Friday, November 30, 2007

HowToBe ACA #3

"Read one book during the holidays that affirms your faith."

Odd that this entry stood out today when I looked through my little How to be a Christmas Angel book. Bob just told me that he ordered a book that our wonderful friend Joe Schroeter has published. Joe works in the Shetland/Miniature Horse Registry office.

Here is a description of the book:

If Ye Abide in Me
by H.J. Schroeter
"Six apparent paradoxes of the Bible embody the crucial elements of the nature of Jesus. The successful progression in the mastery of these character traits, fueled by the conversion power of His word within us, allows us to become like Him and therefore acquire residency in Him. 'If Ye Abide In Me' will clearly expound this truth to the reader and therefore furnish much expertise in building the road to the abiding status. Author H. J. Schroeter is convinced that the success of this process rests solely in the willingness of the believer to be transformed by these apparent biblical paradoxes into the image of Christ. "

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-776-6

Another Christmas tradition - Jesse Tree

I came across this today while looking for advent traditions. I truly have never read about a Jesse Tree, but it sounds like a wonderful idea.

The Tradition of the Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is a centuries-old family Advent devotion that has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in recent years. It has particular value since it helps both kids and adults a like to locate Jesus, the Messiah, within the lineage of the shepherd boy who became King of Israel--David, son of Jesse.

The whole idea of the Jesse Tree comes right out of a classic Advent passage from the prophet Isaiah: "A shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" (Is 11:1). The Jesse Tree is hung with ornaments representing Old Testament people and events and lead up to Jesus. The traditional symbols hung on the tree are based on the genealogy of Jesus as reccounted by the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Set up a tree or branches with or without leaves. For the ornaments, you can either buy a Jesse Tree kit or just craft them yourself. Traditionally, there is one ornament for each day of Advent. You start at the base of the tree with Adam and Eve. At the top of the tree at the very end of the season comes a crib representing the baby Jesus. There's a brief scripture reading for every symbol (see below). If you read these readings and contemplate them and the symbols to which they are linked, by December 25th you and your family will have a much deeper understanding of the history of salvation and the meaning of Christmas!

Some great links:

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Happy Birthday, MOM!

I want to wish my mom a wonderful birthday! Here's a couple of photos of her when she was younger.


Right to left: Ima (Mom), Uncle Ray, Aunt Edna


That little fellow in the center just got married! Congratulations, Ray, I know that you and Nancy will be happy.

Below is another photo of Mom and family. That's Mom on the left, cousin Verna Mae, sister Edna, cousin Irene, and little brother Gene.

We have been blessed with longevity in our family, all but Irene are still with us.
This was taken a couple of years ago...Uncle Erwin and Ann, Edna and Mom.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Want a Pony for Christmas?

We have two boys left to sale. We have a deposit on Mister Terrific, the black miniature on the left. But Silver Haze (lying down) and Jasper on the right are still available. They had their "brain surgery" (neutered) yesterday and will be ready to go to new homes in a couple of weeks. Just in time for Christmas. Call Bob if you would like more information about them - 254-749-2332 or visit the website at http://www.unicornerfarm.com/. Check the video I posted on October 31st here in the blog. Yes, we do accept PayPal.

More Christmas Ideas - Spread it out

Spread your celebrating out over the whole season. Why not begin your Christmas celebrating now! Or at least at the begining of December - that's Saturday! Then keep at it until Three King's Night on January 5th.

How about making an Advent calender to use all during December. Bob's grandmother made us one using a long felt strip with 24 Christmas trees on it for each day before Christmas. A red clothespin marks the days off and there is a Santa Claus at the end. It's really cute and we've had it since we've been married...a long time. "Gingaw" is making some again for the younger generation. I hope I'm as productive at 96 years old!

In Germany, many children put a boot, called Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside the front door on the night of December 5th. St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good. If they were not, they will have a tree branch ("Rute") in their boots instead. St. Nicholas Day is the 6th of December (and that's Bob's birthday). I'll ask him to check his boots.

Plan to celebrate Jesus' birthday on Christmas Eve with a birthday cake. That's a nice idea, not that we need anymore sweets on the buffet though...

Spreading out the holiday spreads out the expense of celebrating, helps keep the focus on Christ and helps to avoid the big let-down that some people feel when Christmas is over. That would be me...

Monday, November 26, 2007

HowToBe ACA #2

"Clean out your linen closet and donate your best old stuff to Goodwill."

Well, I don't really have a linen closet... but I will clean out my closet and donate the better stuff. I think though I will choose a center for abused women here in town, or the Salvation Army.

