23 11, 2014

Thankful for…

By judythemorgan|2014-11-23T06:00:41-06:00November 23rd, 2014|Holidays, Sunday Sampler|0 Comments

We recently attended a family wedding three states away in Wisconsin. We discussed whether to fly or drive.

Not for long though. You see our bucket lists contain a visit to all fifty states. Driving would help tick off two states … if we took a northern route back home to Colorado.

Family and friends cautioned about the possibility of adverse weather if we traveled by car in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. We listened and then decided to take our chances.

With our two four-legged children loaded in the car, we headed north.

(Note: Their advice would have been so correct if we had made the trip last week during the deep freeze and snow of the early winter storm in those states. We didn’t. We were nestled all snug in our cabin in Colorado watching Casper, Wyoming with temperatures of -35 degrees on the evening news.)

As it worked out, we were so glad we drove.

Little Bighorn National Cemetery

Teddy Roosevelt National Park

The beauty of the landscape was breathtaking.

The people we met friendly and interesting.

Lunch in Portage, WI Pub

The wedding inspiring.

Congratulations, Abram & Becca

This Thursday many of us will be gathering to eat turkey and all the trimmings with family and friends.

In 1621, the Plymouth the Pilgrims and Indians celebrated survival and the hopes of future good fortune on the first Thanksgiving.

Our trip of over 3,500 miles reminded me of the awesome things we have to celebrate this Thanksgiving Day.

Majestic mountains

Fields ripe with grain to harvest

Moonlight on lakes

Water rushing in streams and cascading down waterfalls

And, most of all the fellowship of family and friends

Happy Thanksgiving!

4 07, 2014

It’s America’s Happy Birthday!

By judythemorgan|2014-07-04T06:00:43-05:00July 4th, 2014|Holidays|0 Comments

Though it’s not a typical patriotic commercial, this old Chevy commercial is a great depiction of what America means.

A federal holiday in the United States since 1941, July 4th is celebrated with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

Did you know the first fireworks were approved on July 4, 1777?

Here in our little corner of the Rio Grande Forest, we’ll be sitting on the porch watching our local fireworks display. While it can’t compete with the Macy’s show—the largest fireworks display in the country—we’ll enjoy every second.

Watch this video of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show 2013 NYC – from Hoboken NJ and you’ll see why most fireworks displays don’t compare.

From all the View from the Front Porch guest bloggers and me

Happy Birthday U.S.A.

Be safe and enjoy your birthday celebrations today…

and as you celebrate, don’t forget to give thanks for the brave men and women in uniform who are serving all of us here and on foreign soil. Pray for their safety as they do their jobs.

16 06, 2014

Remembering Our Fathers

By judythemorgan|2014-06-16T06:00:04-05:00June 16th, 2014|Holidays|1 Comment

Yesterday was Father’s Day. I hope you honored whoever is your father figure.

For some of you that person might have been a birth father. For others, it’s a stepfather or a relative or friend that serves the father role for us.

Me, I’ve been blessed with three godly men who were great examples of a father’s love, offering faith and wisdom along my way.

My father.

Daddy taught me how to fish, how to hunt, and how to dress out my bounty. He taught me how to build things, grow things, and cook around a campfire. He taught me raunchy songs and words as though I was a son, not a daughter, then reminded me to always be a lady. :)

My second father was my beloved uncle.

Uncle Dub told me often he was Ivo Jima when he received word of my birth. A Marine through and through, he taught me to shoot straight, with a firearm and with my words. He taught me the fun of antique auctions and old things. He showed unconditional love in the tough times and tough love when needed. He was a wise counselor.

My third father I inherited when I married.

The father of four girls the last thing my preacher father-in-love needed was another daughter…especially one who asked hard questions. He shared his Bible wisdom and whetted my appetite for studying the Scripture. And, best of all he raised his only son to be the best husband ever and a godly father.

All three of my daddies are gone now so Father’s Day is a bit a sad for me. I miss them, but remembering them on their special day brings back special memories and makes me smile.

