Don't believe I caught your name...

Don't believe I dropped it!

Knitting the second of two blankets and watching the Music Man... even seen it?! Here is one of my favorite moments from the movie. I used to act it out in my living room when I was a little girl to the record we had, and maybe sometimes I still do...

today.

you may think one of two things, "Good Song." or "Here comes Winnie Cooper."

It's Tradition

Each year on Christmas Eve, for as long as I can remember, and probably beyond that, my family has went to my Grandparent's church. This year was a little different because the family wasn't all there, but those of us that could make it still went. Something about the service and being with my family always refreshes my soul. This year was no different. There was laughter in the pew due to the fact that my cousin's three year old son farted. There were smiles while watching the kids sing "Away In A Manger." There was the lighting of the candles while singing, " Born In The Night, Mary's Child"/"Silent Night." And there was the wishing of those closest a Merry Christmas, knowing that we had seen one more Christmas together as a family. My grandma turned 85 today, and my grandfather is nearly 90. Each year, the truth of the fact that this could be our last Christmas spent with them makes me a little sad, yet I have peace in the fact that there is redemption and eternal life through our Savior, Christ the Lord, and we will one day all rejoice and praise God for his salvation again, forever! I hope that you too were refreshed and encouraged by your family this Christmas and that the peace of Christ would rule in your heart. He has made a way for us. He has redeemed us, and made us whole. It is my hope that you know this Savior, born to die so we may be made right before God.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son of God the Father, full of grace and truth. Jn 1.14

A very Merry Christmas to you my friends!

The Nutcracker

I remember as a little girl walking up to the MAC in Bloomington, Indiana to see my first live performance of The Nutcracker. I loved every minute of that performance... since then, The Nutcracker has been etched in my list of Christmas traditions. I have only seen it live twice, but each season I am lucky enough to find it on PBS. Tonight was the night. I absolutely love the music by Tchaikovsky. It gives me chills each time I listen to it, and I love to watch it come to life as the dancers move across the stage. This is my favorite song from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker...

Merry Christmas Mr. Stevens

Sufjan Stevens - Gloria! Songs for Christmas, Vol. 6 by rawkblog

Snow...

I love this song for many reasons, but the one that tops all other reasons is the lyric "like the petals in our pockets may we remember who we are." A great reference to my favorite movie. Enjoy this Christmas treat from Sleeping at Last. Also, know that this song and the rest of the album is free on noisetrade.com.

where did the past three days go?

I feel as if I have been busy, but I was busy with a bunch of amazing things. Let's start with Saturday...

It being the first official day of my Christmas Break, I stayed in my pajamas until about 4pm and sat around, drank coffee, read, chatted with my parents, and knitted some Christmas gifts. Then I headed up to the city for the Christmas party I always anticipate. I picked up Krista from work and we ran into some great people, at a great party, and you guessed it, had a GREAT time. It was so relaxing and fun to kick back and talk with good friends, catch up with those I had not seen for quite sometime, learn how to make a tamale from Joel Miller (who may be one of the best non-professional chefs I know), and drink some tasty Glüg.

Sunday was the Lessons and Carols service at church. I love this service because it throws me head first into all the things that make Christmas so wonderful. Then I was able to have some incredible fellowship with friends from church. We had the annual potluck lunch with a tasty array of soups... my favorite was the Roasted Ginger Pear Squash soup. FANTASTIC... still dreaming about it as I type. Then I took a nap, and I don't remember the last time I took one of those. After the nap, I got to spend time with my dear friend Sarah, who never ceases to set me straight and point me back to my Savior. LOVE HER! Then we had an amazing night of small group, and to top it all off, my friend Amy Buer got ENGAGED! So, you see, it could not have been a better weekend.



If you are still with me, I would love to tell you about today. It snowed, and not just a little, but a GIANT snow storm. I love it because you look out your window, and the tree limbs are caked with snow; the wind swirls the flakes as they fall to the ground, and I get to just sit back and watch as I sip hot cocoa.

Christmas Break...

Last year was the only year since I started going to school as a pre-schooler at United Methodist Church in Morris, Illinois that I have not experienced the joys of Christmas Break. But, this year, it is back in full force due to my job at the school. So pumped for big breakfasts every morning... reading in my pj's with a cup of coffee... playing in the snow... hanging out with friends, DURING THE DAY!... working on learning how to sew on a sewing machine... finishing up some projects I have been working on around the house... It is going to be A-MAZ-ING, and it all started at 3pm today.

two posts for two days...

As dedicated as I try to be, I somehow always fall behind with this blogging every day until Christmas thing I've got going here. My dog Mocha had to be put to sleep on Tuesday and that has really thrown me these past couple of days. Also, my grandma had a heart attack about two weeks ago... on top of that it is CHRISTMAS time and in general... that just produces busy times around here. I don't mind the busy times, but sometimes it is just nice to relax and enjoy the smells and sounds of the season. Last night I made fudge... which I try to make every year. I couldn't pass up the opportunity... all the ingredients were on sale at Jewel. Here is the recipe that I used. Grab your candy thermometer and start stirring!!

