, "Mahn, you crazy or got ol' too soon."

Cux dere on de by-you w'en I stretch ma'neck stiff,
Dere's eight alligator a pullin' de skiff.
An' a little fat drover wit' a long pole-ing stick,
I know r'at away got to be ole St.Nick.

Mo' fas'er an' fas'er de' gator dey came
He whistle an' holler an' call dem by name:
"Ha, Gaston! Ha, Tiboy! Ha, Pierre an' Alcee'!
Gee, Ninette! Gee, Suzette! Celeste an'Renee'!

To de top o' de porch to de top o' de wall,
Make crawl, alligator, an' be sho' you don' fall."
Like Tante Flo's cat t'ru de treetop he fly,
W'en de big ole houn' dorg come a run hisse's by.

Like dat up de porch dem ole 'gator clim!
Wit' de skiff full o' toy an' St. Nicklus behin'.
Den on top de porch roof it soun' like de hail,
W'en all dem big gator, done sot down dey tail.

Den down de chimney I yell wit' a bam,
An' St.Nicklus fall an' sit on de yam.
"Sacre!" he axclaim, "Ma pant got a hole
I done sot ma'se'f on dem red hot coal."

He got on his foots an' jump like de cat
Out to de flo' where he lan' wit' a SPLAT!
He was dress in musk-rat from his head to his foot,
An' his clothes is all dirty wit' ashes an' soot.

A sack full o' playt'ing he t'row on his back,
He look like a burglar an' dass fo' a fack.
His eyes how dey shine his dimple, how merry!
Maybe he been drink de wine from de blackberry.

His cheek was like a rose his nose a cherry,
On secon' t'ought maybe he lap up de sherry.
Wit' snow-white chin whisker an' quiverin' belly,
He shook w'en he laugh like de stromberry jelly!

But a wink in his eye an' a shook o' his head,
Make my confi-dence dat I don't got to be scared.
He don' do no talkin' gone strit to hi work,
Put a playt'ing in sock an' den turn wit' a jerk.

He put bot' his han' dere on top o' his head,
Cas' an eye on de chimney an' den he done said:
"Wit' all o' dat fire an' dem burnin' hot flame,
Me I ain' goin' back by de way dat I came."

So he run out de do' an, he clim' to de roof,
He ain' no fool, him for to make one more goof.
He jump in his skiff an' crack his big whip,
De' gator move down, An don' make one slip.

An' I hear him shout loud as a splashin' he go,
"Merry Christmas to all 'til I saw you some mo'!"

Enjoy the video!

Once again, I thank you so much for stopping by!  Please leave a comment below and I'll see you in the next one!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Blogmas -- Day 23

Hello, dear friends!  Welcome to Blogmas -- Day 23!

Today, would have been my parent's 64th wedding anniversary!  I miss those two so much!  It never really goes away...the sadness.  But it has gotten easier but this time of year tends to be a little harder.  My Mama loved Christmas!  It was her favorite holiday!  All the lights and decorations would make her so happy!  She was like a little, giggly girl during Christmas!  

My Daddy loved Christmas, too, but he was more about the food!  LoL...well, what can I say!  I get pretty excited about food, myself! 

In honor of my parent's on their anniversary, I thought I would give you a tour of my decorations, simple as they are.  I don't decorate like I once did but it is what it is and I know my Mama would be just as excited about my minimal decorating as she would be over a house decorated to the nines!

I think this is my favorite decor this year.  Simple but it fills a blank space, on this wall, just right.  I might keep it like this for winter.  I'll change the ribbon, florals and put Winter reading books out.  

Ignore the cluttered shelves!  I have very little storage in this little house and I try to fit as much as I can in all the nook and crannies, however they will fit!  Anyhow,  the garland I made this year and the stockings are probably around 25 years old.  I don't use them every year which is why they look new, I suppose.  The basket holds the remotes and the wooden bown usually has a candle and greenery but I though the ornaments were pretty.  Of course, when you don't have a fireplace you find one on Youtube!  LoL...it works.

