Belated Mother's Day Post

We have never pushed holiday celebration around here, but now our children are old enough to plan things.  We have little choice but to let them spoil us on Mothers Day and Fathers Day.

The week up to Mother's Day was a week of messy crafts behind closed doors and whispered group meetings between my four children.  Sunday was a day of treats resulting from all their labors.  Many a beautiful craft was presented to me, including posters decked out with words of love and a hand made book mark.  With Dad's help a breakfast of honey toast and strawberries, with my favorite tea, was presented to me when I awoke.  The kids sang and played hand made instruments as I emerged from the bedroom; and surprise of all surprises they where all ready for the early Sunday church service with out any effort on my part!

Garnet had found me two colors of tulips and I had been gifted a pot of white flowers by a Scottish gentleman, that my daughters and I sat with at a 'highlanders tea', earlier that weekend.  The table was thus full of flowers.  Not to be out done, my three year old added to the bouquets with his 'lawn bouquet', as seen in the below photo... truly heartwarming and not unnoticed by his Mama!

Did I feel loved and spoiled?  Absolutely and truly thankful.  Are they this thoughtful all the time?  Are any of us really?  Though I didn't have to make supper and lunch that day I have had to each day since... after all I am Mom and I whole heartedly take what I am given and treasure it in my heart.  Then I go forward, in Christ's strength, giving what I have received!  I hope they know no matter how much they plan and do for me that they don't earn my love, that they just have it FOR KEEPS!

P.S. So MOMS, everyone ready for church, on their own, was my biggest blessing this holiday, what was yours?!

TTFN

Happy Valentines!

Garnet surprised me with this valentines gift last night, right at midnight.  It was a surprise because he doesn't do this sort of thing.  I giggled as he shared how a concerned coworker had took him under his wing and reminded him about Valentines.  He spotted the perfect and unique gift for me last week in our favorite shop and had to share it.

It is a South American tea but also a style of tea drinking all its own so we are very excited to share it together.  Drank with a metal straw, that works as the tea dispenser/filter, in a hollowed out gourd and shared from the same cup.  It is packed with tea so should be good and strong.

This version of mate is supposed to taste like chocolate, have the kick of coffee but is a tea.  It is said to have superior health benefits to other hot drinks and other teas specifically.

We are such a couple of crazy and dedicated tea drinkers!

To have a closer look, or to order you own, link HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!

TTFN

Christmas 2011

Christmas came and went, as it always does, and although we have another family celebration later this week I feel like writing about the actual day and getting my blog looking back to normal.

Christmas Eve was spent laughing and sipping tea.  We had our 'Scottish tea' with Pop and Grams (Garnet's folks), Mirelle and her daughter.  There was Scottish shortbread, cakes of ginger bread, chocolates and bree with crackers.  We enjoyed real china tea cups and a large selection of tea to choose from.  After the eating came the game playing and we had a rip roaring good time playing 'extreme uno'.  What a lark!  We laughed and cheered and a few screamed!  It ended pretty early, which was good since we had last minute preparation for the morning yet.

(Tea time and cards anyone?)

What a special year this was with my kids aunt and cousin sleeping over so they could be with us Christmas morning!  I hope we can entertain loved ones like this again in the future.

I got up early and had my jog and by the time I got back the children where stirring.  My sister and her girl came up the stairs and we worked together to get some cornflakes down the kids before they got into the gifts.  Since we had worked so hard at making the stockings special this year I insisted they wake their Dad so he could enjoy them getting into the stockings too (usually we let them open them before breakfast or even before us parents are up).  Each child (including my niece) got a hand made puppet.  There was a pirate and a dragon, a princess and a king.  It was very cute to see them get right at playing puppeteers.  The oldest two got a new novel from their favorite series, signed with love from their Dad and I.

We work hard at only really getting them one gift so each gift opening was short and sweet.  Everyone worked to help keep the unwrapping chaos pretty tidy and waited their turns politely.  We laughed and talked and enjoyed a cozy morning.

