Postcard perfect: the Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in continuous service. It’s history began in 1819 when the US congress deemed the rocky coastline on Lake Erie far too dangerous for ships to navigate at night.

Five thousand dollars was set aside for the construction of a light tower located near the entrance to the Sandusky Bay at Bay Point, Ohio. After its construction, ships sailed safely through Lake Erie’s nor’easters and the small islands that dot the southernmost coast of the lake. We learned that the rocky coastline was formed when glaciers cut through this area.

Looking out over Lake Erie.

The light keeper’s house. I love the bows tied on the small tree outside the gate.

The sunset was so different here. It lit up everything around us. Now I realize it was the calm before the approaching storm—one that is still with us.

Finally, a set of sweet black shutters that were located on the storage shed behind the main house at the base of the Marblehead lighthouse.

Christmas this year was not about giving big gift or lots of anything. It was just about being together as a family. My brother’s family drove to the cottage to have dinner on Christmas Eve.

Later we sat and talked and Jay gave Dad a lesson on how to use some electronic gizmo.

A few days earlier, Miss J and her family dropped by for a pre-Christmas brunch.

Friends, family, white lights and fireplaces that warm the heart were an important part of Christmas at the cottage but more important than any of these is the reason we gather together at this time of the year and that is to worship the Savior and celebrate his coming to earth.

Earlier this week, I was driving through the mountains and saw this sweet Methodist church perched atop a hill overlooking a small town. I don’t know about you, but I’m drawn to churches at this time of the year and especially to ones that are older and have been well used. I love the thought of candles being lit at some point in the past at the altar and hymns having been sung from places deep within the heart.

What’s in a photo? Plenty! I can’t begin to tell you what I went through to get this one . . . and I don’t even like it! It is posed. I had to use a flash and absolutely no one—not one dog would sit still or listen. They were fighting like two-year old children. I tried everything and then I finally said, “Sit down or I’m telling Sandy!” Both dogs immediately dropped to the floor—one in a perfect sit and the other in “down.” Just like magic (C.S. Lewis) the training that was gained from Dog School 101 kicked in.

Merry Christmas! And thank you Sandy, Xalina, and Zandy!