Choices....

 As I have mentioned previously, during these pandemic days, we have been “attending” worship and Sunday School online.  While it hasn’t been equal to being able to meet in person, it has been rewarding to be able to join with others online.  

Our Sunday School class just completed reading/studying “HOPE, an Advent Journey” by Olu Brown.    Olu Brown is founding pastor of Impact Church in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the fastest growing churches in America.  

Today’s session was especially meaningful to me.  The conclusion, Chapter Seven, is to be considered an Advent party favor.  As we have moved on from 2020, we are able to feel that we have made it through one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult for many, periods in modern day history.  While we are facing a New Year with the declaration - to ourselves, perhaps to others - that we are going to live our best life in 2021, regardless of the circumstances that surround us, we may be tempted to let the past fears find a way into our lives.  Rev. Brown mentions these four phrases of hope to see us through the times that are ahead.  They are 1) Don’t worry. 2) Don’t fear. 3) Stay positive.  This refers to surrounding yourself with people and information that share good news, even while staying informed to what is going on around you. 4) Stay curious.  Keep your curiosity alive by keeping Advent close to your heart. 

This is where you have a choice.  What is ahead is the future, and it is up to us to choose to live it with joy and peace, or fear and anxiety.  The joy and peace we have had during Advent and Christmas will still be  with us in the future.  We just have to make an effort to choose it and apply it to our relationships.

Rev. Brown writes his concluding paragraph with these words: “The light of Christ remains after the Advent season because the light is within you. Wherever you are, there is light, and wherever you go, there is light.

            - Be the light.

            - Be the joy.

            - Be the hope.”

I found these words to be words of reassurance and encouragement, giving direction for the days ahead.

If you think you would enjoy this book, www.marketsquarebooks.com is a site for you to investigate for purchase.

I want to take this opportunity to mention that the work of the United Methodist Women has continued through this time, and this new year has new challenges.  Today’s Mission Focus is the AK Child & Family, Anchorage, Alaska.  Providing opportunities to examine and experience God’s love in different ways from acceptance to theological discussion.

Choose joy!

A list on Friday....

 Although the Christmas/holiday celebrations have been altered greatly this season, there was a need to take some time for recharging.  Following are some of the recharging techniques here.

1)  Taking time for a special tea break on a busy morning was a good idea!  It was the perfect time to begin reading “Enchanted,” the first chapter of a book by Susan Branch.  The teaspoon was a Christmas gift.

 2)  For the past several years, The Husband and I have celebrated New Year’s Eve by going to Red Lobster for an early dinner.  Those wonderful cheese biscuits are really difficult to resist.  This season, however, there is no going out to eat.  I was happy to find a copycat recipe in my files for these biscuits.  They were a perfect accompaniment to my favorite soup....Chicken Wild Rice!

3)  These soup mugs are ideal for serving soup and keeping it from becoming too cool.  In this picture, the mug contains homemade vegetable beef soup using a beef bone from our Christmas Day roast.

4)  Black-eyed peas have become a tradition on New Year’s Day.  I remembered to set them to soak on New Year’s Eve, and although there is no picture, they were very tasty earlier today!

5)  This was my favored position in the early evening on New Year’s Eve.  As we are all about relaxing these days, it was very soothing to sit in front of the fireplace in something comfy.  The pajamas were designed by Susan Branch several years ago.

6)  We especially enjoyed this presentation on PBS.  It was perfect for New Year’s Eve.

Now we are at the first day of the new year.  None of us know what this year will bring, though there is the promise of a vaccine which is hoped to bring an end to this pandemic that has turned things upside down for all of us.  We will be ready for that when our turn comes!

May the coming year be one of hope and joy for you!

As promised....

 Happy Christmas Eve, blogger friends!  I promised you a Christmas tree tour last time.  Here is a mini-version.  

Through the years, many of our ornaments have gone by the wayside.  These are three of our most recent additions, all gifts from friends.

The top one and the one on the bottom are from the same friend.  How appropriate that a mixer and mixing bowl hang from the tree!  I’ve certainly kept the mixer busy this season!  The lower ornament is actually a gift for The Husband.  He had a good chuckle when he opened the package!  Quite the perfect choice for him!

The one in the middle was sent by a friend in England a few years ago.  I’ve kept the ribbon length for display.

