Christmas Decorations Through the Years

Perhaps a too grandiose title for three years of Buhl houseviews in December. We like putting up lights even though only neighbors directly to the north can see them (except for Santa and low flying planes). Snowy picture was December 2009, darker picture was this morning and straight on view in twilight was two years ago. We keep design the same - white lights/around porch railings the end.

Room with lights on in all three is our office - scene of the crime of procrastination for regular bloggyinnovation. Quiet holiday planned - grateful for a safe, pleasant place to live, friends who care enough to contact us during the holidays and pleasant surprises. Christmas Day we'll go to neighbors -always fun to be included during holidays.

On the great debate of Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas - I tend to come down on the Christmas side. Obviously (to me at least) in modern western society - the December holiday is about Christ's Incarnation. However - if someone were to say happy holidays to me I would not be offended. Starting to believe we Christ followers have taken up the same ugly tactic as secular world - being OFFENDED. Heaven and hell issues are about the only two issues worth standing resolute about and unfortunately we have seen lately some hell issues which have gone to wall of rational thought and pushed it down (wrong direction in my opinion). Borrowing a quote from this weeks' devotionals by Dr. David Jeremiah

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"An old prayer, purportedly from a seventeenth-century nun, says: 'Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am getting older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but You know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end."

Evidently all my great thimble full of wisdom doesn't need to be "shared" with everyone I encounter - what a shame. Taking my stand for Christ and for love which trumps all.

One more quote which I'm sure I've published here before - but still really love.

"So, this Christmas season I pray that the warmth of the Savior's love will spread itself over you as never before. And that whenever and however possible, you will keep reminding yourself that there are still tiny, shivering sparrows who are too terrified to come in from the cold. Maybe, just maybe, this Christmas, because of something you do or say . . . they will." Chuck Swindoll

Bless all of us whether we are sparrows,robins, mockingbirds, doves, meadowlarks, raptors or grackles - we all need a shelter of warmth and kindness. Merry Christmas Y'all - if you need wisdom you'd best pray and read scripture. If you need a good recipe - you can ask me. If you need a place to stop, reflect on the infinite mercies and grace of our Creator - it is good on Buhlaland.
Y'all be careful out there.

Kindness -

Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth His kindness. And He’s a good judge of character. Max Lucado

Explanation - this says I wrote it on November 4th - but in reality - I wrote the title and the Max Lucado quote the 4th - then shelved the whole thing until today - November 20th - shameful behavior - I'm a PRO at crastination.







With a theme of self kindness - I am not groveling in guilt or posturing in pain - simply sharing in simplicity.

I am not blogging regularly - whether motivation or hesitation or gestation (oops not that word) or even aggravation - the end result is my 400th blog post is about being kind.

Pondering why it is easy to be kind to total strangers (giving to charities, praying for people unknown to me, supporting children in far off lands) yet often hard to be kind to my self or those dearest to me?
Now don't mistake my statement for a proclamation of being totally sacrificial or never self indulgent -would not be a truth.

I have enough of the old legalism in my system to believe I need to castigate myself for old wrongs, dredge up events which have long since become dusty ancient history or remind myself - you may have done something nice this time - but you KNOW how you are. Well - doubt I'll change all those years of programming but I do know - staying in touch with my internet, blogosphere world is important enough I want to be holding up my end of the deal.

Next week I'm off work (from wonderful job at acupunct's office) and celebrating one of the best holidays of the year. Thanksgiving - yep - I can DO thanksgiving. I'm giving thanks this year for so many gifts - hard to number but I begin with this prayer:



We bless the Lord, the just, the good, who fills our hearts with joy and food; who pours His blessing from the skies, and loads our days with rich supplies.
Isaac Watts

Amen - our rich supplies aren't listed with turkey, yams and butter - we are supplied with what really matters - good beginning to my week of Thanksgiving.

399 blog posts - what a LOT of words - hope some of them have given you hope, peace or at least a smile. We always have the goats on Buhlaland to give us a smile!

Snow is good for something

Specifically snow is good as a backdrop for our Milky Way doeling - she has interesting markings and the white surrounding made her even prettier.

Will soon be no snow - which is a good thing here on Buhlaland - the cardinals let us know they were seeking warmth to begin setting up springtime households!

