What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, December 23, 2022

Friday Foto Friends Better Late than Never...

 Here it is the Friday before Christmas, (which is on Sunday this year, just for future reference), and people are scurrying everywhere doing their last minute shopping for food, gifts, and also in preparation for the very cold frigid weather we are going to be getting, starting tonight and lasting for several days. I know many of you are already experiencing blizzard conditions and sub zero wind chills. I am sure many may have had to change their travel plans for Christmas due to the weather. The most important thing is to stay safe and warm. Praying for those without power already. May God watch over our friends and loved ones and keep them safe in this winter storm. 

We are all cozy and cuddly and ready for winter here...(as long as the power doesn't go out!)


And here's the extent of my baking so far:
My favorite Blueberry Bran muffins for breakfast this morning...(Recipe can be found on this post HERE)


I am really not planning to do a lot of baking for Christmas. My DIL is baking an apple pie, and we have one guest coming to join us on Christmas day (a single friend from our church), and she is bringing a Chocolate Cream Pie and maybe a Cherry Cheesecake pie, and if our son Scott gets here on time tomorrow he may bake some cookies, and some people have given us some gifts of peanut butter fudge and a few cookies already, so why do I need to bake???? I mean, how many sweets can one eat? However, we never turn any away if they arrive on our doorstep or table. LOL. 

But if I do decide to do any extra baking or cooking, this little cookbook that I just got has lots of great ideas for Christmas yummies:


I first learned about this cookbook on Mrs. T's Christmas Kitchen Blog, when she did a book review of this particular cookbook.  Mrs. T. loves the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and refers to them often in this blog and also on her other blog Across My Kitchen Table. It looked interesting to me so I ordered it online through a used book site since it was printed in 2013. It has lots of great recipes and ideas for fun family times especially for the holidays. I am looking forward to trying some of the recipes in the near future.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts regarding my shopping woes, etc.  I am happy to say my shopping is done, and everything will be wrapped in time for Christmas...I did have a little scare the other day while shopping that I am only sharing because I want to give thanks to God for His protection over me, and also as a bit of a warning to others to always be aware when shopping or out alone.  

While I was loading my purchases into the back of my vehicle in the Walmart parking lot, I was suddenly startled to see a young Hispanic man standing very close to me when I turned around from my shopping cart to put a bag in the car. I never heard him approach and was really caught off guard. His appearance was rather strange as he had some kind of  red and peeling blotches of skin all over his face.  He spoke very broken English and held up his cell phone and asked if I could charge his phone for him because he needed to make a phone call to someone in Atlanta, or something like that. I couldn't quite figure out the whole gist of what he was asking except that he wanted me to charge his phone.  All the while I am thinking of what to do and realizing that my purse was sitting out in the cart, very accessible, and that also I was parked quite a ways out from the store due to the large crowds of shoppers that day. I tried to be very kind but I told him that I could not charge his phone as that would take too long and I really had to be getting back home. (not to mention the fact that in order to charge his phone the engine would have to be running)  He then backed away from me and asked, "You cannot help me?" And I said that I was sorry I could not, but I suggested that perhaps someone in the store would be able to help him. My mind was racing and my eyes were searching around me to make sure there weren't others with him who might be coming up from behind.  I was quite relieved when he then turned and just walked away and I hurried up and got inside my car and locked it and left as quickly as I could. I then called my husband and told him what had happened and the realization hit me of how close I might have been to something really terrible happening...but God was with me and protected me.  I don't know if that young man meant to do me any harm, but something about the way he backed away from me made me think there was an Angel standing between us at that very moment, and if he had intended any harm, his plans were changed. I actually prayed for the young man, that God would take care of his request if he were truly in need, but I also thanked and praised God for His protection over me.  I actually cried  and prayed and rejoiced all the way home. 

Lesson learned...always be aware of your surroundings when in a parking lot. Never leave your purse unattended in your shopping cart...and pray for wisdom quickly in any such situation. God is always ready to help us...and I do believe He sends His angels to guard and protect us.

