My Chicken Purse

Right before Christmas, My Pet Chicken had a picture
of a chicken purse. I really, really wanted a chicken purse.
So my husband and my daughter got it for me. Isn't it just great?



Doesn't it have a great face? Today my daughter was over and she
wanted to see it since she didn't get to see it at Christmas, so I got it out.
My daughter got the little change purse for me that goes with it. It is a tiny little
chicken. I showed my grand daughter and she, I can tell is going to be a chicken
lover too.



I was holding her in my lap, and she fell asleep, holding the
little chicken purse. I am going to have to get one for her too.

This morning we watched our grandsons so Momma could
go to the doctor. They got to play outside with things boys
like to play with, wood, old sprinkler parts, big sticks. They
went down to Grama Kim's shed and were jumping off a bench
that I have sitting outside of it. I loved this picture.



They are such boys, and they remind me so much of their Dad.



The youngest baby now is just starting to crawl. She
loves Sasha. Sasha puts up with it all.



Sasha just gives kisses and never moves away. She has
since she was a puppy treated the kids like they are hers.
She will just shut her eyes if they get too rough, but she always
stays with them like she is guarding sheep.
Best dog I have ever owned. Bar none and I have always had dogs.

I realize now that I didn't get a picture of our oldest grandson. He was
playing a game with my son and son-in-law. He is four, and he beat them.
It was so funny. He was so happy and excited. He left asking if he and his Dad
and Mom could play it at home.

It was a good day. Busy, but a good day. Tonight when I fall into bed it will be with
a happy, and contented heart.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, I always wonder every year since I can remember,
will I be strong enough for next year's challenges, and I always have to say to myself,
Nope I am not, but God is and I know with that, I will be able to sleep.
I just wish I didn't have to always be reminded.

I will tell you one thing I have learned in 2011, which I will not repeat in 2012, it is
I will keep my mouth shut, and when I think I can post a comment on someones site
that made me so mad that I was shaking by the time I finished leaving a comment,
maybe it is best to hit delete. Because well you know, somethings are just better left
unsaid, even if they are true.

Aw, the lessons learned.

Have a wonderful New Year my dear friends.

~Kim~

My Favorite Photo of 2011

Chasing the honey bee.

Of all of the photo's I took last year this has to be my favorite.

I really did chase this bee all over the flowers. I was in the sunflowers with my camera and I had just about given up hope of getting a good enough shot to publish. When for some reason my flash went off and this was the photo I captured.

I had been poked and scratched from climbing in the trees and the sunflowers. I don't know if you are doing what I am doing today but I am going to try and use the new editor this year on blogger and try to use my camera to get better shots. No, I keep backing out on getting a new camera. I am still using the little point and shoot Cannon that is my son's camera.

My husband wanted to get me a camera and lens and all I had to do was say the word. I said no, because what I have found in my own life that even if I get a new camera, my pictures might look the same, I need to progress in me before I can think of getting a better camera.

I still don't know the correct names on the camera instead of saying this or that pointy thing or flash thing or things like that. I also need to use learn to use Photo shop, I have been afraid of that too. I have it all on my computer but I am just too lazy.

So this is what I am thinking about this year and things I want to try in 2012

I hope you have a lovely day today,

~Kim~

Confessions

Today my friend, Kim at Millie's Mat's had a confession post.
It made me feel so much better reading it, I thought I would write one
too. ( If you want to read her confession, go visit her, you will be highly
entertained. She is an awesome blogger.) I am not paid to do this post.:)

I know that you have seen all the time when I brag oops, I mean show you
all of my work that I do when I sew.
Well, I am a horrible seamstress. I sort of limp along, I can't measure to save
my life and I can't count.
There is another lovely blog that I love, Primitivebetty's She offers the cutest
little freebie's. I have made so many of them and I do it with the idea in mind
I will send her pictures so she can post them on Friday's. Every time I let it
creep into my mind that this one might be good enough to show her and I make
some glaring mistake that I end up fudging the whole pattern to make it look
okay.

I won't quit though, because each time I start a project, I think, that maybe this one
will be the one that I will break through that wall and will finally be able to really sew.
So Kim's post made me laugh and I thought you should know that I too want to be
in Kim's club because you know, we all need to stick together.