Mirelle, my sister, then got busy making pancakes and I warmed up the 'pigs in a blanket' that I had prepared ahead of time.  Whipped up a veggie frittatta and she brought out her mini quiches and a fresh fruit tray.  In no time close family friends arrived with their two kids and their famous cinnamon french toast!  We all dug into a fabulous Christmas brunch and long conversation over coffee once the meal was over.

A very tired three year old of mine went for nap soon after the brunch and my sister and I took the rest of the kids skating.  With hardly any snow and plus 2 weather it was a perfect day to put on our skates and have our first turn around the rink this year.

(Our crew, heading to the neighbourhood rink!)

After Mirelle and my niece headed over to the inlaws for supper we all crashed here.  After we came too we rushed over to see my side of the family.  There was desserts and tea and family fun.  My daughters and I performed the two carols we have been preparing as our gift to their grandparents and it went so well.  My heart glows with so much pleasure when I do music with them.  Too many treats had my oldest boy a little yellow around the gills so we struck out for home pretty early.

Good thing though, none of us lasted long after arriving home.  Bed time wasn't fought about, as would be usual around here.  Even boxing day was really a nap fest as we all tried to recover from the holidays.

It was lovely.  Nuff said:)

TTFN

The Sun Is Gone!

Christmas was a full day.  We had all stretched our energy to the max by the time we where heading home from connecting with my side of the family that evening.  We had just pulled away from my brothers home when my youngest piped up. "THE SUN IS GONE!" he spoke with earnest concern.  We tried to ease his mind by explaining it would return come morning.  He then asked who runs the sun.  We explained God runs it, he he he.  At that point my clever five year old daughter jumped into the conversation, "Hows he control it?  With his hand or with a controller?"  Between giggles we managed to share how he generally speaks things into being.  He is that powerful that his very WORD makes something of nothing thus something happen. "I would like to control the sun," she then added.

"And what would you do with it if you controlled it dear," asked her Dad?

"Oh pretty much what God does with it," she said matter of factly.

"If it works for him it must work of us I guess," I chuckled in reply.

Indeed I am thankful for God's control over it all.  This is a broken world, but he knows that, lived through it when incarnate in Jesus Christ, and has and sees the very biggest of plans and reasons to it all.  He holds the mysteries and we can only trust him as we haven't his clarity on LIFE itself!


I have no idea where the kids little minds come up with this stuff but I know it all seems to fit in some way and this conversation really added to my Christmas.

Merry Christmas!


TTFN

Christmas Eve Snippets

Has been another day of cooking in the kitchen and yet, unlike so many previous years, I am happy there... prepping the 'pigs in a blanket' and the cake of 'gingerbread'.  We will have a house full of family tonight for our Christmas eve 'Scottish Tea Party'.  This is something we do every year with the kids and this year it just worked out that more people are coming.

 Has been a day of making sure the house is nicely prepared for guests and so I have less to do tomorrow.  New Christmas decorations (like the mitten garland) are up and the floors are sparkling. Fresh sheets are ready for the guest bed and clean towels.  For the first time ever we are also having a sleep over on Christmas!  My sister and her daughter will be with us since her man is away with work.  The home will be all the cozier with extra loved ones to shower with generosity.

Has been a day of receiving early gifts!  Our neighbors are always so kind, today was no different.  They stopped in with WINE and CHOCOLATE for us!  Later my mother arrived (the folks are staying at my big brothers) with my first lesson on my sowing machine AND a pretty box of sowing tools!  Grand moments of generosity sent our way!

The anticipation is building and the kids are almost bursting with cheer and excitement.  We had cornflakes for supper and it just added to their joy at how special holidays are!

I anticipate a lovely evening over tea and shortbread and then a reasonable early night so I can be ready for gifts, stockings and then a brunch with loved ones!

Thank GOD for holidays!