Moving right along...since I really didn't have any interesting new pictures to share today, I took a few photos this morning of the different Christmas books I have sitting on the coffee table and in the kitchen and other places...Thought you'd enjoy seeing them. Maybe you have some of these or others that are special Christmas books that you like...

Who doesn't love Thomas Kinkade paintings? So lovey and nostalgic!

Remember the Christmas Ideals (and other Ideals books?)  And Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol", and Max Lucado , "In the Manger",

Some special Christmas tea books...

And another special book with pictures to go along with the words to "O Holy Night".

I know some of you are fans of Jan Karon's Mitford series...I did have the whole series but have shared them with others...I still have these two little Christmas books that are special...

That snowman above actually goes along with the Mitford Snowmen story.

And the other one, "Esther's Gift", tells about the Mitford character Esther Bolick, who always made her famous and scrumptious orange marmalade cakes for every special occasion in Mitford.  Over the years she had given away hundreds of these very rich and sweet cakes to many dear people.

But this year she thought she should figure out just how much money it took to bake these cakes, and when her hubby helped her tally up the cost of everything that went into the cakes, including her time for baking it, the cakes were worth over $40.00 a piece...and here she was going to give away at least 6 or 7 cakes to different people in town for Christmas.  Well, she started thinking she couldn't afford to do that anymore and kind of lost her Christmas spirit of giving when she realized how much money she was spending.

But then she heard some Christmas music playing and started thinking about the smiles on the faces of the different ones to whom she had planned to give the cakes, and how happy it would make them, and suddenly she had a change of heart and went ahead and baked the cakes and cheerfully delivered them to the special people in town who really appreciated the gift so much.

Re-reading this little story today kind of also changed my spirit about giving gifts... I know I grumble about shopping and wrapping and all of that, but when it comes right down to it...to see the joy on people's faces, to hear the laughter and/or the sincere thankfulness upon opening a special gift...well, that makes it worth it all. It also makes me want to try a little harder next year to plan a bit better and further ahead.  You can see below how happy all the friends and family in Pamela's Victorian Cottage are when their lovely "Auntie" from the city comes to visit for Christmas and always brings such special gifts for them.   (you can click on that link for another story about this!)


I kind of feel like I've had a "Scrooge" experience, with the scare in the Walmart parking lot, and then reading this little story, and my heart is overflowing with thankfulness to God for His mercy and grace and so much love...and to think, He sent Jesus, His ONLY begotten Son down to earth, for me!! (and for YOU).  
That's a pretty amazing gift.
I am in awe.
Thank You, God!
Amen.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!













19 comments:

  1. I love seeing your pictures of treasures kept and brought out for the season. Pam, I am so glad you were ok. I have been encountered quite a bit lately as well. I am afraid that kind of thing is going to pick up if the news of next year’s economy woes are true. It is a bit scary indeed. I think we are all going to have to be more aware of our surroundings and where we keep our purse and where we park. Stay warm. I have prayed so much for all the heaters to work and pipes to stay in working order.

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  2. Oh, Lord. Glad you are okay. I hope he was just trying to charge his phone, but that is strange.

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  3. Aw, seeing Baby Elva and Lily Grace together by the fireplace warms my heart!
    But, what a fright you experienced, Pam! My own DIL had a similar frightening experience at their Wal-Mart parking lot last year. Sad, how current conditions necessitate our being on the offense wherever we go. I don't know what made that young man back off, but I believe there was a Higher Power at work on your behalf. I'm so glad your 'spirit' has returned, just in time to celebrate His birth.

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  4. I am glad you are safe! It is so hard to know if a person asking for help is legitimate or not. I have those Emily Barnes books. I heard her speak back in the 1990's at a church in my country. I am glad you are all set for Christmas. We have various viruses hitting us, but hopefully all well enough for Christmas. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Oh Susan, I am so sorry to hear that your family is being hit with viruses at this time. I do hope and pray everyone will get well soon. I know how unpleasant that is. Yes, I love Emilie Barnes. I have several of her books, and have truly enjoyed them. How wonderful you were able to hear her speak in person! I'm wondering if she is still living, as I know she had cancer at one point. I never heard more about her. She had a wonderful ministry through her writings, etc. Thank you for your kind words. Praying your family will be well for Christmas.

