Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Is there anyone who hasn't stood in the night, looking up to the expanse above, and wondered? How I wonder what you are.... The Christmas season reminds us of the star of Bethlehem. The bright, incomparable star that was a map for Magi. The star that led the way for traveling wise men in search of a king. Wise men who had studied the heavens, astronomers, who had seen changes and knew something extraordinary was happening. Intelligent men who plotted the paths of stars when my Anglo ancestors were still nomadic because they had not learned how to store food. Men looking for answers. There has been rampant speculation for hundreds of years about the source of the star. Some believe an alignment of planets. Others think it was a comet or supernova. Why is it so hard for some to believe that the star was created specifically for the glorious birth of the Savior? Could the King of glory become human and live among us without 'stirring up' all creation? And God said...

We were in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for a few days last week to enjoy all the Christmas festivities there.  On Thursday night, the Weather Channel said there was zero percent chance of precipitation.  The local news said maybe a dusting of snow.  When we got up on Friday morning, it had started to snow, and it snowed all day.  The temperature stayed around 32-34 degrees, so there was none on the roads.  It was a rare treat for us to be in and out of the snow, which was sometimes blowing like a blizzard. All these photos were taken early Saturday morning. The photos above were taken from our balcony at Mountain Loft resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  The ones below were taken on the road going from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge.  You can see in some of the ones below that the sun was breaking through the clouds. We have been blessed to enjoy Christmas in the Smokies many times, bu...

I love making yeast rolls.  I started making them about forty years ago, and I never get tired of it.  If the rolls turn out well at a holiday dinner, it really doesn't matter about the rest of the things you serve, because the rolls are all your guests will remember.  It is not that hard if you take it step-by-step.  I usually start at least three hours before dinner will be served. This recipe comes from an old Southern Living cookbook.  When you find one that works for you, stick with it. Start with 2 cups of warm water in your mixer bowl.  Add 2 packages of dry yeast, or 2 tablespoons if you buy yeast in bulk like I do. After about five minutes, the yeast will "bloom" or rise to the top and bubble like this.  If your yeast doesn't rise, dump this out, go buy some fresh yeast and start over.  Ask me how I know this. Go ahead and prepare a large, greased bowl for the dough to rise in. After the yeast is ready, ad...