Wordless Wednesday

The Lush green foliage on Jekyll Island, these would be house plants in the cold climates.

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, St Simon's Island in the distance
A Beautiful Georgia Sunrise

Christmas in Florida

We arrived to our destination in Oviedo Fl. at 10am Christmas morning. Jer's son and family were the host for our 3 day visit. Sue, our daughter in law always sets such a beautiful table
Jer and Zach having fun doing the Bowling on "Wii

Grandson Zachary celebrates his Birthday on Christmas day, Yep that's right he was born on Christmas day. This is a big milestone for him, he turned 13, he is now an official teenager!

Check out the ring on his pinkie, Grandad had it made for himself many years ago, it is a solid piece of stainless steel. We had Zachs initials engraved on it along with his date of birth.

Grand daughter Brittny and Boy friend Stephen (young love)

Touching and Funny

FUN MONDAY

Our Hostess this week is the Lovely, fun loving, sayre Her assignment is to write about the most touching, wonderful part of Christmas this year and the craziest, stupidest and funniest part.

The most touching part of our Christmas this year, was ----- the Christmas eve candle light service. At the very end, the congregation lights a candle and sings Silent Night, it moves me to tears every year. Of course, it is wonderful to have family to share in the Christmas celebration also.

The funniest part of Christmas was, Playing the hottest game this year and that is Wii. Watching my hubby and grandson doing the boxing was so hysterical to watch. This photo does not do it justice, I should have taken it from the front so you could see their faces.

Go on over to sayre smiles to see more FM posts! Thanks for hosting this week Sayre!

Mail call Sunday

I thought it would be fun to do this, good Idea ipost. hope it catches on.

I have been wanting to blog about this piece of mail since I received it a couple of weeks ago.

A while back our good friend, niece and blogging buddy ipost/9acres, had a giveaway and I was the winner. She has started her own business designing post cards to send to blogging friends, not to mention her simplysmooches.etsy.com love notes, custom made with her very own photos and words of love. This girl has talent! Thanks from the bottom of my heart ipost! I love my new post cards and can't wait to send them to some of my new Blogging Buddies. Why don't you all go on over and take a look.

Our Christmas Greetings

This is our Little Christmas this year, that means we do not send out cards, our tree is very small and decorations are sparse. No homemade cookies either (poor Jer). We would like to send out our warmest heartfelt Christmas wishes to our families, friends, neighbors and our new Blogging Buddies! May you have a peaceful blessed holiday with those you hold dear. May Health, Happiness, Joy and Love be yours in abundance for the New Year!

Our special thanks go out to all of you who sent us your beautiful Christmas card and warm wishes. God Bless and Much Love, Jerry and Jan xo xo xo

The Marshes of Glynn

If you are into Poetry you may be familiar with Sidney Lanier. He is a famous Poet here in Georgia , he wrote the poem "The Marshes of Glynn". They named a bridge after him here in Brunswick and also dedicated a small park over looking the famous Marshes that he wrote about. A big part of Georgia's coastline is made up of marsh land. Now, it is taking me sometime to get used to seeing the beauty in these marshes, I still want to call them "Swamp Lands". But I am learning that the marsh land is a rich source of food for many different kinds of birds and other critters like alligators, snakes, lizards, bugs, you name it! Yikes! I'm not into all that stuff, except birds, all I can think of is, don't let me fall in. Not to mention the skeeters in the summer months. But as they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder" Being here in the winter is where its at, you don't have to worry about bugs!

Hold the Fries Please

I found this sign quite amusing. Good way to keep the park "Poop" free!

What day is This?

Ok, Ok, I know it's Sunday, December 21, 2008, but what else is it??? Come on put on your thinking caps! Did you guess without peeking? Thats right it is the --------------

Longest Night of the Year !

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, “sun” and -stitium, “a stoppage.” Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.

It's also the first day of Winter -- Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr

A little Christmas Humor!

More Tid Bits from The Golden Isles in Ga.

One of the fun things to do on St Simons Island is to go around the town and find these "Tree Spirits". There are three of them to be found and each one is different. They are carved right into a live Oak tree. (click on ) to read the history of the "Tree Spirits"

More Tid Bits on The Golden Isles next week! Stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday

(click on potos to enlarge)

The Majestic Oaks on St Simons Island

A sea gulls stop over on St Simons Sound

The fishing pier on St Simons Sound

Random Act of Kindness

FUN MONDAY

mommywizdom is our most gracious hostess this week and she said....