I had to buy a new tree this year.  It's ok...not really what I wanted but I wasn't going to pay those outrageous, tarriff bloated, prices for the one I did want.  This one will do but I think next year I might get a 4ft tree.  A big tree seems a bit much for just me and my Mister!  Our livingroom is small and I always have to take furniture out to make room for the tree.  I'm old, Y'all!  That takes a lot out of me!  I don't know...maybe - maybe not!  I do love how it is decorated this year, though.  The red and the gold just fits Christmas, doesn't it.  

These are really old as are the some of the gold balls.  They're glass, which I don't know if you can even buy glass ornaments anymore.  I've had them for a good 20 years and I bought them at a garage sale, so who knows how old they really are.  I remember the lady said all the stuff had been in storage for a lot of years.

I showed y'all this sweetheart.  He is the little sheep that I bought from the teen girls at a Farmer's Market.  I can't get over how cute he his.  Hmmm...he might get a new ribbon and stay out of the storage box!  We'll see.  I love him so much though.

I bought this pretty bird when my granddaughter was a baby, so 15 years ago.  It came from Garden Ridge which is now At Home.  Garden Ridge was much better!  Anyhow, she is losing some of her sparkle so I think I will give her a modest makeover.  There is a smaller bird somewhere on the tree but I haven't really looked for it.  My grandson probably put it on the back of the tree.  Who decorates the back of the tree!?  Well, my grandson, that's who!  Probably not more than one or two ornaments back there but if there are any at all, he is the one who put them there.

Of course, there are several handmade paper ornaments scattered around.  I've told y'all about my love for paper, glue and scissors!  Naturally I would have paper ornies on my tree!

Although these paper cones have candy inside, for the grands and my Mister, I think they would be lovely with a sprig of holly or pine in them.  Maybe next year I will make more and do that.  Oh!  There's the little birdie!  She didn't get banished to the back of the tree, after all!  

These pretties aren't old...well, maybe 3 - 4 years old but not more than that.  I picked them up at a thrift store a couple months ago.  I think they are so pretty and fit nicely with the Mini-Victorian theme this year.  I would like to find more some day.

And of course, my sweet little angel.  I told you about her, back on Day 16.  If you missed it click on the picture to read her story and how special she is.  

My home will never be in the pages of a magazine, nor will my Christmas decorations, but I guarantee there are two people in Heaven who would think it is all the best they've ever seen!  And that's all that matters to me, today, in celebration of their marriage and the life they made together!  Happy Anniversary, Mama & Daddy!  I love and miss y'all...B-I-G!

Friends, thank you for joining me in celebration and honor of my parents!  Please leave a comment below so I know you were here!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Blogmas -- Day 22

Hello friend!  Welcome to Blogmas -- Day 22!  

Today's post is nothing special, honestly.  I decided to spend my Saturday visiting thrift stores and I did buy some things but there was so much in those stores!  I think people are donating a bunch of stuff to make room for the new they will get for Christmas.  Fine by me!  

There was some Christmas items but mostly just things that you would find any other day.  

I saw these beautiful etched glasses and immediately wished I had an occasion to use something like that.  I don't and they would just live in a box until next Christmas or winter so I passed on them but they were so pretty!

I thought this would be cute for a bookshelf filler.  There was a lot of detail and that little bee is precious.  I had to pass, though.  *sad face*

There were so many throw pillow.  Just look at that little ducky!  I just now noticed those light blue pillows!  I don't have a use for throw pillows though.  I love them but so do my dogs! 

 

I don't know about you but I could get into some island time!  Just not the pillow.

I love the bold colors in this pillow but it isn't my style.  I bet somebody who loves bright, boho decor will love it!

Oh my goodness, there was a ton of books and old vinyl!  Yes, I looked at each one...Oh yes, I did!  LoL

This item looks to be quite old...not an antique, by any means but still old.  The Santa rocks as music plays when it is wound up.  I wasn't too sure about those elves, though.  They looked kind of sketchy to me!  

A few years ago, I would have been all over this lamp!  I still like stuff like this but not enough to look at it every day!  Cute though!

