A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-13,14-05....Finest Christmas Tables, Part II

Billie, LUV W, Mrs.Nooseman | LUV W, Mrs.Nooseman

[Billie]

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

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

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.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas fast approaching, a few weeks ago I asked a Few of Our Finest to set some of their finest Christmas tables to present throughout the first three weeks of December. Each one has chosen her own theme, and no one else has seen it. Today our featured guest artists are LUV W and Mrs.Nooseman.

I hope you enjoy and appreciate their beautiful Christmas offerings as much as I do. It's always rewarding when we have our Finest' contributions, but never moreso than during the Christmas holidays.

Thank you, Luv and Mrs.N!

Bring Us Home Again

He slowly came awake today
and he lumbered to his feet,
for it was just two hours
before that he faded off to sleep.

He donned the day's attire and
grabbed his M-16.
He headed off to breakfast to keep
him strong and lean.

As he walked down to the chow line
he kept a watchful eye.
He didn't want the enemy
to take him by surprise.

As the chaplin said a special prayer
on this very special day,
he kept thinking of his family
that is oh so far away.

He rubbed his left breast pocket
where he keeps a picture of his wife
and a letter from his daughter that
he reads most every night.

He fought back a single tear
as he stared out at the sand,
wishing he could be back home
with his family close at hand.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts
and then be on his way.
He's defending our great country
and has little time to play.

When he got out to the fence line,
his buddy by his side,
he exchanged a "Merry Christmas"
followed by a tired sigh.

He climbed upon the watchtower,
his mouth a tiny grin.
He said, "Merry Christmas to the world"
and "God, please, bring us home again".

~Bradley A. Peraino~




GOD BLESS AMERICA
~~~~~~~~~~
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

Good Morning FR Finest.

Christmas Traditions at my house.

Advent

At our house we start the Christmas celebrations with Advent.

We have a wreath made out of pine cones with four candles on it. Each Sunday we light one Candle and read the Story of Christ's birth and listen to Christmas songs.

During the time of Advent, we also start baking our Christmas Cookies and making Christmas decorations.

Our kids receive an Advent Calender on the First of December to count down the days to Christmas.

St.Nick or Nickolaus

On December sixth we celebrate St.Nick, who brings small gifts that he puts into the children's boots that have been left in front of their doors, if they were good. ;)

To keep some of the traditions from Germany in the family, we also exchange gifts on December 24th, and we put some gifts under the tree for December 25th, to include the traditions of an American Christmas.

We have integrated both traditions into our very own tradition and hope that our kids will carry on this tradition, when they have their own families.

It would be great if you all could share your Traditions with all of us, whether they are Christmas, Hanuka or other Holiday traditions.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas.

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-12-05 Military Monday

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

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you, Mayor! Hi tulip!

[Billie]

Morning, GeeBee. You have mail - both places. :)

[Billie]

Thanks for the ping, Luv! What a nice thread!

Glad Luv pinged you - nice to have you - we're "Christmas'ing" almost every day this month - culminating with what I know will be an outstanding thread on Friday, December 23rd...our Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Special.

[Billie]

Good morning, Texagirl. I think Aqua said it best not long ago.....we seem to do our best work at Christmas time. :)

[Billie]

Thank you, tulip. It's been fun, as well as really helpful, to have the four Christmas tables you and Colleen and Mrs. N and Luv created for us.

[Billie]

Oh, Gail, I haven't seen that one before, and it's a heart tugger for sure. Thank you for posting it for all of us to read.

[Billie]

You're so sweet, Noosie. It's a treat for me to do these presentations that show off your/others creations. I loved reading about your family traditions.

[Billie]

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. —Crosby

I wonder how many of us have sung that chorus in church since we were little children. :)

[Billie]

Thanks, Rus.

[tuliptree76]

Hi PAL. :-)

[Colonel_Flagg]

It's nice to be here! FR is full of wonderful people and I'm glad Luv took the time to make sure I saw this :)

I hope to not be a stranger!

[tuliptree76]

Oh no! I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is always difficult, especially if they are so close.

[Billie]

I got teary at the Finest this morning. Always a great place to start the day. You warm my soul on this cold, clear morning in the NE.

We get teary at the Finest a lot. :) Thank you for the warm compliment, proud2beconservative.

[Billie]

Good morning, dear dolly. You are still in our thoughts and our prayers. I would guess that at least 99% of us has been exactly where you are right now, at least once, and it is heartbreaking.

[Billie]

I hope to not be a stranger!

I hope not, too. If you want to be added to our ping list, just let us know. I know some freepers prefer not to be added to yet another ping list. :)

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I just read the rescue thread, "all over" was sent from God. God truely loves you, understands your pain and wants to comfort you.

Hugs, hugs, and more hugs to you.

PAL

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

* waves *

[Aquamarine]

These are very nice tables you two, some of your best work so far. Am glad you remembered the Military at Christmas and brought that subject forward LUV.
The only tradition our family seems to have at Christmas is to eat well, there is always a honey baked ham, sweet potato souffle along with pecan pie and the traditional hickory nut pound cake.

[Aquamarine]

I went and found a nice Christmas graphic to include in that last post and forgot to paste it in. lol