These three men were such a blessing in my life. As Holley Gerth says:

“One of the greatest blessings God can give us is a father whose faith passes on the heritage of the past, provides blessings in the present, and guides us with wisdom for the future.”

How about you? Do you have a father figure you count as a blessing? Someone who shared their heritage and offered guidance for the present and the future.

I’d love to hear about your daddy.

1 05, 2014

National Day of Prayer 2014

By judythemorgan|2014-05-01T06:00:08-05:00May 1st, 2014|Holidays|0 Comments

Today marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer, a vital part of our heritage.

It’s an opportunity for Americans of all faiths to gather in front of courthouses, houses of worship, mosques, synagogues, and temple to pray for our nation.

This year’s theme is One Voice, United in Prayer.

I hope you’ll join Americans here in the U.S. and those on military bases and embassies around the world as we pause and share the special prayer authored by this year’s honorary chairman is Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Evangelist Billy Graham.

If you can’t attend a celebration in person, the 2014 National Observance will be broadcast LIVE from the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on this webpage 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST.

Or, you can listen to Anne Graham Lotz’s prayer here.

Our community has scheduled a noon observance at our Community Center. I’ll be there.

17 03, 2014

Being Irish on St. Patrick’s Day

By judythemorgan|2014-03-17T06:00:09-05:00March 17th, 2014|Holidays|0 Comments

It’s St. Patrick’s Day. We’re all Irish for today.

Personally, I count myself Irish for the other 364 days since my Irish heritage can be trace through both my mother and father’s parents.

I remember the day I felt those Irish genes for the first time. My blood truly began to tingle and my heart sang at the site of the green fields I saw from the airplane’s window. Then when I dipped my hand in the River Shannon, I knew I’d come home.

I’d tagged along on my husband’s business trip not really thinking about the family stories of Irish heritage…Mama Smith who was a Callahan or Oma Ulit whose family landed on Ellis Island in the days of the Potato Famine.

But an amazing thing happened while my husband conducted business throughout Ireland, Scotland and Britain.

I uncovered my Irish roots. So much so a brogue surfaced.

An Irish lilt that returns whenever we spend time on the Emerald Isle and at odd times when we don’t.

After nine more trips over ten years, those roots have solidified and my love of all things Irish has grown deep.

Today we celebrate Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, who, as you may know, wasn’t even Irish but English.

Still, he’s credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland…and if you believe the Irish folklore, chased all the snakes away. Read all about the St. Patrick here.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!

3 03, 2014

Ready to Let the Good Times Roll?

By judythemorgan|2014-03-03T06:00:26-06:00March 3rd, 2014|Holidays|0 Comments

It is Mardi Gras time.

French for “fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is the last hurrah before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

A time for eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting.

If you’re in New Orleans, Louisiana, the city synonymous with Mardi Gras, it’s also a time of revelry.

Laissez les bons temps rouler as they say. A Cajun French phrase which is literally translated from the English expression “Let the good times roll.”

There are parades along St. Charles Avenue. People stroll through the French Quarter where all manner of fun abounds. Organizations, known as krewes, sponsor parades and balls.

At midnight, the police halt the festivities by riding their horses down Bourbon Street and announcing the party’s over. The street sweepers follow pushing the crowds toward home. It is now Lent.

Fat Tuesday celebrations aren’t limited to New Orleans.

While not observed nationally throughout the United States, traditionally ethnic French cities and regions throughout the country have notable celebrations.

King’s cakes, beads and masks even appear here in our little corner of the Rio Grande Forest.

So are you celebrating Mardi Gras?

1 01, 2014

Happy 2014!

By judythemorgan|2014-01-01T22:03:18-06:00January 1st, 2014|Holidays|3 Comments

This postcard greeting from my vintage card collection was originally sent in 1912 and it’s my wish for you today.

Chicken Wrangler Sara and I will start our 2014 blog schedule next week. See you then…

25 12, 2013

Merry Christmas 2013

By judythemorgan|2018-12-14T09:42:26-06:00December 25th, 2013|Holidays|0 Comments

My friend and fellow blogger, Edie Melson posted this free image on her blog on Christmas Eve.

