I Wonder As I Wander

awake this pre-dawn at 4:30 daniel's alphabet project frolicking through my thoughts

get up and pray . . .

pray for what, father?

are jo's babies on their way now at 34 weeks?
are cecilia and daniel all right?
who? what? how? where? when?

get up and pray

does my dad really have reactivated tuberculosis?
will i have time to get my kidney stone blasted before going to brazil?
how will i know if i've contracted tb?
how long will it take for an accurate diagnosis for dad?

get up and pray . . .

father, how do i know when it's you who are restraining?
or when it's the enemy on the prowl?

i want to be in your will, and no place else.
you will keep in perfect peace her whose mind is staid on you.
show me your will, father.

fill me with the knowledge of your will, lord.

passport, plane ticket, visa, language classes . . .
even a glimpse that the trip is about more than the privilege of being present for Daniel's arrival.
tiptoe expectations of seeing you at work.
my plans are rarely about me, father.

are you throwing these events in my path like so many tire-mangling strips on the route of one running from the authorities in a stolen vehicle?

is the prowler batting and nipping at my heels to make me stumble?

i will know in your time.

draw me close to you.

daniel will be born whether i'm in brazil or not.
you are present--that is all that matters.

dad's health is in your care and in your time.
you will reveal what i need to know at just the right time.

my itinerary is your responsibility.

you are the lord of the battle lines

Welcome to Christmas, 2011

Welcome to Christmas 2011 at our home!

Come in and visit a while, please.



Steve and Steve Jr.




Steve Jr. installed these shelves on the Dining Room Wall.
Love them!




This Nativity Scene was a gift from my sweet husband.
It reminds me of all the Christmas Pageant my friend Shawna organized
at First Baptist in Chappell Hill--minus the little preschool sheep.
Baby Jesus is in a little red wagon.



I appliqued this little wreath in 1998.
A friend who worked with me at Stitch Haven Quilt Shop in Brenham
gave me the kit to work on while Steve underwent his cancer treatments.
It's hanging on our Laundry Room door.



Sunny Breakfast Room table holds a basket of White Poinsettias
mulched with pinecones.



Another fun gift from Steve, this Santa and Rudolph fly through the air when tipped.




A silly sock Reindeer makes me smile in the kitchen.



This sits right in front of me while I stand at the kitchen sink.
It's just all about Jesus, isn't it?
The card from a dear friend (behind) says
"You are one of my nicest thoughts."



A copper angel from Santa Fe on the mantel.

This year I decided to get a Norfolk Island Pine and decorate its branches with child-friendly things.


Baby is resting in a walnut shell.




This preschool craft is at least 25 years old, and made with love by a little Bingham. 



"Stars and angels gave the sign."
Candy Canes are ready for the picking!



Here's our newest stocking.  Daniel will be born in February.
(His Daddy had a pre-birth stocking too.)




This Mousey and her Beau have been hanging around our Christmas fireplace for 35 years or more.
Think they'll ever get married?!



Joy, Joy, Hoot Hoot Pillowcases
I made these for Zoe and Mia to have when they arrive at Nana and DoDo's
for Christmas this year.  The print is so cute; I added a poly-satin border in a copper brown color.
Who doesn't enjoy a soft lovey when going to sleep?



Can you believe how cute this print is?!




More cuteness!




Love  Peace  Joy  HOOT!

And speaking of a hoot, . . . here's on of my favorite cartoons. 

Thanks for stopping by for a little visit.  Joy to you this Christmas!

It Takes a Village

Here are some pictures of this year's Christmas at the Bingham house.  We're anticipating a visit from our niece Marisa, her husband Chris, and their two little girls Zoe (4) and Mia (2).  Our great nieces will be spending their first American Christmas when they arrive from their home in Brussels, Belgium.  They'll be staying with their Nana and DoDo in Bellaire, but I hope they'll be able to come spend some time with Aunt Sandy and Uncle Steve.  So, I decorated the house with little people in mind.

The village that belonged to Steve's mother Joy now takes center stage on our dining room table.  I wanted it to be magical.  See the snowflakes and gold doves suspended above from the chandelier?

The Christmas Village is so much fun for me.  It reminds me of my Grandmother "Bunny Bumps'" tree at their home on Edloe Street in Southside Place, Houston.  Here's a picture of my brothers and me under that tree in 1950.



Gradfather Kenney Voelkel, Bill, Doug, me and our Dad
under Bunny Bumps' tree.  Christmas 1950

Bunny Bumps' tree was filled with red lights, red glass balls, and those heavy old wonderful icicles.  She elevated the tree on boxes covered with cotton 'snow' and micah glitter.  All under the tree, nestled in the snow, was a little log cabin, a mirror lake with a couple of skaters, and Santa complete with sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer.  The cabin had a little light inside.  For me as a young child, it was pure magic.  The tree towered overhead, icicles shimmering.  I would lay there on the floor in the light of the tree and imagine that I was part of this little snowy village scene.

And now, there's an inherited Snow Village that we've 'borrowed' from Steve Jr. for a few years.  All the ceramic houses except for the greenhouse are lit from within.  The dimmed chandelier casts a full moon glow over the scene at night or on cloudy days.  It's one of my favorite parts of Christmas time.



Love the way the snowflakes seem suspended in a freeze frame above the little town.




Children build a snowman by the
Greenhouse with Steve's red pick-up parked outside





The Church sits right in the middle of the village.
This year I found a Nativity to set out in front of the Church.




Lights are on at dusk as kitty checks out the trash can behind the house.




At dusk, Deer wander in the snowy meadow between two houses.




Santa loves riding on his "Rein Deer" Tractor!





Is there magic in that old silk hat?




The Village Inn has put their Giant Nutcracker out to greet visitors.



I wonder if Bunny Bumps and Joy realized what lovely memories they created and pass down with their Christmas Villages . . .  I hope that Zoe and Mia will be able to tuck this memory away in their hearts when they come to visit this year.