December Potpourri

I missed blogging for several days due to my lovely phone being out of commission, but my truly fantastic husband is a whiz and he has fixed the problem and I am now back in business!  Yay!

Since the idea of a "photo-a-day" was to get me back into the swing of blogging I will spare you the multiple catch-up posts to stay on track.  Instead, I'm asserting my right to NOT stick with the schedule and do what I want to do. 



B took me out to The Rathskeller this weekend.  I was a bundle of nerves heading out since I am not always a fan of trying something new, which is funny because generally I end up liking what I try.  He'd made reservations, which was good since the place was jam-packed with people.  I had no idea the place was that big.  The dining rooms are intimate though so it wasn't overwhelming.  The food was fabulous!  After dinner we headed down to the band playing in the bar area, but decided against staying since we still wanted to talk--music was too loud to be able to hear each other.  I'd like to go back and take friends with me next time. Any takers? 

Since I was still trying to take pictures for the blog that night, I needed a picture having to do with "Bright".  Again, my husband is so thoughtful.  He drove me to the Circle just to get some shots of the tree.

The following day, the family kicked back at home and played some games.  Remember this one?

 



Shopping

Homemade wheat bread and soups
 

I am not a shopper.  I make a list and stick to it.  Some of you might even laugh at me if I showed you my shopping list for the grocery.  There is a 2-sided grocery list stored on my computer so that I can print off multiple copies to keep in my pantry.  On one side, I keep the menus for the week, marked with notes if it is simple enough for hubby to make on my busy days so he can just pick something.  The other side is divided into the sections of my store in the order that I walk the aisles so that I don't waste time running back and forth in the store.  Of course this makes it doubly aggravating when the store rearranges their shelves, since not only do I have to re-learn where everything is, I have to re-write my template.  (Let the laughing commence.)

I realize that the mention of Shopping at this time of the year refers to gifts, but I don't always enjoy that either.  Not that you haven't heard it before, or is it any less true or important to mention, but this time of the year has become WAY too commercial.  I don't like the pressure of feeling like I HAVE to buy something for everyone.  I don't even want to make something for everyone.  Am I a Scrooge if I don't want to buy something for my neighbors?  Am I a Grinch if I don't want one more party or dinner for each child per club they are in? 

MomII said that she really enjoys Russion Orthodox Christmas.  It is celebrated much later on January 7.  It focuses on Christ's birth and since it is held later, the commercialism has died down.  Here is a link to learn more about this holiday.  I think that I see a Russian Orthodox Christmas unit in our school's near future! 

Since I don't want to go shopping just to take a picture for today's blog, I thought that I'd post what I didn't shop for that I am giving today.  I made bread yesterday and the soup I thawed from leftovers. This is what I gave my family for lunch. (Yummy Zuppa Tuscana and Tomato Spinach Orzo) At any rate, maybe I should have titled this post, "Anti-Shopping".

(Disclaimer:  I have purchased and handmade several gifts this year.  I am not against gift giving or shopping.  I just do not like the HAVE TO mentality nor the guilt that is pushed upon me for not doing so.  This gift is not mine to give, but I can share:  Jesus came into this world to give you the gift of eternal life.  All you have to do is accept it.)

Today's Temperature

Technically, I missed a day of blogging.  I apologize.  It was due to techincal difficulties.  My phone/camera has decided to take a vacation and if it doesn't straighten up soon, I'll be making sure it takes a permanent vacation.  I could have posted last night, but it would have been without a picture. 

When I printed the list of ideas to blog this month, it was 70 degrees!  A couple of days later it snowed.  Now we are in this holding pattern of 40s and overcast.  We Hoosiers certainly know the full range of seasons! 

I am not a big fan of Winter.  It is my least favorite of seasons.  I usually joke that the only good thing about Winter is that it makes me appreciate the other seasons all the more.  There are a few things that I do like about this cold part of the year.  I like looking out at a fresh snow, sledding (with cocoa to warm up afterwards!), knitting without getting hot sitting under my project, seeing Christmas lights, singing carols, having legitimate reasons to sit and knit, feeling the warmth of the fire (even if it is gas and not wood) and my anniversary, which happens to be today.  Happy Anniversary, B!  I love you! 

Joyous

Today's December inspiration is the word "Joyous".  I have been planning all day for what pictures I wanted to accompany my post today and my (having trouble thinking of a decent adjective) phone/camera wouldn't work the way I wanted it too and actually locked up twice tonight.  Isn't that the way it happens?  So the picture I have is not the picture I'd hoped it would be. 

Our church's Ladies' Christmas Tea was tonight.  I had hoped to post pictures of all our happy faces to display "Joyous".  Pastor's wife said, "I just love it when we church ladies get together."  I couldn't agree more.  Who else gets to see you at your highs and lows and still love you?  (Husbands and kids excluded here.) 

This is my favorite church event.  We bring our own tea cups and a creative gift to exchange.  It is probably our best attended event.  This year I received a homemade hand scrub that is scented like pomegranate.  Our hostess also stitched together tissue holders for our purse.  Another lady painstakenly made tea cups from ice cream cones and cookies held together with icing.  She even made the tags.  What creativity and love!  I had a wonderful evening.  I might even call it joyous!

Red

Today's image is "something red".  Since we started our day off baking, I decided to photograph our red cookie cutters.  Miss K asked why anyone would use the large stocking cutter.  I answered that cookies that size neatly decorated would make a nice gift.  Maybe she should take orders. 

My Favorite Christmas Movie



Curling up with a cup of hot cocoa and my knitting to watch this classic Christmas movie is something that I look forward to doing every year.  I love Irving Berlin's arrangements and have since even before watching this movie for the first time nearly 10 years ago.  My high school choir director introduced me to Berlin.  (I got to see my director this weekend at home.  Just the back of his head as he was stepping down the curb at McDonald's, but I interrupted a conversation with my husband to point him out.) 


The voices of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney can melt hearts and Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen are great too.  Often I catch myself singing "Sisters" or "Count Your Blessings" throughout the year.  "Snow" is fun and I like the harmonies.  "White Christmas" is the perfect ending to the movie. 

The dance numbers are fun to watch.  If Judy's (Vera-Ellen) waist got any smaller she'd simply disappear.  One of the funniest scenes is watching Bob and Phil don the sisters' costumes and perform in the club.  Is it just me or should Danny Kaye win an award for his funny faces? 

 

 

The storyline is heartwarming and has purpose.  Can I live and work with the Wallace and Davis team or be another Haynes sister please?  Can Hollywood produce some more holiday movies with this feel please?  Can we have relationships like these characters?  What great times.  Perhaps I should holiday in Vermont.  Maybe the General has room for me at his inn.  I don't even think I'd mind the lady at the front desk steaming open my mail.  :)

 

 



My View Today

The Storehouse

As I mentioned yesterday, I am attempting to blog everyday this month and I am using a Photo-a-Day I found on Pinterest.  (Click here. for list.)  Today's inspiration was to take a photo of "your view today".  Two of my kids competed in a Teen Bible Quiz in my hometown.  My view today ended up being the church where the competition was held.  I remember this church being built, but I'd never been inside.  Great atmosphere for kids! 

I'm looking forward to being here with you everyday this month.