Cousins...

We really have to get together with these guys more.  We live only 5 miles apart.  And they are so much fun. 

Stellar gifts...

There were lots of great Christmas gifts in our house this year, and I LOVED everything my sweet husband went on a treasure hunt to find for me, especially the CS Lewis books, the TOMS, and my gnome and hedgehog charms.  The new camera scares me, but in time I will love it and use it.  I promise.  It takes me an average of four months to adjust to a new electronic device.  I don't know why.

Mom gave us something totally unexpected and totally WONDERFUL:  a new trashcan.  Not just any trashcan--this one has an automatic lid.  Snazzy.  We took the old trashcan and made it our indoor recycling bin. They fit perfectly, side by side, at the end of the bar in the kitchen.  I love, love, love it.  Thanks, Mom!

Christmastide...

What stinks about Christmas is that we roll everything up into one big day.  Now, I love December 25 as much as the next mom, but what I REALLY love is December 26.  Why?  Because it is the first day we can relax and enjoy.

I probably wouldn't enjoy December 26 so much if I had to take down all the decorations by then.  I don't think I'd enjoy the whole week-between-Christmas-and-New-Year's time nearly as much if I hadn't been raised to extend the Christmas season all the way through Epiphany (January 6).  I can't remember a single time when we took the decorations down before January 6. Sometimes we didn't even take the down until Valentine's Day, but that's another blog post. :)

Whoever started the whole tradition that it's bad luck to go into the new year without taking down  Christmas decorations was just nuts.  Everyone knows:  a) there's no such thing as luck, and b) if there were, it all hinges on eating collard greens and black-eyed peas (the food, not the group) with a shiny dime under your dinner plate on New Year's Day. Not that we would ever do all those things in our family...

What was the point of this?  Oh yeah, Christmastide.  Back in the day when everything wasn't riding on December 25, there was a whole season of feasting and gift-giving.  You didn't have to get it all over with in a couple of days; you had twelve days of Christmas to see all the family and friends you wanted to see and find excuses not to see those you just couldn't tolerate.

December 25 was the first day of Christmas.  December 26, the second.  December 27, the third. December 28, the fourth.  December 29, the fifth (Yes, I am going to write all these out.  Then you'll have a handy guide each day to know what "day" you're on.) December 30, the sixth.  December 31, the seventh.  January 1, the eighth.  January 2, the ninth.  January 3, the tenth.  January 4, the eleventh. And January 5, the twelfth.  On January 5th, you'd be having a Twelfth Night feast.  And on January 6, you'd celebrate the Feast of Epiphany.

Since I wasn't around in previous centuries... other than the one immediately before this one, which had already switched to the December 25 system of celebrating... I don't know if you were allowed to have leftovers from the Twelfth Night feast at the Epiphany feast. It's not really an issue around here, as we have teenagers and no matter how much I cook, there's never enough food left over to make another meal for the entire family.

Jimmy's got Christmastide off from work this year.  Well, he's off until January 3, which is when we go back to school anyway.  We're going to attempt to maintain a festive atmosphere here through January 6. I'll let you know how that goes.

In the meantime, we'll have New Year's dinner (or our eighth night feast) at Gramma's.  We only need five more maids and eight cows to make it work.

Christmas with Ralph Waldo Emerson...

From the essay "Gifts"...


For common gifts, necessity makes pertinences and beauty every day, and one is glad when an imperative leaves him no option, since if the man at the door have no shoes, you have not to consider whether you could procure him a paint-box. And as it is always pleasing to see a man eat bread, or drink water, in the house or out of doors, so it is always a great satisfaction to supply these first wants. Necessity does everything well. In our condition of universal dependence, it seems heroic to let the petitioner be the judge of his necessity, and to give all that is asked, though at great inconvenience. If it be a fantastic desire, it is better to leave to others the office of punishing him. I can think of many parts I should prefer playing to that of the Furies. Next to things of necessity, the rule for a gift, which one of my friends prescribed, is, that we might convey to some person that which properly belonged to his character, and was easily associated with him in thought. But our tokens of compliment and love are for the most part barbarous. Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man’s biography is conveyed in his gift, and every man’s wealth is an index of his merit. But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy me something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a goldsmith’s.

I was a junior in high school when I first read this essay.  I loved it.  Still do. 

Seven inches of snow = snow cream without sticks and leaves...

Can you believe that I've never made snow cream before?  I had such great memories of my mom's and my Grandma B's snow cream that I didn't dare try.

But the local bigtime TV station tweeted a link to recipes, and I thought:  surely I can't screw it up THAT badly. So I made it, and it was awesome.

Here's the recipe I started with, and then I just kept adding more and more of each ingredient until I had enough snow cream for six. (Kelsey's BFF got snowed in with us.)

1  cup milk/cream
1/2  cup sugar
1  tsp vanilla extract
5-6 quarts of snow

So far we've built a snow bug, had a snowball fight, and made snow cream.  Time for a snow nap.

