I sit beside the fire and think
Of all that I have seen,
Of meadow-flowers and butterflies
In summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
In autumns that there were,
With morning mist and silver sun
And wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think
Of how the world will be
When winter comes without a spring
That I shall never see.

For still there are so many things
That I have never seen:
In every wood in every spring
There is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think
Of people long ago,
And people who will see a world
That I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think
Of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
And voices at the door.

– J. R. R. Tolkien

Walk in the light, and thine shall be,
A path, though thorny, bright!
For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,
And God, Himself, is light.

– From the hymn, Walk in the Light

I thought I’d share this photo I took–oh, over a year ago–in the good old summertime, when one could run around outside on a moonlit night (without so much as a jacket!), camera and tripod in tow…

With a “Happy Belated Valentine’s Day” to you all!

Favorite Jane Austen Novel:

Pride and Prejudice

Favorite Jane Austen Movie:

Pride and Prejudice, 1995 A&E version

Favorite Jane Austen Hero and Heroine:

Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey

[One of My] Favorite Jane Austen Quote[s]:

“Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined to be pleased.“

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…That would make her my, uh…

Why, my first cousin once removed, of course! This handy cousin-calculator chart makes it all so easy…

Glory in the highest, peace on earth!
Let your voices ring;
Sing about the blessed Savior’s birth–
He is Lord and King.
Bringing light and gladness, peace, good cheer,
To earth’s lonely dells;
Over all the land today we hear,
Merry Christmas bells!

- From the hymn, Listen to the Bells

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Not one, but two blog awards have been given to me by young women from whom I feel honored to receive them.

Emme, from Songs I Sing, presented me with this “Silver Linings” (i.e., “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”) award. Thank you, Emme! I enjoy your blog very much, indeed. It never fails to brighten my day.

The second award comes from Anna of Ever, Only, All for Thee. It’s a “Capture” award — for photography! Anna, thank you so much for your kindness! It is an honor to receive this award from you.

Now to pass on the award! I nominate:

Bethany Wissmann for the Silver Linings award,

and

my sister, Erica Berge, for the Capture award!