The New Year

365. Yes, today is the last day of the year and as it comes to a close it is amazing to think I have been blogging continually this past year........and more really!  Crazy!!

I'm excited for the New Year of blogging.  This year is going to go a bit different.  Instead of monthly theme there will be a daily theme.  This will keep me on my toes.  I made it through one year of daily blogging.  Here's to the next........

Scripture Search Sunday

Many Memories Monday

Tasting Terrific Tuesday

Wonderful Words Wednesday

Full of Thanks Thursday

My Favorites on Friday

Super Snapshots Saturday

Love my new look.............thanks D1 and D2!!

2012 here we go!!

The 2011 List

This is my word list for 2011.  Each day back in January I blogged about these one words.  Wonder how I did with it?  Me too.  Before I go back and look at these January words let's see what I'm thinking about them now.  So here we go:

• Commitment:  Blogged every day in 2011; I would say that was commitment (the commitment was to work on all these words)
• Reverence: I've definitely pondered more (I think I did ok)
• 365: See "Commitment" (to blog everyday....I did it!)
• Quotes:  Need to improve  (didn't do so good)
• Train: Took one from SLC to Oakland......it was an experience! (Did it!)
• Reading:  I did more reading in 2011 (More to read in 2012)
• Motto:  Not sure (Forgot it, oops!)
• Move:  I never do enough of that  (need to improve in 2012)
• Naps:  Didn't take enough (Maybe next year I will find time for a few more)
• Cookin': Fell in love with my pressure cooker (It absolutely saw some cookin' time)
• Thank You's:  Improving (can never say thank you enough)
• Learning: Never stopped (using a pressure cooker was something I learned to do)
• Laughter:  Always (No problem with this one!)
• Seed: Ah, not sure where I was going with this (Let go of old habits and step out of my comfort zone and grow into something better...need work)
• Posture: I'm more conscience of it! (Must continue to stand tall)
• Memorize:  Improvement needed (Will try harder next year)
• Intermission: Not a clue (I was reviewing my list….of course I was!)
• Hard Things: I'm Primary President........(that's hard isn't it?)
• Time:  Still wish I had more in a day (I know we all have 24 in a day; I just want more)
• No Offense:  None taken (I feel good about this one, because none will be taken)
• Timeout:  Didn't take enough (It’s that time problem I have)
• Elephants:  See "Hard Things" (Believe me it is one bite at a time, there is no other way)
• Sleep: Doing a lot more in the car......(does that count??)
• Interruptions and Distractions: I’ll always have them (can’t get away from them)
• Birthdays:  Remember them (Getting better at it)
• Focus:  Some days did better than others (That was my word…not sure how focused I stayed)
• New State:  Didn't make it to one this year but will try again next year! (I really want to do this!)
• Sewing:  Created Mrs. Claus (That was a good thing)
• Simplify: Still trying (Need to do more than try!)
• Camera Ready:  Started good; ended slow, really slow! (Not even in my purse anymore)
• New Beginnings:  See Sewing!  (New Beginnings wasn't just about sewing; it was about everything)

One Word

As the month comes to a close the one word that continues to shout out at me is blessed.  The blessings of this Christmas season have been abundant; as have the blessings of this year.

My Blessings:

Mr. Man

Family
Friends

"My Girls"
Church
Work
Health
Home
Travel
Camping

The Movies

Every year at Christmas time there is always a movie or two that is considered a must see.  This year was no different.  The movie that caught my eye this year was War Horse.  It was the “horse” part in the title that told me it was a must see.  Somehow I overlooked the “war” part.  I’m not much on war, violence or cruelty or things of that nature.  At one point well into the movie I looked over at Mr. Man and said, “I shouldn’t be here.”  He replied, “Why?”  After shaking my head in wonderment of his lack of knowledge I recalled a conversation earlier in the movie when the wife said to her husband, “I might hate you more, but I’ll never love you less!”  Perfect!  That was exactly how I was feeling!!!

Bumper Sticker

I've seen this bumper sticker seems like almost daily in the past week.  Maybe it has been showing up for a reason.  Maybe it was just something I needed to see.  One would think living with all the dogs I do, I would know this.  But I guess I needed a bumper sticker to wake me up to it!  As this year of 2011 draws to a close and I look to 2012, I think I'm going to work on doing this more!

