That time of year

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love the reason for the season. I love the smells, the sounds, the decorations. I especially love the memories. 

I finished decorating this week.

Also this week -- the first measurable snowfall of the season (and there is more on the way!):

 

And look -- I already got a Christmas present!

1st Day of Christmas

Mystery!

I'm just realizing I should probably put away my Christmas decorations. That will be a project for this weekend.

When I do I won't have to solve another Case of the Wandering Wiseman:



I'm thinking it has something to do with this one:

Wrappin'

I am finishing up my Christmas gifts tonight. Have everything purchased or made and just have the wrapping left.

Then tomorrow . . . out to the farm!

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(19) But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. (20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:19-20)

A little Christmas spirit . . .

I have been working away on my Christmas gifts today. I am starting to get into the swing of things.

I have baking today too. That almost always puts me into a good mood!

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(4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, (5) in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. (Luke 2:4-5)

5 of my favorite Christmas decorations

1. Mini Christmas Tree: I (the brother & the sister got one too!) got this for Christmas one year way back when I was in Jr. High so we could decorate our rooms for Christmas.

It is only a little worse for wear.


2. This is a jingle bell wreath currently being used as a candle ring. I made this one year -- I can't remember where I got the idea from. Most of the bell I bought at craft supply store with a few others thrown in. Most of the "others" are from Mom's collection of stuff!


3. This is only the second Christmas I have displayed this nativity -- because it is the 2nd Christmas I have had it. Grammy gave it to me when they moved from their house to the Good Sam condo. I really love it. (Grampy made the stable piece.)


4. This is from my Grandma. My mom has a set like this too. I love this nativity because it reminds me of my childhood . . .

All the pieces are set in white sand so they can be arranged and rearranged. It is really great for kids -- a hands-on Christmas story.


5. This set of four figurines is from Grandma too. All the angels hold a different item (gift, bells, etc.). A little slice of the 60s.

These are not all my favorite Christmas decorations by any means. I didn't get my tree decorations out this year because I didn't put a Christmas tree up this year -- time just got away from me.

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But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. (Micah 5:2)

Slightly overwhelmed

December is flying by -- there is so much going on I am feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Right now I am looking forward to Friday -- I have the day off and I am hoping to catch up on everything that need to be ready before Christmas.

My goal this week is to take a step back from all the busyness and remember why I love CHRISTmas.

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(30) The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. (31) "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. (32) "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; (33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." (Luke 1:20-33)

On the first day of Christmas . . .

Okay so it isn't Christmas quite yet. I can hardly believe it is the 1st of December.

It certainly looks like Christmas outside. And it feels like Christmas with all the decoration popping up everywhere, practicing for Christmas programs and Christmas carols on the radio.

I just finished cleaning the living room so I can start decorating for Christmas. Yea! My favorite holiday!

I have a busy week though. I have to get all the things done on my list early because on Friday I am going to the Cities. A couple friends and I are going to the Mall of America on Saturday. Christmas shopping (or window shopping -- whatever)!

If I start to sound slightly insane by the end of the week simply ignore it -- I am under a lot of pressure here! :-)

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1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (John1:1-2)

Procrastination

I don't know why I procrastinate. I rarely does me any good. Just puts off the inevitable.

Which, I guess, is the point.

I am currently putting off taking down my Christmas decorations. I really can only do this until Saturday when they have the curbside tree pick up.

My poor tree.

Maybe I'll wait until tomorrow. :-)

5 things I got for Christmas

1. To spend time with my family.
2. To celebrate the birth of my Savior in a wonderful Christmas Eve service.
3. To eat lots of delicious food.
4. Almost everything (which was enough) on my Amazon.com wishlist -- which included many books!
5. Two pairs of the most comfortable dress pants ever!

Christmas Program

Last Sunday we were supposed to have our Christmas Program during the morning service and then during the evening service we were going to have a shortened program and the family Christmas celebration. However, because of the 8 inches of snow, we had one service on Christmas Eve.

I apologize in advance for the poor photo quality. I was nervous (in charge of the children's program) and it is really hard to take pictures in that lighting. heehee

Narrators and Choir

Children in the Nativity

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever should believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

Deliciousness

So I tried the cinnamon rolls -- I made them for my family to have this weekend and on Chrismas.
So yummy!

Here is the link to the recipe, if you want to try them yourselves. (The Pioneer Woman is going to be getting a printable recipe eventually -- in the meantime the directions are great! Complete with photos!)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas light tour

I wanted to show some of the Christmas light in my neighborhood . . . sorry about the picture quality, I used the camera on my phone.

This is the house around the corner and two doors down. Just look at the enthusiasm.


And the pretty house next door to the one above.


Another enthusiastic decorator a block over.

And my neighbors.

And me! :-)

5 things . . .

5 of my favorite Christmas songs:

1. O Come, All Ye Faithful
2. Silent Night, Holy Night
3. Away in a Manger
4. O Holy Night
5. The Little Drummer Boy

And a little bonus:

Holiday baking

I'm gearing up for a bake fest on Saturday. A holiday bake-fest that is.

After the Christmas program practice on Saturday morning I am planning on taking the rest of the day to do some baking. Cinnamon rolls, peppermint bark, fudge, and some cookies!

Mmmmm . . . I can't wait!

5 things I'm looking forward to this Christmas

1. The brother and the sister being here from FL and NY
2. Family Christmas celebration at church
3. Holiday dinner with friend
4. Mom's cooking
5. The celebration of the birth of our Savior

Bad kitty

This was Cleo's first act after I had finished putting up my nativity scene:

She makes me smile!

Back in the swing of things

So I had a great Thanksgiving holiday. The sister was here from NY -- she is back in NY, left this morning. We had a good time. And it is only three weeks until she will be home again--and the brother too!

I am getting back into the Christmas season--after the Thanksgiving break. (In fact, I am listening to Christmas music as I post this!) I put away my fall decorations, sad as they were:


And started putting up my Christmas decorations. All of my nativity scenes (one from my Gramma, one from my Grammy and one I got for Christmas one year from my mom!)

And, I got my Christmas tree and put it up with lights.

BEFORE: It's even beautiful without any decorations!

AFTER: ::Sigh:: Pretty.

Tomorrow, I will be putting up my outdoor lights (hopefully) and decorating my tree. In the mean time I will have to walk around the boxes of decorations! Such trials! :-)

Christmas shopping

Tomorrow I am going shopping with my mom and the sister (who is visiting from NY). That will be fun in and of itself -- being with my mom and sis.

But . . .

I'm going to finish my Christmas shopping! Shh . . . don't tell anyone. I just have a couple things left to get and then I'm done! Yeah!

Course, then comes the wrapping, and shipping, and transporting, and organizing. ::Sigh:: It kinda tires me out just talking about it.

But . . . I'M GONNA BE DONE WITH MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! :-D