Natural Designs Studio

SHORTER DAYS

Sunset arrives early.

The western sky glows long after the sun is gone.

Birds gather to roost in the lilac bush and apple tree.

Darkness settles as the sky fades to gray.

A full moon rises low in the eastern sky indicating cold weather is here to stay.

 MERRY AND BRIGHT

May your days be merry and bright.

TREE TOPS GLISTEN

Stone Mountain glistens in the morning sun while shrouded in ice for two consecutive days.  The frosty cold temperatures brought snow to damp hollows and shaded areas.  Jacks Mountain, behind the house, did not have the same beauty. 

THE ADVENT CENTERPIECE 

The Advent Centerpiece is a daily reminder to express love, hope, joy, and peace throughout the holiday season.  Lighting the oil lamp every evening builds anticipation for the arrival of Christmas Day.  Advent literally means "arrival" or "coming" as in the coming of Jesus the Messiah who brings hope and salvation to mankind.

Symbols of Advent Centerpiece 
The circular wreath is a symbol of the eternal or never ending.
The evergreens symbolize everlasting life.
The lamp symbolizes the light of God coming to the earth through the birth of His son Jesus the Christ.
Lighting the wick symbolizes receiving this Gift of Light. 
The wreath is made from Honeysuckle runners wrapped into a circle with Boxwood and Rosehips tucked into the vines. 

A Nativity Prayer 
 O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; Be born in us today.  Amen. 
Phillips Brooks ~ O LIttle Town of Bethlehem

WHAT MONEY CAN AND CANNOT BUY

Several years ago I found an inspiring list of what money can and cannot buy.  I copied it on an index card so I could read it often.  Since then, I have added some of my own thoughts to the list. I find it provides balance to holiday spending. Contentment is being thankful for what we have instead of striving for what we don't have.

What Money Cannot Buy

a bed but not sleep
food but not appetite
house but not a home
luxuries but not culture
companions but not friends
books but not brains
finery but not beauty
medicine but not health
amusement but not happiness
flattery but not respect
fashion apparel but not style
sex but not love
pleasure but not contentment.

We value the things we pay money for. We fail to see value in the things that come free and cannot be replaced.
~Napoleon Hill~

THE WAXING AND WANING MOON

I never gave much attention to the moon until I realized the benefits of living in accordance with nature.  The Amish plant crops and harvest with reference to the moon.  They use calendars that mark the moon's cycle and weather predictions.  It enables them to be self-sufficient without the need for The Weather Channel or modern conveniences.  Plenty of wise sayings enlighten us to greater understanding of the universe.  Here is one expressed by King David, "When I consider the heavens, the work of God's fingers, the moon and the stars, which God has ordained, what is man?"   Pause today and be mindful of the things we take for granted.  

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOON

Waxing means getting bigger
If you see the moon at end of day
a bright full moon is on the way.

Waning is getting smaller
If you see the moon at early dawn
look real quick before its gone.

If the crescent moon is facing west the moon is waning or getting smaller.
If the crescent moon is facing east the moon is waxing or getting bigger.

AN OLD SAYING TO REMEMBER
Incomplete to the west  ~  the moon will hide in its nest.
Incomplete to the east  ~  the moon will be ready for a feast.

THE SOYBEAN HARVEST

THE BUTTERFLY OMEN

OCTOBER SNOW

 THE BUCKEYE BUTTERFLY