Have a wonderful Thursday, By the way, Kim at Millie's Mat's does beautiful work, don't let her fool you.:)

~Kim~

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Questions for this week's chat:

1. Who makes the best cookies in your family?

Oh, I think everyone does, all of the girls in our family are pretty darn good cooks.


( Me making biscuits for biscuits and gravy.)

2.What was the most satisfying or pleasing thing about Christmas 2011?

That is is over!!! I am always glad to put everything away and get the house clean and ready for the New Year. I laughed because Megan told me their house and their lights are down too.

3.How many photo did you take while your family was together for Christmas? Tons? A few? What pictures?

I never take pictures at Christmas because I am too busy, but my son does and he takes a
bunch.


(Our living room after presents were opened.)

3.Do you have a fireplace, wood stove, or pellet stove?

We have a Defiant Wood Stove. It burns the cleanest of any wood stove on the market. You know of course that if we burn a fire on a non burn day we can get a ticket. So we have this stove that is cleaner burning than anything. NO tickets yet.



4.What time did you get up on Christmas morning?

This year it was later than ever. It was about 6:00 AM usaually it is 5:00 or earlier.



Me Christmas morning, no makeup, no nothing.
I wanted a Transformer this year, I have had more
fun with it. This is Optimus Prime.
I was so happy, and it made me laugh and laugh.

Thanks to Patrice again for this week's questions. My husband
is home this week so I am not sure what day it is most days.
It is a good things Patrice knows.
So have a great week!
~Kim~

Monday Morning

I wanted to tell you, that we never have snow. Once
14 years ago. The pictures that I have posted are from
my hard drive. This one is something I grabbed off of Google.
I seem to be obsessed with snow pictures this year. Just like
in the summer it is water.

We had a lovely Christmas, but I am real glad it is over. Getting
sick on November 21st and staying sick the whole month of December
colors my perception of things. I didn't get anything done I thought I
would.

I thought I would tell you about my day on December 23rd.
It was the first day of my husband's vacation. We had a
lovely morning and he left to run some errands and I was
going to finish my baking, so that on the 24th I wouldn't be
tired and I could enjoy everything.

I ran dishwater in the sink and I had been looking at my cookbook
in my office and I turned the water off in the sink, and walked to my office.
My husband had returned from his shopping trip just a bit before.
I walked into the kitchen, and saw water gushing from my laundry room
into the kitchen.

I had just left and the water was already a inch deep! I grabbed dishtowels to
stop the water from getting to my cabinets and my furniture. We couldn't tell where
it was coming from we didn't know if a pipe had broke in the attic or what.
My husband went outside and turned the water off while we were trying to mop
enough water up to get to the hot water heater. It was the hot water heater.

We called a repair man but it was December 23rd. They told us they could send
someone between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. My husband is very handy, he said, " He thought
he could change the hot water heater out himself." Which he did and the repairman
showed up just as my husband was going to attach the gas line.

So here is the really good part that I am so thankful for,
1. The hot water heater broke when I was in the kitchen instead of say,
2:00 in the morning.
2. My husband was home. In normal life he isn't and he works at least 30 minutes away.
3. All of the boys were home to help.
4. My daughter used to work at Home Depot, so she was able to go get parts.
5. It wasn't Christmas Eve when we were having lots of people.
6. Nothing was hurt by all of the water.
7. We now have a very nice hot water heater, a very clean water closet.
8. The repair man showed up, just as the gas line was getting attached, he looked
over my husbands installation and said it was good. He was also overjoyed he didn't
need to put in a hot water heater and was getting to go home. He only charged us for
the service call which I thought was so nice. He also gave us the gas line and didn't charge
us for it.

So all and all it was a good day. Then though my newest grand daughter came down
with what I thought was chicken pox but maybe was Roseola. So my daughter and
her family didn't get to come so we were sad about that but it worked out.

December 25 was a nice quiet day and today, is nice and quiet too.
It was all good and I am a pretty happy camper all in all.

I am ready to bring on the New Year!
Have a great day too.
~Kim~

Merry Christmas

Just wishing from my house to yours,
A very Merry Christmas.



It is my prayer that your days will be filled with warmth,
and love and joy.