TTFN

Bake Off Day Two

(My sister and I, in two of my favourite and most faithful aprons!  Working hard, but not too hard!)

 Christmas bake off day two 2011 was a big success!  We got so much accomplished so quickly!  We made many many cranberry tarts and fudge walnut tarts!  I added extra dark chocolate to the fudge ones and MAN the samples we had where LOVELY!

 Add my sisters daughter to the mix and we had an audience of up to five kids and a dog, when all in attendance.  I so appreciate my kitchen at times like this.  The open concept means the kids can literally hang around and easily see what is going on, without being under our feet.  They have gotten very good, and fast, at pulling up chairs to get a spectator spot.

(My youngest two kids hanging off the half wall of my kitchen.  Eyes glued on what their Auntie is making, TARTS!)

 Before the afternoon was through Mirelle got the Dutch Almond Spice rolled out and filled with their soft sweet filling.  Flaky pie crust filled with ground almond flavored with a little spice and lemon, sweetened with icing sugar.  They come out so lovely and golden thanks to an egg glaze. )

(Almond Spice log, ready for the oven)

(Fresh out of the oven! I feel like they could be such pretty little gifts if wrapped with a Christmas ribbon like a wreath is)

We all had such a great day together.  My playlist of favorite Christmas music on repeat; tea and coffee available to us at any time.  A plate of lovely home made treats to refresh and fill us with energy (gifted to me JUST that morning by a good friend).  We rolled up our sleeves, dawned our aprons and joyfully enjoyed one anothers company and conversation, while working in the kitchen!  The kids played really good for us, so in no time we where able to head off to meet and greet the mall Santa.


I feel like Christmas baking should always be a group event.  Good friends and loving family are a must!

Well, other then the fresh cakes of gingerbread, that I will prepare Christmas Eve for our tea, and the pancakes and pigs in a blanket for Christmas brunch (all of which really need to be made the day of to enjoy most), I am done my Christmas baking!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TTFN

Lovely Weather For A Sleigh Ride Together

 Can you hear the sleigh bells jingling?  

Ring ting tingling too?!

Pops and Grams (my husbands folks) where kind enough to let us know about their community winter day in the park, Sunday past.  Oh what a grand opportunity to bask in Christmas feelings!  A sleigh ride is a sure fire way to take me back and make me all sentimental.  

We had neighbours, up north, who had two very strong (mid-sized) ponies to pull us on what we called hay rides; probably since there was a lot of straw involved.  We often came home with it up our jackets and down our ski pants.  Sleigh rides are so civil down south!  There was only one boy who kept hopping off and on and he got 'spoken to'.  

(Garnet and I, our first photo together.  Also our first Christmas holiday together.)

Back home we spent more time wrestling off and on the ride then sitting and looking around.  It was one big brawl from start to finish.  Mr Hillier only ever stopped the ponies if we fell so far behind that we couldn't catch up, weighted down, as we where, by our snow gear.  We laughed so hard and loved ever minute of it.  I remember it was one of the first things I had to do with him, when Garnet and I where dating.  My brothers took it upon themselves to immediately try to throw the city boy off.  It took a lot of work, Garnet is a stubborn and big fellow.  He was game right away though.  I remember I got him worse then anyone else; he was hanging on by his hands at one point and I coyly unhinged his fingers till he rolled away, carrying my brother with him.  My brother had been hanging on to Garnet's foot trying to pull him off from that side.  My boyfriend landed safely... on top of my brother... knocked the wind right out of him, it was all terribly funny!

Well the ride this Sunday was really genteel and sweet.  We climbed up and sat orderly.  The kids gushed about the horses and the ride.  My sister and I broke out in 'jingle bells' with her daughter and my youngest boy at one point.  All adding up to romantically Christmas-y memories to keep.  It was such mild weather for this time of year and thus truly was 'lovely weather for a sleigh ride together'.

