Welcoming in the New Year 2021 with "A Fresh Start"...
Sunrise from our front porch on New Year's Day 2021
Sunrise reflections on Still Waters Pond, January 1, 2021
And new calendars...this one is Country Seasons by John Sloane...
And this one is the Teapot & Tea Calendar for 2021 that my sister gives me every year!
I'm a little late getting back into the swing of things here in blogland. It's been a busy few days of ushering out the old year and welcoming in the new year! But it's all been wonderful. I will share some highlights of this past week, so then you will understand why I've been a bit absent from visiting with our dear friends here. Hopefully I will get caught up in the next few days. I trust that all of you are off to a great start for the New Year. We are ALL praying it will be a much better year than last year in every sense of the word BETTER.
So this past week was filled with fun times and visits with loved ones to celebrate Christmas and New Years. Midweek we met up with my hubby's brother and his family at a lovely park about an hour + away to have a picnic lunch and celebrate Christmas and our daughter in love's birthday together. (Bear with me on some of the pictures if you are also a Facebook friend. You may have already seen many of these, but I will throw in a few new ones here and there to keep it interesting!)
My sister in law/brother in law were so thoughtful and generous in their gift giving. These are a couple of the more notable gifts that I am enjoying:
This is a "snow-globe" lantern with a cute snowman and cardinals. It lights up and makes a wonderful addition to the pretty cabin scene below, which was a Christmas gift from this same sister in law a couple of years ago:
They also gave me this beautiful Olive Wood Nativity scene, which was hand made by artisans in Bethlehem. I love it so much.
It was so nice to meet with them and their beautiful family and enjoy this special time together. They live about 2 hours away, so meeting half way at a nice park was a great way to visit on a amazingly warm and beautiful December day!
The next day was New Year's Eve, and that found me busily preparing for another wonderful visit with my sister and her hubby. They decided to drive up on New Year's Eve afternoon to spend the night with us and be with us for both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! That was a treat that we haven't had in a long time, to actually have my sister in my house overnight and get to have a nice long visit! I love this Christmas card she gave me:
No, we didn't jump on the bed, but we did have a lot of fun.
Our kids came over and built a fire in the firepit so we could roast some marshmallows and make some s'mores!
My sister enjoyed making s'mores...
and my daughter in love and her sister also enjoyed roasting marshmallows
So much fun!
We actually were able to watch fireworks from our front porch! That was fun, and they actually went on all night long, which wasn't so fun as far as the noise was concerned, but what we got to see was entertaining:
The next morning it was so wonderful to be able to sit on our back porch and have our morning tea together:
And then we actually talked the men into joining us for breakfast on the porch!
We were having such a great time...and the weather was quite comfortable for January 1, 2021!
The Canadian Geese flew in and landed on Still Waters Pond to entertain us while we ate our breakfast:
Here they come, like the Spanish Armada all lined up and quietly swimming in for a closer look:
(If you look real closely, you will see a female Wood Duck in the background swimming around)
They were all having a great time swimming in the pond and pulling up lily pads for breakfast:
This couple kind of stayed at a distance from the rest of the group. Once in a while the males would have a little standoff. I guess they got too close for comfort...
It all made for a very entertaining breakfast!
After breakfast we took our guests for a ride around the historical area of our small town and saw some pretty old houses:
And also saw the lovely red front doors of our little church that we love so much:
We also took them over to visit our son and daughter in love at their "Ben & Rose's Country Woodshop" so they could see first hand how they create all the wonderful woodworking items they sell in their business. I forgot to take pictures, but I have shown some HERE before.
After our tour of the town the family gathered once again for a traditional New Year's Day lunch of black eyed peas and rice ("Hopping John"), cornbread, pulled pork, ham, and various other goodies.
Later in the afternoon my sister and I once again retired to the back porch for a "Hot Tea Party", HOT in that not only was the tea hot, but it was HOT on the porch for January 1st! 80 degrees! But we were determined to enjoy our tea along with a piece of homemade apple pie...
Sadly all good things must come to an end, and sister's hubby wanted to get back home before dark, so off they went around 4:00, and they did make it back home safely before dark. Praise God!