It's a Wonderful Life!

So here we are, it’s the day after “the day!”  And what a wonderful day it was.  One of the best parts of Christmas this year for me was that it fell on Sunday. Sunday the day we attend church.  This Sunday we celebrated the real reason for the season; the birth of Jesus Christ; the One who gave His life for ours.  

Perfect!

Searching the Scriptures

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

~~Luke 2:15-20

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

~~Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863)

Milk

I’ve always had this thing with the expiration date on milk.  It is like my benchmark for how much time I have until an event takes place.   Events like Christmas, New Year's, Birthdays and things like that!  When I see that expiration date I know that time is drawing near.  And so last night when Mr. Man brought home a new gallon of milk with January 1^st on it, it was then that it hit me that I was just eight days away from completing my goal of writing everyday in this year of 2011.  

Milk it does a body good!

Meet the Claus'

Checking to see who has been

naughty or nice!!

The Tree

Many of my Christmas memories have been jogged by D2.  She recently wrote about our "wall tree."  I love that she thinks I'm a genius but I know she too would have done the same thing had she been me; it has been said that she is me after all!  It is true that this special tree does make an appearance every year whether we have a traditional tree or not and it will continue to do so for as long as I live.  That tree holds lots of memories.  It has been 24 years since it first made its appearance.  And oddly enough I love it more now than I did when I first made it!

Smooth Sailing

We interrupt this smooth sailing month for a weekend get away to New Mexico.  What a wonderful opportunity it was to spend the past weekend with seven of the grans and their parents.  What a blessing it was for Mr. Man to be able to ordain S1 to the office of High Priest; as he has been called to serve in the Bishopric.  The blessings of this Christmas Season continue to grow!

It's Beginning

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  You know the feeling.  All the purchases are made or at least you have declared a truce with yourself and said no more shopping!  Wrapping is done! YES!! All the baking is done again another truce has been declared; I will not sift another cup of flour until the New Year!!  It is that feeling you get when excitement fills the air and at last you can't wait until the day morning finally arrives and you can just sit back and savor the moment.  I'm at that point (well almost) and it feels so good!!  I'm on the countdown...........I can hardly wait!!

Searching the Scriptures

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

~~Luke 2:12-14

Traditions

There are so many great parts to Christmas for me.  But one part I love is the tradition part.  Over the years traditions have been started and some have sadly ended.  But always with the end of one another has been born.  This little tradition started; well not sure exactly when.  But definitely after we became "empty nesters" and for obvious reasons.

Perfect, would you say!?!

Candyland

It was candy that my mother made so lovely each year to share with all those who came her way.  Over the years she perfected the art of candy making. She made it seem so easy. Her boxes of candy looked so professional.  And the tastes were amazing.  Carmel that was so buttery and smooth. Carmel Nougat so chewy but soft at the same time.  She made Turtles, English Toffee and Truffles to name a few.  Her candy making brought us together.  Cracking walnuts although not the most exciting activity, she challenged us to crack it perfectly so she would have a perfect half for her turtles.  When a challenge is involved it is a whole new ball game in our family.  Then there was cutting endless amounts of tiny little plastic wrap squares for her Carmel Nougat.  It was a tricky endeavor but the outcome was always worth it.  I have some of her candy making supplies.  I’ve made some of her candy.  Maybe next year I will try my hand at it again.

Cookie Party

What is Christmas without a cookie party?  I like an adventure so I tried something new.  And I must say these turned out better than perfect for me.  They look great, are super easy to make (the chocolate dipping is a little tricky especially when done at midnight) but most importantly they taste wonderful!

Chocolate Covered Snow Peaks

by Tyler Florence

Ingredients

·         4 large egg whites at room temperature

·         1 teaspoon cream of tartar

·         1 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar

·         1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

·         1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites on low-medium speed with the whisk attachment until the whites become foamy. Add the cream of tartar and turn speed up to medium, beating until just fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, so it incorporates into the whites slowly without collapsing them. Once all the sugar has been added, add the vanilla and increase the speed to high, whisking until the meringue is firm and glossy, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Place meringue mixture into a piping bag with a medium-sized nozzle attached. Pipe 24 bite-sized "kiss"-shaped meringues onto the trays and place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour undisturbed then turn off heat and leave in the oven overnight to really dry out.

