Thoughtful Thursday

If you've been reading my little blog here for any length of time, you've figured out by now that I'm all about RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS in any form for any stranger.  So, I've come up what I like to call 'Thoughtful Thursday'.

The mission?  (I've been watching the Mission Impossible movies and can hardly wait to see the new one that's just come out)!  It's easy.  Go out and perform some act of kindness for a total and complete stranger, anonymously if you can swing it.

The benefits far outweigh the risks and I can guarantee that if you're having a 'down day', something miraculous happens to lift your Spirit and get your mind off of your troubles!  Don't believe me?  Try it and see.

So... as I get ready to head out and run a few errands, I'll be listening to that little voice inside urging me toward some act of kindness for someone out there that needs what only I have to give at this point in time.

Be kind to one another... everyone is fighting some kind of battle!




S.

Christmas 2011: Part Two

No words needed... family is the best!

Prayers for you and your family as we gear up for a New Year ahead!

S.



Guest Blogger

Merry Christmas, all! Oldest daughter, Jessica, here to share some Christmas memories while mom is cooking away. Is that apple pie I smell?? Or the candle she just bought yesterday? hehe Just kidding!

Let me preface this by saying we came from very humble beginnings growing up as a Buckland. For as long as I can remember, no matter what our circumstances, mom and dad went above and beyond to make the holidays just as great as they could be for us kids. Beautiful decorations, fun gifts, a great time together as a family. I'll probably never know the sacrifices they made for us.

But far beyond the gifts and the material things they provided, they made sure to instill the true reason for Christmas. Every year, we stop and read the story of Jesus' birth. I'm so thankful for the foundation of faith my parents laid from a very young age for me. No greater love has the world ever known, than when the God of the universe sent His only son to this earth, to be the sacrificial Lamb and the atonement for our sins! We heard an awesome Christmas message from mom and dad's pastor, David, this weekend. "Sinners are the reason for the season." WE are the reason Jesus left His throne in Heaven. I'm so unworthy but I'm forever grateful!

So that's my favorite thing we do at Christmas. Thanks for letting me share!! Blessings!

Jessica

Merry Christmas

 Working on Christmas cards while listening to Justin Bieber

 Self-portrait

I can hardly believe it's that time of year again.  I knew once September hit and I began to see all the Christmas decorations going up in the stores that time would fly by and I'd be stuck wondering how the holidays came up so fast!  Like my mom used to say, "Christmas is the same time every year... you have a whole year to prepare for it!"

Around here, the decorations are up (except for the Santa cover that goes on the toilet lid my kids talked me into getting), gifts are bought and wrapped, cards have been sent out and almost all the food is ready to go.  There was a time I thought I'd have a break-down trying to get it all done!  Now... I feel such a load lifted and am ready to look toward a new year with so many possibilities.

Over the last few years, I've pretty much laid down my camera except for a few special occasions, not knowing if I'd ever pick it back up for work again.  I'm pleased to announce that next month, I will be launching a new area of photography that has been on the back-burner for quite some time.  For whatever reason, I've never felt the time has been quite right to venture out.  However, what is it I always say???  Now is the time... the time is NOW!  So, here we go!  After the holidays are over, I will be diving in and working to get a new blog and website up and running, along with everything else that a new business entails.  I'm now ready and looking forward to this new adventure!  More details to come...

As for the holidays... I'm ready.  I'm ready to see the grandbabies tear into their gifts, hear the screams of little Abri as she sees what's inside.  Watch Lincoln as he tears through the house with his Spiderman mask and cape.  Hear my youngest play her guitar for the first time in public.  Smell the cakes and pies baking.  Watch my daughters helping in the kitchen.  And probably my favorite, besides just being together, is laughing uncontrollably at stupid stuff no one else would understand.

Does it get any better?  Not for me.

Merry Christmas everyone!

S.

 

Hunting and Gathering

Recently, my husband went on his annual Elk Hunt in Colorado.  He's quite the outdoorsman and I love it that he loves it... makes for a happy pappy when he gets to let off steam and de-stress by shooting something big.  And yes, we do eat the meat.  If you have never tried Elk, I highly recommend it.  It's also healthier for you.

Check out a few of the pics he came back with...

Personally, I'd rather be on a beach somewhere, but looking at these pics, makes me want to head for the mountains!

S.