The gift of adventure...

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deeds. Proverbs 19:17

That's what giving is all about! And that's why we celebrate Christmas - because of His fantastic gift to us! And that's why reading is so very important...to read about HIS gift and to share that Gift.

Since 1994, the American Legion family has collected new and good used books to be given to area children at Christmas through the Share the Gift of Reading program. All donated books will be sorted and placed with gifts to be distributed through the Fill an Empty Stocking project. (More information on this tomorrow.)

Books are needed for children of all ages from 1 through 18. Please donate books that you know your own children or grandchildren would enjoy. These books should be new or in very good condition.

Drop boxes for books will be located in the Valentine Library lobby, Plains Trading Company Book Sellers, Valentine Elementary School, and on the porch at 427 N. Main Street. For more information call 402-376-2443. Deadline for all book donations is December 20.

We're so blessed to have two fantastic book stores in the Sandhills!

Plains Trading Book Sellers have books on a wide variety of topics: best sellers, kids books, art, cooking and books about the outdoors. There are also books from local authors who share their version of ranching Sandhill style! There are beautiful photo books that showcase the very best the Sandhills has to offer.

 Best sellers!

 Fun for ALL ages!

 Plains Trading Book Sellers even has books with blank or lined pages for people to sketch or write  down their own thoughts for book! What a beautiful fore edge!

The Ark Christian Books and Gift Store has books for all ages including Bibles that tell of Christ's birth.  There are Bibles for teens, cowboys, and military personnel. There are Bibles for brides, dads, moms, and for the busy woman, there is the Bible clutch! How about that?! There is a place for your cards - debit and credit - drivers license and check book with the Bible right inside- held together with a secure zipper.  Pretty clever!

 Share the gift of hope with Todd Burpo's story Heaven is for Real! 

Of course, the Reason for the Season...read His story and find out how it does become your story...

Cherry Blossom Paperie is a place to make your own books by way of memories and photos in scrapbooks. How about putting your Christmas memories together for future generations to enjoy...you can begin over the Christmas break and families could work on it  t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r!

 Cherry Blossom Paperie also has  a little gift for someone special because friends are the best presents!

Radio Shack has a Nook Color and Kindle for people who prefer to download their reading material. Actually these devices can hold more than one book - they can hold a mini-library! Ta-da! They can also download newspapers and magazines by subscription. Notice the sale prices on these up in the corner of the flyer!

The Ad Council says reading is fundamental...but it's also just plain fun...adventurous...educational...informative...enlightening...and in some cases...life changing!

Shiny gifts from the heart....

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 

Do you have someone on your list that likes things that shine? That are sparkley? All things related to Christmas? 

There is plenty of those wonderful gifts to find here in the Sandhills... in the City with Heart! There are things for men and women on your list as well as the little ones. Let’s see some of the shiny!!!!

The glory of the Lord can be found at The Ark Christian Books and Gifts where they have many different crèche's.  They also have Christian Advent Calendars that sparkle with shiny glitter! 

Ornaments are shiny! Flower Land has ornaments in silver and gold, red and white, and fun shapes and sizes that would make beautiful stocking stuffers for newly wedded couples, or added to Christmas gifts under the tree. 

How about something shiny for the Christmas table? Janine's Emporium has something that will have you thinking all day long about what you're thankful for as well as sparkley serving pitchers and serving trays. Gift them to yourself for a festive Christmas table, or wrap them up and give as a gift. 

There's shiny for the guys as well....but for that we'll have to head to Bomgaars! How about some shiny grilling tools! Or a very, very shiny tool box?!

Alco also has a shiny something that would be good for the entire family...

Hoping this is helpful in finding a great gift from the heart!

Give the gift of FASHION!

We’re down to 19 days left till Christmas....the season of gift giving! We give gifts at Christmas because our Savior was born and He is the ultimate gift and ultimate gift giver because He gives those who have a relationship with Him eternal life! Nothing compares with that my friend - nothing!

So we are to use His teachings as an example and give gifts which can be found here in the City with Heart! Previously there were gifts for the crafty people. What if you’re not a crafty individual and wouldn’t know a crochet hook from a hook and eye? 

