"Many Happy Returns!"

So, this isn't originally a new year's wish.  It is in fact, a birthday wish from young maid Becky to the sadly misplaced Sara in Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess.*

However, I've decided that this will be my 2011 greeting for you all. May you have many more years to greet.  May they always begin with love, joy and faith. May they be filled to overflowing with every good and perfect gift.  May all of your steps be ordered by God.  May you be blessed beyond measure in every facet of your life.

Many Happy Returns!

*PS-If you've never read A Little Princess, I recommend you run out and buy, borrow or download a copy ASAP.  It's a beautiful work. 

"If the Grinch came and stole your Christmas presents...

...and they were about to go over the side of the mountain, what would be in your box?"  With a huge sigh, 5 year old Moomala answered, "Clothes." Her 8 year old sister agreed, "Yeah, probably clothes." 

The 9 year old of the group was certain that the answer was "video games." His preteen sister went with "a book."  (That's my kind of Christmas present!)

So began last Friday evening, a night filled with laughter and silliness. Watching the old school version of the Dr. Suess classic and eating a pre-light viewing roasted marshmallow, Becky, Moo, Boo, J.Eg, C.Eg and I were soon joined by Ashley and her clan. 

Piling into the cars we made our way throught brightly lit neighborhoods to the local Festival of Lights.
Our rules for the evening: 
     ~ If you're the first to see a decorated yard or house, yell out the code word* so that we can all look.
     ~Be on the look out for your favorite light display so that it can be properly recognized. 

Simple enough and oh, so fun!

Amid much singing**, yelling of the code word and teasing about mistletoe, we made our way through the lights.   Parking under the "Star of Bethlehem" we got out to wander through "winterland" and to see the wonders of the park lit for Christmas.  It was on our way back to the car (thank goodness we had the star to guide us!) that we discovered the light show.  Set to TransSiberian Orchestra's version of "Carol of the Bells," a beautiful display kept us enraptured.  With near unanimous agreement, we gave a formal presentation to the light show as our favorite display.  The one dissenter gave her vote to the Peacock, a worthy light display.

Returning to la casa de la noche, we indulged in s'mores, hot chocolate, fuzzy socks, Polar Express and attempted bribery (of the cat that is).  Could this be a new tradtion? We'll find out next year!

Ashley's video of the light show was interrupted by voices in the background, so this isn't the one that wond the award. Still in all, a beautiful song and a beautiful light show. Enjoy!




* I'm not going to share the code word with the world. But if you happen to guess it, I'll tell you if you're right.

** Who knew that 4 kids under the age of 12 could out do 2 grown women when it came to singing Christmas Carols?  They knew all of the verses to the 12 Days of Christmas and could sing them fast. Becky and I kept joining in around 8 maids a milking...

God given rest. How much better could it be?

Last night I rested better than I have in a while.  I know that this is a blessing from the Lord.  Psalm 4:8 says "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety."

Indeed what could be better than a rest that is blessed by God?  How about a rest that is interrupted by the angels of the Lord? God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen tells the story of that moment. When shepherds were the recipients of God's glad tidings. God Rest Ye or in other words, don't be afraid, be at peace!

Here it is. A BHC (Beloved Holiday Classic) sung by a great gentlemen, Nat King Cole...

Then there are those who know what Christmas is all about...

Dear Chick-fil-A,

Please don't put the crushed up peppermints in my milkshake anymore.  As much as I love peppermint and chocolate together, I have a great dislike for things that stick to my teeth.

Sincerely,
Modern Day Scribe

Do you hear the bells?

Taking a cue from Becky's blog, I thought I would share a favorite song today.  Enjoy!



PS - This is, without a doubt, my favorite Christmas album.

A Thanksgiving Reminder...

So, last week I attended a Thanksgiving Recital. All for the pleasure of seeing my nieces perform for an audience.  Now, while I thoroughly enjoyed the K-4 & K-5 rendition of Albuquerque Turkey, the performance highlight for me was when the 1st and 2nd graders sang "Let All Things Now Living."

I'm not sure I had ever heard this before.  I know that I will always try to remember it.  As I listened to the sweet voices of those children, I was swept away by a true feeling of gratitude.  How awesome that God is so vast, yet cares so much about us! 

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;

With glad adoration a Song let us raise

'Til all things now living unite in thanksgiving:

"To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

PS - Sadly, blogger and I had a miscommunication. This was to have posted on Thanksgiving Day. Oh well, it should be Thanksgiving every day of the year, right?  Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving Feast - Kid Style.

It has been years (at least 15) since I attended a Thanksgiving banquet.  But this year, I was fortunate enough to snag an invite to my niece MooMaLa's class celebration.  Yesterday, the Pilgrims (aka K-5) invited the Indians (aka K-4) across the hall for a Thanksgiving Feast. The Pilgrims provided the meal, of course. 

The menu consisted of turkey, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, warm pasta salad and some other things that were long gone by the time I made it to the table.  But the highlight was the Cinnamon Coffee Cake! YUM. I thought this was dressing when I put it on my plate. (Don't laugh. It looked like dressing.) But when I put it in mouth, the flavor, the consistency... oh, the bliss!

I'm suprised I didn't dream about this last night.  We will definitely be seeing it again over the holidays. 

Happy Tuesday Before Thanksgiving!

Addendum: The Recipe!
Thanks to my dear sister-in-law for sending this over.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1 package yellow cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding
1 package instant butterscoth pudding
4 eggs
1 cup of water
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

1)Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 9 by 13 pan
2) Combine cake mix, vanilla pudding,butterscoth pudding, eggs, oil and water. Mix well.
3) In another bowl combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
4) Pour half of batter in the pan. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture. Cover rest with batter. Top with remaining cinnamon and sugar!!
5) Bake 20 minutes at 350°.
6) Reduce temp to 325° and bake 35-40 minutes!!

Enjoy!!!!!!!