Winter blues and Hygge

I don't know if you've ever heard of "Hygge" (pronouned Hue-ga) but winter is the perfect time to start practicing it.  Just a little definition of the word for those who don't know what Hygge is.

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.

We all have had just about enough of 2020 and could use all the cozy comfort we can get.  I know I need it especially after my daughter and son-in-love both test positive for covid.  They are fine but it sure put a damper on our Christmas and I need a bit of peace and calm.  

Naturally, this time of year usually brings on Seasonal Affective Depression, for me, so I am always looking for ways to overcome that horribly, bleak feeling of loneliness, boredom, and all around yucky feeling.  I thought I would try something different, this time.  Something that will bring me joy and the feeling that it is all going to be ok.  Let me just say, first and foremost, God and His Holy Word, is where I find the most comfort.  Everything else is a bonus.

I enjoyed an article from Hurd & Honey and thought I would share it with y'all. 

There are many different ways to find your "Hygge".  For me, nature, bird watching, coffee or tea in my favorite mug, plush blankets and pillows, football, and candles...lots and lots of candles...are my "hygge" go to items.  

Many find the Scandinavian way of decorating to be that calming.  That is too sterile and cold for me.  

I prefer the rustic, cozy cabin, lived in type of Hygge.  The smells of a pot of soup simmering and bread baking give me peaceful memories of a house full of love.  

Give me an old dog taking a nap while soaking up the sun and I find comfort and love.  Maybe a bit of soft folk music playing on the radio.  Something like Lord Huron or Bon Iver.  Of course, John Denver screams Hygge to me!  Or just sitting in the quiet just listening to the sounds around me 

Really, I can find Hygge just about anywhere if my mindset is right.  This article from, Hygge House, really made me smile. 

Now that is being able to find hygge in all kinds of places, situations and in all types of ways!  

These, of course, are  ways to find Hygge during the winter.  The other seasons bring even more opportunities to feel Hygge.  

How about you?  Do you have any special ways to find the cozy and comfortable feeling of Hygge?  How about a little challenge!

"why not follow the Danish example and bring more hygge into your daily life?

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Candies, Cookies, and a Princess

It's almost here!  Christmas, that is!  I am excited for the Grandblessings and super excited that packing it all away is that much closer!  Sorry, all "Christmas until February" folks!  I just need to get my house back in order and settle in for some real relaxation!

Last Friday, Princess Sparkles (granddaughter) came over and helped make candy treats for our neighbors, mail lady, Pastor, and trash collectors.  These are super easy and so yummy!

All you do is place mini pretzels, in a single layer, on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Put a Hershey kiss on top and bake for 4 - 5 minutes at 350*.  Remove from oven and let cool down for a minute, then place either a pecan half or M&M on top, smushing it in just a bit.  So, so easy!

Tomorrow, my daughter and both grandblessings are coming over to make cookies and other goodies!  I love spending time with all of those beautiful people!  I'll post more pics after the cookie baking!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Quick hello...

Hello, friends -- 

I still have the allergy/sinus thing hanging on.  I sure wish it would go away but it doesn't seem like it will, anytime soon.  Thankfully, I really haven't felt bad, just very stuffy.  Anyhow... are you all done shopping, baking, and wrapping?  I think I am finished shopping and most of the wrapping is done but the baking hasn't really even crossed my mind!  What!!!???  It's true.  I don't do a lot of baking for the holidays.  There are a few things I do to share with neighbors and friends.  I wish I had the reasons to bake like my Mama did.  It's just too easy to go to a local bakery or grocery store.  Not as good but it is what it is.

Most everyone knows, I make my grands either a quilt or afghan, for Christmas, every year.  Back when it was time to purchase material for quilts, everybody had bought up every scrap of fabric in this part of Oklahoma.  Online wasn't much better.  Mask making was at it's peak.  By the time the store restocked, it was far too late to start the quilts so this year I had to settle for a couple of pieces of fleece and making a knotted blanket for each Grandblessing.  They will be happy with them but it seems kind of cheesy to me.  Oh well...2020.

Our tree is still standing...which means, I haven't touched it!  Remember what happened the last time I messed with it?  

While it is pretty and my grands are happy, I will be glad when it is time to put it back in it's box.  I'm really not a Scrooge but I am OCD and a clean freak.  In my mind, I can't clean with this ELEPHANT tree in the room!    Are you like me?   Gosh, I hope not!  LoL

Are you traveling this Christmas?  I would love to see our Texas family but I have a rule about traveling on holidays.  Not happening!  Too many crazy people trying to get somewhere and not doing it safely.  

Of course, with the whole Covid thing, we really can't go.  Most of our Texas family is either older or immune system compromised.  Sure wouldn't want to unknowingly pass the virus to them.  Nor would we want to accidently be exposed to it.  I mean, it's a crap shoot around here, anyways.

Still no word on when the Granddaughter's Christmas play is to be rescheduled.  I know it will happen but ...

IT SNOWED!  

We ended up with about six inches which is something for us.  We haven't had a decent snow since 2011.  Fortunately, there was no icing, this time!

The birds really flocked to the feeders, too.  We have so many varieties but my favorite is still the Cardinals and Crows.  Can you count how many Cardinals there were?  LoL  That is only a handful of them.  Usually, there are about 15 pairs plus the Red Winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Chickadees, 900 types of finches and every kind of woodpecker there is!  I love them all!  Well, friends, that's all the update I have...