That this year will be filled with all that
you dreamed of and that you look forward to
the coming year.



So from me to you,

Merry Christmas!


~Kim~

Christmas Vacation and A ChildLike Christmas week 4

One of my favorite things in the whole world is Christmas
vacation. I love when school is out and life just gets
a bit slower paced. Well, I say that but my house has
been like grand central station.
The top picture is of my four that still live at home.
They went with friends last night to see the Christmas
lights at a place called California Living Museum.



This is all of their friends that they went with last night.
They are the nicest group of people and I feel like God has
given me just a great bunch more kids and I love having
them at my home all of the time. I love when they
have game night and to hear the laughter and all
of the yelling.



This is the little train that goes around the place.
I loved how happy they looked. It was cold but
I think it was worth it.

I just wanted to share these pictures because
this is my link to Pom Pom and a Child like Christmas
week 4,
To me Christmas is about good friends, lovely family
and memories and having lots of people in my home.

~Kim~

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

I went to visit Patrice today and had a nice Christmas Present.
I got to visit inside with Patrice and see her ornaments.
If you haven't done it yet, go over and visit with Patrice.

Here are this week's questions:

1. Patrice asked today, " What is my favorite Christmas tradition?"

I think it is filling stockings. It has always been something I liked the most
finding odd things to go inside the stocking. Things a person asked for
that they might have forgotten is my favorite.



2." Patrice also wanted to know if I was ready for Christmas?"

I would say yes, I am, I need to bake some more but for the most part
I am finished. I don't know why I ever stress about it because somehow
it always gets finished.



3. Patrice also wanted to know what I would like
to talk about if I was over at her house?
I would want to see her chickens, and I would like
to walk around and look at the green houses and see
her studio, ( if it is finished.)
I would like to explore the barns and of course, visit
Wendall.

So these are the questions this week from Patrice's living room.
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to visit with Patrice today,
and enjoy a real chat.
Everyday Rurality.

Today On Tuesday

Winter is Almost Here

We have a few days left until winter solstice. I always think of Laura Ingalls in the Little House on the Prairie books, she said, " When the days begin to lengthen the cold begins to strengthen." I was walking around and found that our Sugar Maple is already in her winter attire. Or maybe without winter attire and down for a long winter nap. I guess If I carry this thought out I should post a picture of her clothes/leaves on the ground.



It made me sad to think that all of the colors have faded from the leaves. I was thinking of one of my favorite poems and I thought I would share it today.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

I have used this poem many years for dictation for my kids.
It still is one of my favorites.
I hope you are getting all of your shopping finished this week.
Have a great Tuesday!
~Kim~

Nice Weekend

Today was a really nice day. Gum Gum as I am called
now by my youngest grandson and Pacqua as they call
my husband, got to babysit while their Mommy and Daddy,
finished up Christmas shopping.



They played in the leaves and and buried themselves and
threw them and then would rake them back up. And do it
all over again.



They played in the newly plowed soil with Pacqua, and
used little shovels. They played in the fort and went down
the slide. They got pushed on the swing-set to go way up
in the sky, and pretended they were "boids."

We made forts and they even got gum gum (me) to draw
them chalk pictures. I drew a house and my grandson tried to
open the door and said, " Oh, it is only a chalk picture, I can't
really go in."

What is different about this age is that with my own children, I was
so busy doing my work, I didn't stop and play. It makes me sad, even
though I was told over and over and I did think it would last forever.

So now, I stop, I don't do my work. There is always tomorrow.
It was a great day and how I wished I could have let them open
every package under the tree. They played with the Nativity and
they undecorated the tree. I am glad that Christmas is
next week because I think, if it was further away, they might
have got to open a few presents. I think this growing older thing
sometimes is pretty fun.

I hope you have a great Monday!
~Kim~

Cleaning The Field Of Dreams

Now Winter can finally start. The pasture is all clean
and newly plowed. All of the hoses are put away until
next year. I always feel like when we get everything cleaned
and put away, I can finally rest. I feel about
my field of dreams like I do my house. I like it clean.



I hope you are having a nice Saturday. I am wishing
for rain today. I expect though, what I will get will
be fog, lots of fog.

