Bits of Christmas

A close up of the mantle, still a work in progress.
I love the little elf, found at a tag sale a couple years ago.
The Santa is one of 2 Christmas items from the estate of my dad, who passed away this past March. Being a bachelor, he had very little in the way of holiday decor.

Typically, we have done the mantle in lots of greens with twinkly lights, and not much else.
This year, we have taken some of our funky trees and scattered them among the greens, and an old window we sprayed with a bit of fake snow.

This old church is actually up year round in our kitchen window. I leave it lit 24/7, as a tiny beacon of light to anyone in the kitchen after dark.
It actually is a music box, and plays "Silent Night."

To the right of our front door. Also a work in progress.
The tiny snowman in the basket is the other of dad's Christmas decor.
There typically is so much to do in December, that I like to get a bit of a jump start with my decorating.
Tomorrow I will try to get the Nativity set up on the buffet, and the other snowmen and santas out.
Can't wait to see what others are up to!!!

Thanksgiving Family Photos

These certainly are NOT photos of a beautifully set table. (which there was)
Nor are they photos of a picture perfect turkey, all crusty brown and tender. (which it was)
They are not even photos of the aftermath: destruction of the kitchen with dishes piled willy nilly. (most certainly THIS happened!!)
These are photos of what Thanksgiving is really all about:
FAMILY
Above is my sweet sis in law Camille and hubby Chris.

Our oldest daughter, Giselle, with her boyfriend John.
I must say: He is a good sport. He had NO idea what he was getting into by acceptng Giselle's invitation! We are hoping he comes back!

My sis in law Margie, with her hubby Tommy.
They flew up from Texas for the holiday.
The family is so large, that we all kind of divide and conquer.
We were able to see them later at Leigh's, another sis in law.
(Pete has 7 sisters and 2 brothers. Gotta love those big Catholic families!!!)

Camille and Cyn, out on the deck. I believe it got close to 60 degrees Thanksgiving!
Far cry from last years blizzard, and high of 11.
And that, my dear friends, is what Thanksgiving truly is all about.
I am SO thankful for my family.

GIVING THANKS

I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say, "This is the day that the Lord has made."
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

May all who come across my little blog, know the only reason I am who I am is because of what Jesus Christ has done for me.
And for that, I am eternally grateful.

May you and yours have the most blessed of Thanksgivings as we give thanks with a grateful heart.

As always,
Cyn

WINDOW PEEKIN'

So, here I was, folding socks in my bedroom this morning, when I looked up and saw this!
Perched on my windowbox, peeking in my bedroom window!
WHO NEEDS OPRAH????

A GLIMPSE OF CYN'S HOME

I'm not really sure if I have ever invited you into my home before!
Here is my fireplace, created, with love, by my husband.
The greens pretty much stay up all year round, with the twinkly white lights in place.

This sets on one side of our dining roopm table, changing with the seasons.
Any day now, it will be filled with snowmen of every shape and size.

This is to the left of our front door as you enter. It will be filled with old santas and snowmen as soon as I get a free afternoon.
I am SO thankful the lighting has disguised the dust bunnies!!!

This is a bookcase to the right of our front door. Old family photos usually fill this spot.
At Christmas, the current photos will be replaced with photos of Cyn and Santa, and the kids with Santa. I think we might even have one of Pete with the bearded man!

WHAT'S UP WITH THIS??

The teeny egg on the left was laid by one of the 7 Isa Browns a couple of days ago. The egg on the right was laid by one of them today. They have been laying steadily for a few weeks now, with "normal" size (large/extra large) eggs. Then out of the blue comes the teeny egg. Then today...mongo size. It will not even fit in the egg carton!!!
I'm bettin' it's a triple yolker!

WHERE WOULD WE BE...W/O FAMILY

Sunday...a day of rest.
NOT!
Especially NOT when some of the children are around to celebrate birthdays! Above is myself and my grandson, Austin, who will be six years old next month. We were able to spend a very few moments praying together.
Lots of serious stuff on his mind.

Daughters Krystal, just turned 25 last week, and her little sis, Avery, 14, hamming it up for the camera.

My beloved, Pete, with Austin.

We have 5 children.
Coming from a family with only one sibling, my sister Elena, who passed away suddenly 4 years ago, I was hungry for a large family. Enter my husband, Pete, who comes from a family of 9 other siblings. NOT so anxious for a large family! We compromised with 5.
I am ever so thankful for my children.
SO alike, yet so very different.
They are, indeed, a blessing from the Lord.
And I love them.
Happy birthday Gina....31.
Happy birthday Krystal...25.
We are family.

CLOSE TO HOME--VETERANS DAY

Both of my parents served in the U.S. military in the early 1950's. They met while in the Army, both stationed in Texas, and married soon after. I have always been especially proud of my mom, who joined the army at 17 years of age, mostly to get away from a not-so-good family situation.
On Veterans Day, we remember my parents and the thousands upon thousands of others who have served our country well.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA

CYN'S PROVERB FOR TODAY

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

We are having our share of battles this week. A lot going on at Farmgirl Cyn's. We have to always remember:

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S.

"Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And (THEN) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7

BE A BLESSING TODAY. NOT A BURDEN.

As always,

Cyn

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...

CHRISTMAS????

We are barely into November, and today we are expecting anywhere from a "dusting" to 2" of snow.
Once we are done with October, it's no holds barred.
I am in the holiday mood!
No, my tree doesn't go up till after the 1st week of December, but...soon my snowmen collection will make it's way up from the "abyss". My greens will be peeking out of the window boxes, stairway, and mantle.
And Bing will be crooning "White Christmas".
Cause around here...
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!