From Wikipedia: Yowie was a brand of chocolate encased toy line, manufactured by Cadbury Australia and based on the mythology surrounding the Australian Yowie. Invented by Bryce Courtenay and Geoff Pike, they were similar to Kinder Surprises in that they are basically a chocolate shell around a plastic capsule, with a toy inside. Unlike Kinder Surprises, the toy is usually an Australian or New Zealand animal. There have been several series of Yowie toys; the first were animals, with limited edition ... Read More

Thorny devil that is. Some time back John sent Miquel a thorny devil figure. Vicious looking but delicate, it survived the trip from Australia to Maryland, but it wasn't long it broke and had to be glued back together. We didn't have the wall unit back then so I took it off Miquel to have it safely kept in my room. Later, we got the wall unit put up and created what I like to call, an "Australia Shelf." There, the thorny devil ... Read More

Sunday brought Christmas! We went to church and family came soon after. I didn't get many photos, perhaps after a few rounds of presents, I was tuckered out. :)   ... Read More

Presents bought and wrapped, cookies baked, house and tree decorated, what's left to do? WAIT for Christmas!   ... Read More

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6   Saw this on another blog and had to share, as recently John and I were talking about how and why we celebrate Christmas. No matter what people make of it, there is really only one reason why those who love Jesus make ... Read More

Growing up, Christmas music, Christmas plays, Nativity Scenes, and Christmas Cantatas at Church were a part of the season. My sister, mom, and I participated in more than a few Christmas Cantatas. Often times the music would play in my head as we practiced for the special night or day we would sing to Church. Today at our Church Home, Anchor Baptist, we had the Christmas Cantata in the evening service. Laura videoed at Enric's request, Janelle and the children. Laura said when ... Read More

I can't believe how fast this Christmas season seems to be going... We got our Australia package. John continues to spoil us. He sent very Aussie Christmas ornaments like the one pictured above, Boots for Laura, a Jarrah pen set for Enric, books for the Kids and Miranda, and also for Miranda some socks. He gave Rubí a stuffed toy Platypus. T-shirts for Silas and Cameron. To help mom with her collection, he sent her an adorable platypus figurine and for us ... Read More

There is a big mistake that we can often make leading up to Christmas. Too much rushing around and not enjoying the MOMENTS. For many years now, I have treated the whole holiday like a season, and not allow all this preparation to be for ONE DAY. So I am glad I can pause and enjoy the moments. Like ... ... Read More

As many already know, Laura and I are keen to start our journey into portrait photography. Laura got her first dslr camera, and we are looking forward to our second wedding gig this month. I like to practice and perfect this craft. I have a family willing to help me too. Perhaps there is a lesson in here somewhere, in any profession, there will always be days...you know how it is. But, wow, each year I try to take portraits of Enric, Miranda, Silas, ... Read More

Most Christians, if they celebrate American Christmas festivities at all, have to deal with the amount of materialism that goes on with this holiday. Recent years, we have had to endure government and groups like the ACLU as they strip every last meaning of Christmas from a Traditional Christian celebration. It's been interesting on Facebook as Miranda and her friends have discussed how to teach children about Christmas gift without going overboard and losing the true meaning. One of the points ... Read More

I have on my desk three large stacks of record albums. While moving things around in the living room to make room to put flooring down, I found record albums that belonged to Mom, Dad, my grandmom, and some of my old ones. I decided to put the titles into a database, as I am sure some might be collectors items, and possibly valuable to someone. Given the spread of ages included here, there is quite a variety in this group. Here ... Read More

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God ... Read More

I just added to my music collection, most of it Christmas of course! 1. Andre Rieu - Amazing Grace (2:47) 2. Medley: Hark, The Herald Angels Sing - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (3:04) 3. Medley: Pat-A-Pan - While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (2:51) 4. Bing Crosby - What Child Is This?/The Holly And The Ivy (Medley) (3:20) 5. Bing Crosby - Christmas Dinner, Country Style (2:28) 6. Bing Crosby - Do You Hear What I Hear? (2:45) 7. Bing Crosby - Have Yourself ... Read More

Nativity scenes are a big part of our Christmas celebrations. I have some listed here that you might enjoy! Click on the image to see where you can purchase them! ... Read More

Christmas is almost here, in terms of shopping that is, and I thought I would put together a few things for the Baltimore Raven's Fan on your list: ... Read More

This Christmas Eve was special with Enric, Miranda, and Silas here with us. Jenny, back from school, was here too! The evening was sweet starting with our Christmas Eve service at church, and my guess is, that is when the hilarity got its start. Silas didn't go into the nursery as keeping children with parents in the service is encouraged. He was so funny singing along, imitating the violins, and speaking out loud. Once home, the evening started with Silas opening his ... Read More

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If you live on the east coast and you're not finished your Christmas shopping, don't panic, it's not too late. In fact, it couldn't be easier to send that last minute gift with Amazon.com and it couldn't be easier. Send a gift certificate and it can go right to their email or you can print it to give it to them personally! ... Read More

Each year mom sets up a Christmas Village. While I was growing up it was under the tree, these past years, she has set it up on the piano. With Silas in the house, I wondered how long it would be before he would discover the wonders of make believe and in his imagination "put himself" in the village. Today you could see the imagination going as played with Yaya's Christmas Village. A few scenes from the village... ... Read More