Snow in Southtown...

On the second day of Christmas... all is calm, all is white...

Jesus is the light of the world...

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

~Luke 2:15-20, The Message

And all through the house...

Leesville area lights worth stalking...

1. Abbey Lane and Sleepy Creek (Two houses; nothing else really compares.)

2. Wynalda Way and McBride Drive (The neighbors MUST be having a competition.)

3. Darling Street (Drive on Darling Street to the back of the neighborhood. It turns left.  Go there.)

4. Corner of Howard and New London (Inflatables)

5. Corner of Wood Valley and Caber Road (Inflatables)


Lights a little drive away:

Lake Myra lights

Meadow

Island of Lights 

Lights on the Neuse

Valley Creek Lights

Second Sunday in Advent: Thursday Edition...

For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

 

Isaiah 9:6

It doesn't have to be perfect.  It just has to be.  Jimmy traveled to corporate HQ on Sunday for a business meeting, so we had to find the perfect night when everyone was back home to light the second candle.  That night was tonight.  Still sweet to read God's Word together as we ponder the immensity of God sending His only Son.  Incarnation.  Amazing.  Grace.  Amazing Grace.

Snow lights...

It's a most wonderful time of the year...

Sunday evening we lit the first candle of the season. I love our family Advent devotions.  We talked about hope, and each of us shared some things we're hoping for.  Then we paused to thank Jesus for laying down heaven for a time to rescue us so that we can have genuine hope.  Amazing.

Wednesday we started our Advent calendar for daily family devotions.  This year we're using an Advent garland that Zack made in school.  I was still looking for the perfect Advent calendar over the weekend; I found one in the Advent box in the attic, but I had a feeling that it probably wasn't as gospel-centered as I'd hoped.  I even posted as one of my 10 things to do this season that I wanted to find a gospel-centered Advent calendar.  I figured I'd hit all the bookstores on Tuesday afternoon when I had some time.

And then... guess what?  (You know God is in the details, right?) Zack came home with a craft he had done in school: a green and red and white paper chain printed with Old Testament and New Testament verses that "demonstrate how the prophecies of old came true with Jesus' birth."

I love the directions that follow:  "You may want to allow your child to find and read the verses, being ready to offer assistance on how each verse fits into the traditional Christmas story.  May God bless your family's time together as you prepare for this season of Advent."

After devotions, Zack heads to bed and we sing 3, okay 4, Christmas songs.  Meanwhile downstairs, we hang out with Kelsey and Zane.  What a blessing, indeed!

The Christmas specials are coming! The Christmas specials are coming!

It's Christmas specials time on TV again, and that means they're dusting off the best of the best of the best, sir! (Know that line?)  So, we're dusting off our DVDs too and having some movie nights as we watch pop culture on family room screen.

(You can click on the DVD picture and it'll take you to the Amazon.com page, just in case you *gasp* might not have the DVD/blu-ray and want to order it.)

Our Family Favorites:   

#5 

Full of suspense and love and cuteness, this is the quintessential Christmas coming-of-age tale. And the song rocks. That sound Rudolph's nose makes when it lights up is one of the most aggravating sounds ever, though.

#4

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. As beautiful as it is to see his heart burst out of the x-ray box, I have to admit I watch the Grinch to see two things: Max the dog and Cindy Lou Who (who was no more than two) because Max reminds me of Pepper and Cindy Lou Who reminds me of Kelsey when she was little.

#3

Linus's speech. That is all. I watch this DVD multiple times each hear just to hear Linus tell the Christmas story.

#2

Heat Miser and Snow Miser. I hate the Mother Nature part, but the Heat Miser and Snow Miser songs are priceless.

#1

Who doesn't love a good Christmas back-story? The good guy raised by elves. The evil Burgermeister Meisterburger. "Put one foot in front of the other" ... yes, I know he's the Winter Warlock, but he's much more Gandolf-like that witchy. And the penguin... we have one almost exactly like him in our front yard each year. And the best part is when they talk about Christmas Eve being the holiest night of the year.


Love, love love the Christmas specials. What about you? What are your favorites?

Got any ideas?

We are looking for a Christmas event to attend this year as a family.  Traditionally, we buy tickets to a December UNC game and trek over to the ol' university to see the Heels play basketball.  But we didn't do that this year.  Granted, a Carolina basketball game isn't exactly a Christmas event, but we work in looking at the lights and spending a little time with the Carolina blue Santa. 

We looked into getting tickets to see the local theatrical production of A Christmas Carol, but they were very pricey, and the actor who has always played Scrooge had surgery recently, so his son is playing the lead role this year.  We hope the dad makes his return to the role next year, so we're going to wait and see.

So... what do you recommend for a family of five to do to make Christmas memories? Kid-friendly, fun, and cheap inexpensive are a plus. 

First Sunday in Advent? Tomorrow!

Well... this would be why I'm not coordinating the Celebrating Christmas blog anymore. Today is First Advent Sunday Eve, and I just got home from buying new Advent candles for our wreath.  Life happens differently each year.

