Christmas Time Whisperspace

Christmastime in Apex

This is a beautifully decorated storefront in downtown Apex.

I love the creative "winter wonderland" entrance to this unique gift shop. It's a new business & I pray it will be able to weather the economic times we're in.

Another favorite shop in downtown had to close this year, Out Of The Kiln. Makes me sad:( They crafted many of the pottery items they sold.

Small businesses are a risk in this financial climate, but they can offer some unusual & artsy gifts, often handmade, that aren't found in every store throughout every plaza or mall.

I work in a gift shop/card shop, & far too often I see products we sell in every gift shop around, plus shops in other states as well! (I'm afraid far, far too many items are made in China) We do sell some local items & are proud to do so:)

America, we need to use our pocketbooks & vote for unique, quality made craftsmanship!

Etsy online is one place that offers handmade one of a kind gifts. Consider checking them out. And I'm sure there are more sites. But first of all, buy at local small businesses that are not inundated with mass produced products, & their personal service will be an added blessing:)

Merry Christmas, friends:)

May you be blessed by a beautifully made present this year that will bring you much joy:)

Tis The Season

"The universal joy of Christmas is certainly wonderful.

We ring the bells when princes are born, or toll a mournful dirge when great men pass away.

Nations have their red-letter days, their carnivals and festivals, but once in the year and only once, the whole world stands still to celebrate the advent of a life. Only Jesus of Nazareth claims this world-wide, undying remembrance.

You cannot cut Christmas out of the Calendar, nor out of the heart of the world."

~Anonymous

Saying goodbye to Dad (& hey to Korey)

Kenneth Louis McFarland lived from September 13th, 1920, to October 28th, 2011.

He came into my life when I met Keith, his oldest son, in 1967.

He was a dear man who loved his family & looked forward to every visit we made, & every trip he took to visit us.

When the grandkids came along, Keith & I took second place & we didn't mind a bit:) The grandchildren were the apple of his eye.

Cameron spent a number of summers camping with Grandpa & Grandma, & Cameron loved that together time:) Seth & Skye spent special time with them as well:)

Dad belonged to the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church while Mom belonged to the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Now & then I'd go with him to the CMA on a Sunday night, a sweet time together.

He always let me drive him & mom around town, especially his new cars, which was a treat since Keith has never let that happen too often!

He loved the south. If he hadn't loved his western Pa. so dearly, he might have moved to NC, but love of home was too strong. He advised Keith to "go south" if he ever got the chance. And Keith did:)

In the past 3 years, due to declining health, he & Mom moved to The Reformed Presbyterian Home in Pittsburgh, Pa. Mom watched over him like a mother hen, so he was well cared for. His memory slowly faded, but he knew us every time we visited. We saw him last this summer, over July Fourth.

Dad loved a joke & told many one-liners. He loved roses, red roses. He loved the color red & had a number of red cars:) He loved peanut butter. He loved camping:) He loved trains--he worked as an Engineer on the Penn Central Railroad until he retired.

Most of all he loved being with family. We spent a week at Holden Beach years ago, then another week at Mohican State Park in Ohio more recently. He soaked up those times:)

We're planning another gathering out West in the next year or so, the NC McFarlands, the Wisconsin McFarlands, & the PA Carsons--he will be with us in spirit:)

As we said goodbye to Dad/Grandpa, we welcomed the first great grandchild, Korey Calvin McFarland, Kendall & Kristen's son, born in July, into the clan:) Great grandma had not met him, nor had the NC Mc's.

As you can see, he's a sweetheart:)

So, a great grandpa slips to Heaven, & a great grandson slips to Earth.

God is good, always:)

2011 Master Bath Renovation:)!!

Before.

After:)

Fall

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."

S.Horowitz

October

This sweet time of year reminds me of grapes ripening on the vine, scuppernong & muscadine,

leaves curling & fluttering along the green way & through the air,

mild weather,

clear skies,

bright stars at dawn,

pumpkin-colored sunrises,

brilliant orange sunsets at dusk.

Fall is in the air.

Summer seems noisy.

Fall is peaceful, still, quiet.

A coolness settles in, vanquishing clingy humidity.

Autumn, welcome back:)

Hey Blog, it's September!

Dear blog,

It's been too long since I've been by. Life is slipping past & I get too busy to write down all that's happening. (Journaling is hard for me to maintain for some reason?)

Weekend before last Keith & I spent the Friday, Saturday, & Sunday in West Jefferson & Boone, visiting Skye & enjoying being in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains:)

Skye's been tickled to get back to Boone after a summer of interning with Appalshop in Whitesburg, Ky.-- says it's too small a town for a city girl:) She's now in her second year of Appalachian Studies' graduate school, & this fall is rooming with friend Rachel VandenEnde:)

The 3 of us loved listening to Boone's Friday night Outdoor Bluegrass Concert at the Jones' House, Saturday rode our bikes along the Boone green way & ate a delicious supper at Frasier's in W. Jefferson in the evening, & Sunday had brunch at the Boone Sunrise Grill.

A sweet time:)!!!

I love the mountains & am always thankful to spend time there:) Especially with my baby girl:)

(Photos: Skye reading as we listen to the Forget Me Not's concert, the view from Skye's room overlooking the Appalachian campus, & the mountains from the Blue Ridge Parkway)