During these very different times, the calendar advances, and we are at a special time.  We plan to join with Christmas Eve services through the online option from our church website.  How are you observing Christmas Eve/Day?

Take care!  Be safe, and stay well!

Busy days....

 Even with staying home now and not being involved in the usual activities in the community, times become rather busy.  How many of your find that you are keeping busy, especially during this special season?

I’ll begin first with those things that have brought joy recently.

1)  

If there are any of you who follow me on Instagram,  you’ve seen these pictures.  One cold, frost-covered morning just last week, I looked out the window of the bedroom to see this activity at the bird feeder and the bird bath.  The woodpecker was a happy thing, rather camouflaged by the rose bush behind him.  The bird bath had a layer of ice over the water, but this blue jay knew how to search at the edge for that water.

2)  Adding the finishing touch to these cookies makes a bit difference!  

I know I’ve already declared Chocolate Crinkles to be my new favorite cookie, but there has to be room for these on the list, too.....Red Velvet Thumbprints!

3)  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, and this is my favorite of all the Christmas displays.  It is the first to be put in place, and the last to be stored away after Epiphany.

4)  This special nook has some favorite reading material....

5)  This always brings a smile to my face!  It has been a “Christmas regular” for almost 40 years!

As usual, we enjoyed our Sunday Lunch in the dining room.  The menu included roasted pork tenderloin (one of our favorites), “dirty” mashed potatoes, lima beans, and sour cream chocolate cake!

Do we have a tree?  Why, yes!  We do!  We’ll “tour” that the next time!

Be of good cheer!  Take care of yourself!  Be safe, and stay well!

Plans change....

 How was your weekend?  Have there been some special events you’ve been able to enjoy during these pandemic days?

Sunday afternoon was time for another Tea Party with Susan Branch event.  This one was sponsored by An Unlikely Story, a Massachusetts bookstore.  Are you able to see that stove behind Susan?  I’d love to have one just like it!  It’s a reproduction of those stoves many of us remember from years ago, and it would work well with projects like this one....

                                                       More cookies on the way!

The Sunday Lunch menu had a slight alteration.  Rather than been and noodles, we had a little taste of some beef barbecue, not too saucy.

Loved it with roasted garlic redskin potato wedges and Brussels sprouts!  It was good to follow up with a tasty nibble of these....

                                                        Reindeer Chow!  I believe I’m part reindeer!

We have just heard today that our church will halt in person worship again until January 3, 2021.  The Husband and I haven’t been to church in person since March 7 and have been worshipping online.  That will continue indefinitely.  

While the promise of a vaccine is encouraging, it will be quite awhile before everyone has the opportunity to take it.  We’re certain our doctor’s office will inform us whenever one is available for us.  

I hope you are finding ways to make these moments count.  I send the very best of wishes for the season to each of you!

It’s all about the cookies....

 Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie?  Is it homemade?  Do you bake it every year?  There are a few that are traditional for us; however, I’m always ready to try something different, and I have one or two new ones to try this season.

This recipe for Chocolate Crinkles is readily available on the Betty Crocker website. 

They look like this on the cookie sheet before going into the oven....

....and here they are after they are baked!  I might just be able to say that they are my new favorite cookie!

Tomorrow’s menu?  Beef and noodles sounds like a good choice to me!  Perhaps a cookie or two for dessert!  

Stay safe and well!

The Friday Five....

 Here we are, another Friday has rolled around!  Did this week pass quickly for you, or was it one of those weeks that seemed to creep along?  

Here are some things that have been the source of pleasure for me this week.

1)  

The fog gives a good backdrop to the first picture, though the holly berries are difficult to see.  The second picture is from a different angle.  They are part of the namesake for the blog.

2)  I will confess that I love this season!  

I love to set the table with Christmas dishes!  

3)  I love to have leftovers from a roast turkey!

Turkey Wild Rice Soup!  One of my favorites!

4)  I love to be able to have a fire in the fire pit!

This wood, cut by Country Man, will be fuel for many fire pit sessions!

5)  I love cookies!  Today is National Cookie Day, I hear!

Who can resist a good Molasses Cookie?

How are you preparing for this holiday season?  I believe I’ve mastered the art of online shopping!  That is all too easy!  Are you decorating?  Are you sending cards?  Are you doing any special cooking?  

The weekend is ahead!  Do you have any special plans?  Remember to take care, be safe, and stay well!