The Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;        

 

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.      

 

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.        

 

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 

--Robert Frost

Frosty's Relations

 First a notification: YES I got my previous cake idea from this recipe. :)

My Frosty Cohorts: 

 Grace

 and Abbie

 As you'll note, they require their own Mugs of Something to get them through the arduous work.

 As always...my very own...

 And Christmas music!!!

 So it begins.

Sugar cookie.

Royal frosting.

Melty marshmallows.

 Prepare yourself to meet Frosty's extended family!

 First up is Mel:

as he'll be quick to tell you, with a tearful sniff, it stands for both

MELancholy and MELting.

Though he isn't sure which one causes the other.

Regardless, his sadness today was caused mainly by the absence of Cookie Cohort Bekea, who wasn't able to make it to our annual Cookie Day because of sickness in the ranks.

We missed you, Bekea!!

 But then there's Harold, who's holding up pretty well. 

At least in spirits.

 Rave. N. Us would speak to you, but his mouth is full.

 Then there's Bug O. Phobe

 B.S. Nuss

Geeky O. Mittens

 Unicorn.

I think he just read that he doesn't exist.

 I forget this fella's real name, but his nickname is 

"Red-Cheeked Cuddler with Bears"

Nobody remembers why.

 P.J.

"Dreamer of Chocolate"

 Frosty's sister, Janet

 Ummm...this is the black sheep of the family.

"Flame"

Really a great guy when you get to know him...the trick is to catch him when he's not listening to his i-pod.

 Frosty's cousin, Frostily Ann. 

Behind her is her father, Frosty's father's brother-in-law, Bill.

 Then there are a couple that I don't think are actually related to Frosty, but wanted to join the party:

Louise (left) and Edmund (right)

 and then there's Penelope (there on the left) and...

well, we don't know what the other visitor's name is!

 We're not even sure HE knows!

OH my! I almost forgot there were TWO black sheep in the family.

Below, Frosty is ashamed to say, you catch his second cousin, Ban Dit, being caught red-handed with Frosty's mother's pearl necklace! Thank goodness for undercover-policeman like Officer Redman White! (Not related, btw, just invited to this event for activities such as this!)

 Because you never know when a random snowfight will erupt!

 And sweetest for last:

This is Frosty's mother,

Queen Frostine. 

Maybe not as slim as you last saw her on the Candyland board...but I'd say that, overall, the years have been good to her, wouldn't you?

 Such a happy family!

If only we'd remembered to make Frosty!

Oops.

Full Bloom of Obedience

Full Bloom of Obedience

                                                          ~John 15:8-11

My heart did struggle to comply

     to my Lord's command.

Dear sins, self-love--all things to which

     the Lord held out His hands.

But seeing these hands were pierced for me,

     my heart released its hold,

And found that in so doing I

     abided in His love. 

With great surprise my heart did note

     the rush of sap and life.

I saw the fruit, not of myself,

     replace the sin and strife.

When next the Lord of Life walked by,

     with pruning-shears in hand,

His face did shine with glory-light

     at growth and fruit sustained.

And then did heart full understand--

     the end of obedience see--

When Lord, through life, be glorified,

     more full our joy shall be.

Our King

"Our King has come. He is not like other kings.

 

Other kings are conceived and born, having a specific 

           point at which they come into existence.

Our King had no beginning; He has always existed.

 

Other kings are born into splendor and riches, or obtain 

          them when they usurp a throne.

Our King left all the splendor and riches to be born into poverty.

 

Other kings act to consolidate their power and to hold onto it 

          at all cost.

Our King limited the exercise of His power for a time.

 

Other kings surrender their kingdoms through defeat or death.

Our King established His kingdom through death, and, as a result, His kingdom will know no end.

 

Indeed, our King has come, and He will reign forever and ever."

 

-Tom Strode

http://communityofthecross.blogspot.com

Praying Mood

“We should pray when we are in a praying mood, for it would be sinful to neglect so fair an opportunity. We should pray when we are not in the proper mood, for it would be dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a condition.”  --Charles Spurgeon

The Cake of Hope (vdH)

 Now...Hope's birthday is the 4th. But tomorrow we drive down for a brief sojourn in South Carolina, and will be GONE on said important date.

SO!

Rather than try Hope's patience by celebrating late...we are celebrating today!!

What to do about the cake?

Chocolate chips and white chocolate is a good start!

 Now snowflakes we all GET, Hannah...

what's with the chocolate blobs?

 Patience, my friends, patience.

 Fluffy white frosting.

Buttercream with a couple spoonfuls of sour cream.

WOW.

 Better HURRY, though...it's melting!

 What do you think, Sam?

No guesses yet?

 My constant companion.

Do I need to tell you what it is?

 Okay, back from the tea break...

time to wake this cake up!

 I'm not sure how this is going to go over...it's a funfetti cake, not a CARROT cake! But 'tis necessary. Trust me.

 Cherry red trail...

 Perfectly placed.

Not as pretty as the Lord's...but they'll do.

 Are you ready for this?

?

?

?

?

?

?

 "The snowman stiffened with fear, even as his strength melted away. 

There!

Six...NO! SEVEN candles!

Stuck into his perfect white flesh.

He had heard tales horrific enough to freeze the blood in your veins.

Of fire.

And snow."

For being a Cake of Hope...

I don't think he can retain any for himself.

Hope, that is.

:-P