Isn't this teapot just gorgeous?!  I wish my granddaughter still lived close because we would definitely have a Christmas tea party and this would have been perfect!  I almost wish I had gotten it but again, it would have lived in a box until next Christmas and I already have too much stuff living in boxes!  I hope it goes to a wonderful home where there are Grandma and Granddaughter Christmas Tea Parties!

A very timely set since it's winter...I mean, it's winter somewhere but we are having temps in the 70's!  I'm certainly not complaining but we won't be eating soup for Christmas since it is supposed to be near 80*!  I loved the set of four and feel like there should have been a cup tree to hang them on.  I probably should have bought them and gave them to my daughter because she eats soup year round.  

I did buy some things, as I said, but I think I will wait until after the holidays to show those to y'all.  I'm sure this post was boring enough, for you!  LoL...humor me!

As always, I appreciate you stopping by!  Please leave a comment below so I know you were here!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

BLOGMAS -- DAY 21

Hello Friends!!!  I am so happy you are here!  Welcome to Blogmas -- Day 21.

It's Sunday which means I will only be sharing pics I've found around the internet.  It is the fourth Sunday of Advent.  The Advent of Love.  

Oh my friends!  Can there ever be a more perfect love?  Never!  Jesus loved you so much that he died for you.  Willingly!  Perfect love.

Thanks again for joining me for Blogmas!  I am so blessed by you!  Please leave a comment below!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

BLOGMAS -- DAY 20

Welcome friends!  Thank you for visiting today!  It is Blogmas -- Day 20!  Only five more days!  I must say, I am proud of myself for making it this far!

If you don't mind, please leave a comment below so I know you were here.  I will use comments to determine if there will be a Blogmas 2026!  Thank you!  

What does your Christmas look to be, this year?  Ours will be quite different than others.  For the past thirty years, I have tried my best to give my Mister the wonderful family holidays that he really didn't have growing up.  I was blessed with a family that loved to go to either my Grandmother's house or my parent's home.  We were usually all together if possible.  I wanted him to feel the love that those times brought.  But for the past sixteen years it has become a stuggle to get our kids together at the same time.  I mean...in-laws come first, right?  Sorry.  That was not nice but that's the way it is.  We always end up having to change our plans to accomodate their plans.  Either change the day completely or our kids and Grands come just long enough to eat and open gifts and then off they go.  I am usually worn out from cooking, cleaning, shopping and just life in general.  And then there is that one person who is always disagreeable.  I won't name names but...!  Just not a fun time.  Oh I put on the happy face and act like it's all good...of course, I do.  

Gee, I really didn't intend for this post to go  down that path but it has.  It is a bummer but this year, we decided to let them do whatever it is they do, go wherever they go and be happy about it.  Well, maybe not happy but a lot less stressed.  I told my husband that I am tired of trying,  I'm tired of doing all that work for an hour visit and my body just won't deal with it all, anymore.  He agreed.

So, this year we will do our own thing.  Stay home and make dinner for just the two of us, watch football, take naps or maybe a drive and enjoy the quiet.  If they want to stop by then that is fine but I will not be stressed and I won't wait around to see if they show up.  Anyway...I promise, I am not really complaining.  And I'm not angry.  I am just at the point of being done.  And I'm ok with that...and so is my Mister.  Sometimes you just have to say, "Enough!" and let it be enough.

Anyhow back to the original idea...LoL, ya'll know I can't stay on topic!  I had intended to talk about our holiday menu and I will but chances are that I will go off the trail again.

Our table settings won't be fancy.  We will use our every day dishes or paper plates.  Probably some leftover paper napkins from something in the past.  Our dinner menu will be very simple.  I have a pork tenderloin in the freezer that I may put in the crockpot along with potatoes, carrots and onions.  Make some yeast rolls and I might get a pecan pie but probably not.  We really don't eat a lot of sweets and I would end up throwing it away.  Iced tea, water and coffee to round it out.