Two years ago when we did Celebrating Christmas live, I was teaching one class at the Christian school where our kids go. Last year I worked full time and did well to remember my name and address on any given day. This year I'm part time and I can remember my name and address most days, but I realize that celebrating the coming of the King needs excellence. With nearly 50 short stories to read, exams to write and grade, and essays to teach, there's just no way that's going to happen.

So, if you're one of the people who said you'd be interested in writing for Celebrating Christmas, let me challenge you to post your thoughts on your own blog, and I will link to it, if I'm not already linked to it. :)

We'll have a cyber-Christmas party and encourage each other along the way.

During the holiday season (and don't get me started about the whole why-we-should-call-it-a-holiday-season thing... I did a post on it here two years ago), I hope that you will take a few minutes each day to treasure the One Who came to reconcile us to our Creator.  I pray He will be the center of your holiday season.  Goodness, I pray that He will be the center of MY holiday season.  I am so "prone to wander, Lord I feel it/ prone to leave the God I love."

With that in mind, here's my list of things I'm doing during this holiday season to focus on loving Jesus and loving others:

1. Keep reading through the One-Year Bible for my quiet time.
2. For family devotions each night, use an Advent calendar that focuses on the gospel message.
3. Sleep at least 6 hours a night so that I will be alert and engaged in # 1 & 2.
4. Work diligently during my planning time at school so that I can sleep 6 hours at night.
5. Have coffee with at least 3 friends between now and the end of Christmas break. 
6. Host one holiday fun event. Maybe even a caravan of Christmas lights tour and dessert fest... hmmm...
7. Update my iPod to include funky, deep, and Christmas worship playlists.
8. Exercise.
9. Get to know the neighbors better.
10. Family movie nights.  And LOTS of laughter.

By the way, if you are observing Advent this year and haven't settled on devotions yet, click here for a couple of Scripture lists you can use.  

So... what about you?  What do you hope to do this Christmas season?

Falalalalalalalala... 'Tis the season to hang holly...

Tomorrow is November 28:  the first Sunday in Advent 2010! Woo Hoo!!!  We spent yesterday decking the halls inside since it was a little rainy and wet outside.  My favorite "structural element" of the house to decorate is the banister.  It used to be the mantle, but like I said before, the house has a big ol' honkin' TV hanging above the mantle, and that big ol' honkin' TV gets close to flamin' hot sometimes, so we're a little twitchy about starting a house fire by stuffing dried pine boughs under it.  So, yeah, I *heart* my front entry decor.  It whispers "Christmas" to me in a classier way than the Santa gnome who lives on the front porch next to the front door. 

When we deck the banister, we start by hanging 2- 8' pine garlands, attached end-to-end and wrapped in 16' of berry garland.  We used two types of berry garlands:  one set of garlands has larger berries -- about the size of small crab apples -- and the other set of garlands has smaller berries that look like clusters of holly berries.  Some very old plastic adjustable ties secure the top, middle, and bottom of the garland.  Since no part of the garland wraps around the top surface of the rail itself, the kids can still propel themselves upstairs, holding on the both railings and leaping 3-4 steps at a time. 

Next come the bows.  It took me a couple of years to figure out that spending a little extra time labeling bows in the undecorating phase would make decorating the next year a TON easier.  The bows are made of nylon-netted wire ribbon, trimmed with gold beads.  They are the greatest bows in the world.  They don't get creases in storage.  I just toss them in the banister box and put it in the attic for the year.  When I take them out, I fluff the loops a little and straighten the streamers, but there's no remaking bows every year like I had to do with velvet ribbon.

Hey, look!  I misspelled banister.  :) I do it twice more. Now I know why my thesis adviser said that I misspelled so consistently that she began to doubt the correct spelling of several words.   :) :)

The bows are attached with wire at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom of the garland.

Then comes a ribbon wrap.

It runs in three sections so that it's easier to wind around the garland:  top to middle; middle to bottom; bottom wound around the main support posts. I tried using one long ribbon, but three shorter sections are MUCH easier to manage.

Next I wrap gold beading around the garland, in three sections again.

And then add in some poinsettias to give the garland more dimension.

 

And there we go.  The banister is done.  I love all the red and green greeting us as we come and go throughout the season.  

 

At the beginning of this post I mentioned that tomorrow is the first Sunday in Advent, so stay tuned later this evening for a special Advent post.  If you haven't gotten out your Advent wreath yet, do it today.   Ideas for wreaths are here and here and here. Or you could just google "Advent wreaths."  That works too.

It doesn't have to be fancy -- just five candles, four in a circle and one in the middle. Remember we're celebrating the fact that God became flesh to pay for our sin; it's really not about the snazzy decorating, although, in His infinite love and glory, He gives us beautiful things to point us back to Him.

How perfect is that?  I stand in awe.  Got to go... I feel a little worship moment coming on...