Angels Among Us

Welcome!

I got something in the mail just recently that was the inspiration for this blog post. It was an invitation to subscribe to a magazine, "Angels on Earth," which I'm thinking about doing. The magazine is from "Guideposts."

On the "Angels on Earth" website, it says, "Angels come in many forms, from helpful animals to mysterious strangers. Angels can come to us in dreams, on a breeze, or in a strain of music. When they appear, they always radiate life affirming hope and comfort." Even if you don't subscribe to the magazine, the website has some helpful articles worth reading, like "Overcoming Negativity."

www.AngelsonEarth.com

"I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
-Michelangelo

I've experienced angel contact myself which I've written about on previous blog posts.

Just recently, I've had a couple of unusual things happen which I believe are related to the angelic realm-

The first one was, that one of Greg's large sunflowers fell over and died, but this pretty little flower seemed to appear out of nowhere and took it's place-

Then, after I'd taken a picture of this canna on our deck, I noticed what appeared to be ectoplasm in the photo. An angel, perhaps?

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
-Paul of Tarsus

From a cute email someone sent us-
"All angels are girls because they gotta wear
Dresses and boys didn't go for it."
-Antonio, age 9, from "Angels...as explained by children" email

Positive message:
"May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
a moonbeam to charm you,
a sheltering Angel
so nothing can harm you..."
-An Irish Blessing
Thanks for visiting! Until next weekend, Becky

Maury Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome!

I'm running behind on my blog posts this week, as we've had a busy weekend.  On Sunday, we attended a wonderful Christmas open house.  On Saturday, Greg and I went on our first Maury Christmas Historic Homes Tour of Columbia and Williamsport, Tennessee.  

On this blog post, I'll share with you highlights from our Christmas Tour of Homes.  Twelve sites were featured on the tour, but we only had time to work six into our schedule.  That was plenty for us.  We felt as though we'd gotten our money's worth.

Here, in words and pictures, is the Christmas tour, from our perspective:

We began our tour at the home of President James K. Polk where we bought our tour tickets.

Greg, trying to stay warm, as I took a picture before we entered the Polk home for the first time. 

It was a very interesting place. 

We then visited The Athenaeum which used to be a girls' school.  Money from the homes tour tickets helps in the restoration of this site.

                 Kaitlyn, in period dress, was our tour guide for The Athenaeum.

Next, we enjoyed visiting St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

                   Ethereal music greeted us as we entered this lovely old church.

There was a wonderful exhibit called "The Nativities" which consisted of dozens of nativity scenes that church members and people from the community had brought in for display.

We'd been to Elm Springs before (Please see my 6/2/12 blog post for more about Elm Springs.), but not when it was decorated for Christmas.

Greg checked out the antiques and decorations while...

I checked out the great-looking food on display in the lovely dining room.

We loved Skipwith Hall in Williamsport which is an old home that has been restored to its former glory. 

It is now available for hosting events such as weddings.
F.Y.I.
904-994-3315

Pam Garrett, a tour guide in her period costume, added ambiance to this already lovely house.

Every home should have a chandelier and a fireplace in it's bathroom as this one does.  I fact, every room in this house seemed to have its own fireplace.

Also on this property was a cozy little cabin with its own Christmas tree, and its own fireplace.

Our final home on the tour was also a private residence, Montview, which is "a work in progress."

Although it was after dark and there was only ten minutes of tour time left, the owners graciously let us come in to see this lovely old home.

 I've always loved "An Irish Blessing," and this version was beautifully displayed.

Beatrice walked us to the door as we left our final home on the tour, tired but happy.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Maury Christmas 2013 Historic Homes Tour and look forward to next year to see more homes on the 2014 tour.

If you like old homes, you'd really love these, at their best, all decorated in their Christmas finery!

F.Y.I.
Tour Headquarters:
The Athenaeum
808 Athenaeum Street,
Columbia, Tennessee
931-381-4822
www.maurychristmas.com

Positive thought:  "At Christmas all roads lead home." -Marjorie Holmes (From a Maury Christmas Historic Homes Tour brochure.)
Thanks for visiting!  Until sometime during the period between December 13-17-another busy weekend!, Becky

A Few of My Favorite Things

Welcome!

Just like the song says, in one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music , "These are a few of my favorite things," is the subject of this blog post.  I'd like to share some of the little things that have made my life a little happier and more positive with an emphasis on things Irish, as St. Patrick's Day is this Sunday, March 17.

First of all, Greg and I both have Irish blood flowing through our veins, as do most people in our Southwest Virginia-East Tennessee region.  So, how could we not love things from the Irish culture?
(In fact, so much of our area reminds me of Ireland.)

Just a couple of my favorite Irish quotes are these:

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time-a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic."
-Adrienne Cook

"May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you."
-Irish Blessing

Some of my non-Irish favorites are:

We couldn't believe it when we came across these cookies from Australia which bore our name, which is not a common last name.  It's not only great fun because of the name on the package; these cookies are actually delicious.  (And, I don't get a dime for saying so.  Shucks!)

Another of my favorites is animals.  To me, they are fascinating.  We can learn a lot about people by observing them.

Greg and I are both fans of warm, sunny weather.  In fact, Greg jokes that if he were a TV weather man, he'd like to be a fair-weather specialist.

Well, that's my short list of favorites.  What are some of yours?

Positive thought:  May the leprechauns be near you,
                             To spread good luck your way.
                             And may all the Irish angels,
                             Smile upon you St. Patrick's Day. 
                            -Irish Blessing
Beannachtam na Femle Padraig (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)

Thanks for visiting!  "And until we meet again (next Sunday) may God hold you in the palm of his hand." -From "An Irish Blessing," Becky