Happy Generic Holiday - I'm old enough to remember Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday - well I wasn't at their actual birthday parties or anything. I recall a time before the two dates were lumped together to make "a three day weekend for President's Day sales". Nothing a man who gave his adult life in service to his country wants more than to have his legacy honored with a huge mattress sale or intimate wear extravaganza. Enough - it is good on Buhlaland we aren't going to buy anything today - we have been given riches we are unable to weigh by the world's standards.

A Kiss is Still a Kiss

It is still the same old story - but Happy Valentine's Day to all - even the goats nibble in affection and if all else fails - as time goes by - eat some cherry pie!

1 Corinthians 13:12-13(msg. version)
We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

It is good on Buhlaland and we wish you extravagant love today - and for eternity!

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Very quiet Thanksgiving on Buhlaland - still "quarantined" due to suppressed immune system for DH. He was out yesterday putting some decorations on the gate to our place - we have lights on the porch of our house but you cannot see them from the road. Still mild weather here - very long autumn which is fine by us!









Recipe experiment for Fresh Cranberry Scones turned out to be a new family favorite. Little more complicated but oh my the results were worth a bit of effort. Yes they are outrageously rich - mini sized ones are perfect with a cup of coffee or your favorite hot tea. I use freshly grated nutmeg - isn't much trouble and the flavor is fabulous.

Cranberry Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, chilled and diced
1 cup fresh cranberries roughly chopped
1/3 cup white sugar
Grated zest of one orange or about 2 teaspoons of dried grated orange rind
½ cup chopped nuts – we used pecans but walnuts would be good too
¾ cup half and half cream or heavy
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degree F (190 C)
In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbles.
In a separate bowl, toss the chopped cranberries with white sugar; add to flour mixture along with orange peel and nuts. Mix lightly.
In a large measuring cup – beat together cream and egg, slowly pour into dry ingredients. Mix with a rubber scraper until dough forms. On a well floured board, knead dough 4 or 5 times being careful not to over handle. Divide dough in half. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (sprinkle a little more flour if necessary on board you were using) Shape each half into a 6 inch circle – slice each circle in to 6 wedges (although we liked the ones I sliced into smaller wedges best) Place scones on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake until golden browned – about 20 minutes.
While scones are baking – mix together a glaze of 2 cups powdered sugar and enough orange juice to make a moderately thin glaze. When scones are done – put on a platter or wire rack and drizzle glaze over hot scones.
It is yummy and beautiful on Buhlaland this week - that is very good! Hope you all had a blessed holiday - with family or sweet memories of family times - the Lord has given us so much for which we should be giving thanks. I'm thankful for the wonderful new friendships in the blogosphere!

Tart and tangy and uses lots of eggs!

Pie glorious pie - it deserves much more adulation than it usually gets. Most people think pie = homey dessert but nothing to get worked up over like tiramisu or creme brulee. Lemon Meringue Pie is pie perfection - tangy, tart with the sweet airiness of meringue answered by a good buttery flakey crust. For Labor Day (I know I know - I am irreparably far behind in blogging - work with me people) we had a couple of dear friends over for ribs and salads and quiche. We have had an absolute GLUT of fresh eggs. The cluckers have been busy producing deliciousness daily. We get 8 eggs every day - unfortunately a couple of the hens have decided to stand UP when dropping an egg - dropped eggs -even fresh well cushioned nesting box eggs - will have a tendency to crack when they hit a hard surface. So some days it is 6 eggs and other days I find a surprise egg hiding under the rail which leads to the nesting boxes (somebody in too much of a hurry - waiting her turn and blam - too late).

It is fun having fresh eggs to share with people. End of September and the days are getting shorter,this week unseasonably cool for Texas --we are thinking about when to start leaving on the coop light. 2009 is our first year as chicken keepers is the term chicken tenders? - (no that is what I order at the joint on Main St with extra gravy) or chicken wranglers? (mental picture of chickens strutting around in blue jeans?!) I guess the right term for us -- people who have 8 egg laying chickens in the Coop Mahal. Returning from the rabbity trail down which I just led you dear reader--the goal was to illustrate how we have plenty of eggs and when I want to be extravagant with egg whites it is perfectly fine. Used 6 egg whites for the meringue and 4 yolks in the lemon pie filling. It was tasty - yep - tasty indeed. My photos don't do the pie justice but you'll have to take my word on it - it was GOOD on Buhlaland on Labor Day (and pie the next morning for breakfast wasn't a bad thing!).

