Old Rock Farmhouse

 by Susan Wittig Albert

These two beauties are out of their coop at first light, foraging for tasty snacks.

This time of year, my greenhouse is resting and mostly empty.

I really enjoy cold weather for about two days.

  Most of my little vegetable patch is napping.  Like busy toddlers, though, there are a few still awake in December.

  by Dolly Parton with Holly George-Warren

This is the story of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem and welcoming Baby Jesus into the world! It is such a treat to teach Children's Church one Sunday each month!  Our group ranges from 5 to Middle School along with a few special needs adults.  We have a wonderful time, but it can feel challenging to present crafts that are simple enough for the younger ones to complete, but allow enough creativity for the older ones to remain engaged.  This one worked great! Paper Bag Puppets for Children's Church Varying colors of Lunch Size Paper Bags Circles for Faces, same size as width of Bags Cut Outs for Ears, Tongues and Paws Wiggly Eyes and/or Buttons Markers or Crayons Glue and Scissors Extra Paper for Creative Add-Ons Each child begins with a paper bag in color of their choice. Each child also chooses a circle for the face of their creation.  From there, they glue and color to their heart's content.  I kept most of my examples simple. Did I photograph any of the children

An experiment in silhouettes. 

by Susan Wittig Albert  

by E.J. Koh

Mom likes photography, especially of me.

Friendsmas celebrations are such a wonderful way to spend an evening with girlfriends!  The plan for this year's party, besides snacks, is for each person to bring a $10 gift and we will swap.  It's nice to have a small something for everyone, though, so this is what I'm adding to the mix. Fizzy Soaking Salts!

Magnolia Grandiflora AKA Bull Bay One of the wonderful things about life in an old rock farmhouse is the mature trees that came with our property.  We have a Magnolia Grandiflora that is estimated to be over 100 years old.  It is spectacular! Wellknown for waxy, dark green leaves and huge, fragrant, white blooms in late Spring thru early Summer, Southern Magnolia trees can add interest all year.  Let us not forget the quiet beauty of their seed pods in Autumn.