Queen Anne's Lace and Lilacs

It's 2010

May you accomplish in 2010 those resolutions that didn't quite make it this past year.  In one way or another, have a great time.  Here's wishing you health and happiness and all of God's blessings throughout the new year!

O, Christmas Tree!

The big question this year is, will Tim string the lights, as he has for several years now, in the Martha Stewart tradition?  Normally, the answer would be, "Hello!  Yes!"  However, I'm a bit peeved with Martha and her asinine comments about Rachel Ray and Sarah Palin (and I don't even watch Rachel or keep up with her and her cooking). 

Therefore, I've given Tim the permission to string the tree in any manner he wishes.  The thing is, though, the Martha way is fantastic.  See the tree through the window (click for a larger view)?  That is last year's tree.  1300 lights.  Only took four or five or six hours.  Tim's a saint!  Our friend, Danny, thought the tree was gorgeous (I think he thought we were crazy, too, for using this method). 

I'm hoping he chooses Martha, just for looks.  Besides, wouldn't it be a waste of money to not use all of those lights? 

I'm having to chuckle as I remember Tim's trying to get me string one of the branches last year, just to see what it was he was having to go through.  Oh, Tim, you silly!

Happy Halloween

I hope you're all having a happy Halloween!  We aren't as decorated, outside, as we have been in the past (we've got plenty of things going on inside).  The old decorations have seen better days and have been retired.  We are hoping to have a record high number of trick-or-treaters tonight.  Four.  Five, even.  I don't know what Bethany is planning, but this is the first year we haven't gotten her a costume.  I hate how time flies!  I will try not to cry about it.

We're planning on making Paula Deen's Old Time Beef Stew in our new dutch oven.  That seems kind of Halloween-y.  We normally make one of Bethany's favorites, Taco Soup (served with sweet cornbread) for Halloween, but I'm ready for a change!  We made that stew a couple of weeks ago - actually, Tim did, all by himself - and it was absolutely perfect.  Good job, Baby!!!!

About the dutch oven:  I feel kind of silly not having one of these things until this late stage of my life.  I had listed it on my pre-birthday list, and Tim was good enough to let me order one from Amazon.com.  I also have my first cast-iron skillets.  I wish it made me feel young, that I'm just starting out, and not that I'm just ridiculously late to the game.  Maybe that is still yet to come.

The photo, above, has been my October desktop this year (click photo for a larger view).  Brett and Evan, Halloween 1989 in Houston, TX; Bethany, Halloween 2000 up at church; Bethany and Tim, Brownie Halloween Dance, 2001.

He's Alive!

The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down;
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow and half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin' thru to drag us all away

And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call;
I hurried to the window and looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches and the sounds of soldier's feet

There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in;
John stood there beside me as she'd told us where she'd been.
She said "They moved Him in the night and none of us knows where;
The stone's been rolled away and now His body isn't there!"

We both ran t'ward the garden, then John ran on ahead;
We found the stone and empty tomb just the way that Mary said.
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in was just an empty shell;
And how or where they'd taken Him was more than I could tell.

Well, something strange had happened there,
but just what I didn't know;
John believed a miracle but I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him, then I saw Him die.

Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came;
Everything I'd promised Him just added to my shame.
When at last it came to choices, I denied I knew His name;
And even if He was alive, it wouldn't be the same

But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume;
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide;
And I fell down on my knees, and just clung to Him and cried.

He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes,
Love was shining out from Him like sunlight from the skies
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace

CHORUS
He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven!
Heaven's gates are open wide:
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive, hallelujah He's alive

Were You There...

when they crucified my Lord?

Happy Valentine's Day!

to those of you who have not yet received the cards I sent you (you didn't think they'd get there on time, did you!).  And, of course, to those of you who are not on my card list.  :)

Happy New Year!

2008 is a wrap.  We look forward to a wonderful 2009.  I know there are a couple of big things this year on the horizon.  Evan's graduation comes to mind first.  We're also planning a trip to see the family in Omaha.  We hope your New Year holds plenty of fun, interesting, and exciting things for you and your family!  Stop back at the blog often and say, "Hi."  Happy New Year!

