My Christmas Wish . . .

 

One of my deepest prayers each Christmas is that the children of today will grow up to find a tomorrow free from War and Strife, Hunger and Sorrow . . . and  a world filled with joy and peace and most important of all . . .  LOVE.  I am told there has never been a time in the world's history that has been free from War or human struggle, but I live in hope.

The science of War has reached a point now where the entire world could be demolished just by the push of a button held in the wrong hands . . . slowly we are destroying the planet by over-use of our resources and greed.  In a world where so many have so much, there are still multitudes who have nothing at all and who suffer greatly at the hands of their fellow men.

To an outsider looking in . . . it could look very dire indeed.  But there is good news to cling to and with Christmas comes the promise that the hope of all mankind rests in faith  As a man thinketh so is he . . . and nothing much happens unless you believe in it.  In believing there is hope for the world, we find a way to move towards it.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying . . . Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  

Today as we light our Christmas trees and candles . . . as we open our gifts and  share the loving company of family and friends, may we recognize the favour of God's blessings upon us,  and remember the reason for the season and ponder it in our hearts . . . for this is not just the season of Christmas . . . it is the season of hope.



Merry Christmas to one and all
from Marie, Todd and Mitzie.
May your day truly be Merry and Bright,
and filled with love, peace and . . . hope.
God bless you each and every one.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

 FOR TODAY December 24th, 2013

Outside my window...
It's very, very dark.  Cold too.  I am sitting here in the glow of tree light.  It's very nice.  The wind is howling outside my window but I am warm and comfy.

I am thinking...

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ 
"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.
That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand."
~ Emily Kimbrough ✻´´¯`✻.¸¸. 

I put my hand in the strong hand of the Lord.   I don't know how I would ever get on otherwise.  More often than not He carries me.  I am so grateful for that.

I am thankful...
I learned this morning that a friend of mine is terminal.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, not too long after my mother was.   He's been having chemo and radiation since, but they have now stopped those treatments.  He is only a few years older than I.  I expect his Christmas this year will be very precious, and because of that mine is made even more precious as well.  None of us know do we . . . we must be grateful for each day we are given and I AM.

In the kitchen... 



Today there is a round up of Main Meal Christmas deliciousness.  A cop out I know, but I haven't had time to do anything new.  Each year I tell myself I am going to post all these new recipes at Christmas on the food blog, and each year I let myself down!  I had a December newsletter 3/4 written and even that did not get finished.  Oh well, there's always next year!


I am wearing...
My nightie.  I wish I could get away with wearing it all the time, but alas . . .


I am creating...  
I have a comission piece I am working on at the moment. I thought I had finished it, but in showing it to the person, she had something a tiny bit different in mind so will have to redo it.   I probably should have shown her the sketch first before moving forward!

I am going...
I have no plans to go much of anywhere this week cept home sweet home.  Grateful for my blessings of home, Todd, Mitzie, health, happiness, peace and love.

I am wondering...
What will 2014 bring?  Nothing too drastic I hope!

I am reading...


The Secret Daughter, by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian Village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter's life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son.

Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles.

I picked up this book on the advice from a friend.  (Thanks Marie!)  I am absolutely loving it!  The writing style grabbed me from the get go and I am looking forward to cuddling up with it in bed each night.   I am a slow reader normally, but am having a difficult time putting this one down!  I fear I will be finished it before I want to be!  It's THAT good!  Great writing, fabulous characters and brilliant story line.

I am hoping...
That you all have a very blessed and joyful Christmas, filled with love and magic.


Makes me Smile...



I won a prize for my appetizer recipes.   More Pidy pastry products!  Should come in handy I imagine!

I am learning...
I have a friend who immediately she is asked to do something accepts it with grace and joy.   She never complains about what she is asked to do, but just does it.   I am trying to be more like that.   I would love to get to the point where when someone asks me to do something I don't immediately groan inside and think to myself, blah . . . but instead clap my hands together, smile and say when do I start!   Unfortunately, I think it will be a long process.   ☺

Around the House ...