Melt chocolate over a double-boiler or in the microwave on medium power for 30 seconds. Holding each meringue by the peak dip the bases in chocolate so the bottom half of the meringue is coated. Let any excess chocolate drop off before placing on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Allow to set at room temperature - do not put in the fridge. Once set, store in an airtight container.

Just before I popped them into the oven!

The finished product!
Those tips are hard to keep from breaking

Turkey

Sure now that Thanksgiving is over look who 

has decided to make an appearance!!

Don't kid yourself,

we are happy to eat you for Christmas too!

Lights Camera Action

Gone are the days of attending school Christmas programs; being that our last child has been out of high school now for 10 years.  (That makes me crazy to say that.)  But today we will have the extraordinary opportunity to attend a special one-night only performance of "Annie Jr."  Starring none other than my extraordinarily talented niece as Annie!  Her sidekick, Sandy is played by Birdie!  It will be grand fun.

Here is the write up from the local paper:

'For elementary students, producing a play can be a great learning experience.

For the students at Riverbend Elementary School in Yuba City, performing "Annie Jr." isn't just a learning experience in acting, directing, lighting and staging. It also a chance to learn about the Great Depression.

They will perform "Annie Jr." on Tuesday.

"I let the kids decide on what play to perform," said director Michele Wright. "They had seen a couple of movies about the Depression era, and were really looking at history. They also wanted to do a musical, so 'Annie Jr.' was perfect."

"Annie Jr." is largely the same play as "Annie," albeit shorter and with some of the darker elements of the story toned down for younger performers. But it still includes the classic songs "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard Knock Life" and "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here," among others.

"Annie Jr." is the story of an 11-year-old orphan named Annie, played by Madelynn Heath. The year is 1933 and she lives in an orphanage run by Miss Hannigan.

Annie escapes the orphanage to go searching for her parents, but Lt. Ward, a policeman, catches her and returns her to the orphanage.

As she returns, Grace, assistant to billionaire Oliver Warbucks, is at the orphanage to take one orphan to live with her boss for the Christmas holiday. Because Annie is in Miss Hannigan's office, Grace takes her to live with Warbucks.

When she arrives at his mansion, she and Warbucks hit it off and they begin to search for Annie's real parents.

"Annie is an orphan looking for a better world," Wright said. "(She and Warbucks) find their way together.

"These are seventh- and eighth-graders who are perfoming this play," Wright said. "We have 30 kids, and everyone has a spot in the cast. They're training for lights, sound, the curtain — everything. (The play) is almost entirely student-ran, I'm just there keeping things on track."

Tuesday's performance won't be the only performance — the cast will also stage the play just for their schoolmates during the week.

"These kids are 12 and 13 and are singing and dancing on stage — that's pretty remarkable," Wright said.'

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/annie-112166-play-warbucks.html#ixzz1gL6pHwCx


My Review:  The play was fantastic.  Mr. Man and I were both blown away, the kids were great.  And Annie wow!  She made me cry!   What a voice.  And Birdie.........a star is born!!  When she came on stage the whole audience let out an audible......ohhh!  She was the perfect Sandy!

Songs of Christmas

I love the music of Christmas.  This year being that I'm serving in Primary I've found a new favorite.  This is the reason for the season after all.

The Nativity Song

This is the season beloved of the year.

Sing a rhyme; Christmas time soon will be here.

Tell the true story of Jesus’ birth,

When, as a baby, he came to the earth.

This is the new star, shining so bright,

Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.

This is the angel proclaiming the birth,

Singing “Hosanna!” and “Peace on the earth!”

This is the stable, shelter so bare;

Cattle and oxen first welcome him there.

This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed,

Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.

These are the shepherds, humble and mild,

Hast’ning to worship the heavenly child.

These are the wise men who followed the star,

Frankincense, gold, and myrrh brought from afar.

See the sweet mother, Mary so fair,

Joseph, who guided the donkey with care.

