Friday Finds

It's getting closer to Christmas.

How are you doing?

Stressed?

Calm?

It's been a calm Christmas season for me. I cut back on the decorating and the shopping and spent more time focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. I've had more time to enjoy the things I have chosen to do. Today I'm sharing a few things that have delighted me this season. First up, this little cute jar with it's metal holder. Couldn't pass it up when I saw it at the flea market! 

I found my favorite Cordial Cherries! I only buy them at Christmas, so they remain special. I also have a special way of eating them. First I take a small bite being careful not to get the cherry and savor the sweet, creamy fondant and chocolate.  Next, I pop the whole thing in my mouth and enjoy the cherry!!  Yum!! 

I found myself absolutely in awe of this man's photography. This is Arkansas nature photographer, Tim Ernst. Each year in December he presents a slideshow of images that he has included in his latest photography book. This year his book, Arkansas Nightscapes, features only night photography. My mom, dad, sister, and I attended one of his slideshows. The images include the milky way, the moon, stars, comets, shadows, color, and light. They were absolutely breathtaking! In the slide show he also included several time-lapse videos of those night skies. One in particular made the whole room gasp. He had captured a falling star that burst right above a rock formation!  Of course, I had to have his latest book. That's my book he's signing! We had a delightful evening that filled our hearts with gratitude for the beauty that God has given us even in the darkest night!

One more thing that made me happy this week. After the slideshow we stopped by the Saline County Courthouse to see their lights. It makes me so happy that there is still a Nativity scene sitting on the courthouse lawn!

My week has been full of peace and joy!

I hope the same can be said of your's!

Found: Over Four Million Lights

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

I hear a piano made from bamboo playing.  I hear children laughing.  I hear babies crying.  I hear Christmas carols.  I hear jingle bells.  I hear a train engine chugging and the ringing of it's bell.   I hear the tread of hundreds of feet along the pathways.  I hear excited voices.  I hear waterfalls.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

I see millions of lights on bells,  stars,  elves,  candy canes,  gingerbread men,  snowmen,  snowflakes,  trees,  Santa,  reindeer,  a sleigh,  flowers,  piano,  grapevine balls,  butterflies,  candles,  and a train engine.  I see children running excitedly through the lit pathways.  I see a big full moon.  I see the lights reflecting in the Koi Pond.  I see Christmas everywhere.

DO YOU FEEL WHAT I FEEL?

I feel joy and delight.  I feel awe.  I feel amazement.  I feel Christmas!

Where did I find such beautiful Christmas Lights?

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Linking with Kim Klassen's Friday Finds

This Christmas . . .

It's hard to believe we're already into one of the fastest paced months of the year. A month that is filled with a whirlwind of activities....decorating....shopping....baking....cleaning....busyness. Each year I get to the end of December, look back, and wonder where did the month go. I'm already shaking my head and thinking, can it be the third already?

Although I've always enjoyed the Christmas season, when I look back I don't feel like I've celebrated the true meaning of Christmas. I don't feel like I've spend time just being in the moment or savoring the sights, sounds, and flavors that go along with this holiday. I want this year to be different, so I sat down and wrote my hopes for this Christmas.

This Christmas...

I will pray

I will journal

I will breathe

I will slow down

I will be of good cheer

I will enjoy simple things

I will remember traditions

I will treasure our family times

I will believe in Christmas magic

I will give thanks for daily blessings

I will ponder the birth of the Christ Child

I will capture Christmas through photography

I will listen to bells, choirs, and Christmas hymns

IIII

IIII

IIII

IIII

I'm trying something different this Christmas season. I've joined Journal Your Christmas 2014 with Shimelle Laine. It's similar to a December Daily, but this project primarily focuses on journaling, not photography or scrapbooking.  Shimelle sends a daily journaling prompt and a photo prompt, but the focus for me is the journaling. I don't think I could ever complete a December Daily, but this is simpler. You'll probably see some of my thoughts here, although I will not be posting daily. That's just a little too much work.

I encourage you to take time this December to slow down and enjoy this special season.

I'm also linking with Be still 52, where our prompt this week was square, top down, two sides.