Prepare to Be Delighted - UPDATED

Last night, we watched the Christmas in Washington 2008 show.  We discovered a new group!  (Which was a good thing - I about changed channels after being tortured listening to Julianne Hough's attempt at singing, if you could call it that.  You know, just because you are living and breathing does NOT mean you should be singing in public.  I KNOW, such a surprise!)  If you didn't happen to see the show, or if you did and would like to be delighted again, check out this video of Straight No Chaser's performance of The 12 Days of Christmas (this video is a couple of years old, but this is what they performed on TV last night):

I'm surprised I haven't heard of this group before.  Well, they were just at Indiana University - and I don't really keep up with what goes on around there.  But, as a Rockapella fan, a Glad fan, a Singers Unlimited fan, a Take 6 fan, an acapella fan, I like to think I was somewhat in the loop.  Or, at least near the loop.  In the vicinity of the loop, you might say.  That's what happens when you move to California.  You leave the loop.  And just become loopy.  Anyway...Needless to say, these guys (Straight No Chaser) are now on my iPod.

One sad note from the show.  Hootie's (and the Blowfish) Darius Rucker has moved to the dark, i.e., country music, side.  Yes, for reasons unknown and totally not understood, he has done this, this, thing.  I can't explain it.  Mental illness?  Oh, well.  I'll stick with Hootie.

UPDATE:  I was told that the video I had posted here was no longer working.  Straight No Chaser has come out with a brand new video, so I've posted that one and removed the old one.

Merry Christmas!

"...And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, to men on whom His favor rests'..."
Luke 2:8-14

Christmas at Our House:

White and red poinsettias add some seasonal color the hearth, with the mantle above covered with snowmen collected over the past several years.  The angel at the top of the Christmas tree appears to be ducking so that she doesn't hit her head on the ceiling.  Our tree is a little bit taller than usual and is very well lit (thank you, Martha Stewart), but right now, the bottom three feet or so are hidden behind a wave a gifts.  Gifts in bags, gifts in boxes, gifts with ribbons and bows.  We've watched a lot of old movies on the classic movie channel lately, and a lot of movies on the Hallmark Channel.  The one that's gotten the most play this year is, "White Christmas."  We're ready for the Bing Crosby trivia challenge. 

This year, as usual, it seemed that it would be impossible to get everything done in time.  But, as it turned out, the decorations were set up, presents were wrapped, and the peanut butter fudge came out better than ever!  The pace has now settled into a very pleasant state where Lori and I have stopped just to listen to our favorite songs.  The whole family was up at the church for the 7:00 service. 

Most importantly, we have had time to think about the good news that the angels heralded long ago that still brings us great joy today:  The gift of God with us, our Savior - how great is God's love!  Through these days of Christmas, may the blessings of this season find you.

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas!

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas," by the Kingston Trio, is available at Amazon.com.

Some Christmas Favorites, Part 3

"Birthday of a King/Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" by David Phelps

Every time I hear "Birthday of a King," I think of my dad.  For many years, he was the only person I had ever heard sing it.  Maybe, someday, David will have it down as good as Daddy.  I think this is the perfect song celebrating the birth of Christ.

Birthday of a King

In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a child one day;
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia,
O, how the angels sang!
Alleluia,
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a holy light -
'Twas the birthday of a King.

'Twas a humble birthplace
But, O,
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.

Alleluia,
O, how the angels sang!
Alleluia,
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a Holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.

"Breath of Heaven" by Point of Grace

Several years ago, I was supposed to be Mary and sing this song in our Christmas pageant.  Unfortunately, I somehow contracted the flu a couple of days before the program, so someone else played my part (all of that memorizing...). 

As I learned this song, I couldn't help but think what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph.  A beautiful song - lyrics and tune.

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby

I hadn't seen the movie, "White Christmas," until after Brett was born (in '86).  Whatever year that was, we've enjoyed "White Christmas" at least twice each Christmastime since then.  Evan just loved that show when he was little!  He learned the songs quickly, added his own little words and personality, and sang them, happily, all through the years.  Of course, now, he has no memory of this. 

Last night, whilst wrapping presents, we were watching "White Christmas."  It's true that, a couple of weeks ago, I had recorded it, and we watched it (we actually had to put in the DVD, because they had cut out all of the good stuff).  Anyway, Brett walked through the living room where we were wrapping and asked, "Do you guys watch this every night?"

To Evan and Brett:  "Mutual, I'm sure."

The songs here are available at iTunes and Zune.