Never Fail Fudge

• 2 1/2 c. sugar
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 stick butter or margarine
• 5 oz. can evaporated milk (2/3 c.)
• 1 Jar (7 1/2oz) Marshmallow Fluff
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 12-oz. package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
• 1 /2 c. chopped walnuts

Grease a 9-inch square baking pan; set aside. In large saucepan combine the first 5 ingredients. Stir over low heat until blended. Increase heat to Medium and bring to a full-rolling boil being careful not to mistake escaping air bubbles for boiling. Boil slowly, stirring constantly for 5 minutes (use Soft-Ball test). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and chocolate until chocolate is melted. Add nuts. Turn into greased pan and cool. Makes 2 1/2 pounds.

Hint: As with all fudge recipes, cooking time will vary depending on factors such as humidity and altitude. For best results, use the softball test to make sure the fudge has been cooked enough. The softball test can be found in any cookbook and on our website under frequently asked question (FAQ's).



A Charlie Brown Christmas


Tonight I plan to knit, drink some hot cocoa, and watch
A Charlie Brown Christmas...
Christmas Time is Here.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for what which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:18-23

Andrew Peterson's Christmas Album.

Heard it before? If not, you should look into it. It is a beaut! Here is Andrew explaining the story behind the album.



and here is my favorite song off the album...

A Christmas Treat for YOU

Wonderful Christmas Time

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time...
I am too.

Don't miss Sir Paul McCartney on SNL tonight.

Peppermint Tea.

There is something about peppermint that makes it feel all the more like Christmas time. Peppermint ice cream, peppermint hard candy, peppermint tea, peppermint bark (really good at Trader Joe's), peppermint hot cocoa, candy canes, even peppermint in coffee if you please... I am just settling in for a nice cup of peppermint tea while I watch The Muppet Christmas Carol and knit a Christmas gift. Hope you are having a cozy Friday evening as well.

buried in a pile of snow.

Outside of my window as I type, the snow is falling... this song is playing in the background, and the Christmas lights are the only thing shedding light on the situation. It is supposed to snow all night long here in Joliet (the best kind of snow). I will have to wake a little extra early to start the car and clean off the windshield. The roads will be a little slick, unless the salt has kicked in. And it will truly begin to look like Christmas around here. With that, I give you round two, since I didn't post yesterday... Well, that's because I was too busy finishing my Christmas shopping and doing THIS...

the festivities in my room.

who-be... who-dee... what-ee?

One tradition that has always stood in my Christmas celebration is the reading and the watching of Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. This is an excerpt that I happen to LOVE! :

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!

happy christmas...

Two years ago now my friend Lewis and I tag teamed it with our voices and some synthesizers to cover this Christmas classic by WHAM! Now every time I hear it, I travel back to a snowy day in Jenkins 7G... surrounded by keyboards and a electronic drum kit and a great friend, trying to time the whispered words "Happy Christmas" exactly where they should fall.

falling behind.

I owe everybody four posts. Here it goes:

1) Egg Nog! Some people love it, some people hate it. Which person are you?



Myself, I am a lover of nog. I love Deans, Oberweis, SilkNog, Lactose Free Nog.... really any nog I can get. I will even settle for Southern Comfort. I love EggNog!




2) I love how people decorate their house both inside and out at Christmastime. There is a kid in my class at school who continually will say things like, "Christmas Coming Up!" "Christmas tree please." "Wreath please". He even reads us his Christmas list at every chance he can get. Here is the best Christmas decor effort I have ever heard of. It happened a few years ago in Normal, Illinois... enjoy





3) I wrapped most of my presents this evening. Another thing I love about the season is the giving! I love being able to pick something out that will bless or encourage another during this time of year. I love Christmas morning when our family gathers around the tree together. It's a wonderful thing.










4) Handel's Messiah. I love the music that accompanies the Word of the Lord. My friend Andrea and I will be attending the DIY Messiah this year... Wish me luck. Haven't sang like that for five years. This is my favorite song from The Messiah...

playlist of the month...

Here's the deal, I listen to Christmas music the whole month of December. No playlist necessary, but for a matter of principle, I thought I would put together a great Christmas playlist comprised of my favorite Jazz Christmas Songs. Enjoy A Jazzy Christmas...

1. White Christmas - Charlie Parker
2. Deck The Halls - Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock
3. O Come All Ye Faithful - Terence Blanchard
4. Winter Weather - Benny Goodman & Peggy Lee
5. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - The Glenn Miller Orchestra
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Dexter Gordon Quartet
7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Les Brown
8. Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong
9. Jingle Bells - Benny Goodman
10. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo - Billy May
11. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bill Evans
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Jimmy Smith
13. Winter Wonderland - Chris Botti
14. Ding! Dong! Merrily On High - Harry Allen
15. Sleigh Ride - The Glenn Miller Orchestra

you can click on the songs above to listen.

first snow. first day in december.

two songs in honor of the first snow, and first day of december. keep enjoying the Christmas season. it will be gone before you know it!