See the dear baby of Bethlehem,

Little Lord Jesus, the Savior of men.

Searching the Scriptures

“And there was in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them…and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

~~Luke 2:8-11

Necessity

In my plans for this 31 Days of Christmas, I knew I would write about the necessity of creative trickery when it came to attempting to keep an element of surprise in Christmas.  After all what kid doesn't want to know what they are getting before they get it??  And sometimes it is impossible to keep things hidden.  Although I liked to think my children wouldn't be looking, I knew they did.  I even had an un-wrapper who would then re-wrap.  She was good that way.  So I had to take drastic measures and thus creative trickery was born.  It was the only way.  You can read about it here.  I did love that little tradition.  But as the years went by it became harder and harder to think up a new twist.  One year I had a friend do Japanese characters for me; that was confusing for all of us.  The year I just mixed up the names was priceless.  To make it interesting I included Mr. Man in the mix of mixed up names.  On Christmas morning when the gifts were divided up, there sat Son Number 2 with just 2 or 3 little gifts, yet his father looked like he hit pay dirt!  "Wow, Dad Santa was good to you!"  Of course I then announced that each person's little pile was actually not theirs!  

Necessity is after all the Mother of Invention!

Christmas Food

Christmas Food.  Food at Christmas.  Either way you say it Food and Christmas go hand in hand in my world.  About 28 years ago, with the help of my mom and Mr. Man we prepared Chicken Cordon Bleu for a Christmas dinner at church.  It was a labor of love, all 150 individually pounded out pieces of chicken breast which was then rolled around ham and Swiss Cheese.  That was a lot of chicken!  I don't know why I always gravitate toward this dish each Christmas but it seems like one way or other it is in the meal planning at some point in my December.  And this year it shall be no different!!

The Toy

There was this one toy I remember getting when I was a child and it was called a Vac-U-Form.  It was this crazy thing that made little plastic toys; well sort of.  You would take a piece of plastic and clamp it into the holder and then heat it over this metal warming plate.  When the plastic got soft, the holder was swung over to the other side, over a mold of the object to be formed.  Then pressing a handle on the side of the little machine a vacuum was created, sucking the plastic down over the mold and shaping it to it.  Then once cool you had a funny little toy.  I don't remember what I created but I do remember the smell of that softened plastic.  I loved that toy.  Well, I saw it the other day in Costco; the place that has everything.  I think it is so funny that it is making a come back; why would anyone beside me want to buy it?!? And I did want so much to buy it. Mr. Man frowned upon said purchase!  So I didn't buy it.  But I wanted to!!

7:00 A.M.

I was never much for getting up early in my younger years.  In fact in my perfect world I would prefer to sleep in beyond 7:00 a.m. if I could.  But when it came to Christmas, there was just no sleeping in or sleeping at all for that matter.  I can vividly recall looking at the clock every hour on the hour until the clock finally reached 7:00 a.m.  For in our house growing up 7:00 a.m. was the magic hour.  It was the time we could go wake up Mom and Dad and not a minute before.  I remember sitting outside their bedroom door.  Much like the Mervyn's commercial, thinking open, open, open!  Now your are probably thinking, "why didn't you just go out without your parents?"  I admit I do recall a time or two that I would go catch a quick glimpse but mostly I just remember waiting and waiting and waiting, mostly for my Dad.  He liked to torture us by taking his sweet time.  It was like really Dad can't you shower after we see what Santa left us!?!  Couldn't you get up earlier and take that shower??  I know the thrill for him was seeing us squirm with anticipation.  Those funny Christmas memories.  I. Love. Them.

Side Note:  Yes this post is on the 7th at 7:00 a.m. not the usually 6:00 a.m. because after all it is a post about 7:00 a.m.!!

