Old Old Tray Treasured in my Reflexology Studio

Diane's blog, "A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words," hosts Second Time Around Tuesdays. Participation requires a link to a post about something new to you, but has been around awhile -- perhaps a long time. You may have found it at a yard sale, thrift shop, by the side of the road . . . .

I'll have to say, my contribution wasn't found in any of those places, and it is not even brand new to me. In fact, it's been around my whole life. The tray in this picture has become a treasured piece (at least to me) in my reflexology studio. I love the detail in the stamping and the textured look of the tray that was given to my parents as a wedding gift in 1947. It's had a very active life over all these years. My mother used it to serve indoors, outdoors, any time there was an opportunity. My bro had it for awhile, and used it all the time. Not sure how it came to be mine, but I cherish its presence and the memories it evokes in my heart and life almost everyday. Pleasant and cherished memories bring joy to the heart. When a heart is joyful it has life! More on Joy in another post. (SMILE)

Your comments are treasured deeply.
If you haven't already, please drop by and leave a comment and/or a link at Diane's blog, too.

Birds & Books with Lessons to Share

Bright little winter birds
coming to feed,
One takes a crumb,
another a seed.
Each takes a portion,
according to need.

Good little winter birds,
teach us your creed!

from MORNING IS A LITTLE CHILD by Joan Walsh Anglund

So many reasons to share this little poem with you today...copyright in 1969, 40 years later it speaks volumes to the conditions we have created for ourselves and our world. Each of us focusing on our needs rather than our greedy and gluttonous appetites for every dazzling trinket we behold would conserve incredible resources for the generations to come.

My daughter-in-law has recently blogged about "Children's Books as Heirlooms." She photographed several of our treasured volumes. Thinking about our conversations surrounding that topic, I remembered this book, which was one of my daughter's very favorite. She had every beautiful verse memorized. I remember our discussions of this particular one and how God does meet our needs. When he gives us even so much more, what blessings we receive. We choose to have hearts of gratitude for both our needs and the gifts beyond, and learn to be much contented with our true needs met.

Spending time together with your child discovering truths, values, ideas, stories that will encourage and inspire them for a life time must be another element in a life of health and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit! Another reason this just seemed to fit so well into thoughts and ideas offered to you. You will find great ideas for sharing books with your children on Amy's blog.

My daughter turns 33 in less than two weeks. This is still a cherished book on our family bookshelf. I'm looking forward to her 2 precious little girls loving it, too! Perhaps this would be best kept as a post for her birthday, but I'm eager to share today.


The photograph above:
In the Wood | photo page - everystockphoto

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Reflexology Gift Certificates Available

Stress free shopping for you . . . a relaxing and stress releasing oasis in time for the recipient. Gift yourself, a friend, or loved one -- or all of you!!! Footsteps In Eden is offering a $30 savings when you buy three gift certificates between now and December 24th. See our website for details.

Savor the Moments

It's Friday afternoon just a few days before Christmas. My shopping is complete, the gifts wrapped, and the house is almost ready for our family's Christmas festivities. To have today and tomorrow to relax a little has been wonderful. My thoughts (as they have so often the last few weeks) continue to turn to exactly how it is we should be celebrating this season. JESUS IS THE VERY BEST GIFT EVER. My gifts can in no way compare -- and they aren't even handmade this year as they have been so often in the past. The momentary pleasures and joys -- they're memories worth keeping. Like the one yesterday when my 2 year old granddaughter and I visited the Enchanted Forest.

This exhibit of elves and forest creatures having fun in the snow while busy preparing all the toys and fun Santa will soon deliver, features old, old motorized animals and elfs. The animals were all waving to the children as we wandered our way through the exhibit which now finds its home at The Pink Palace Museum in Memphis. It's had a few homes over the years, and has thrilled children for decades. Mikah was no exception. What a delight it was to watch her move from one scene to the next waving and shouting, "hello" to each character that was waving to her. The surprise that she registered that these characters were not talking back was such a treat.

I believe that the celebration of Jesus birth through worship and praise and sharing His love is the obvious first consideration in this season, which holds so much promise of JOY unending! Spending time with Mikah yesterday -- that was a gift from her to me -- and a gift of time and love shared. I was so thankful that my life was not so rushed, I was able to take the time to make a memory, and I believe Jesus smiled on us and our adventure.

The Finest of Healthy Relationships

Relationships -- the last couple of entries mention these a few times. Please allow me to share a brief devotion I read recently about the most important relationship of all. Whatever gifts you give and in whatever way you celebrate the season, please know and remember

The relationship for which we were made, the relationship our heart never ceases to crave, is very specific. We are barely into the first chapter of the story when we encounter a significant fact: "Let Us make man in Our image." Making man was a relational affair from the very beginning. We were born in the womb of the greatest relationship the galaxies have ever known. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit . . . God made us for Himself.

Fawn Parish
It's All About You, Jesus

He who loves Me will be loved by My Father. John 14:21

Thoughtful Gift Giving

Have you checked out www.adventconspiracy.org? After posting that link yesterday, I also added a couple of links to purchase gifts. Is this a contradiction? I did give that some serious consideration, and believe it is not.

I love the idea that Christmas Changes the World promoted by the website above. They spoke of relational gift giving -- mostly home made gifts and gifts of your time. Many, many years I have done exactly that. It still takes much time, some times much money, and it may still produce the stress that keeps us from making a real difference in the lives of others through this Season meant to celebrate Christ's birth.

My hopes are that your gifts for loved ones, whether home made or store bought, are given in love and chosen especially for that person. Whether a large gift or a small one, one that shows your thoughtfulness about the gift recipient's likes and dislikes, I believe will be relational at its best. The carefully chosen gift says to the recipient, "You care about me, and who I am." Simple, well-chosen gifts say so much more than mountains of purchases just because we've been sucked into the commercial frenzy.

Over the next couple of weeks, we may add a few more of these links. Our recommendations will always be in line with our beliefs in a healthy & loving lifestyle. By offering online suggestions, it is our prayer that we might also contribute to stress reduction for you and your family because you will spend more time together and less time fighting the crowds in the shopping malls. Please spend some of that time making a difference -- being a part of how Christmas Changes the World.

We'll also take some time to share with you a little about each of the businesses represented by these links, and why we've chosen to include them.