Picture of my hand holding regular sized Buhlaland egg and one whopper (turned out to be a double yolker) comparing with credit card sized donor card - an attempt at educational photography.

Ah the cluckers - they seem to conspire and murmur cluckity thoughts when I am out with the camera - I can no longer wear crocs in the chicken run - they peck through the holes at my feet! It is good to have eggs, chickens, pie and holidays here on Buhlaland.

I think it is possible that in addition to angel food cake and manna - we'll have lemon meringue pie in heaven.

Playing Catch up!

No bright ideas about what to say - here we go with a list of what the pictures are.
Camouflaged bird is a real roadrunner (they don't say beep beep) - actually are fast runners, good at killing snakes and lizards.









The representation-in-fruit-of-a-flag cake is the dessert we took to BFF's for Independence Day meal and fireworks fun. It was actually a WW recipe so quite legal for our weight loss plan.

The courthouse in our little town likes for people to notice national patriotic holidays - there are flags all around the town square and the courthouse grounds.

Tincan Garden - lots of green - not many vegetables. VERY hot weather.

Chickens getting big - eating a LOT no eggs yet.

Been bizzy as a bee with not so much to show as accomplishments - it is good and hot on Buhlaland and we are grateful for chickens, gardens, bees and air conditioning!

Happy and PROUD Independence Day

Flying the flag every day here on Buhlaland, we are proud of the principles upon which country was founded. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Declaration of Independence is a clear and well stated document. We challenge you to locate clarity or logic in anything coming out of Washington (or state capitals) in 2009.

The Creator endowed us with rights - not a government. We heard a recorded sermon given by the late Adrian Rogers reminding Americans what the government gives - it takes from us. Government has nothing to give until it takes it away from it's citizens. Government doesn't give us freedom, justice or safety - it doesn't possess them to give. Tea Parties are being held in hundreds of towns- people gathering to state the obvious - government cannot spend our country into prosperity. Please pray this holiday weekend for elected officials to exercise a sense of responsibility and reasoned action.

Enough of the heavy stuff - here on Buhlaland it is hot - going to be hotter. Watermelon in our fridge and a turkey is defrosting for weekend feasting. Below is a quiz I found online and reproduced here - hope you find it fun, instructional and you can trot out some interesting facts at the family barbecue this weekend! Stay safe - be grateful for our liberties - freedom has never been free - whether for a country or our eternal home-the cost has been blood. We are blessed and grateful here on Buhlaland.

American trivia: How much do you know?

THE DATE
1. Which three presidents died on July 4?
2. Which president laid the cornerstone for the Washington Monument on July 4, 1850?
3. What was the title of the 1969 Broadway musical, written by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone, that told the story of the founding of the United States?
4. What city in the American South fell to Ulysses S. Grant and Union forces on July 4, 1863, after a short siege?
5. What twin advice columnists were born on July 4, 1918?
6. In one of the wildest baseball games of all time, the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves, 16-13, in how many innings on July 4 (and 5), 1985?
THE FLAG
7. When was the Stars and Stripes authorized by Congress as the national flag?
8. The flag has 13 stripes. How many of them are red?
9. Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star-Spangled Banner after witnessing what?
10. Where and when was the first 50-star flag flown?
11. On the first U.S. flag, why were the stars displayed in a circle?
12. True or false: When the Pledge of Allegiance was published in 1892, the words "Under God" were not included.
THE PRESIDENTS
13. Which president served the shortest term?
14. Which president, to show his disdain for ceremony, would greet ambassadors in his pajamas?
15. Which president was the first to throw out the season-opening pitch for professional baseball?
16. To whom was the first telephone call made from the White House in 1878?
17. At 5 feet 4, who was the shortest president?
18. Which president's pet parrot had to be ejected from his funeral for screaming obscenities at mourners?
19. Which president had the most children?
20. Eleanor Roosevelt made news in 1939 when she served what dish to visiting King George VI and Queen Elizabeth?
21. Which president, when short of funds, offered White House china as the ante in poker games?
22. Which president's election was marred by charges of electoral vote corruption in Florida and other states after he lost the popular vote to his opponent?
23. Which well-dressed president was rumored to own 80 pairs of pants?
24. Who was the first chief executive to appear on television?
25. Which two presidents were signers of the Declaration of Independence?