Your job this week is to go out and perform a random act of kindness. Now, before you freak out, please read on. This is actually really easy!! This act may be for someone you know or for a perfect stranger. It can be big or small, it's all up to you. Obviously, it should be something within your means. Blog about what you did or maybe about an act of kindness that was bestowed upon you.

I had always heard that to perform a random act of kindness, you should keep it to yourself. keep it between you and God . But I guess as long as the person who received the kindness doesn't know it was you, it will be OK to talk about it. To be nice to someone is the easiest thing to do, just a simple hello or open a door or just a smile. You never know how this simple act of kindness will affect a person. Maybe this person lives by themselves, or has no more living family members to connect with and are lonely. You may be the only person they see at any particular time . A simple hello could brighten their day. One way of doing a Random act of Kindness is to find an "angel tree" pick a person's wish card and make their wish come true. That is what my Hubby and I did just last week. Our Angel tree is located at the health club we belong to. All the people on it are from a local nursing home and rehab center. The one card caught my eye because the name on it said Gerald F. Well, that is my hubby's name too, it was like calling out to us! Gerald wanted some socks, a shirt and a baseball cap. All we had to do was purchase these things , gift wrap them and get it back to the health club, someone from the nursing home would pick the gifts up. It would be nice to witness Gerald opening his gift, but I know in my heart he will be pleased. We try to do the angel tree every year along with a monetary donation to our local homeless shelter. Giving is the greatest "Gift" we can give to ourselves! We are so blessed to be able to help others. Not only at christmas but the whole year through.

To see more of FM post click here Thanks to MommyWizdom for hosting this week!

Full Moon in December

Hey! Did anyone see the full moon last nite, it was so bright. It is the closest the moon has been to the earth since 1993. My camera did not do it justice, but at least you can get an idea.

Time to Rant and Rave

Well people, I just have to let off some steam. I just have to ask one question!!! What the H--- is happening to our country??? Now, I'm sure I asked this question before, but I can't help it. Until I get a good sensible answer, I will keep on asking. This issue with the Big 3 car companies begging our government for a bail out because they are going under, is disheartening to me. The arrogance of the CEOs of those companies to show up in front of congress after flying in on a private jet and ask for money. It is unbelievable, the gall of some people is beyond me. Why should they get bailed out, let them file bankruptcy. Doesn't anyone take responsibility for things they did wrong??? Like the CEOs who run these companies. Did the workers get rich? no the CEOs did. They have such a stock pile of inventory, they need to unload them first before they make more. The next thing I want to get off my chest is.....the governor of Illinois, who is this Jerk??? what happened to a conscience, doesn't anyone have one anymore?? It just goes to show you "Power corrupts and absolute power, corrupts absolutely" as quoted by a very wise person.

What are your thoughts on this???

Santa's Magic

On Christmas Eve a young boy with light in his eyes looked deep into Santa's, to Santa's surprise, And said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee,"I want your secret. Tell it to me."He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear,"How do you do it, year after year?""I want to know how as you travel about, giving gifts here and there, you never run out. How is it, dear Santa, that your pack of toys, you have plenty for all of the world's girls and boys? Stays so full never empties, as you make your way From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small, from nation to nation, reaching them all". And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,"Don't ask me hard questions, don't you want a toy?"But the child shook his head, and Santa could see that he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"he told the small boy with the light in his eyes,"My secret will make you sadder, and wise. The truth is my sack is magic inside, it holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride. Although I do visit each girl and each boy I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy. Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad, some homes are desperate, some homes are bad. Some homes are broken, and children there grieve, those homes I visit, but what should I leave?""My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff, but for homes where dispair lives, toys aren't enough. So I tip toe in, kiss each girl and boy, and pray they will be given the joy of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives in the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives."If only God hears me and answers my prayer, when I visit next year, what I will find there, are homes filled with peace, and with giving and love and boys and girls gifted with light from above. It's a very hard task, my smart little brother, to give toys to some, and to give prayers to others. But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed, for God has a way of meeting each need."That's part of the answer, the rest, my dear youth,is that my sack is magic and that is the truth. In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve more love than a Santa could ever give away. The sack never empties of love, or of joys, cause inside it are prayers, and hopes, not just toys. The more that I give, the fuller it seems, because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams. And so do you know something "You've got a sack too. It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you. It never gets empty, it's full from the start, it's the center of lights, and of love, it's your heart. And if on this Christmas you want to help me, don't be so concerned with the gifts 'neath your tree. Open that sack called your heart, and share your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing."Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going.""Wait, little boy," said Santa, "don't go .Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"And just for a moment the small boy stood still, touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, "I will."