I love this room.   I think it is the wooden floor and then those curtains at the windows.  I also love those lamps.  We need new lamps in our bedroom.  Somehow Todd's has gotten all cracked on the base.  He says he doesn't know how that happened . . . hmmm.

 

I love this idea of a skirt around the bottom on the coffee table, which hides anything you may have stored beneath.   I think I will try to implement this idea in the new year!



Come hell or high water I am doing a granny square project in 2014!

I am pondering...
I have been thinking about simplifying things in my life somewhat.  Getting rid of a lot of things and cutting way back.  If Todd and I ever had to move into a much smaller place it would be very difficult at the present.   Why we hang on to all of this stuff beats me.  We don't even know what we have as we haven't even looked at a lot of it in three years, so what's the point in having it?   I don't know!  Three questions will be asked.   Do you love it?   Do you need it?  Can you live without it?

A favorite quote for today...  

 

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
  `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~
Make it a practice to judge persons
and things in the most favorable light
at all times and under all circumstances.
~Saint Vincent de Paul
 ´´¯`•.¸¸.☆

I guess that is why they are saints . . . 


One of my favorite things... 



Vintage linens and the colour purple.  Cutwork embroidery.  Lace. Ruffles.
I'm just a girly girl!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Christmas tomorrow, Christmas lunch, The Queen's Message, The Downtown Abby Christmas special, The Call the Midwife Christmas Special, Missionaries on Boxing Day.   Not a lot really!

A peek into my day...



I try to fill my day with as much love as possible.  Reading the scriptures, which I think is the greatest love story ever told . . . watching my husband do the things he does, which makes my heart swell with love (well, most of the time anyways!), finding positivity to read or watch, or participate in.    I like to surround myself with goodness, which reminds me of the thirteenth article of faith from our church which says . . . We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
I can't imagine living my life in any other way.

 ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
   ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
   ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░  


Wherever you go and whatever you do I hope there's a wonderful day planned for you!

 

I wish for each and every one of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.  May it be filled with a multitude of blessings and plenty of joy!  I love you!

Small and Wonderful Things

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life.   It's the small things in life which truly mean the most.  Simple abundance . . . it's the best.



The whole of the Primary (Children's Sunday School) in our church sang Away In A Manger in church yesterday.  It was so cute.  We have a really large primary in our Ward and it grows by leaps and bounds each year.   It is so nice to see such a lovely bunch of children.   It shows me that our church is not getting old, but that there is plenty of youth in it to keep it moving along!



Go up to the top of the page and pause the music.  It's ok.  I will wait.
Now, play this.   Last night was the Song's of Praise Big Sing 2013 and they did the top ten carols in the UK as voted by the viewers.  This was number one.  Oh Holy Night, sung by Michael Ball.  Just beautiful.  When we lived down South our Bishop would sing this at church every Christmas.  It was one of our favourite parts of the holidays.  We had just been saying yesterday how very much we miss it each year, so this was a gift.  It wasn't Bishop Bascom, but it was a darned good second best!



We also got to enjoy Susan Boyle sing.   I really admire her.   My father just loves her.   I always send him her latest album for Christmas.  I am always very inspired by what she has had to overcome to be able to do what she does and do it so beautifully.  She's just awesome!



The doorbell rang last evening and when Todd opened it up there were some children singing carols outside the house.  It made us smile.  They ended up with half our box of Celebrations!  mitzie enjoyed them as well, such a lovely treat!

 

Just the most adorable little Minnion ever.  This is Cameron on his mum's lap.  My daughter makes beautiful babies.  Tom helps of course.



My son Bruce, the dog whisperer.   Here he is enjoying Baxter on his legs, whilst cuddling Sara's parent's pooch.  He is clearly a dog lover.   We mostly had cats when the children were growing up, one at a time of course!  I like cats when they aren't trying to eat our fish.