Pattern of Love

Pattern of Love

by Jack Smith

I didn't question Timmy,k age nine, or his seven year-old brother Bill about the brown wrapping paper they passed back and forth between them as we visited each store.  Every year at Christmas time, our Service club takes the children from poor families in our town on a personally conducted shopping tour.  I was assigned Timmy and Billy, whose father was out of work.  After giving them the allotted $4.00 each, we began our trip.  At different stores I made suggestions, but always their answer was a solemn shake of the head, no.  Finally I asked, "Where would you suggest we look?"  "Could we go to a shoe store, Sir?" answered Timmy.  "we'd like a pair of shoes for our Daddy so he can go to work."  In the shoe store the clerk asked what the boys wanted.  Out came the brown paper.  "We want a pair of work shoes to fit this foot," they said.  Bill explained that it was a pattern of their Daddy's foot.  They had drawn it while he was asleep in a chair.  The clerk held the paper against a measuring stick, then walked away.  Soon he came with an open box.  "Will these do?" he asked.  Timmy and Billy handled the shoes with great eagerness.  "How much do they cost?" said Billy.  Then Timmy saw the price on the box.  "They're $16.95," he said in dismay.  "We only have $8.00."  I looked at the clerk and he cleared his throat.  "That's the regular price," he said, "but they're on sale; $3.98, today only."  Then with shoes happily in hand the boys bought gifts for their mother and two little sisters.  Not once did they think of themselves.  The day after Christmas the boy's father stopped me on the street.  The new shoes were on his feet, gratitude was in his eyes.  "I just thank Jesus for people who care," he said.  "And I thank Jesus for your two sons," I replied.  "They taught me more about Christmas in one evening than I had learned in a lifetime."

When I read this story I'm touched by the giving nature of children. Love their true example of Christ like giving. 

Hallmark Movies

For me the month of December means Hallmark Christmas movies.  I just love them.  Last Friday we went with friends to Kelseyville for the annual "Kelseyville Christmas in the Country and Light Parade."   It was a grand evening, as we strolled down main street I commented to my friend, "I feel like I am in a Hallmark movie."

 And the parade......well

I. Loved. It!

Searching the Scriptures

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea unto the city of David, which is Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was that while they were there...she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

~~Luke 2:4-7

Teach the Children

Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promise long ages ago.  God promised a Savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise.  The countless shining stars at night – one for each man – now show the burning hope of all mankind.

Teach the children red is the first color of Christmas.  It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all the people by the Savior.  Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God’s gift of Eternal life.  Red is deep, intense, vivid – it is the greatest color of all.  It is the symbol of the gift of God.

Teach the children that the deep green of fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament.  Here was the second color of Christmas. The pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round.  This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind.  Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature.  All the needles point heavenward – symbols of Man’s returning thoughts toward heaven.  The great green tree has been man’s best friend.  It has sheltered him, warmed him, and made beauty for him.

Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man to return to the fold – it means guidance and return.  It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.

Teach the children that the candle shows man’s thanks for the star of long ago.  Its small light is the mirror of starlight.  At first candles were placed on the trees – they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green.  The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance.

Teach the children that the bow is placed on a present to remind us of the gift of the spirit of the brotherhood of man.  We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied, all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other.  Goodwill forever is the message of the bow.

Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd’s crook.  The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock.  The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time and all year.  The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keepers.

Teach the children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops or ends.  It is one continuous round of affection.  The wreath does double duty.  It is made of many things and in many colors.  It should remind us all of the things of Christmas. 

 Please teach the children!!

Christmas Candle

Turn your lights low and read by the glow of this candle, about the life of our Savior at this Christmas time.  From the scriptures we read of His example and Christ-like characteristics, His mission on earth so divine.  Strive diligently to emulate each of these wonderful qualities and follow the example of our Savior each day. Not only at this special giving season, but throughout the year remember Him and show love in every way.

December 1st - John 13:15 - Example

December 2nd - Matthew 18:4 - Humility

December 3rd - Colossians 3:13 - Forgiveness

December 4th - 1 Corinthians 16:14 - Charity

December 5th - John 12:26 - Service

December 6th - James 2:18 - Faith

December 7th - Colossians 3:20 - Obedience

December 8th - Matthew 5:9 - Peacemaker

December 9th - Mark 5:19 - Compassionate

December 10th - Luke 6:36 - Merciful

December 11th - Daniel 6:26 - Steadfast

December 12th - Matthew 5:16 - Good Works

December 13th - Leviticus 19:2 - Holy

December 14th - Matthew 5:48 - Perfect

December 15th - Matthew 11:29 - Meek

December 16th - Hebrews 6:15 - Patient

December 17th - John 15:13 - Friend

December 18th - Matthew 5:8 - Pure in Heart

December 19th - 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Endurance

December 20th - Proverbs 1:5 - Wisdom

December 21st - Romans 14:13 - Judge Not

December 22nd - John 15:12 - Show Love

December 23rd - Proverbs 4:11 - Leader

December 24th - Philippians 4:8 - Honest

December 25th - Luke 2:11 - Chosen

Beginning December 1st read one scripture reference each day until Christmas.  Light a candle as you read to remind you of Christ's life and example.