My youngest pointed out the 'horse's bums' and my second youngest thought they might not be real horses but was pleased when we told her they are.  All four kids really enjoyed the hot chocolate served in the skating shed.  We finished this romantic evening with coffee and soup at Grams and Pops house, just a couple blocks from all the fun.  

I couldn't help stealing glances at Garnet through it all, remembering our first sleigh ride together, up where I come from.  I can get so enamoured with him still.  Ahhh romance always adds to this time of year.  

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

TTFN

Christmas Treats That Schmeck

'Food that Really Schmecks' by Edna Staebler

I have mentioned this favorite old cook book before. I 'inherited' it, if you will, from my grandma. Her and my mother have enjoyed their copies of it for many many years, and so I had to have one too. Full of sweet stories and lovely practical Mennonite recipes, I have come to enjoy flipping through it time and time again as well. A favorite recipe that stopped me in my tracks the first time I had a gander was "Cranberry Pie", or tarts if you put it into little shells instead.

Oh how pretty cranberries are. They are a favorite of mine and yet because of the punch-y bite they carry it can be hard to use them in large amounts. Some might have assumed this pie would be too tart right away, but seeing as my other total favorite pie is JUST rhubarb I figured I could handle it. Well hello cherry pie taste with no pitting! Yup, as lovely as cherry pie but FAR easier when making the filling from scratch!

I just boiled up a batch of filling today, in preparation for day two of my holiday baking cook off tomorrow. It looks so amazing on the stove, such a beautiful colour! I can't help but feel cheery while cooking it:) This is a beautiful Christmas treat that will brighten up any holiday gathering!

Bellow is the recipe for the filling. Other then that all you need is a top and bottom pie crust from your favourite pastry recipe.

REMEMBER to make this ahead and cool in the fridge, even over night, because it really adds to the flavour!

Cranberry Pie

2 cups whole cranberries (fresh best but frozen are just fine)
1 cup chopped raisins
2 cups organic sugar (or coconut sugar, just add a half cup more)
2 cups water
2 generous tablespoons of unbleached flour
2 tsps vanilla
2 Tbsps butter

1. Bring all the items listed to boil in a pot.
2. Stir until nicely thickened.
3. Turn the temperature down to low and let it stew down for 15 minutes.
4. Cool thoroughly before putting into a crust. Best if it is cooled overnight in the fridge, for best taste.
5. For tarts I will roll out the crust for the tops and use cookie cutters to cut out cute shapes in it, then just put a small shape in the middle of each tart.
6. For pies I put it in a full shell top and bottom, putting a little design in it with a knife and then brushing the top with milk and sprinkling with sugar to give it a glow.
7. BAKE at 350 degrees for about 30 in pie or tart crust(s).

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

TTFN

Day One Of The X-mas Bake Off

(Garnet's sugarless blue berry pies, they are his priority this baking season. Yum, can't wait.)

Mirelle started it... I was complaining about how I miss eating Christmas baking and she encouraged me to go for it again. We plan to get together during the holidays and make favorite items from our x-mas baking list but I woke up eager to feel like I had accomplished something so I crossed off a few from my list.

My Christmas Baking List

• -walnut fudge pie or tarts
• -cranberry pie or tarts
• -ginger bread cakes (2)
• -Scottish shortbread
• -scuffles
• -pumpkin spice roll out sugar cookies

And the last three are almost done. I am waiting for the scuffle dough to finish rising before I can work it into sweet little crescents. I must break for supper before making the butter icing for the pumpkin sugar cookies. Otherwise I feel well under way with the Scottish shortbread done and in the freezer. We will be enjoying them and the ginger cakes at our yearly Scottish tea on Christmas eve.

I put this off for a lot of years, with good reason... with Garnet being hypoglycemic it isn't easy to make baking that is family friendly and secondly with moving to the city (and the crazy new life style that involves) and having my fourth child, I felt fine with just sluffing off the Christmas baking. We worked super hard at keeping this season nice and calm and it was so calm I guess I just needed a little nudge to give into the baking bug that was already niggling me.

