A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-9,10,11-05...From East to West Freepers Decorate Best

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

Good morning, FReeper FRiends! We're Christmas'ing all this month at the Finest, and this weekend you are invited to join us on a tour of the Finest Homes, where many of our regulars are going to share their decorations with you in their posts throughout the weekend. In addition, we would love to see your Christmas trees, your outdoor lights, favorite decorations, recipes, Christmas traditions in your home.

Because the thread may get really *graphics-heavy*, I ask that you keep your photos a reasonable size (both physical and in bytes), but do hope you will feel free to post as many as you like, and drop in often to see the offerings of others. I will start with a little bit of Christmas in my kitchen, which helps get me in the mood to bake cookies and other goodies we don't need but think we can't do without. :)

As we share our photos and traditions with others, I'd like to share a link to a wonderful Christmas album: "Merry Christmas With love" by Clay Aiken, who has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. My favorite song is #6: "Mary Did You Know". I've been listening to it over and over and over, but you should be able to listen to all of the songs on that CD.

Clay Aiken ~ "Merry Christmas With Love"

Mary Did You Know

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

From My House to Yours.....

Merry Christmas, Ya'll!

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-05-05 Military Monday 12-06-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part I 12-07-05 Christmas in New York 12-08-05 Bush Booming, Democrats Still Depressed

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[snugs]

It is true when you visit a country you often only see the tourist bits and not the everyday life of a town or city or village.

Here another photo of the shopping centre in town which has limited space for floor decorations so they have decorated in the ceiling

I was also in ASDA today (UK store owned by Walmart) and thought the play on the Christmas words were great on their signs plus I also like their advertisement for online shopping

ASDA have also had plastic carrier bags made for Christmas with Christmas stars on them and saying wishing you a Happy Christmas. Good sicology makes you happy spending money LOL.

Here is also a photo of frosty on sell in town

[snugs]

They are also there is a house opposite that has lights like icicles hanging down so you only get the effect that the house is decorated at night.

[Diver Dave]

How did you get the picture to come out with the candle glow? When I took the pictures in a dark room with only the tree lights, they still come out like it was daylight. I wanted to capture the lights, but with the digital camera it didn't work.

First of all, I turned off the flash. Then I place a floor lamp off to the right side with 3 60 watt bulbs glowing and snapped the picture. I tried my camera (Kodak digital) on 'auto' and 'landscape' settings and chose the best pic out of 4 pictures taken.

Good luck.

[luvie]

We have a lot of decorated houses this year...even more than last year. I guess the high electric bills aren't bothering anyone around here! They look so pretty at night. I guess I should take pictures...but I'm so lazy! :o)

[LadyX]

Your decorations are wonderful, Dave.

As for the poem about the soldier, Anne had suggested we eat at the Golden Corral buffet where we could choose what we wanted from a variety of things. That was great, loving the good salads and entrees, and I was thrilled that Anne in our company ate with gusto!

The Real Treat, however, is that Sumter, SC is where Shaw AFB is, and there were groups of men and women in uniform from there in the restaurant.
Bernie and I engaged several in conversations, and when Anne and I went to the dessert bar (okay - I got a macadamia nut cookie and a wee tiny slice of carrot cake without icing..:) two officers were getting theirs.

I spoke with them, and the major next to Anne ever so politely asked if she'd mind sprinkling his bowl full with the chocolate chips in front of her - he correctly sensed she would be delighted to be included and useful.
It was so heartwarming to see that every one of them there is of exceptional caliber and bearing....

[LadyX]

Another wonderful find, Gail!
I hope you are settled into your new position, and have a richly blessed Christmas season.

[LadyX]

Your tree is simply beautiful, Aqua!!
Yes - our visit with Anne was a very special day, and we told her we'd try to get back in March or April.
It is really physically hard for us to travel, and we said then, knowing January/February can bring ice and/or snow to the path we have to take.
When we got home, though, and were savoring the day, we decided to attempt to surprise her on January 5th - the day BEFORE her birthday - and be there for her.

I talked last night with my niece, Jessie, whose house is just a mile from Anne, about the feasibility, knowing she and her siblings no doubt will celebrate with Anne at Jessie's on that Friday or Saturday....and she will let me know if there are any unforeseen appointments, illness, etc. that might require replanning. Anne does have a regular physician appointment on the 4th, so it looks as if the 5th will be a GOOD time to go back!

[snugs]

There do seem more and more each year. There is one area in Ashford where virtually the whole street does it so it gets very competitive but end result is that the quality goes up each year.