And so...from my grandson and I...

just go crazy and have fun! 

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Allergies got me like...

 Allergies got me like...

Why can't I have one season without allergies!?  They say Oklahoma is horrible for allergy sufferers!  Believe it!  It is truth! UGH!  

We have missed church for the past couple of Sundays.  Other families have had to quarantine and we just don't want to take the chance of coming in contact with someone who has been around any of those family members.  It's a small church in a small town so the chances are good that somebody has been around one of them.  We do have the option of watching online so that helps.  The kids Christmas play has been postponed for covid reasons.  My granddaughter had a speaking part and was going to sing a special.  Maybe they will reschedule but it will be after Christmas.  Better safe than sorry!

I happened to look out my bedroom window as the sun was almost down.  The sunset was beautiful but the picture looks kind of creepy!  The pecan tree branches are bare except for a few lingering leaves.  The winter birds have moved in and they chitter (that's what I call it because it really is a chirp or song) all the way up until I go to bed.  Come morning they will announce the sunrise long before I want to get up.  

Sorry this is such a tiny little, boring, post.  I hope you have a beautiful week!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Just how bright...

Friends, I have something I must confess.  I've already asked for forgiveness from God but I feel as if I am supposed to share this with someone...maybe it is you. 

 
You see, yesterday, I missed an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with someone who was down on his luck.  My Mister and I, were delivering a dining table to our daughter and decided to stop and pickup a couple of pizzas for dinner with her and the grands.  We are fortunate to have  a wonderful convenience store chain that makes the best food.  We stopped and while my Mister ran in to get the pizzas I stayed in the truck...because this particular location wasn't in an ideal location...in my opinion.  I knew there were "undesirables" that hang around that store and I didn't want to deal with that.  Shame on me, I know.  Normally, that would not stop me but yesterday I just didn't want to be bothered with those people asking for money or who looked and smelled bad.  

So...I sat in the truck and observed.  

There was a man who obviously liked to partake of strong drink, needed a bath, and was just plain down and out.  As I watched, this man sat on the cold concrete sidewalk and greeted everyone who pulled up and walked past him.  He would say, "How you doing brother?", "Nice car!", or "Have a good night!".  

There was nobody, not one person, who didn't say something nice right back to him.  Some stopped and talked for just a minute.  Some gave him a little fist bump or shook his hand.  Still, others, came back to him, after walking to their vehicle, and would hand him a few coins and tell him to stay safe.  

I noticed, not once did this "undesirable" ask for money.  He didn't ask for food.  As a matter of fact he didn't ask for anything.  He simply sat there greeting people and wishing them a good evening.

   
As I watched, a quiet voice told me to take the man the little bit of change I had in my wallet and tell him how much Jesus loved him.  Oh, I heard it loud and clear.  "Take him some change, Pam, and tell him about the love of Jesus!".  

Still...I sat on my bum, in my nice warm vehicle, on my high horse and did nothing.  NOTHING!  My husband returned with the pizzas and we proceeded to my daughter's house.  We enjoyed dinner, played with the grands, and had a nice visit.  I thought nothing more of the man...at all

.
Until, this morning...

As I sat in my comfy chair, drinking a cup of hot coffee, while snuggled under a blanket, I began reading my morning devotional.  Something made me skip ahead to a devotional for another day.  I read it and soon realized why I skipped the one for today.

  
As I read, I realized what I had done.  I realized, instead of being the feet and hands of Jesus, I sat on my bum and did nothing.  Then I remembered that still small voice telling me to share the love of my Savior.  

As it hit me like a freight train, I cried.  I cried out for forgiveness.  I was so ashamed of what I had done...or not done, in this case.

I am the first one to tell people to "Let their Jesus light shine!".  Yet...I didn't practice what I preach.

I asked myself, "Pam...just how bright is your Jesus light shining?  Is it even turned on?".  

I am ashamed to admit it sure doesn't shine as bright as it should.  It might as well be turned off with how little light it gives off.  Isn't that how we all are, though?  We sit on our high horses, warm and our stomachs full, and do nothing but observe...even when we are told what to do?

I learned a lesson that many don't want to learn.  There are no undesirables who don't need to hear about Jesus.  There are no unsafe places when there are people who need to know that somebody cares.  I also learned...and I think it was the biggest lesson...even a homeless, dirty, smelly, man deserves a smile, a fist bump, or just a few coins.  It reminds me of the verses from Matthew and Hebrews, 

' ...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. '  Matthew 25:40 KJV

' Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ' Hebrews 13:2 KJV 

So, I have to ask myself, and you, dear friends, exactly who was shining their Jesus light the brightest?  

A person who has been a Christian since she was eleven years old, who attends church most every Sunday and who preaches that we need to be a light to others?  Or...was it the homeless man, sitting on a cold sidewalk, greeting others and sharing his smile?  

Even if he doesn't know Jesus as his Savior...and even if he will never know the effect he had on an old woman who failed to shine her Jesus light...he was the one who made a difference.

I leave you with this thought, from my morning devotional.

'The wrong we do is made worse by the good we leave undone. '

 

Oh God, let light shine for me and from me.

Grace & Peace,
Pam