~Kim~

Cookie Recipe

I thought I would share with you the cookie recipe that didn't win.
It is an okay cookie and it looks pretty but it is more work that I like
to do so I won't be making it again. Chocolate Truffle Cookies Recipe25 10 35

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a microwave or double boiler, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of chocolate chips and butter; cool for 10 minutes.
• In a bowl, beat sugar and eggs for 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and the chocolate mixture.
• Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; beat into chocolate mixture. Stir in remaining chocolate chips. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
• Remove about 1 cup of dough. With lightly floured hands, roll into 1-in. balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly puffed and set. Cool on pan 3-4 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Repeat with remaining dough. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Yield: about 4 dozen.

************************************************************************************

Now for the recipe I wish I had made.

So yesterday after a very busy, running kind of day, I knew I needed

something to feed the young adults that would be having a game night at my house last night.

So I whipped these cookies up and when my husband came in the door, he told me he could eat the whole plate by himself. These are not work.

Chunky Chocolate Cookies

1 package Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Cake mix. ( Or any flavor you have.)

2 large eggs ( I wish my hens would start laying.)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted ( I always use butter.)

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract( I added a extra glug when the dough seemed too stiff.)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I used a whole package of these white chocolate mint

flavored-chips that had tiny Christmas sprinkles on them.)
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts ( I would have used these if I had had them, they are good
in them too.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place cake mix, eggs, melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large bowl.
Stir with spoon until thoroughly blended.
Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.
Drop by level measuring tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets
Bake 350 for 12 minutes for chewy cookies

I got this off of a box of cake mix. It is my cookie in a pinch recipe. It feeds lots
of hungry kids and they think this and hot chocolate is a treat. I really did
think about lighting my fire pit outside and letting them make smores but it
was just too cold.

I hope you are having a nice week.

Happy Thursday!
~Kim~

A Childlike Christmas Week 3

This is week, three of A Child Like Christmas.
Pom Pom has some very nice friends and I enjoy
getting to take part in this.

This is what I thought about for A Childlike Christmas today, so I remember
that Christmas isn't about what is under the tree, but about
a baby's birth.

The other day I was listening to some Christmas music. This song by Jennifer Knapp
came on my play list, called Sing Mary Sing. The words are this,

Mary Had A Baby Born In A Manger
Mary What To Do, Mary What To Do?
Before The Vow Was Made,
In Her Belly Laid The King



I have heard that song a million times, but I never really heard the words.
Why did I that day I don't know, but I kept going back and listening to it
over and over.
It had never clicked for me like this, Mary was an unwed mother. The
God who spoke the worlds and they came into being. Gave his son to a unwed mother,
I always think about the virgin part but not that she wasn't married to Joesph yet.
I started thinking about how that must have got tongues talking, how
Jesus grew up with whispers," Hey, you know who that kid is don't you? "
"Remember his Mother?"



Do you ever think about how Mary was really important? Not only did
God pick her to be the mother of Jesus. She says to Gabriel " Behold, the bond slave
of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
(Luke 1:38)
Do you know what a bond slave is? It is one who person in a state of slavery; one whose person and liberty are subjected to the authority of a master.
I love that she had that attitude. She put all that she was at the disposal of the Lord to take
every thing she was and who she was to be a home for a baby.
She pondered the things Anna and Simeon said when they took him to the temple
to be dedicated when Jesus was 8 days old. She stored them in her heart.



She was at the foot of the cross and she was at the empty tomb. Jesus gave her
into the care of John the beloved. I always thought it was interesting that John
was maybe the last disciple to die, so maybe he didn't die until after his work
taking care of Mary was done.

She always does the right thing. She travels on a donkey, 9 months pregnant.
She always waits on the Lord, like when Joesph is going to put her away quietly.
We are not shown a picture of a girl wringing her hands and crying, I see her as
waiting on God and God sends a angel to explain to Joesph just how it is.



Oh I do forget myself, she does, chide Jesus when he had been missing 3 days, but
what I love is she is a mother. She does what any Mom would do, she says, " Your
father and I were worried about you.