I will for sure let you know how it goes when (and hopefully if) we, Mirelle and I and perhaps more, manage to do a together bake off night! Merry Christmas!

BESTEST BUTTER ICING :)

2 cups organic icing sugar
2 1/2 Tbsps cream (or whole goats milk works great)
4 Tbsps butter
1 tsp vanilla

Over medium heat melt the butter in the cream till smooth. Add vanilla and stir. Mix in sugar till smooth. Remove from the heat and beat with an electric mixer till thick and smooth.

TTFN

Count Down!

For the first time ever, we integrated a count down to Christmas for our kids. We are finding this untraditional advent calendar very helpful, with adding to all four kids excitement and yet making it easier to understand the wait.

Even our youngest has gotten into it. Before bed, every night, he tells me 'An when cany cane gez too one iz Kissmas! Yahhhha'! My oldest boy has been in charge of making sure the candy cane is moved down each morning. Gained this position by being the best at remembering. Most of the time he moves it and announces the new number of days left and often he will encourage the other kids to take a turn at 'moving the candy cane down'. So cute to see them figuring it out so very quickly this year.

Honestly my littlest one didn't really understand the whole Christmas thing only last year, but this year he can often be heard yelling 'Oh iz gonna be KISSMUS SOON!' and he freely offers hearty Mewy Kissmus!'s to anyone who passes him by.

Apparently even their cousin, my niece, is keeping an eye on our count down; so very cute.

This affordable and cute count down snow man is a nice addition to our Christmas decor. If he lasts I can see him being a beloved favourite of the kids. If he wears out, with much love, I think we will for sure have to have a more formal advent calendar in the future. Either way "MEWY KISSMUS" from our family to yours!TTFN

Families Be At Peace This Holiday:)

Peace be unto all, especially your families. Be nice to each other this holiday season! As my mom always used to say, 'If you can't be nice to your (enter brother, sister, mother, grandpa, in-laws etc.) then treat them like acquaintances instead of relations!'

And with that, enjoy some lyrics from a favourite band of mine. This Christmas song of theirs has really been a blessing to me this year.

"Christmas lights tangle in knots annually
All families huddle closely
Betting warmth against the cold
All the bruises seem to surface Like mud beneath the snow

So we sing carols softly
As sweet as we know A prayer that our burdens will lift as we go
Like young love still waiting under mistletoe
We'll welcome December with tireless hope

Let our bells keep on ringing
Making angels in the snow
And may the melody disarm us When the cracks begin to show

Like the petals in our pockets
May we remember who we are
Unconditionally cared for By those who share our broken hearts"

~Sleeping At Last 'SNOW'

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TTFN

The Settling of Christmas Sentiment Upon My Heart

After a heavy hitter week I fell into loving my family for the weekend. We had faced scary days at school, emotions at an all time high at home and death of a YOUNG sister in the Lord. Although the whole weekend was a whimsical reminder of Christmas's approach, Sunday was particularly sparkly with special moments.

My sister performed in a jazz choir concert the day before, so I was already full to spilling with Christmas tunes in my heart when I arrived at church for a music service Sunday. With the special service all about 'hope' I must have cried and smiled the whole way through. The music was so moving and the message such a strong supportive embrace to my raw little spirit.

A cozy road trip followed as we trucked out to my before mentioned sister's place. We had three BIG reasons to celebrate with them and so stopping to get them chocolates was in order. My eldest daughter insisted on the 'joy' Christmas tree decoration for them too. Her and I agreed it was applicable in such a case, a triple celebration kinda case! Our two families shared 'non-sissy sushi', yup, the real deal! We chatted, laughed and toured their lovely new condo.

We hadn't made it back to the city when we managed to arrange a stop in to my brother's home. We had hopes of meeting his doubly expanding family and dropping off a special little someone some toy trucks. It was a blessing to find time to drop in on more family. Time that was squeezed right in and worked out just right.