That sounds good but my Mister may want something to graze on all day.  His usual request is little smokies wrapped in bacon, queso and salsa with fritos and maybe a good sandwich...mainly finger foods.  That's ok, too!  Make it healthy by adding lettuce and tomato to the sandwich!  LoL. Sounds good to me!

Of course, our furkids will sit under the table waiting for something to be dropped and I will probably sneak them a bite...because well...they're cute!

I may take the tree down and put everything back in storage unless my Mister wants to leave it up a bit longer.  I usually take it down so it can be put back in storage before he has to go back to work but we'll see.

Oh, please don't pity us.  While we are a bit sad that things won't be the same, we are ok.  Really ok! We are learning how to do for us after always making concessions for others.  It feels pretty good.

How will you spend Christmas this year?

Thanks for sticking with me through this post that went awry.  I have learned to just go with it when that happens.

Please leave a comment below!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

BLOGMAS -- DAY 19

Hello, Dear Friends!  Thank you for joining me for Blogmas -- Day 19!  Wow!  Only a few more days left then I will return to my usual posts.  I tell you the truth, this has stretched my mind a lot!  LoL...I am having fun though!  If you don't mind, please leave a comment below so I know you were here.  I will use comments to determine if there will be a Blogmas 2026!  Thanks, y'all! 

I love instrumental music. I am always calmed by soft, peaceful music playing in the background. Some would call it romanticizing my day but I call it, "a welcome break from all the noise". I thought I would share a couple of my favorite Christmas playlist. You don't have to have Spotify to listen. You can find the listed songs online and listen to them however you usually do.

I hope you find something you like.  If you have a favorite Christmas playlist, please share it in the comments below!  I am always looking for new music.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Blogmas -- Day 18

Welcome, Friends!  It's Blogmas -- Day 18 and I am so happy you are here!

It's about time to get those gifts wrapped, isn't it?  I am doing something a bit different this year.  Well, kind of.  I am going to be using recycled, handmade, and leftover gift wrapping.

I usually have left over wrapping paper and gift bags from some thing or another.  Birthdays and Christmas always bring more and more wrapping items.  I really don't know why because I hardly ever use it all up.  For years, I've had the same roll of wrapping paper and for years, I've used some of it.  I see a pretty new roll at the store and I must have it because you know that is going to make the holiday even better.  Are you hearing me?  Do you do this?

Even though, I usually buy new things, I am also known for using what I have on hand.  It's a long standing joke, within our family, that you never know if you will have Christmas, Easter, Birthday, or a paper bag wrapping your gifts.  My daughter is the same way.  LoL. I have one gift bag, from Father's Day several years back, that has had all the holidays in it.  I love Sharpie's!  I can just cross out whatever it said the last time it was used and the black sharpie will write perfectly, announcing Happy Birthday!  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! BIRTHDAY!  

Well the bag is nice and it has a lot of life left in it!  But anyhow, somehow I strayed away from I was doing. 

This year, I am once again recycling and reusing.   Sometime last year, my Mister brought home this large roll of brown paper that the company was going to through out.  I usually use it on my crafting table or under anything I am painting or staining.  I decided that it was perfect wrapping paper and I've been making handmade gift tags so this is perfect if I want the bow or gift tag to stand out.  Notice that pick bow?  That is leftover from our Ladies Ministry Breast Cancer Awareness party.  It is perfect for one of my granddaughter's gifts.  Who says Christmas has to be all red and green?  Not me!

I found an image online and had it printed, glued it to a piece of cardstock and added glitter and had a pretty gift tag to go with the pink bow.  

You don't have to get all fancy with wrapping, but doesn't a pretty bow make even a paper bag look good?  If you use a bit of velvet ribbon it will class it up.  I love velvet ribbon!  Christmas time needs a little velvet, in my opinion!  Remember the velvet jogging suits from the late 80's?  Perfect for Christmas dressing!  I digress!

It really isn't necessary to spend a lot of money on wrapping or tags.  I simply found the images online, had them printed at Fedex ( your home printer works just fine), added glitter and a piece of ribbon and I have gift tags that can serve as ornaments in the future if the receipient chooses.  Knowing my bunch, I will retrieve them from the pile of gift wrap and save them for my own tree or decorations and that's ok with me.