There's Maryn dashing through the snow and enjoying the moment!  Sweetest Granddaughter ever!  I know . . . I am biased, but I think I am allowed to be!



This is Joshua enjoying his visit with Santa!  He's our little red headed grandson.
I love my grandbabies.



Jacob is a little bit uncertain about Santa Claus.  But then again, he is only three.
Santa can be quite scary at three. 

Shall I leave you with a smile for today?  I think so . . .

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
My cheerful attitude
and grateful heart lead me to joy and peace.
~Jackson Kiddard

 

There is a selection of delicious starters in The English Kitchen today. 

Have a wonderful Monday!  If you are travelling today to get home for Christmas, stay safe!  Go with God. xxoo

If I could wish a wish for you . . .

 

If I could wish a wish for you,
it would be for peace and happiness
not only now,
but for the whole year through!
 I wish that there always be food on your table.
And that you always remember those less fortunate.
May you always take time to share,
and thank those who share with you.
 I wish for time,
so you may reflect on the blessings that you have,
 and that you express your love
to those who are dear to you.
 May you never feel lonely,
because there are those who care.
That you realize: you are special,
you are unique,
you make a difference,
not only at Christmas, but all year!
 I wish for your thoughts to be positive ones,
that you never quit,
that you never give up,
and that you continue to learn.
I wish for the love, peace, and joy of Christmas
to be yours always,
 ~Catherine Pulsifer 



 What a wonderful time we had last evening at our Church's One Night in Bethlehem evening.  We had lots and lots of people out and everyone seemed to really enjoy the event.   It was set up spectacularly!

The play went well also, with the exception of the choir and the participants not being co-ordinated and Joseph skipping a whole set of his lines.   We had to ad lib several times, but I don't think it showed that badly.  Todd and I were well practiced actually and neither one of us forgot anything we were supposed to say.  The most important thing however was that people in attendance felt the true spirit of Christmas and God's love.  And I think they did.  They did not notice any line fluffing, or repeating . . . they just felt of the love that was present in abundance.

That is the true spirit and meaning of Christmas . . .  love.  It’s about the good news and peace on earth . . . goodwill to men, the mighty Prince of Peace having come into our midst. We are not alone. We need never be alone. No matter how low you may feel, or how sad, there is always one who cares.

 

I pray that this Christmas for you will not simply be the experience of getting more . . . but waking up to what we already possess, for God has already given us everything we need . . . A Saviour, love, hope, eternal life, beauty, peace of mind, joy, faith, community . . . So much. We don’t always choose to accept them or make them ours. With time and familiarity we tend to lose touch with God’s abundance. So this Christmas, let’s not just open what is new beneath the tree, but re-open what is already ours. 

 

Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . Linzer Cookies!

Have a wonderful Sunday!  God bless you all!

A Letter to Santa . . .

 

I had to go to the grocery store yesterday to pick up a few things so that I can work on some of the food for tonight's Evening in Bethlehem party at the chapel.   We thought we would get there early and be home again.   Apparently everyone else felt the same as the store was jam packed to the rafters.  I half expected it to be anyways, so that was ok.  I really only had a few things to get.

When I got up to the cash register area, the one at the end didn't have anyone much in the queue so I got into that one.   As luck would have it, the woman in front of me had almost all of her things on the belt when she realize that someone had pinched her bottle of whiskey and so she said to me, "I'm just going to dash back and get one."   No problem said I.  She was a bit longer and I started to worry because almost all she was buying had gone through the register, but then she returned.  Sigh of relief.   "There wasn't any left on the shelves," she said, "So someone has gone to get me one from out back."  (That's probably why some nice  naughty person had pinched the one out of her cart!   Happy Christmas!)

When she got out her money to pay, she had the vouchers which most customers had been saving over the past 4 weeks towards her Christmas shop, but nobody had told her that you had to cash them in at the Customer Service Desk first before you try to pay at the til.  So she had to dash back to the Customer Service Desk and wait in a queue there to get the proper thing that she could use.