What a tired crew we where as we finally arrived back home. A small cold supper and big mugs of tea where in order. I got my crew of four tucked into bed and then found the LAST shortbread cookie. Feet up, lights down, except the Christmas tree.

Sighs and tears escaped me as Christmas sentiment settled into my heart and I reflected on a week of pain and love. SO much blessing! Such a mysteriously marvellous combination of pain and love life is. Thank you Jesus for it all. For the rain and for the sunny day. Times of struggle and rejoicing educate us in such essential and different ways; giving and growing us so very very much. All that is good comes from you and you are so good to me Jesus.

TTFN

Give Christmas

Tonight I am finishing up the initial wrapping of the Christmas gifts. Having young kids who can 'accidentally' spot them has taught me to wrap early to avoid worry. Most of my gifts are done up in packaging paper so my kids can spend a whole evening, later in December, coloring them and putting stickers all over them. All, even those in traditional colorful x-mas paper, are wrapped up with a ribbon of Christmas colored yarn. I just like the home-y look to it that way. The yarn makes me wrestle with my packages a bit but I don't mind. I put the kids to bed, get a big cup of tea and go at it. If the kids are behaving themselves I love to put on the Christmas music while I am at it. Tonight I am humming away, all the lights are low and I am using candle light.

I am thinking about family as I wrap; remembering what a gift family is. I have relations who dedicate themselves to making Christmas a big celebration each year and all the way on the other end of the pendulum I have those don't celebrate it. I love them all. No matter how you look at it holidays are about relationship. Relationship is needed in life and holidays put a spotlight on that human need. This year my family will include friends who don't have relations near by to celebrate with, because I so believe family goes as far as your heart is willing to grow.

Most of all Christmas, in my home, is for my kids. I hope to bless them with some of their hearts desires and I also hope to broaden the desires of their hearts to beyond selfish wish lists. I am hoping we can teach them more about giving this year.

May you all GIVE some one a very Merry Christmas this year!

TTFN

Little Thankful Thoughts This Thanksgiving!

I feel like love and thankfulness are muscles, in a way, and we get better at them when we practice them even, and especially perhaps, under the weight of hard times.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton

I am often just thankful their isn't another flu bug or cold in our house. I am more often thankful for the little people I call my babies. I have been thankful for Garnet since we met and I hope to learn more and more thankfulness toward MY JESUS as my life continues through what I would define as the good and the bad.

TTFN

I Was Reminded

I assume not wanting to write something on easter, about that holiday, on the actual holiday, because it is to be expected and what is to be said is likely well know, would mean I lean more toward not being a special day type of person. It would also have a little to do with the fact that I missed out on the special holiday church services because of an ill little one in the clan...

A simple internet search and I found an easter Sunday message to listen to. A reminder in the form of a pod cast was given to me...

...a reminder that this story at this time, about Jesus... his death, his resurrection... it is also my story...I am made alive together with him. He might be the prototype of what I will become but I can live in that now too...

This is a grace story. Everything that every religion is trying to accomplish Jesus accomplished for us already and has offered it to us as a gift... This act of Christs ended the law, religion, and replaced fear and works with love and grace.

This is a fellowship story. Christ broke all the divisions and we, The Church, are supposed to fellowship in him in spite of all our outward differences; that includes our denominations and our doctrines CHURCH. Christ is our peace, there should be no divisions in us.

I was encouraged and reminded to grow... grow in my understanding of this story that is celebrated specifically at this time, about Jesus and his death and resurrection. I was encouraged that it is indeed my story but also all of my brothers and sisters story... may we all find our faith in one another, the members of the body, faith that we can learn how to truly love one another... as Christ does... he has sacrificed so much for us to be able to do just that.