[LadyX]

I did get a few pictures, Colleen, but won't finish the roll until the 22nd when Kevin and Susan and Christopher and Nickolas will be here, on their way to Gatlinburg for a week with a snowy Christmas..

They go there every other year, renting a house with friends who live in Atlanta, and children the ages of their boys. They all ski well (used to go to Vail) and snowboard, etc. This time they secured ahead a place nearer where all the activity is, so the teenage children can safely sally forth on their own to do things.
(Christopher is 17 and drives)

[deadhead]

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Good Night, all

[LadyX]

"Is your photo a South Carolina sky? It is awesome."

Afraid it is was one snagged from Mr. Google, Just..:)) The title is Hand of God.....

We don't get much severe weather on this side of South Carolina. Most fronts flow northeast from Augusta, Georgia toward Columbia, SC, and we are positioned in Barnwell, SC southeast of Augusta. They thus don't usually reach us...if snowflakes appear, it is an exciting event - and if a half inch *briefly* coats every few years, the town goes nuts!!

Two years ago there was a terrible, terrible ICE storm, however, but it began exactly one mile above us, stretching upward for several counties from there.

With many tree farms with pines in addition to natural ones growing, there were snapped limbs all over, many blocking the two-lane highway. The sounds were heard here, like rifle shots...

We don't have pines on our lot - two huge pecan trees, a gum tree, a pear tree, three small and two large dogwood trees - and one no one seems to know the name of, with four joined trunks branching out with the first Spring Leafy Green growth, and first leaves to fall - great for grandchildren to climb..:))

[Diver Dave]

What Christmas would be complete without a Christmas program Hark - The Herald Angel?

That's Grandson Christian in the blue shirt and tie at last night's performance...

[LadyX]

Afraid I'm too late to be here when you are, no doubt readying for your service tomorrow...like you, I prefer the old-fashioned Christmas trees and decorations, and have ornaments from 1961 and since.

With the children so far away, and now don't have the ability to deal with putting one up and decorating - too much risk of falling - so we don't. I last year got a small lighted one we placed in the kitchen, and do put the manger scene in the living room - the only requisite for Christmas!
I have the lovely wreath on the front door, but will skip all the outside railings decorations and interior doorways framed with lights and garlands, screened porch lights, etc...

Christmas is the celebration of God's Gift to Mankind, and I worship and thank Him, not really needing props...

[DollyCali]

thanks Nan.. I am not worried about the decor as this is the first year I don't think there will be any entertaining here.. I don't need to make lots of extra work for myself either..

Just got in.. saw movie Syriana.. interesting.. surely will be contraverial w/the conservatives here.

here is a little fun for your kiddies (or you?)

[DollyCali]

Thanks for posting the pix of the neighborhood decor & also the stores Eleanor.. always interesting to see the different locales & how things are done.

I am pretty tired. VERY long day tomorrow, so I am going to crash wishing you all 14 angels to watch your rest and great REMS to invigorate you for the morrow..

[DollyCali]

But, that doens't look like christmas actually.. there are leaves on the trees & is that a PALM tree I see in front yard of last pix? I guess I thought your climate was similar to ours here in Ohio.. guess NOT (she says after drudging thru about 8" of snow w/o a palm tree in sight)

[LadyX]

Good to hear from you, snugs, and see all your photographs.

My mother was named for her maternal grandmother - Annie - but changed it to Anne when she married, and named my sister that.
Her paternal grandmother, however, was named Ann Amelia Skinner - of English heritage...

God bless you and your Mum and Dad, Eleanor, now and always.

[Pistov Elf]

Ahem! In accordance with Santa's wishes I am posting some reminders about the true spirit of Christmas.

All Elflings and Ladies...a Tissue Alert!!

A Christmas Story
By Hans Christian Anderson

The Little Match Girl

Once upon a time . . . a little girl tried to make a living by selling matches in the street.

It was New Year's Eve and the snowclad streets were deserted. From brightly lit windows came the tinkle of laughter and the sound of singing. People were getting ready to bring in the New Year. But the poor little matchseller sat sadly beside the fountain. Her ragged dress and worn shawl did not keep out the cold and she tried to keep her bare feet from touching the frozen ground. She hadn't sold one box of matches all day and she was frightened to go home, for her father would certainly be angry. It wouldn't be much warmer anyway, in the draughty attic that was her home. The little girl's fingers were stiff with cold. If only she could light a match! But what would her father say at such a waste! Falteringly she took out a match and lit it. What a nice warm flame! The little matchseller cupped her hand over it, and as she did so, she magically saw in its light a big brightly burning stove.