What a wonderful way to spend the last week and days of 2020 and the beginning of the brand new year of 2021! I BELIEVE (my new One Word for 2021) that God has some wonderful things in store for us in the new year. Here is what we read in our morning devotions today:
Psalm 98
1. "Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
3. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
5. Sing to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of a psalm,
6. With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
7. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,
the world and those who dwell in it;
8. Let the rivers clap their hands;
Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord,
9. For He is coming to judge the earth.
With righteousness He shall judge the world,
and the peoples with equity."
This gives us great hope for the new year...I look forward to the ways God is going to make known "His salvation" to all the ends of the earth...and His righteousness that will be revealed in the sight of the nations. I love knowing that "His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory!" I BELIEVE we are going to see God doing some very marvelous things in this new year throughout the whole earth...So let us "Sing to the Lord a new song..." and "Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King!" God is still in control, no matter what the media and the governors and the dictators of this world want us to think. Our hope is in the Lord, and we can rely on Him to do what is righteous and just when He comes to judge the earth and the world. Let us approach this new year with great hope and faith. God is in control!
Happy New Year everyone!!
Lovely post! I love getting new calendars each year. This year I got a landscapes calendar. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteColletta
Thank you Colletta. Yes, I enjoy these two calendars in particular. They have become standards each year for Christmas. I enjoy the pictures. I save these from year to year and sometimes use the pictures in my blogs or in other ways. I hope you and yours have a wonderful New Year as well!!
DeleteHow wonderful it is to spend time with family. Happy New Year! (I'm agreeing with you in standing back to see what The Lord will do. It's going to be good.)
ReplyDeleteOH yes, Vee, I believe it IS going to be good! But isn't it always? God sees what's going on and what is done in the dark or in secret will soon be revealed in the light. So I believe we should just go on about our business and wait for the Lord to show the nations His power! Happy New Year!!
DeleteWhat delightful experiences ..... both at the park (great compromise!) and your sister's visit. I'm unashamedly copying that greeting card and send to my BFF -- the only soul with who makes me feel 8 years old again. As ever, thank you for sharing your memory-making Good Times.
ReplyDeleteBy all means copy away! I loved it! She finds the cutest cards. What is funny is for three years in a row (or close to it) she sent me the same birthday card every year because she liked it so much. I did too, but it was really funny that she would pick out the same one every year and didn't realize it until I showed it to her. Then I sent one of them back to her for her birthday. LOL. It is fun to feel like 8 again, isn't it? Nothing wrong with having a 2nd childhood. I rather like it. LOL. Happy New Year!
DeleteSo nice that you got to visit. I miss being with my siblings. I loved your church pictures. It reminded me of my church when I was growing up. Happy New Year Pam! Oh and I added you to my blogger reading list.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, for adding me to your list. I have been a poor "follower" lately, with holidays and just too much stuff going on, but I hope to be better in the new year now that things are quieting down (I hope). My sister lives almost 2 hours away, so we don't get together very often, mostly just holidays and some birthdays. We had two brothers, but one passed away over a year ago and the other lives in NC, so we don't get to see him very often. It's hard to be apart from family, and this past year has been really hard on families. I hope it starts getting better soon. Happy New Year to you too, Susan.