Answers
1. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (1826) and James Monroe (1831)
2. Zachary Taylor. He became ill with cholera that night and died five days later.
3. 1776
4. Vicksburg, Miss. It came a day after the Union victory at Gettysburg, marking a turning point in the Civil War
5. Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren (real names: Esther "Eppie" Lederer and Pauline Phillips)
6. 19 innings. The game ended at 3:55 a.m., and the Braves then fired off their Independence Day fireworks, leading many local residents to believe the city was under attack.
7. June 14, 1777. This date is observed as Flag Day.
8. Seven.
9. The bombardment of Fort McHenry
10. Philadelphia, 1960
11. So no one state would be above another.
12. True. The phrase was added in 1954.
13. William Henry Harrison, who died of pneumonia shortly after his inauguration. He served only 32 days, from March 4 to April 4, 1841.
14. Thomas Jefferson
15. William Howard Taft, on April 14, 1910, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.
16. Alexander Graham Bell (called by President Rutherford Hayes)
17. James Madison
18. Andrew Jackson
19. John Tyler (15)
20. Hot dogs
21. Warren G. Harding
22. Rutherford Hayes, in 1876
23. Chester Arthur (also the first to employ a full-time valet)
24. Franklin Roosevelt (April 30, 1939)
25. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

Excessively tasty

If you read this blog you know I don't have children - we have kids but only the goat kind. I don't "do" Mother's Day, DH's sweet little mom died last July and my mom has been gone for several years. We DO like to have a special meal around noon on Sundays - Eggs Benedict was what I decided to fix for just the two of us. (DH set the table - I say nothing about choices but I would like to point out - the blade of the knife goes TOWARD the plate edge - whew now I feel much better).
Didn't have time to make english muffins and was strongly in the mood for Eggs Benedict. Made corncakes for a English muffin substitute, sauteed fresh spinach, put a patty of delicious hot breakfast sausage (Jimmy Dean has an "all natural hot" yummogood), a cooked egg (not coddled - but beaten up and slapped around a while - OK I'm exaggerating - the eggs were cooked in butter on the griddle). Topping this cholesterol extravaganza - real hollandaise sauce. Thank you Lord for the gift of butter, eggs and lemon juice. Served with fresh mango and canned pineapple salad, sparkling apple cider and much sighing. It was GOOD on Sunday on Buhlaland. Just thought I'd share.

Hodge and some podge of Easter

Potted tulips were a decorated with a little cross --one of the handicrafts from dear departed MIL. She loved Easter and I'm sure this year was the BEST Easter ever--she was in the presence of our Savior. Patchwork table runner was another of Ethel's crafts - she loved setting the colorful egg shaped candles down the middle.

Easter being the primary spring holiday and also a good time for flowers - we are blessed with an abundance of floral decorations. (as opposed to the non decoration I usually have on tables in our house).

The fruit platter was decorated with the top of a pineapple and blossoms from our garden - fun and really easy this time since we'd had so much rain there were no bugs on the flowers. It's the little things that make my day. The pitiful rendition of a bunny cake is all my doing - looks like a long eared drug taking cat - but it tasted great!
Iris were a gift out of our neighbor's backyard - planted many years ago by the friends from whom we purchased our land . Tablecloth on our side table was a handmade gift to Ethel when she was a young bride - still quite sturdy and makes a little more dressy background to some of our decor.

It was good here on Buhlaland for Easter - friends, food, flowers and a sense of appreciation for all of the above.

Christmas Morning!