Give them fashion!!! Warmth, style, coziness! If you’re scared, worried, or just plain not in the know about sizes, there are always gift certificates! 

For her, there is Fashion’s, a ladies shop that has coats, shoes, boots, along with jeans, and the most scrumptious sweaters! Ever heard of Glittens? Talk about warmth, they’re a hand warmer that is part gloves and part mitten - Glittens! Made of the softest, most supple leather. Shoes from Clarks and Privo! can be a gift of comfort and warmth. 

Believe me...you can’t go wrong with a gift of Valentine Badgers, Cody-Kilgore Cowboys, or the Huskers! When you stop at Outback Screenprint and Embroidery, you can even special order sportswear in the size and color of your choice...perfect for Christmas gifts!

Further down Main Street is Copacetic that has styles for the whole family from  pjs and robes, to fashionable Christmas dinner outfits for her and the kids. Shop Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Continuing down the street is Young’s Western Wearhouse for the cowgirl and cowboy on your Christmas list. Comprising more than half a city block, if you can’t find something there - then it doesn’t exist or they really don’t need it! Boots, shoes, jewelry, purses, jeans, jeans, and more jeans, cowboy hats, and belts. To simplify your shopping here, you could go to their Web site and get a few ideas:www.discountwesternwear.com.

Bomgaars has stuff not only for the cowgirl and cowboy, how about for the cows and horses as well! On those freezing mornings when he has to check the windmills, how about a new pair of extra warm coveralls under the tree? Muck boots? And what cowboy wouldn’t be happy with a whole pile of new, unstained, fingertips intact work gloves? Your cowboy!!! Cows and horses need TLC too - how about some new tack or mineral block - just don’t let them eat the bow!

Alco is a family friendly store who has something for everyone! 

Stop by any of these Heart City businesses and you may be able to be done with some of the names on your gift giving list!

More gift giving ideas...

Gift giving is a process. Jesus is the ultimate gift, but He has given each of us gifts. How we use those gifts is our gift to Him. Using our funds wisely and helping others is a wonderful gift He would appreciate. 

Volunteer to ring the bell or make sure to drop something in the Salvation Army's Red Kettle located in front of Alco. 

Now for the gift certificates - remember just about every business in the Heart City has gift certificates. If you’re still stymied, then how about a gift certificate to any one of a number of hair dressers in town? Men and women need their hair cut, so do little ones. Some have tanning booths - so give the gift of summer sun!

Maybe grandma and grandpa have EVERYTHING under the summer sun...but they’re still going to need weekly groceries! Henderson’s IGA has gift cards for that, so does Scotty’s Ranchland Foods. 

 Henderson's has freshly made fruit baskets to take to any Christmas Party and here Chris gives them a thumbs up! Lookin' great Chris!

 Christmas cookies anyone? Wouldn't it be great to get all these sprinkles on hand to make cookies on a snowy, wintery, weekend!

 Dressed for Christmas, Scotty's is full of great Christmas goodies including the beef!

What about the gift of r-e-l-a-x-a-t-i-o-n? Who wouldn’t want to be the recipient of that during the holidays? A massage by Olga Anderson, Gail Fitch, or ortho bionomy by Jan Smith would be a wonderful stress reliever - especially since they have gift certificates to fit in with the recipients’ busy schedule. (Why not pick up one for yourself while you’re there? It will make you nicer too.)

A gift certificate for a night out would be appreciated by frazzled moms and dads with kids! Give a certificate for a great meal at Jordan’s, Cedar Canyon, or the Peppermill.

Pick up some certificates for a date with grandkids or nieces and nephews at the Jewell II Theatre. Maybe they’d like some certificates for a quick dinner before the movie at Subway and McDonalds!

There’s something nice about a gift certificates - they're a gift can keep on giving! 

Christmas shopping in the Sandhills!!!

We all know the reason for the Christmas season - Christ! He came and shared a gift so precious with us; eternal life for those who have a relationship with Him. Naturally, we are to follow Christ and use His teachings as an an example; which is why we give gifts at Christmas time. 