Less than a month 'til Christmas!

In less than a month it will be over... how quickly time flies. I plan to try to slow it down this year and enjoy the holidays. I found a cute little book a few years ago "How to be a Christmas Angel" by Scott Matthews and Barbara Alpert.

I'll try to share a few of their suggestions this month here on the blog as well as my own.

"Donate your caroling dollars to your Salvation Army shelter." I don't know about the "caroling dollars" but I try to keep change and dollar bills in my pocket when I shop so they will be handy if I see a SA red kettle. I know they are at Walmart already, hopefully other places as well. Unless Target changed their policy, they probably aren't there, we try NOT to shop at Target for that very reason.

Here's an easy way to donate to the Salvation Army, click on this link to make a donation on line:

https://secure.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform

Friday, November 23, 2007

Lone Star meets Xena

We let our miniature horse, Lone Star meet Xena. Star is actually a larger mini, but he sure looks small next to Xena. As you can see, he thinks she's BBB, big, black and beautiful and nickered sweet nothings to her.

Star is 23 years old! He's starting to show his age a little, getting a little gray around the temples, but we think it makes him look distinguished.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Make a Thanksgiving Gift

Each ingredient in this snack mix symbolizes something associated with the Harvest Season and Thanksgiving...
  • Bugles - represents a cornucopia, a horn of plenty.
  • Pretzels - represents arms folded in thanks and prayer.
  • Candy Corn & Corn Nuts - during the first winter, the pilgrims were each allotted only 5 kernels of corn per day because food was so scarce.
  • Dried Fruits & Berries - Thanksgiving is the celebration of the harvest.
  • Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds - seeds represent the potential of a bounteous harvest for the next season if they are planted and well tended.

You can make this mix as a family and eat while discussing each ingredient and how it relates to Thanksgiving. Or give as gifts, I made a few minor changes and this is what I ended up with:

THANKSGIVING BLESSING MIX

Materials Needed:
1 bag Candy Corn
1 bag Corn Nuts Brand Snack
1 bag Dried Fruits and Berries
1 bag Sunflower Seeds
1 bag Pumpkin Seeds
1 bag Bugles Brand Corn Snacks
1 bag Tiny Twist Pretzels
Cellophane bags
Raffia or yarn
Artificial leaves or other harvest decoration
Blessing Mix card (click here to download)


Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix the first five ingredients together. Set out 6 cellophane bags and fill with a handful each of Bugles and Pretzels. Add a handful of the seed and corn mix, repeat until all ingredients have been divided between the bags. Tie the tops with raffia or yarn and add a leaf. Print out the Blessing Mix card and tie on to the bag.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Happy Birthday, Oklahoma!


Oklahoma turned 100 today!
Guess that's fairly young for a state.
Happy Birthday, Neighbor!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Miniature Fillies For Sale

We've added two of our fillies to our Spotlight Specials page on the farm website (www.unicornerfarm.com/special.htm).

Funny is a pretty buckskin and April is a smokey black.

We also have the three colts that are now weaned and ready to go.

Let's Take a Stand!

Just received this poem in an email. Don't know who wrote it but it's worth reading!

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

How the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Please vote in the new poll

Welcome to Unicorner Farm's blog. I just added a little poll (in the right hand column) about how you came across this blog. I am curious if there is anyone out there reading it. Please vote.

THANKS!

Say Thanks to a Serviceman or Woman

On the heels of Veteran's Day and with Thanksgiving a week a way, here is a nice way to say thank you to our people serving this great country.

Xerox is doing something cool! Now, it's your turn to do something right... pick out at least one card, and in a few clicks of the mouse, you will have brightened the day, and the season, for a member of the Armed Forces!

Go to http://www.letssaythanks.com/ and pick out a thank you card. Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.

By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women. It really is FREE and only takes a moment of your time. (I just did it). The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

It doesn't matter whether you are for or against the war . . . our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Finder of Lost Recipes

Check this website out! http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/archives.htm

I found this neat website while looking for some new and unique recipes to make for the holidays.

Remember,Thanksgiving is next week!

It is really cool, lots of archives to look through, zillions of recipes that have been requested are available.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Holiday ideas for the genealogist...

Make a journal of family traditions and recipes. Print a family cookbook to exchange. Share the customs of our ancestors with the younger generation. Have the older generation tape record stories of how Christmas was celebrated long ago.