In the meantime,  someone had gotten behind me and put their things onto the conveyer belt.  You should have heard the noise and complaining she was making.  Fair dues, she only had a few things, but really . . .   The cashie rat the til was one I often use.  She is a little Philippina woman and always cheerful and smiling, very congenial.  I felt quite sorry for her, the abuse she was getting.  It really was not her fault.  You could tell she was upset at what the woman behind me was saying.  She looked very dejected in her cute little reindeer hat.  So much for the season of Good Will!!  I was not going to let the bad attitude of someone ruin my Christmas or the cashier's, and so I assured her I was not bothered in the least . . .  with a smile, and I could tell she appreciated my patience, as . . . when all was said and done, she wished me a very enthusiastic Merry Christmas when I finally got my own things through and had paid.  That alone was worth the wait!

I don't understand people.  It was not the cashier's fault.  It wasn't even the woman ahead of us in the queue's fault.  She was simply having a bad day.  Nothing was served by complaining about it.  It didn't get us through the queue any faster!  Fair dues . . .  the lady behind me might have been having a bad day too, and the extended wait at the check out might have been just one more thing to add to the list of horribleness.   I have no way of knowing.  I only know it cost's nothing to be kind and the rewards are worth their weight in gold.  After all it is the Season of Good Cheer, is it not?  I would much rather be nice than naughty.



It isn't easy to figure out how to impress the old man who decides which children have been naughty or nice, and which will receive the really good toys. Does it help to have really good cookies and milk waiting for the jolly old elf? I started thinking this morning what if I could write a letter to Santa today? What would I ask for?? Would my hopes and dreams be different than those of a child??? In alot of ways yes . . . but in others maybe not . . . Here goes.



Dear Santa,
I've tried to be a really good girl this year, although I know that I messed up a few times and did a few things I shouldn't have. I am hoping that at this late date, that won't really matter and you will perhaps overlook the things I shouldn't have done in favour of the good things I did do. I really already have almost all the things I need or want so I guess I am really and truly blessed, but there are a few things you could help out with if possible.



First of all I'd like a magic pill that would make me stop eating all the things I shouldn't and help me to eat only things that are good for me. I'd really like to be a size 10. A big part of me knows that if there really was such a thing you'd be skinny, and since you are obviously not, this is a futile wish, but it never hurts to ask, or so I've been told.

Do you think it would be possible to  add a few hours to every day???  I never seem to be able to get all the things done that I need to get done! A few hours extra in the day would be a really big help. Bear in mind, of course, that when I have to be doing something I really don't feel like doing, I'd like the time to go a bit faster.  I know you can do it . . . You're Santa Claus!



I have been racking my brain trying to think of some way you could improve on my husband, but I really can't think of one.  I guess I am a rare bird and got really lucky there, except I think he would like a bit more hair on his head, so if you could grant that one wish for him, I'd be really grateful.  Personally I'm not bothered.  I love him just the way he is.

I'd sure like to be able to get up in the morning without feeling the aches and pains of an aging body and it would be really nice if I could look in the mirror and see a 20 year old looking back at me instead of this 50 something year old. A tall order I know. In the meantime I'll settle for just being able to get up in the morning . . .



If you were really able to grant all my wishes I'd wish for world peace, brotherly love, an end to world hunger and global warming, and for polititians that were honest and truly representative of the wishes of their constituents, but I know that is an impossibility . . . at least this side of the millenium.

 I'd wish for all eyes to be turned to the manger on this most holiest of holidays.

Finally, I hope that you have a safe trip and that Mrs. Claus has your jammies and slippers all warmed up and waiting for you when you get home from work.

Happy Christmas,
and much love,
Marie

PS - Do you like Peanut Butter Fudge???   I sure hope so because that is what I made . . .



In The English Kitchen today . . . Mom's Peanut Butter Fudge.

 Have a wonderful Saturday, and remember . . . it cost's nothing to be kind!