Valentine is a blessed community in that we have just about everything anyone could ever want...right here! If it's not here, then by golly, our merchants would be more than happy to help order in the item you or your loved ones can't live without. 

Here's some fabulous gift ideas that can be found right here in Valentine!

For the crafty folks there is the Quilting Cupboard. A cornucopia of quilting fabrics, books, patterns, kits and notions. Why not teach someone you love how to quilt! What a great way to share the gift of yourself by teaching someone the hobby you enjoy.

There's also the Accu-Go that will quickly cut fabrics for more quilt making!!!

 Country Fabrics and Crafts has all sorts of fabric, felt, glitter, beads, yarn, and patterns. Package those items up along with some of your time and you'll have a gifts that will give on into the future and hopefully will come back to you one day!

 Wouldn't it be great to teach a sister, mother, friend, niece, or loved one how to knit or crochet with a gift from Country Fabrics and Crafts?

Crafting doesn’t have to be just with soft goods - oh no my friends - there are wonderful crafting items to be found at the hardware stores!!!! How many wives would love to have a new front door? Bookshelves? A bigger closet? Maybe their kitchen or living room painted? 

Hometown Lumber has new cabinets, wood, and paint to put a sparkle on your gift. 

Hometown Lumber also has some unique wall coverings whether it be in the way of tongue and groove bead board or these wonderful cultured stones! These could become a fireplace surround; and what could be cozier on Christmas morning than a crackling fire, warm cocoa and opening gifts!

Stop by Ohlmann’s Building Center or check out their new Web site at: www.ohlmannbuildingcenter.com. Pick out your dream kitchen...who knows what Santa may be able to pack in his sleigh!

If a dream kitchen is way too much, then why not consider a shiny new backsplash from OBC?

True Value has not only the tools you’d need to create a dream kitchen, but the shiny pots and pans to go in it!

The best part of gift giving from the Heart City is the helpful folks behind the counters. They, in most cases, know the recipient and can further help you choose something that will be cherished by them for a lifetime. 

Valentine has fabulous stores and help to get you on your way to creating! 

Start your craft items now...there’s only 17 days left till Christmas! 

Tune in tomorrow to see what else you can find for gift giving!!

Jewels re-fueling for a long trip....

What are the chances of seeing this many butterflies in October in the Sandhills? It sure was a blessing!

The majority of the butterflies preferred the purple asters over the pink ones, but I wondered if it weren't because the purple ones were in the sunshine. Here is a monarch enjoying the sweet nectar before its long journey to Mexico.

These are swallowtail caterpillars eating curly parsley. There weren't any swallowtail butterflies around, however. Hopefully, we'll see these beauties next spring when they go through metamorphosis from a pupae to an  elegant butterfly. They're the black ones that have some blue checkerboards at the edges of their wings. 

This is a good example of a checkerboard around the outside of their wings. This butterfly reminds me of a blond brownie, with chocolate chips on it? Its name is Euptoieta claudia, Variegated Fritillary checker. 

If you live in the midwest, you've probably seen these from the time you were a little kid; sipping from flower top to flower top. This is called a clouded sulphur butterfly. If you look real close, you can see that this specimen has not just green eyes, but LIME green eyes. Contrasts nicely with the deep purple!

Here's another caterpillar munching away on the tasty, feathery, asters. It is a Northern Pine Sphinx - Lapara bombycoides. Bet you were thinking that very specie! 

Here we have a Grey Hairstreak and Clouded Sulphur. The Grey Hairstreak is really a small little butterfly, only about the size of an adult thumb nail. Perhaps a tad bigger. 

This Pink-spotted Hawk Moth, Agrius cingulata, is something I've only seen in the dusk of the evening enjoying Angel Trumpet flowers. I've heard them called Humming Bird Moths before due to the rapid beat of their wings. This photo was taken about 4:30 p.m. and it's eating from Impatients.

What an amazing afternoon spent with our beautiful, flying, jewels! These were identified using the following Web sites: 

http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?guide=Butterflies

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org

The leaves are turning... the air is crisp and there's so much to do in the Sandhills! Make sure you book a trip!!!

 It will allow you to re-fuel for the winter ahead.