Put together a real family tree. This link has a great Christmas tree made of photo boxes.... http://www.thecraftypc.com/chrisfamtre.html

Make a personalized ornament for each one in the extended family. Maybe one that portrays the person's hobby. That reminds me of Days of Our Lives... do they still do that?

Look at this really cool family tree ornament from one of my very favorite places to visit - Bronners.
http://www.bronners.com/1087464.html

Early Doctors of McLennan County Article

The Waco Tribune-Herald had an article in last Saturday's newspaper about early doctors in the county. Bob's great-great-grandfather Dr. C.L. Clay was pictured.


"North Carolina native Charles Lewis Clay (1848-1906) is credited with being the town’s first doctor. He graduated from the Louisville (Ky.) School of Medicine, and moved to Gatesville in 1871. Three years later, he moved to Perry, married Nannie Peebles of Gatesville, and they started a family of four boys. "

"Clay moved his family to Moody in 1881, along with other Perry residents, and was a partner in the Payne’s drug store. After more than 30 years of doctoring in Central Texas, he died Sept. 20, 1906, and is buried in the Moody Cemetery."

One of the four boys mentioned, Charles Jr., was the father to our beloved "Gingaw", Bob's grandmother Lucille Clay Roberts.

Happy 1st Birthday, Kade!



Oh, to be so easily entertained! Sunday we celebrated my little cousin Kade's first birthday.



Can you tell he likes tractors, especially John Deeres? 'Course it helps that grandmother works for the local JD dealer.


Actually, Kade is my first cousin, twice removed. Have you ever wondered how that works? Here is a chart that shows the relationship of cousins.


Monday, November 12, 2007

Operation Christmas Child Update

Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham. One of their worthy programs is Operation Christmas Child. Our small church prepared more than 80 Christmas Shoeboxes this year. That's a 25% increase over 2006.

This is National Collection Week, besides the filled shoeboxes, OCC would love to receive donations to offset the shipping costs. If you would like to donate, please go to the website below:

We had a lot of fun preparing the shoeboxes. We hope the needy children that receive them will enjoy the toys and candy, as well as learn about the true meaning of Christmas.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Happy Veteran's Day


We certainly don't want to forget our veterans. I found this wonderful graphic on the site below, please check it out. Wonderful message, and there is a great coloring page: www.sermons4kids.com/veterans_day_colorpg.htm

Goldie meets Xena

Well, we tried introducing Xena to our palomino mare, Goldie in hopes they could live together.


We thought Xena might be lonely, though she doesn't seem to be. And Goldie apparently likes living with the minis better.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Cookie Exchange and Helpful Recipe Index

One way to get prepared for the holidays... bake cookies to freeze for later. Lots of people are doing cookie exchanges. Sounds like a great idea. Here is a whole website devoted to the idea http://www.cookie-exchange.com/

Check out this cookie recipe index from a recent email:

Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there.
1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Manitou on TV?

I don't think I've ever posted about my "day job". I am the marketing specialist for Manitou North America, we manufacture rough terrain forklifts. These are the big forklifts and boom trucks that are used in construction.

One of our largest models was used to build a home for this week's family on Extreme Makeover. The show will be aired on ABC this Sunday, Nov 11 at 7 PM.

The J.S. Hovnanian & Sons construction company used a MANITOU MRT from T.E.S., our dealer in New Jersey. The Marrero family's new 2,800 square foot home was to be built in 106 hours. Due to the level of support and teamwork, (and the MRT, of course!) the home was actually finished 10 hours early!

It is possible that you might get a glimpse of the MRT in action (or not) on the 1-hour show. It's a big red boom truck that rotates. I sure hope it appears, that's good, free advertisement!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Happy Birthday, Dear Sister!


Time to Get in the Christmas Spirit!


I just love Christmas! But it always sneaks up on me. This year I am going to make a bigger effort to do things each day to put me in the giving spirit. I'll try to post ideas on the blog as well so maybe others can share in the glorious celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus.


I'll start with one I received in an email:

A Great Idea!!!
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Follow-up:
Snopes.com claims that this is no longer true. Instead they suggest:
"We're proud that this holiday season, communities across America are invited to mail holiday greeting cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country through a unique partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. This solution will benefit service members at Walter Reed and will also benefit those recovering at other military hospitals. With the help of the U.S. Department of Defense, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Pitney Bowes, between now and December 27, members of the public can mail their holiday cards to:
We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419
Red Cross volunteers will sort the cards for appropriate content and repackage them for shipping. Our partner, Pitney Bowes, will ship the cards to Red Cross stations at the military hospitals."