Searching for a Balance

with the utmost attention. Roy Underhill is a fascinating figure, don't you know.

One last quote from Gladys: "As I let the dogs back in, I smell the snow. The walk is silver, the picket fence wears pointed caps. N...

(We tend to like to leave some gifts and wrappings hanging around for a while.)

Are the squirrels looking well-fed where you live?  I haven't seen a slim one in months.  There is one in particular who's quite chu...

"We always think of Christmas as a time of snow and icicles hanging from an old well and snow over the valley. But I had a friend w...

the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid   - Isaiah 11:6

for the Baby. The King shall come when morning dawns, and light triumphant breaks; When beauty gilds the eastern hills, and...

"We beseech thee, Almighty God,        to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh        h...

It was in the past week that I got out most of the Christmas decorations detail on a Christmas card at the library - the...

The tree lit up in the entryway Dolly in a patch of sun near the Christmas tree Double rainbow over the church across from th...

Three favorites - In Dulci Jubilo - the Cambridge Singers It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - King's College Choir, 2006 Mille Cherub...

"And while they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped ...

If you're part Italian, these cookies may bring back memories for you. I used to have them at Auntie Adeline 's, but I always th...

Totos - an Italian cookie I baked today. Nothing frosted to be found outdoors; it's been above freezing.

Yesterday on the spur of the moment, I cut up a thrifted sweater that I'd felted a year or two ago and made myself some festive hand war...

Just as soon as I laid the black flannel down to cut it out - she just had to get in on the act.  Of course, I let her be. But...

"Stir up thy power, O Lord,        and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,        let t...

A gold design on a Christmas card, the scent of a slow cooking cassoulet, the One who bent lower than anyone

at a time like this? Except -  have mercy on us, and grant us peace .

Two stripey goodies brought home by my brother - Couldn't come up with a third .

First, I got a Susan Branch cookbook from Val.  Now, I've received a Susan Branch calendar from Nellie . She had a giveaway, and I won!...

 vintage thread  satin ribbon thrifted "berries"

A cold cloth on my headache last night. Headache gone, along with the heavy, foggy weather. Thanks be to God.

feathery milkweed in glass ornament lights on an untrimmed tree neighbor cat framed by reflections of Christmas lights ...

"Merciful God       who didst send thy messengers the prophets               to preach repentance               and prepare the way ...

I've got it - this was one of my birthday gifts the other day; a pretty little suitcase - see the silver handle? But I couldn...

A wonderful vintage wreath in our family for years hung in the bathroom - why not? It's tinsel. Perfect music for decorating...

In some online shopping I'd found myself at Kohl's looking at scarves and there to my wondering eyes should appear a furry collar, w...