DeleteSuch great houses!!! I could live in those, grin. I love Rose's new hairstyle, smiles. So, about the school...word on the street is Cuomo and the teachers union are looking ways to shut the schools down. I will continue to go in as needed--usually on Wed. However, with the "what ifs" going on, its best to keep the day job, unfort. I also like the steady income, not just the job/place of employment. I am afraid this Covid issue is not going to go away and I really fear the power Cuomo has. I also have a husband who is really digging in his heels about not moving (many reasons why)...but he also sees the writing on the wall. We are living in really uncertain times right now...and all we can do is hang on, take it one day at a time, and pray. I have several friends like yourself and many others who live in various states who are really believe it or not helping with decision making...truly. The thing on FB about the school---I don't know why it did that-I have been going in/teaching for over a month now. Sure, I could go full time, but the uncertainty of the gvt. etc. its just a scary thing right now. And being a sub. means no unemployment benefits and no pay if the schools shut down again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a beautiful day, friend. smiles
I totally understand your dilemmas that you are facing and that is why I pray for you to be safe and stay healthy and strong in your current situation, and still keep your eyes and ears open for a new opportunity should it come knocking. I understand your hubby's concerns as well. We had to move back to Florida from New England over 22 years ago because our parents were starting to really fail and they needed our help. Florida was "home" to us anyway, but we had to leave behind our son and his wife and eventual grandson in Maine when we moved. We were thankful we could help out with our parents and God provided for us down here very well. But sadly, when our son back in Maine really needed us because of his health situation, we couldn't find any way to get back. We tried very hard to find jobs back up there and move back so we could be near him before he died, but the way was blocked. And we also missed out on being near our grandson growing up, and now he is 21. He and his mother still live up there, but that is where she is from and she has a really good job and would never leave Maine, especially not to move to Florida. So there are trade offs in life that we have to make. There is never any perfect choice it seems. So we make the most of what we are given to work with and I have found that God blesses us in other ways in the process. We have two sons here, and one finally got married and gave us a wonderful daughter in love who is a real blessing to our family. I wish our other son could find someone special for his life, but God knows all about that and if it is to be, it will be. Not sure why I am telling you my life story here, but I guess it is because we don't always like the choices we are given in life, but we have to learn to make the best of them whatever they may be, for the good of all. God will always find ways to bless us when we follow His lead. Amen. story and sermon is over. LOL. Praying for you!
DeleteOh, what a marvelous way to end the old year and usher in the new, Pamela! Of course, I enjoyed all your photos, and loved the Psalm you shared at the end. Yes, I believe (there's your word!) that God is poised to do mighty and glorious things in 2021. He is still in control and His will reigns!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Amen, Martha! "His will reigns!" I truly BELIEVE that (there's my word!). If I didn't believe that I could easily get discouraged, but GOD. That's all I need to say...But God. All things are possible with God!
DeleteIt looks like it was a perfect week. I'm so glad you were able to spend time with family. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful photos with us! Happy New Year - Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you Martha. It was a perfect week. The weather cooperated so that we could visit with family outdoors and see loved ones that otherwise would not have come. We are very thankful. Happy New Year to you and yours as well!! Looking forward to a much better 2021 than 2020.
DeleteGreat to see you having wonderful family time. The last few words of this post spoke to me most. God is in control. oh that we would only remember that short phrase, because it is true and therefore we can rest knowing that the God of the universe is in full control.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ruth. God IS in control, and we need not fear what man or government nor any other creature can do to us who are in Christ. I remind myself of that often when I listen to the news. Yes, the "God of the universe IS in FULL control!" Amen!
DeleteIt looks so beautiful and sunny and WARM there. Sigh. I'm glad you had so much fun and so many visits with family and friends. Our holidays are pretty quiet since we aren't doing a lot of socializing outside of the family. My family is really small and not terribly close and Tim's family, while huge, is spread all over the country and most are living rather isolated these days because of health issues and such. The calendars are pretty. I especially like the country seasons. I LOVE the winter cabin scene! You are so creative at setting up those little vignettes. I undecorated today. Tomorrow I will finish putting the house back to rights. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacy. Yes it has been very sunny and warm this past week, but it is going to change again tomorrow I hear. Rain on the way and a cold front. NOthing like YOUR cold fronts, but for us it will be quite chilly. So we are thankful the weather cooperated with us so that we could be with family outdoors as much as possible. I love the 'cabin scene' also. When my SIL first gave that to me a couple of years ago, it was before we moved here, and I said then I want to live by the water someday...I'd LOVE a cabin, but this manufactured home with a porch overlooking the pond is close enough and we are very thankful that God made it all possible. I have not undecorated yet. I'm in no hurry. I need some down time to rest after this past week. I'm not as young as I used to be...LOL. Enjoy your weekend as well. We are thankful and blessed to be in a New Year!