It is super simple to make the tags.  Maybe a little project for you and the children in your life.  It's fun and makes a gift extra special, in my opinion.

As always, friends, I so appreciate you being here.  Please leave a comment below!  

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Blogmas -- Day 17

Hello friends!  Welcome to Blogmas Day -- 17!  How privileged, I am, that you stopped in!

Today, let's talk about kindness.  This world needs kindness...actually, it is desperate for a little kindness.  We need it all the time but Christmas, especially, should be the time that we show kindness.  Oh, trust me, I know it is difficult to show kindness in these ridiculously chaotic times, but we all sure are looking for a little kindness...aren't we?  Well, I'm a firm believer that if you want someone to show you kindness then you should be the first one to start!  

With all the stress of the holidays and the expense of living, everyone is struggling.  Not just monetarily but in spirit so many are losing hope.  So many have nobody to just give them a kind word or a simple smile.  Have you looked at people's faces in Walmart?  No one is smiling including me, some days.  I have to make a conscience effort to not look like I am going to rip somebody's head off...I'm not kidding.  I have always had that face that says, "Go ahead...test me!".  It's inherited.  So yeah, it is an effort, in general, to not look like that but with all the stuff going on in my life, I really have to work at it.  Anyhow, that is not really the point but like I said, we are all dealing with something so if a little bit of kindness will help someone have a better day, shouldn't we be trying? 

I have five random acts of kindness that I think are very doable but might take a bit of effort but you can come up with a few that are so simple even a child can do them.  I guarantee, you will feel blessed for doing it!

RAK's for Christmas

  1.  Rather than buying coffee for someone behind you at Starbucks, buy a warm drink and a sandwich for someone living on the streets.  That person behind you has the money for their own order or they wouldn't be at Starbuck's.

  2. Take a small gift to an elderly neighbor who likely will spend the holidays alone. Better yet, invite them to your holiday celebration. You could buy a lovely box of tea, grab one of the hundreds of mugs you have, in the cabinet, that never gets used, wrap it up in pretty paper and take it to that neighbor. Instead of just dropping it off, why don't you take a few minutes and visit with him/her? You just don't know how that will lift someone up. To let them know someone does, indeed, care.

  3.  Gather all the old towels and blankets that you were going to throw away and take them to an animal shelter or rescue.  Make sure they aren't worn completely out.  If you don't have old stuff, then stop by a thrift store and buy some.  Most of the time those things don't cost very much.  How about making a donation when you drop off the things or sign up to volunteer.  You might just find yourself a new buddy!

  4.  You know that cashier at the convenience store or grocery store on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day?  You know the one that had to pull a shift because you and I inevitably will forget something to make our holiday meal?  Or the one who is pulling an extra shift so he or she can buy their own children gifts or fix a meal for them...perhaps that person is like I once was.  Scraping by and doing everything they can just to provide, including working rather than being home and spending the holiday with their children?   Maybe that cashier is elderly and trying to make Social Security stretch a little further so they can have their medicine and food this month.  Hand that person a gift card to show that you appreciate them and that you care.  It's such a small thing but can go a very long way in making a difference.  

  5. And don't forget your delivery people and trash men! Again, it doesn't take much but even a bottle of water and a bag of chips will let them know you appreciate them for getting your packages and trash taken care of. I have personally seen the look of thanks on my mailman's face because I handed him a bottle of water on a very hot day.

You see, it really doesn't take much to make a difference in people's lives.  Just someone showing a tiny bit of kindness can make someone realize that life isn't so bad.  

You know, that thing that seems so small just might make someone who is thinking of ending it all, change their mind.  I've seen it happen.  Something that we take for granted may be that lifeline they needed to hang on.  Listen to the Lord and let Him lead you to that person.  

Thank you, so much, for reading this.  I hope it made you think of some small things to make someone's day a bit brighter...Your day may be the one that becomes a bit more bright and happy.

Please leave a comment below!  It tickles me pink to read those!

Grace & Peace,

Pam