What I love about Mary is that God chose her from the beginning of time to be the mother
of His son, but what I love is her very humanness that we are given glimpses of in the pages
of the Bible.
My favorite Christmases were always the ones that I was with child. There was always
such a sweetness knowing that for just a while I had a baby too. It seemed to make all of the
passages about God caring for his flock speak very loudly to me.

I think that to have a Child like Christmas is to remember what child's birth we celebrate.

Thank you to Pom Pom for helping me to remember too.

~Kim~

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Here it is again time for Chats on the Farmhouse Porch.
Patrice is so nice to think up these questions week to week.
I look forward to coming around to visit later.

The above picture is my house. It is amazing how putting
a little lights on and decorating a little makes my house look
a bit bigger. Oh and the trees. I added a few of these.
( See yesterday's blog to see the picture I posted.)

On to the questions:

1. Where is your favorite place to think, reflect, or pray?

In my blue chair, in my office. When I am really burdened, I walk in our pasture.

2. Did you believe in Santa as a kid?

Yes, I did, maybe too much because when my cousin told me it was my Dad I was crushed. I cried and cried. I wanted to believe so bad in Santa. I never did that with my kids though.

3. What's your favorite kind of Christmas cookie? You can add a recipe if you have time.

My sister in law always brings me these things called Reindeer food. They are a no bake cookie and they are my favorite. I made them myself one year and mine were not as good as hers so I never attempt it anymore.

4. Did you grow up around any of your grandparents?

Yes, I did, We lived next door to them. They were amazing people and I consider myself to be so blessed to have been given that gift.
They were the best kind of grand parents. They were always there for us and were so giving.

5. What's your favorite winter sport-skiing, skating,sledding, other(?) ? If you are in a warm place, what is your favorite winter sport to watch when the Winter Olympics are televised?

Well since the last time we had snow was 14 years ago. I go down to the ice skating rink with my daughter when I want to look like a idiot. I like ice skating and if we had snow I would like sledding.
But now I really like sitting inside by the fire. I never watch the Olympics.

Thanks for this week's questions, Patrice.

20 Things I Love About Today

1. Cloudy and rainy days.

2. Christmas lights.

3. When the cat washes her face her ear gets turned wrong side out.

4. Listening to my son play the piano and sing, " Rainbow Connection,"
like Kermit.

5. Mystery packages showing up on the doorstep.

6. Watching the wind blow the leaves that are left out of the trees
and watching them drift slowly down.

7. Walking in the leaves that have fallen.

8. Having my first morning, of school being out.

9. Watching the the clouds race across the sky.

10. Knowing that in the morning there will be snow, dusting
the foothills.

11. Listening to the laughter up stairs and the sound of singing.

12. My outside fire pit and having a fire outside.

13. Getting to get caught up on your lives in Blogland.

14. Having a very fast connection now.

15. Antibiotics.

16. Dreaming in the firelight.

17. Having work to do.

18. The sound of the wind chimes as the next storm comes in from the north.

19. My chickens have feathers now.

20. Google maps that published a picture of my house that makes me laugh.


This is a funny story. My son was having his Bible Study
group meet here on Saturday. The young men just
googled directions to get here. This was the picture
they have for our address. I have laughed and laughed
about it. You can't see it in the picture but to the right
is an oil well. That is a pump house. I think. I am not telling them
any different.

I didn't win the cookie contest. The one that won was a white
snickerdoodle with pecans. Oh well I won't give up.

It wasn't animals that got to our line but that our modem
needed to be upgraded. I can now load pictures.

It is nice to be back,
~Kim~

Internet Blues

Just a short note, it seems some critter might have
chewed on our our wires. AT&T doesn't know quite
where it is at and will have to find it.
I just wanted you to know.

I didn't want you to think I had turned non-sociable.

I will get back soon,

~Kim~

Being Busy

It is 4:00 P.M. I thought I would sit down and drink some
coffee before I fall down. I have been working all day.
Wrapping Christmas presents. Cooking dinner,
Making these cookies that I am entering in a cookie contest
tomorrow.
I worked on some wood projects. I sewed a bit. At one point
I had my kitchen a mess because I was making cookie dough,
My kitchen table was covered in newspapers, wood and paint,
My bed was filled with presents to be wrapped, my computer room
was filled with sewing projects I was trying to work on and I forgot
to mention I was doing laundry.