DeleteI absolutely love your porch! I would be out there all the time! Glad you had a great time with your sister and family. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. I love our porch also, and I would be out there all the time too if it wasn't too hot or too cold! It is most beautiful early in the morning and in the late evening. During the midday and afternoon the sun is very bright on that side of the house and the reflection off the water can be blinding, so unfortunately we end up having to close our blinds and not enjoy looking at the pond for a few hours until the sun moves around enough behind the trees again. But it cooperated with us very nicely this past weekend so we could enjoy our times together outside as much as possible. God is good! Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family as well!
DeletePam, I really enjoyed this post and seeing all of you fun pictures! Your word for 2021 is a good one! After the year we have had, we all have to BELIEVE that our amazing God has so much good planned for us this year. Happy new year!! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. We did have a great time with our family last week. I am so glad, after the year we all had of not being able to do all that much together...it was a great way to end up the year and start the new one off right! I do BELIEVE that God has wonderful things in store for us in this new year..."with God all things are possible!" Happy New Year to you and Joe too!
DeleteThank you, sweet Friend, for commenting on my post... It's been so long since I've posted anything. It looks like you had a very special Christmas. I love the snowman and cardinal lantern. I know spending time with your sister made your heart happy. I hope to blog more this year and visit when I can. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Debbie! I was so happy to see your post...I do hope you will be able to post more often in the new year. You have much of value to share with us and we need your voice amongst us! Yes, spending time with my sister was wonderful. Normally when they do come to visit it is for lunch and then they have to turn around and head back home. This time we got to spend more time together without all the rush and it was so nice for a change. I hope they will do it more often. Yes, we did have a wonderful Christmas. God is very gracious and kind. We are all looking forward to a much better New Year than last! Happy New Year to you and yours, dear friend! Oh, this is funny...this morning before I woke up for some reason I let out a yelp in my sleep that woke up my husband. He said I sounded just like an owl! I don't know what I was dreaming about, but I woke myself up too! I thought you'd appreciate that I now sound like an owl in my sleep and dreams. LOL.
DeleteOne question: did that homemade apple pie have a lot of cinnamon? I love pie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonder holiday week you had...love the snowglobe lantern AND That nativity. Family is the best gift tho. You were blessed.
Hi Anni! To answer your question, the apple pie had about a teaspoon of cinnamon I think. I usually sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar on the top crust too. Do you like cinnamon? You don't have to add that much...I'm thinking it called for 3/4 to 1 teaspoon and a dash of nutmeg. And yes, family IS the best gift of all! I feel very thankful and blessed. Happy New Year!
DeleteSo great that you were together with your sister! I don't have a sister and of course, I always wanted one. But God gave me three daughters to love and be loved in my 'older' years. lol What is age anyway? lol Looks like Rose had a great party with family too, another precious memory to add to your memory list. Could I live in that old house, you bet I could! :) I had to chuckle when I saw the pic of your calendar, I almost took a picture of mine to share with you. Got mine up and hanging in the kitchen where I can enjoy it every morning when I get my coffee. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteOh Mary, now when I look at my calendar I will think of you looking at your calendar just like it! We can make this "fresh start" together in this new year...a clean slate of white snow with no footprints just waiting for us to trek into the new year with joy and gusto! You had three daughters and I had three sons! I am thankful for my sister...I wish we could do more things together, but this was a great treat and I hope now that she sees it wasn't so hard to come here and spend the night that she can talk her hubby into doing it more often. And yes, I could live in that old house too, if I didn't have to climb the stairs too often...LOL, although that might keep me in better shape. Happy New Year, Mary! Let us enjoy our "Fresh Start" together!
DeleteNothing like family time for any reason! Looks like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. Yes, we did have a great time. I am so thankful for any time our family can be together. After this past year of so many restrictions on people being able to enjoy one another's company, I will never take these occasions for granted. They are very precious. Happy New Year!!
DeleteLove all the wonderful pictures. And my favs are those family ones! YES! Oh Marty wants a new calendar each year for his barn. YES, he loves a new calendar! I ordered me a desk calendar from Walgreens for my office at home and love it. I randomly picked pictures from my phone that I thought would be good for the months and of course the majority are family! LOL! I wish you a great and wonderful New Year. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
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