White Birthday

I didn't get my White Christmas, but Iowa came through for my birthday. So happy. I didn't even change out of my church clothes before I started to play.

My kids are out in it right now. That means we'll have hot chocolate and then I will get to open birthday presents. Or maybe I should say present. My hubby loves my birthday so he tends to give me all my gifts early, but he usually holds one back for the big day. He also tells me I am pretty everyday, so I really don't need any presents, because that is a biggie every day of the year.

I usually get breakfast in bed, but I had to be at church earlier than everyone else, so they took me out to lunch instead. Then tonight we get to do the New Year's Eve thing with friends. So, with the snow, it's a practically perfect day.

I switched

I have finally succumbed after months of invitations from blogger to switch to the new version. It was a nail biter, let me tell ya.

So far, nothing seems amiss. But let me know if there is something not quite right.

Up next... Resolutions. To resolve or not to resolve. That is the question.

A whole new dimension

Tattling has been taken to the nth degree.

My children received digital cameras for Christmas.

There is now visual proof of all wrong doings, mess-makings, nose-pickings, cookie sneakings... what have you.

One child is more apt to 'tell'. She is thisclose to having her camera confiscated.

Also, I have never seen more unflattering pictures of myself than I have these last few days. It ain't pretty. I have banned all pictures of mommy unless I am 'ready'! Ready means lipstick on, hair fluffed, clothing pulled down over my belly. I mean, really. No one wants to see that.

My children love to jump out at me when they think they can make me jump. Now they do it with a flash.

Here's hoping the fascination wears off soon.

So, what did you get for Christmas?

Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year!

See you next week!

If you care...

Ozzy shoulda won.

That's all I have to say about that.

I've learned that...

even the best cat cannot be trusted.

I should rearrange the Christmas ornaments when the kids aren't looking so as to not hurt their feelings.

butternut squash is DE-lish! Love it. Can't believe I've gone thirty-ahem, cough, cough, years without it.

I will never buy metallic gift wrap again. Pretty, but tape doesn't stick. I keep accusing the kids of peeking.

it is possible to bake without tasting. A new skill I hope to employ throughout the season of baking.

freezing the bananas makes a better smoothie.

being a morning person is easier than I thought it could be.

exercise isn't so terrible.

I really do prefer a white Christmas. Where is my snow?

I can only push down my slobby tendencies so long before they emerge and force me to leave piles around my home.

working a very part time job and being home, even in an empty house, is a good thing for me.

I'm nicer when I don't eat sugar.

choosing presents gets harder every year.

Thats all for now. What have you learned lately?

Vetoed for the Christmas card

Yesterday was the official picture taking day for the family Christmas card. I was hoping to get out main street lights in there, but these just didn't work. So, you get to see the bloopers! Aren't the backs of my kids' heads cute?

We usually take about 50 pictures to get one suitable one. This street is much prettier with snow but we haven't had a big snowfall yet. It's also way prettier in real life.

Back to work for me. I hope to get the cards out before Christmas actually arrives.

Save the Snowman

Here's a hangman like word game you might enjoy. There's some funny stuff over there!

Have fun!

Stories and Worship

Found an interesting book project. You may want to head over to Story and Worship to see what it's about.

Jeff Barker, the author, is asking "What does story have to do with worhsip?" He would like feedback on his stories and comments about your own experiences with story in worship.

Here's a quote:

“What does story have to do with worship?” How would you answer that question? Think of Bible story, history, personal narrative, parable and other stories.

But think also of the structure of story itself.

Regarding the structure of story as a shaping influence for an entire worship service, Tim Wright, one of the pastors at Community Church of Joy, has called it “story-driven worship.” At my home church, we sometimes call it “story-formed worship.” Norma de Waal Malefyt, of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, suggests that we think of worship style as a novel rather than a magazine.

I particularly liked this story.

Once upon a time...

Happily ever after.

We've been married 19 years, today.

Happy anniversary to us!

My Worlds Collide

There are some days when I am up and at 'em. The picture of productivity. The busy bee who gets the job done in no time flat and keeps on ticking. I LOVE it when I am this person.

I love it when people pop over on these days. They discreetly look around and and ask, "Wow, is your house always this clean?" I laugh and tell them they got me on a good day. You never know what you'll get on a surprise visit to my house.

Other days, I feel tender. I need to take care of myself. I may take a long shower and put my pajamas back on. I'll make tea and read or watch an old movie. Maybe bake something or fold some towels, but that's really the limit to what I will do on what I call a 'bless my little heart' day.

Today, I really, really want that soft, easy day. I want to wrap up in my blankie and not move. I feel fine, I'm not sad. In fact, I feel pretty up beat today (except that I had a dental cleaning and no one likes those.)

Unfortunately, I am still cleaning up from the cookies, I have two days of dishes and about 80 gazillion loads of laundry, two bathrooms to clean and I really need to start thinking about Christmas. My list is long today. It is calling my name and I don't want to answer.

So, what will I do? Ignore it all and take my lazy day? Suck it up and get to work?

I'll let you know when I decide.

More cookies

It's fund raiser time at our middle school. We were asked to bring cookies. Lots of 'em.

A rainbow of frosting. Cream cheese. Yum.

Aren't they so beautiful? I don't want anyone to eat them.

Doesn't that look homey? There is just something so satisfying about Christmas baking.

Here's the best part. I put my name on a list to bake for other people and THEY PAID ME! Need some baking done? I'm for hire.

Here's a tip for your cut outs. Instead of rolling them out with flour, use powdered sugar. That way your cookies don't taste like paste, as cut outs are wont to do.

Now I need to settle down and get some Christmas gifts made. Anyone have any good ideas for a small, simple, quick, inexpensive favor to give to people I appreciate or have affection for? Let me know!