My Favorite Christmas Carols

Mamalang is our hostess for fun Monday this week and here is her assignment!

It's the Christmas season, and I want you to tell us what are your three favorite Christmas Carols and a picture of your favorite Christmas "thing". It could be a Christmas tree, or your mantle, or a church, you in a Santa hat.

At first I thought this would be easy, but when I started looking at all the Christmas carols, it was very hard to choose just three. There are so many beautiful Carols and I love them all. The same goes for the favorite picture of a Christmas "thing", so much to choose from! Here is what I came up with.

Angels, From the Realms of Glory (click on to listen)
The author of Angels From the Realms of Glory was an Irishman called James Montgomery. He came from a religious family background and sadly his parents, who were missionaries died following their vocation. Angels From the Realms of Glory was written in 1816. The music for Angels From the Realms of Glory was composed by Henry Smart.

Joy to the World
The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Non­conformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. He wrote many hymns and Carols and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the the University of Edinburgh in 1728. The music to the carol is by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759).

The Holly and the Ivy
The Holly and the Ivy is thought to have Pagan origins and could therefore date back over 1000 years. It is most unusual for a carol like the Holly and the Ivy to have survived over the years especially during the stern protestant period of the 17th century. The Holly and the Ivy have always been taken indoors during the winter the hope being that the occupants would survive difficult conditions just like the hardy Holly and the Ivy. The colours of the Holly and Ivy, green and red are traditionally associated with Christmas. The author and composer of the Holly and the Ivy are unknown.

One of my favorite things at Christmas for the past 20 years has been the movie "A Christmas story." I watch it every year at this time, it is a classic!

To see more of Fun Monday (click here ) Thanks for hosting Mamalang!

Tid Bits from Brunswick Golden Isles Ga.

Since Jer and I will be here in Brunswick for the winter, I thought I would share with you some of the history that makes this area unique. We are having fun exploring our new territory. Every week I will post something of interest and hope this will acquaint you with "The Brunswick Golden Isles". This area incorporates, Brunswick, St Simons's Isle and Jekyll Island.

Lets start with this pot! This is where the first "Brunswick Stew" was made, which took place on St. Simon's Isle on July 2, 1898.
This is the recipe for Brunswick Stew, it is to "Die for" I have made it twice now. Every year in the late spring they have a Brunswick stew cook off, it's a very popular event in these parts. We have not been to one, because that is when we go back up north. But we hear there is always a big, big turnout!

(click on picture to enlarge)

A Man Handy

Everybody knows the term "Handy Man", well here's another one for you, "A Man Handy"! That is my Hubby, everyday, he makes the bed, makes a delicious blend of coffee in the morning, helps with the dinner dishes and vacuum's as needed. He can be a handy man if he wants to on certain things, like changing out light fixtures, painting, some plumbing, but the big stuff he would rather hire a "Real Handy Man" to get the job done. Thanks to Jer for being my "Man Handy" I sure do appreciate all the things you do for me. I love U!

European Travelers

I thought I would continue with the topic of Brittny and Zach and their travel adventures. Here are some of the places they visited. The Coliseum in Rome Italy

Windsor Castle in England


Stonehedge in England

The sphinx in Egypt

The great Pyramids in Egypt

One Day I am sure they will go back, What lucky Kids!

Family Time in Florida

Jer and I spent the Thanksgiving weekend in Oviedo Florida with his son's family, Jerry jr. Sue, Brittny and Zachary. We arrived on wed in the late afternoon, it is a 3 hr. drive from our place in Ga. I could not get over how much Brittny (age 17) and Zach (age 13 next month) have grown, kids have a way of doing that. It's been over a year since I last saw them. Jer got to see them this past Aug when they returned to the states. They spent a year living in the UK, due to a temporary job their Dad had over there. Let me tell you, it was like a year long vacation for them. They went to Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Egypt, plus touring all over the UK. Those kids are well traveled. What a wonderful experience and opportunity for them at such a young age. It's a big world out there and they got to see part of it. They had lots of pictures to show us plus many unique souvenirs and best of all the memories they will have forever. Things have been busy for them since they got back in Florida. Zach is adjusting to a much bigger classroom size in the middle school, Brittny is a senior and is applying to many collages in Florida. Jer and I had a nice four day visit with them and will be back over the Christmas break.

Wordless Wednesday

Wisdom of The Yahoo sisters!

Have a Great Day my Friends!