She held out her hands to the heat, but just then the match went out and the vision faded. The night seemed blacker than before and it was getting colder. A shiver ran through the little girl's thin body.

After hesitating for a long time, she struck another match on the wall, and this time, the glimmer turned the wall into a great sheet of crystal. Beyond that stood a fine table laden with food and lit by a candlestick. Holding out her arms towards the plates, the little matchseller seemed to pass through the glass, but then the match went out and the magic faded. Poor thing: in just a few seconds she had caught a glimpse of everything that life had denied her: warmth and good things to eat. Her eyes filled with tears and she lifted her gaze to the lit windows, praying that she too might know a little of such happiness.

She lit the third match and an even more wonderful thing happened. There stood a Christmas tree hung with hundreds of candles, glittering with tinsel and coloured balls. "Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed the little matchseller, holding up the match. Then, the match burned her finger and flickered out. The light from the Christmas candles rose higher and higher, then one of the lights fell, leaving a trail behind it. "Someone is dying," murmured the little girl, as she remembered her beloved Granny who used to say: "When a star falls, a heart stops beating!"

Scarcely aware of what she was doing, the little matchseller lit another match. This time, she saw her grandmother.

"Granny, stay with me!" she pleaded, as she lit one match after the other, so that her grandmother could not disappear like all the other visions. However, Granny did not vanish, but gazed smilingly at her. And she quickly struck the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother with her. And the matches burned with such a glow that it became brighter than daylight. Grandmother had never been so grand and beautiful. Then she opened her arms and the little girl hugged her crying: "Granny, take me away with you!" She took the little girl in her arms, and both of them flew in brightness and joy above the earth, very, very high, and up there was neither cold, nor hunger, nor fear -- they were with God.

A cold day dawned and a pale sun shone on the fountain and the icy road. Close by lay the lifeless body of a little girl surrounded by spent matches. "Poor little thing!" exclaimed the passersby. "She was trying to keep warm!"

But by that time, the little matchseller was far away where there is neither cold, hunger nor pain. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, and how happily she had gone with her old grandmother into the bright New Year.

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May God bless you all!!!

Pistov[sniff] [sniff]

[Pistov Elf]

Ok...smartypants Wolfie! Impersonating Santa is a Big Offense - unless you dispense toys and candy to all the children.

Obviously, that is not your plan.... So, I have just activated the E.I.B.

You are history!!

The Mission of the EIB

The Elves in Black were commissioned at the beginning of Christmas to protect the Spirit of Christmas, Santa and all the Elves. Armed with our elfen intellect, tools, charm, and good looks we defend the Spirit of Christmas, Santa and all the Elves against naysayers, Grinches, Heat Mizers, Scrooges, Wolfies and here lately, pure commercialism. We are sworn to secrecy and must abide by the EIB code to be unseen and not abuse our elven gifts.

E.I.B Elves are stealthy and quick! You may not even have time to read this...{heh} {heh}.

Yes, Santa. The Big Bad won't be bothering us no more. Once they use that flasher deal...he probably will be one of our newest Elves! Tee hee...one with a tail!!

Pistov

[Just mythoughts]

I got to tell you I would gladly have shared a few inches of snow with you. We are semi rural and have a fairly long drive way, and thus took roughly 6 hours of shoveling to get to our one car wide drive.

My son at Clemson was hoping for one of those rare snow falls as he is totally amused at the southern reaction. He has also said that he misses our thunderstorms and the house shaking claps of thunder we often get.

I remember that ice storm. I have been through a couple of them myself here. The last one took close to twenty pick-up loads of branches to clean up out of my yard.

On the second morning of no electricity, I was on the deck making coffee on the grill and up pulls a truck with man and wife hired to clear limbs from electrical lines. The gal sees me on the deck and cheerfully calls out to me "do you have power"? Here I am, no electricity, making coffee outside in frigid temp, after having spent the night monitoring my fire in the fireplace insert, so at least the pipes won't freeze. There was no way I had checked the mirror that morning and to me anybody with half a brain could have seen I did not look like I had power.

I called back to her and said "do I look like I have power"? A few days later they were back as I told them they could deposit their loads of chopped limbs in a heap near my garden, and the gal tells me that she was still laughing over my reaction to her question of "do you have power".