TTFN

Valentines Again

I spent my Valentines evening with a girl friend. We both enjoy music and so we went to a performance by two local artists. I got a kick out of the looks I got when I told people I went out with a girlfriend instead of my man. I can be fine with him NOT being a holiday kinda guy and he can be fine with me going out that day, with out him:) You have to give marriages room to be different from what yours is and I am sure we are different in this area.

Oh truly enjoy local music and have great respect for local musicians! It is no easy thing to try to make it work in our province, perhaps even in our country. There is a wealth of great artists in our area but it seems to be really difficult to pack the house.

The audience was smaller but we where all really happy to hear them. To put it in my friends words ' Stellar heartwarming performance last night. You guys rocked Valentine's for us. Thank you!' One of my top life experiences is sitting in a cozy local haunt, listening to a singer song writer perform unplugged. Dim lights, great food and the essential good company of a friend or two.

Well my valentine, 'C', was grand company. Chatting, laughing, trying to finish a massive nacho platter together, frothy well brewed coffee and margarita Monday to boot!

Take the time to check out Jen Lane, link RIGHT HERE, and Smokekiller, linked RIGHT HERE. I have been singing along to my signed CD all day!
TTFN

Carry On Keeping The Winter Wind At My Back

I know it is a matter of days before I will have to take down the Christmas decorations... I am holding out because I always find it harder to be cheery this time of year once the Christmas decor is gone. Winter here is long, very cold and very snowy with short days and long nights.

HOWEVER this year feels so different since I have been able to get out lots and I may be discovering a really joy in winter sport. Jogging in the winter accomplishes so much more with less distance. Sledding and skating are super fun and I always have company since I can make my kids go with me. I am loving hiking with my dog loving pal and looking forward to finally getting my skis waxed for cross country. I hope to try snowshoeing again and have the boots that can click right into them.

Winter seems less bleak since I don't feel hindered from GETTING OUT THERE. Here's to activity and joy in the snow! I hope my optimism keeps up and outlasts this season. Here's hoping the bone chilling winter wind stays at my back (a tweak on the old Irish blessing).

Merry Winter to you all and may you find warmth of heart no matter the weather:)

TTFN

Sentimental At X-mas (who would have thought it?)

(Taken Christmas day, a very warm WHITE Christmas!

I am wearing my mothers red dress coat, bought for her by
her father in law years ago.)

Who has flip flop feelings at Christmas? I sure do! Most of the memories I am making are down right lovely (the up side of the flip floppy heart) and yet there are always memories to reminisce and sigh about, others people to think about who are struggling or don't have it so good.

There are also choices to be made and although I chose to stay here this Christmas I was also tugged when asked by a loved one from my husbands side if my folks where coming in for the holiday. With loved ones going there way and other issues in life they where not, nor was this unusual or normally an issue for me. The issue was the choice I had to make. If you let the hype get to you, about how Christmas is supposed to be, you will also miss the real deal... what it is actually about and so I swallowed that flip flop when it came and had a good look around me.I was surrounded by precious loved ones. I was more then blessed by generous people who care. Friends and family from my side did in fact find their way into our reality this holiday(as well as all the in-laws who are so good to me and so willing to be part of my world) and so I am not going with out. I am just another woman who has a heart that can easily flip flop on the most lovely of days.

The skype with my one older sister and her daughter was joyful, the phone call to my oldest sister was rewardingly warm, the weekend visit before Christmas with my younger brothers family was fun and important, the list goes on and on and includes a few surprise visits and gifts from dear friends and neighbors...Ideally we would all like to go home for Christmas, have ALL the family together at once but really if it has to be that way this time of year and we don't worry about it for the rest of the year that is the great lose. May I make time for my family and friends all year round and may it be so sentimental for me despite the month or season.

I am so thankful for the sentimental stuff of life that makes us think about how we really value loved ones...I am thankful for any time, whether in person, on the phone or skype, with my family and friends where we get beyond chit chat and really put it out there that we care for one another! Praise the Lord for a whole nother year to love and be loved by PEOPLE.TTFN