I thought it such a great reminder about the true meaning of Christmas I’m sharing with you today.

Merry Christmas to all,

Judythe

19 12, 2013

Christmas in Texas

By judythemorgan|2021-12-03T06:44:12-06:00December 19th, 2013|Holidays, one word Wednesday|0 Comments

Celebrating Christmas in Texas is different. No snow, no cold, and a few other traditions unique to the Lone Star State.

We’re excited to be where we have both snow and cold this year, but memories of our Texas Christmases linger.

A Christmas classic story to read was The Night Before Christmas in Texas, That Is by Leon A. Harris, Based on the well-known “Night Before Christmas,” this tale with a definite Texas spin has entertained audiences for more than forty years.

From the inside cover flap: A Western Santa Claus-decked out in Levis, a ten-gallon Stetson, a cowboy vest, and with a bandana around his neck-makes his Christmas journey on a buckboard piled high with presents. Swooping in over the prairie to the amazement of sleepy residents and jackrabbits alike, a plump, jovial Santa parks his buckboard outside a peaceful ranch house. From boot-stuffing gifts to the faithful “hosses” pulling his “sleigh,” this is a Christmas tale rich in Texas tradition.

Gene Autry recorded the poem for Columbia Records in the 1940s or 50s. I have a copy of the original 78 record.

Take a listen to a later release:

These are some other Texas Christmas traditions we’ve brought to Colorado with us:

Hanging a pickle on the Christmas tree

Lining our sidewalk with Luminaries

Eating tamales on Christmas Eve

Christmas is next week. I’ll be taking a break to enjoy my family and friends.

Before I go, though…

You can take the gal out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the gal.

While I’ll be celebrating Christ’s birth in the snowy woods of SW Colorado this year, I’ll be singing…

And that’s my wish for all of you — MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y’ALL! See you next year.

16 12, 2013

Christmas Customs & Traditions – Christmas Tree

By judythemorgan|2013-12-16T06:00:30-06:00December 16th, 2013|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

The Christmas tree tradition as we know it today began in Germany in the 16th century. Added lighting began with Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, who was awed brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens, wired tree branches to recapture the scene.

The custom was slow to gain popularity in American. Remember, the colonies were founded by Puritans who held to a strict sacred observation of Christmas. In fact, in 1659, hanging decorations brought fines for breaking a law that made any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense.

Our tribute to our German ancestry.

As the numbers of German and Irish immigrants grew, the Puritan legacy lessened. Still, as late as 1840, Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.

That view began to change when a sketch of Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, standing with their children around a Christmas tree, appeared in the Illustrated London News. By 1846, the custom of setting up a Christmas tree arrived on the east coast.

Early Americans decorated with homemade ornaments, fruits, and garland of popcorn or cranberries. Electricity brought lighted trees. Perhaps the most famous lighted tree is the one in Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree displayed for the first time in 1931.

Christmas trees play an important role in decorating for us. Even if we’re not at home we decorate a tree. That’s our grandson Michael decorating the tiny artificial tree we used the year we went to Frisco, CO, to have ourselves a white Christmas.

When we lived in Texas, we had trees in every room. Each tree was special. A tree with Texas state capitol ornaments graced a corner of the dining room.

Two trees with White House collectible ornaments sat on the dining table.

Upstairs in the loft, we set up a Victorian tree with our vintage ornaments surrounded by children’s toys…a tribute to Albert and Victoria.

Some years we had creative trees like this one done by our grandson Matthew from giant TinkerToys.

On the kitchen table, you’d find a gumdrop tree. A tradition started by my Irish grandmother.

This year we’re in our new home in Colorado in the middle of adding a garage addition with a bedroom and studies above.

All our Christmas decorations are in storage awaiting the new space. :-(

But Christmas will not be Christmas without a tree so we bought a small living tree that we’ll replant when we do landscaping in the spring.

Looks a bit like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree.

Soon, our daughter and her family will arrive, and we’ll go into the woods and cut a real tree.

Then it’ll really feel like Christmas around here.

YOUR TURN:

Is a Christmas tree part of your holiday tradition?