I felt like I was loosing my mind. The cookie dough had to chill three hours
before I could make them into cookies. I don't do cookies like that, ever,
I am- just- a -make- them- and- bake -them -and- eat- them- kind- of- cookie -baker.

I want to win this contest so I went to the trouble. We will see tomorrow.
But now, the laundry is finished, the presents are wrapped and under the tree
the wood and paint is all put away until in the morning. Things don't seem
to dry as fast when it is cold.
Dinner is simmering on the stove and the house is clean.

If I win the contest I will give you the recipe. They are called Triple Chocolate
Truffle Cookies. Really, I think they are just glorified brownie bites.



So that is what I did today. Now it is time to finish up
dinner but I wanted to check in this evening.

I hope you have a lovely Friday!

~Kim~

A Childlike Christmas week 2

I am taking part again this week with Pom Pom and
her Childlike Christmas.

We watched Scrooge on Sunday night and as I watched it
I noticed that stories we love, are a bit bittersweet. Think of
It's A Wonderful Life, George was going to commit suicide
because he thought that would be a way to save his family.
Yet, that movie touches us deeply.

I have a story and it is bittersweet too. It does have a good ending
I will tell you upfront so you don't quit reading.


This Christmas I am going to share with you is one that
still colors my holidays to this day. Every year I work
myself so hard so that my children can have a magic kind
of Christmas.
My story starts at the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
That Sunday morning my Dad was using a old Ford tractor
improperly. Because in those days tractors didn't have roll bars
the tractor turned over pinning my Dad and my brother underneath it.
My brother was not yet three. We had both been riding on it went it went
over, because my brother was holding on the the steering wheel, my Dad threw
me clear, but he couldn't get my brother off in time.

My Dad's arm was crushed and my brother's neck was broken. He was also
paralyzed.
The doctor that was called in told my Mom he wasn't going to do anything because
it was no life for a kid to be in a wheel chair, so it was better to let him die.
But as always in stories sometimes, there was a young doctor, fresh out of
medical school who asked my Mom if he could try some things.
My Mom said yes.
So my Mom had her husband in surgery trying to pin his arm together and my
brother having a new kind of surgery that no one had tried before.

My Dad was self employed. My Mom was a stay at home mom. Christmas
was coming. My Mom told me and my tiny sister not to expect any Christmas
that year because there was no money.

I had wanted a Barbie doll because they were all the rage and a sewing machine
so I could make her clothes. I didn't tell her though. I was afraid I was being
greedy. I prayed though.

We had no money and no food. I know we must have eaten at my grand mothers house.
Because we were there so much because my Mom was at the hospital all of the time.
On a Saturday before Christmas the man who leased the produce department to my
Dad came to our house. He came in the door and he brought bag after bag of food.
More food than I have ever seen in my life. My Mom stood there weeping. Then
he gave her a huge stack of money.
She said" I can't take that, Bill" and she said"I have no way to pay you back." Then he looked at
me sitting there and said," don't take it for me take it for these kids. They need Christmas."

My Dad was able to come home just a bit before Christmas Day. His arm in a sling and
a cast. We had no Christmas tree and I don't know how but one showed up the next morning.
It was so tiny, we put it on a box and Mom put a white sheet around it to cover it.
Dad told me to pretend it was snow.
Then he said, " Next year Kim, you can pick out the biggest tree of all."

I really didn't expect Christmas packages that year. But Christmas morning,
I went in and under the tree were three packages for me and some for my
sister. I didn't get a Barbie, I got Midge, that was okay No one had Midge. :)
I got a box with a dress in it for her and a sewing machine. I was so happy.
Someone knew what I had wanted.



Now of course as Paul Harvey said, "Here is the rest
of the story."
My brother came home from the hospital, he walked
again, who is going to tell a 3 year old he can't walk.
I did get to pick out the biggest Christmas tree the next
year, so big they had to cut off lots from the top and bottom.
To this day, I still always get the biggest tree I can find.
And you know, that man who gave us the food and money.
He was known as a modern day Scrooge. But not that
year, the year I watched I saw a Jesus.

I just thought I would share this today,
it always reminds me of what Christmas is about.
Just making one person's day a bit brighter.

~Kim~