(source)
I know how warm and dim a barn can be
How soft a mangerbed the Christ-child had,
Because when I was small I used to hold
The lantern for my dad.
I know how sweet the breath of new-mown hay,
How close the bonds with gentle beasts can be
Because I tended cattle long ago,
And loved their ways with me.
I know the peace and quiet of the night
How close the skies above a pasture are
Because I walked where cowboys tend their herds
And saw a star.
I know how mothers love the tender touch
Of tiny fists and bodies soft and warm
Because I held a child against my heart,
Safe from the storm.
I know all this -- because I am a part
Of life's vast show -- this street and church and store,
A scarlet sleigh . . . the chime of Christmas bells
The wreath upon the door.
~Edna Jacques, I Know All This
Back-Door Neighbors, 1946
This was the closest that I could come for a Christmas poem from Edna on this the last Saturday before Christmas. I love that it makes me think of Mary and the Christ-child, which is what Christmas is or should really be all about. The celebration of God's great gift.
My thoughts have been very much centered on this throughout the season of Advent as I await Christmas Day. I think in our minds we like to imagine this event as having been a sweet and tender thing with angels singing, etc. The reality of it was probably quite far away from our imaginings. This was not an easy time for either of them, not Mary and not Joseph. I cannot imagine giving birth by myself in a shelter for animals, far from my home and anything familiar . . . and my family, with nobody to help. It must have been so difficult.
That the son of God deigned to come down as an innocent baby, completely dependent upon others for his well-being and safety still boggles my mind.
Love. It is all about Love. God's love for His children. The love of a young woman for God. The love of a Savior for the world. Christmas is love.
(source)
What an enjoyable time I had yesterday with my friends. I had not done anything like that in a very long time. Because there was only four of us, not counting myself, I was very comfortable. I am not a lover of large groups of people. Also, because I know each of these ladies well, it also made it a lot easier for me to relax and settle in.
Christine has such a lovely home. It is small and very cozy. And filled with light. Her Christmas decorations were so beautiful. It all just felt very warm and welcoming.
She had made a large pot of homemade Turkey and Barley soup with homemade sourdough bread and there were homemade butter tarts, cookies, cherry balls, etc. Tortiere. I had brought some finger sandwiches. I enjoyed a nice bowl of soup with some sourdough bread and a couple sandwiches. I was very good and stayed away from the sweets. But I was sorely tempted, especially by the butter tarts. They are one of my favorite things.
The loveliest part of all was just being together. The conversation flowed. The tears flowed as well. We are all so tender-hearted. It was just a lovely, lovely . . . afternoon.
We all agreed that we must do it again next Christmas, if not sooner.
(source)
What a terrible windstorm we have had overnight. The gales, sleet and rain were just howling against my windows. It was so loud in my bedroom when I got into bed that I was almost afraid that my windows were going to blow in. I had the cats in with me for a while. Nutmeg was laying right next to me. It was so sweet. Cinnamon was at my feet and then they left. When they left, I closed the door. Nutmeg starts meowing for his breakfast about 4:30 and I didn't want to be awakened at that time. I am an early riser but that is too early for even me!
There is still a wind warning in effect. With the mild temperatures, the rain and the wind, the snow has all but disappeared. I don't know if more is expected by Christmas or not. Mom always said that a green Christmas meant a death in the family. Old wives' tales. They had one to cover every happening back in the day.
I am not superstitious. Thank goodness.
My second most favorite was this Marlene fashion doll which came with a vanity that you could put together and a little tufted stool for her to sit on. There were also a bed and a nightstand. The vanity was full of all sorts of tiny makeup things, etc. She came dressed in a floaty peignoir set and was completely articulated. There were not many dolls, specially fashion dolls that were articulated at that time so this was a real novelty. We also got a very pretty crocheted dress for her to wear that had a stole cover that had little pearl beads crocheted into it. The yarn for the dress was a mix of yarn and silver thread. It was so pretty.
These are the gifts which stand out most in my memory, and oddly enough they also stand out in my sister's memory.
I also always really loved the new coloring book and crayons I would get each year. I always loved coloring.
(source)
We went up to the egg farm on Thursday and managed to get a nice big plump chicken for our Christmas Dinner. It looks like it will be really delicious. I picked up some eggs as well. I have gotten a ham for boxing day. Not the traditional turkey I know, but I am the only one who really enjoys turkey.
We were talking in the car about how mom used to brown the turkey on top of the stove the night before Christmas and then it would sit there all night before she stuck it into the oven in the morning. We thought it was a miracle we never got food poisoning. I suppose she didn't have room in the fridge for it. She used to do that with a lot of things. Big pots of soup, cabbage rolls, etc. They would all sit on the stove overnight when she made them and then be reheated to eat the next day. And yet, we never got sick. I guess we were just lucky! I would never do that myself. I have taken too many courses on food hygiene and safety to want to ever take the chance.
Having had food poisoning several times in my life, that is not something I ever want to take the chance with!
Food safety. It's a good thing and something we should all be mindful of.
This was a tea cozy that I had knit for myself in the U.K. Of course it got left behind. I have long wanted to replace it so in November I ordered the yarn so I could do just that. I am still waiting for it. I ordered it from the place that I usually do and it is usually here within a week. Unfortunately, I didn't do my due diligence and check and ended up ordering it on the company's American page and so it has been shipped from England to America first and now is on its way to me here in Canada. It is taking so long that I kind of think I am not going to get it. I have my fingers crossed.
Hope springs eternal!
I really haven't got a lot more to say today. I want to make some Christmas chutney today. I am going to bring the jar back to church tomorrow that my friend gave me the pea soup in and I wanted to fill it with some Christmas chutney. I have always made it a habit to return containers to people with something in it. I also wanted to do a British recipe and I need to go to the store to pick up some bottled water. I am down to one bottle. I hope the wind dies down!
A thought to carry with you . . .
☾ ° ★° * 。
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*It's not how much we give
but how much love we put into giving.
~Mother Theresa • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
but how much love we put into giving.
~Mother Theresa • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
In The English Kitchen today . . . Apple & Cranberry Pie for One. A delicious pie, perfectly sized for just one person, baked in a mug. This is the perfect size for me.
I hope that you have a beautiful weekend. Whatever you get up to I hope it brings you joy. Don't forget!
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And I do too!
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