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    2. I just looked up Emilie Barnes, and she passed away in 2016.

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  5. I do think God sent his angels to protect you! When I shop ALDI I put my purse in the trunk before I unload my groceries into the insulated bags in the trunk. Thank you for sharing your experience since this will remind us all to be more aware of our surroundings!
    Linda Chapman (I’m on my iPad)

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    1. Thank you, Linda. yes, I normally do put my purse in the car first, but was in a hurry and trying to get everything unloaded quickly and didn't think about it. Normally my hubby is with me, but on this day I opted to shop alone so I could get it done faster! So yes, valuable lessons learned...and perhaps I was overreacting...but then again, thankfully, I'll never know for sure, but I know one thing for sure...God was with me! On that I can always be sure! Merry Christmas!

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  6. This happened frequently tome in Indy after I moved there December 2017…common other places I have lived forever. I do not stop…I keep walking…you are correct…do not leave purse in buggy…and remember to have keys out when you leave the store…I shop at Publix so seems better there…I also go early a m and never at night…good luck…Merry Christmas…enjoy…

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  7. You, my friend, can never ever be a Scrooge, you are the most caring and loving person I know. We live in scary times, that is for sure. I have not done much baking etc...as a matter of fact, I bought a Key Lime and a Tiramisu from Publix, so there, grin. Wishing you a beautiful Merry Christmas, smiles (and yes, I have been feeling blue/guilty about not baking, spending money on gifts etc...).

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  8. I use a very small lightweight purse with long shoulder straps that I wear on me. My purse never leaves me. I’ve witnessed several old women in stores getting ripped off because of leaving their purses on the cart. Of course I’m in California and you have to be street smart and try to stay one step ahead. I read in my old stomping grounds of San Francisco, that drivers have been leaving their trunks open and unlocked to keep thieves from breaking in and damaging their vehicles. Crazy. Thankfully it’s not that bad here yet.

    As for the young man - I feel bad for him. Here it is Christmas and all. He must have felt a peace about you - that you were a safe person. Just another way to look at it.

    I keep printed slips of paper to hand to those down on their luck, of shelters to go to - food banks and free meals.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  9. I am glad you are safe. Merry Christmas to you!

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  10. What a great post for the season, Pam, and that includes your Angel protecting you in the parking lot. I love the pictures (always) and wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and year ahead!! xo

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  11. Wow, I'm so glad you were safe. I hate that we have to worry about things like that happening. I love your Christmas decorations. Your muffins look delicious. Sounds like you will have a few delicious desserts. II baked a Houska today. I've got that Thomas Kinkade book at the Mitford Snowmen. Hope your have a very Merry Christmas tomorrow.

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  12. Yes, Pamela, I'm certain there was an angel watching over you in that parking lot; sadly, we can't be too careful these days. I do hope the young man found someone in the store to help him out, if, in fact, he was being sincere about his phone needing to be charged.
    Thanks for bringing an extra touch of Christmas joy to my heart through your blog!
    Merry Christmas!

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  13. Pam: I am SO glad you are safe. I had a similar experience one June day. It really does something to us when we have those things happen to us. Merry Christmas,

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  14. Praise the Lord that you were kept safe during your parking lot experience. I'm sure that an angel did protect you. I think that many times we are left unaware of the close encounters we have had with angels throughout our lives. God loves us SO very much. Of course you know that, since you know that He left Heaven behind to come and make a way for us to leave our sinful selves behind.
    I hope you're having a lovely, happy Christmas full of gratefulness to Him.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

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  15. Pam, you handled well the situation with the man wanting you to charge his cell phone. No matter how you look at it, that was a very odd situation. Truly the Lord protected you and gave you wisdom as to how to handle it. Thank you for sharing this experience because we all need to be aware of these things and how to deal with them.

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  16. I am so glad you are safe. I believe sometimes God sends angels to protect us and I'm so glad He protected you too.

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