Merry Christmas! Beautiful cool morning here on Buhlaland - a tiny sliver of moon still visible as the sun was rising. Fire in the fireplace, bacon, eggs, OJ and cookies for breakfast - Life is exceptionally good here on Buhlaland - hope it is for you wherever you may be and whatever your plans for today take time to appreciate the glory of the day. After an unbelievably lazy day - DH and I took a walk around our property - the fenceline to the southeast looked almost like a tunnel. Temperatures in the 60's and mostly sunny today - perfect Christmas day hope it was for you also.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

I'm sure the average person feels pretty great this time of year - barring a nasty cold, financial stresses, bad weather, unpleasant people in the malls or whatever obstacle they may think is in the way of their happiness. But those of us who Believe are a chosen people and commanded to give thanks in all things. Some seasons it is easier to be thankful . This December morning my gladness overflows,I realize how blessed I am. My home is safe and cozy with lights glittering on the porch,someone I love is inside the house. Sun is rising and begins to burn off a mist making the world smell fresh and new. When I walk out to the goat pens - the goats look up as if in welcome. It is good - and I'm giving thanks today - it is the right season every season to give thanks.

Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

2008 Christmas Home Tour

You know you are in Texas when the welcome is warm, the jokes get corny and we display a rare CandyCane Longhorn - legend is they are bred at Santa's place somewhere near Abilene. Cowboys like the green Christmas tree brand but can't figure out how to tattoo an ornery steer.

Come on in - the gates are opening for your visit to Buhlaland at Christmas.

If you want mistletoe to take home maybe someone brought along a kiddo who can shinney up an oak and cut a chunk - we've got more than enough for kissing mania.












We don't do a lot of outside decoration - the front door spray and a few lights around the porch railings --our neighbors across the pasture are the only ones who can see the lights (except for Santa of course) .













Just inside the front door is our hall tree . The poinsettia is in a barbed wire basket given to us by my brother and sister in law several years ago .The cowboy Santa has a snowman sidekick - with our changeable weather in Texas a snowman doesn't have a long life expectancy!-















Our Christmas tree is decorated without any theme other than if it is something we have been given or like - it belongs on our tree.











Among the treasures are a small string of sleigh bells from MIL. She gave us the bells and attached a note saying they were from the Kiehler farm(where she grew up in Michigan). MIL also made the little colorful cross . The sand dollar was a gift from the family of a lovely woman who stayed in our Colorado bed and breakfast one year. A mission group in Haiti sent us the shiny angel. We have the infamous dill pickle ornament, MIL was certain it was some kind of German traditional ornament, but nobody we met in Germany had heard of it! The crafted snowflake ornament originated with my Aunt Dorothy, then MIL went wild and made a dozen or more for us. A little bling on the tree makes it sparkle more.



































The nativity set was made by New Mexico native American artisans, we like it because it isn't the traditional European Renaissance styling.

Our holiday food treat is Coconut Scones - the recipe was originally published in Sunset Magazine but I've modified it a bit over the years.










Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with a large square of parchment buttered generously or sprayed with Pam. In a large bowl combine 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, 1/2 cup dry oatmeal (not cooked!), 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 1/3 cup cold butter, cut into chunks. With your fingers or a pastry blender, rub or cut in butter until mixture forms coarse crumbs.

In a small bowl, beat 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup cold milk and 1/8 teaspoon Almond extract. Stir the liquids into flour mixture just until evenly moistened - don't get too energetic or you'll make the scones tough. Scrape dough onto a floured cutting board and pat into an 8 inch round (please measure this - it makes a big difference in the results if you make them too thin). Carefully slide the round onto your greased parchment on a baking sheet. Cut into 8 wedges,don't separate the wedges to bake leaving them in place. Brush the top of round with a mixture of one egg and two tablespoons milk. Sprinkle the tops with sugar ( I used decorator sugars\ sprinkles to get a glistening effect on the tops). Make a 1 inch diameter depression on top of the wide end of each wedge and fill with a generous teaspoon of pineapple(or your favorite flavor) preserves. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven, re cut and separate wedges. Serve warm. If you like a brunch treat with more of a sweet roll taste, pour a glaze of powdered sugar and milk over the wedges.
That's it! For the tour of homes visitors from BooMama I've worked at keeping it short knowing there are many many blogs to visit and this time of year is busy. Remember the reason we celebrate. Be kind to one another and yourself .



So, this Christmas season I pray that the warmth of the Savior's love will spread itself over you as never before. And that whenever and however possible, you will keep reminding yourself that there are still tiny, shivering sparrows who are too terrified to come in from the cold. Maybe, just maybe, this Christmas, because of something you do or say . . . they will. Chuck Swindoll

Merry Christmas

and a peace filled New Year.