This time I missed Jenny, Petra, and Leoni, but this year we had Miranda with us to decorate our Christmas cookies! ... Read More

As we watch Monday Night Football (Ravens vs. Packers), I considered Christmas presents for Ravens fans. NFL® Baltimore Ravens Petite Purse From backpacks to business cases to luggage and handbags, eBags has your bag. We carry a complete line of premium and popular brands, including Samsonite, Jansport and Eagle Creek. eBags combines the best selection of products with unrivaled service and extremely competitive prices. Quilted Tote - Baltimore Ravens Quilted Tote with NFL team logo Baltimore Ravens ... Read More

All under $20! Frosty Winter Friends Throw This warm and comfy throw is designed by the renowned artist Sandra Kuck. Gives your home a dash of old fashioned fun. Polyester fleece trimmed with cranberry red. Machine wash. Imported. 51" x 63". Christmas Memories Throw Designed by renowned artist Sandra Kuck, this fleece throw features a heartwarming vignette of brother & sister reading by the Christmas tree. Add a feeling of warmth and create an instant yuletide atmosphere just by tossing it casually over an ... Read More

Many years ago, a game arrived from Spain called Laberinto 2. Enric took to the game immediately and poured many hours into it, trying to win this challenging game. It 's made from plastic and had two knobs which is used to move a tiny ball around a maze, avoiding the many holes in the board and to get all the way around to the end. It was fun for me to see Enric with the game today, after so many years ... Read More

Not just any goat cheese, the cheeses of Tumalo Farms. Flavio and Marge sent a lovely box with a variety of cheeses all fixed up in a nice Christmas packaging. It was nice to have Petra (from Holland and no stranger to cheeses) with us when giving it a taste. We both agreed that we liked Classico the best, with the smooth, mild taste of the Pondhopper being a close second. Leoni however, liked the rosemary spiced Remembrance best.   Want some award winning cheeses? Visit ... Read More

I know I am slow in regards to updating about our holidays, but...gee, it's the holidays. :) On Christmas Eve day, Laura was scheduled to babysit Cameron (Chrissy's grandson), and with Petra and Leoni here from Holland, they couldn't resist to add some Dutch flavor to Cam's Christmas by giving him a bandana held together with a little wooden shoe! So cute! ... Read More

John sent Mom an original calendar, a blue fairy wren figure. ... Read More

Knowing I love all music, John sent me Together in Concert: John Farnham & Tom Jones I have to admit, I don't think I would have bought it for myself, but while listening to it, I really enjoyed it. Very upbeat and fun.  Track Listings 1. Mama Told Me Not To Come 2. 200 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy 3. Man Of The Hour 4. What Am I Living For 5. It's Not Unusual 6. Burn For You 7. Playing To Win 8. My Yiddishe Momme 9. You're The Voice 10. That Driving ... Read More

Ok, it's been a few weeks since Enric, Miranda, and Silas left... ...but I've been wondering if they didn't leave us a little something extra for Christmas? I've spotted a few of these little fellas...   ... Read More

Surprises can really happen anytime, when they happen at the Holidays, and with the most thoughtful of gestures, it can really touch you. I am really touched. Over the years, Unique Exposures got a new member who's photography I have enjoyed, but when he started to send a weekly photo with Bible Verses to my inbox, I was truly impressed and told him so. I mentioned to him that the work deserved to be shown to others and invited him a space ... Read More

It's not even Christmas yet, and alread I am feeling the blessings of the season through gifts, and as usual I like to share with them to my blog readers. My very FIRST present this year was from Enric and Miranda. They noticed my reaction to the lovely birch trees in their area of Wisconsin. I was smitten with the white trunks and branches, even stopping in the road to take photos of them. What a very thoughtful surprise to open ... Read More

We have Petra and Leoni here from Holland for the holidays. After a few days of some solid Christmas shopping, we finally had time to settle down, go to church for the cantata and break out the sugar cookies to decorate with Jenny helping us. We decorated mom's sugar cookies... In fact, we decorated a LOT of cookies. We all had fun. We had one casualty. I accidently decapiated a snowman. Dr. Laura Lopez (has a nice sound to it, doesn't it?) fixed him up. ... Read More

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, and incidentally the ring tone (When I can find it) for my cell phone. ... Read More

Well if Congress can get its raise I suppose bank executives can have their end of year bonuses. As far as I am concerned both sides deserve each other. What isn't deserved is the average American taxpayer paying for it all - ask the waitress who spends 12 hours a day on her feet what HER bonus is...paying more taxes to keep Congress and banks happy? The thing is, these aren't banks that are rolling in dough, these are banks that had their ... Read More

I received what I guess is my first Christmas present this year. It's a book called Apples of Gold by Dr. John R. Rice, it's filled with wonderful poems. The one I opened up to reminded me how Satan is our accuser, quick to demand our punishment, and how Jesus is our Advocate. Here is "My Advocate" I sinned, and straightway, post-haste, Satan flew Before the presence of the Most-High God, And made a railing accusation there. He said, This soul, this thing of clay ... Read More

Our holidays with Enric, Miranda, and Silas took on an Aussie flavor, when Enric took the challenge of playing the digeridoo John sent to Miquel some Christmases ago. Enric had so much fun with it, I almost hated to see him leave it behind....   ... Read More