31 Days of Christmas

We all know the 12 days of Christmas.  Some may like to forget them; one can only hear that song so many times, right?  

Then there is the advent calendar.  I'm not really sure how many days are actually supposed to be in an advent calendar.  I've read that there are 24 doors on a traditional advent calendar. The doors are number 1 through 24. The first door is opened on the 1st day of December and the final door is opened on Christmas Eve. Simple.  I've read that it varies from year to year. In Western churches, it begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and therefore changes each year. In Eastern churches, it begins in mid-November.  I've also read that there are 50 days!  Really 50, that's a new one on me.  Then there is the thought that there are 17 days between the beginning of advent, December 8th and Christmas proper, December 25th, so there should be 17 windows or slots.  Okay that makes sense.   

I have an advent tree calendar I made two million years ago and it has 25 little ornaments on it.  So 25 is my advent number.  Always bucking tradition, that's me.  No different this year.  So I'm going for 31 Days of Christmas.  Let's make each day count!

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Last the Best

Yes last the best of all the game I say.  And with that in mind I have saved the best for the last.  In this month of thanks I couldn’t end it without expressing how thankful I am for a good, better, best family.  They teach me.  Bless me.  Listen to me.  

For each of you I’m eternally thankful.

Blogging

As I'm approaching the final month of my year long goal to blog everyday I can't help but reflect on what this blog has meant to me.  It has given me a chance to put down on paper (figuratively speaking) those things that are important to me.  It has given me a feeling of great accomplishment.  They say that a habit is formed in at least three weeks and that bad habits are easy to make, but extremely hard to end.  Good habits, on the other hand, tend to take more time to make.  Interesting to be sure.

I'm not sure the difference between habit and commitment. But for me this blog is more than a habit because I know I could stop at any moment and easily fill my time with something else.  This blog is my commitment to myself to write down those things that are important to me.  This blog makes me think. To think about life, about family, about friends and everything else in between.

I'm thankful for the commitment I made to myself to do this.  It is a good thing!

Change

There is one consent in life besides death and taxes and that is change.  I've not always been a big fan of change.  Growing up I never experienced much change.  I lived in three different houses; five if you count the one I don't remember and one that was just temporary while wanting to move into a new one. In my married life however, we have lived in thirteen different houses so far.  That has not always easy for me.  I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that these changes along the way have in the end always been for my good and with each change I've been given the opportunity to grow in some way.  Heavenly Father's plan for me isn't always clear but as I've accepted change and the experiences that come with it I've always come out better.  And for that I am thankful.

Words to be Thankful For

"We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary."

~~Robert D. Hales,

Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done

October 2011 Conference Address

Psalm 37:3-5

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Warmth

I so much prefer warm weather.  The sun's warmth is a must in my life.  I'm so thankful for a warm home to live it.  For the ability to just flip a switch and almost instantly enjoy the benefits of that instant heat.  For warm blankets and clothes.  Every time I watch the movie 17 Miracles, I'm reminded just how thankful I should be for the simple enjoyment of warmth.

Bounty

So thankful for the bounties of life which we enjoy everyday!  Thanksgiving was a wonderful day of bounty.  Wonderful food, wonderful family.  So blessed.

Happy Birthday Shout Out

Today is birthday number .... well you do the math

Here is a hint:

When she turned 8 her birthday was on Thanksgiving too and that was 23 years ago.

Okay that was a huge hint

Happy Birthday D2
Love. You. So.

Naps

I'm thankful for lazy days and 

the naps that come along with them.

If I took a nap like this, I'd never sleep at night!