I don’t know what to write today. I am not really in the talking mood. I think I just want to sit back and listen. Does anyone feel like talking? Like sharing a story? I want to hear about how well the holidays are going, or how one moment last week changed your soul. I want to hear about how good life can be when you post a goal and achieve it. Has anyone had a “It’s A Wonderful Life” moment this month? Tried a fabulous new recipe? Discovered a new restaurant? Saw a classic movie? Who has gone to a child’s Christmas performance this month and ditched the video camera so that you could watch it with your natural eyes? Has there been any treats left on your doorstep? Fun ward parties? Family parties? Friend’s parties? Who has gone caroling? What Christmas hymns make you cry and think about the baby in Bethlehem? What personal revelations are you willing to share this month? Tithing settlement stories? What holiday plans are you excited to execute? Any pre-determined New Year’s goals? I’d like to hear who has given or received service this month. I’d like to hear about quiet moments-maybe a night where you snuggled in the glow of the Christmas tree. I’d like to hear about exciting first dates or second dates or just how wonderful it is to be single during Christmas. Has anyone met a new friend? Had a wild Girls Night Out? Gone skiing? Found the perfect wrapping paper? Listening to the best Christmas album? Visited the beach? Hung Christmas lights on your palm tree or cactus in the front yard? I want to hear about snow falling or rain falling or sunshine. Who likes chocolate oranges? Who has the Hot Chocolate recipe that blows all other recipes out? Who has found the good in not-so-good situations? What are you reading? What are you watching? What are scriptures are you contemplating? Any great kisses? Romantic moments? Do your children have funny wish lists for Santa? Have you read Angie and Heather’s remarkable posts this week on Blog Segullah? Can you believe I went tanning yesterday felt like heaven had kissed me?
Does anyone feel like talking?
Related posts:
Holiday Highlight (thus far):
There is a family in our ward whose house burned down last March. Their amazing contractors managed to build a new house and get them in by Halloween.
The week before Thanksgiving I got a call from a sister in the ward saying that they were having a “Christmas shower” for Marci (the mom), and I was invited. We all brought a Christmas decorations of some sort and had a shower for Marci and her family so that they would have some Christmas decorations.
It was so much fun to see what people gave her–floral arrangements, ornaments, stockings, snow globes, knick-knacks….but the best part was the shared sisterhood, the outpouring of love for this sister and her family.
I’ll bite. Since I am dying to share this and I can’t hardly write about it on my blog for fear it will ruin the surprise.
Here’s the deal. There is this part of me, deeply connected to Santa, that really wants people to get what they want once in awhile. So I can hardly contain my joy over being able to make that happen for at least one of my kids this year.
Oldest son wants a telescope for Christmas. There are all kinds of reason this is not a good idea: younger siblings, the fact it will end up spending most of its earthly existence in a box because he will be leaving on a mission in the not-to-distant future, and also the little tiny reason that to purchase a decent telescope you have to spend big bucks. Not to mention the whole “you can get what you want but wherever will you put it?” thing.
So we look. We ask around. And we finally go back to him and say, .”This isn’t really going to work out, is there anything else you want?” And he tells us maybe a scripture cover, some CDs, a pair of pants and other mundane items from the world of “blah humbug.” And we’re all OK with that.
Except my inner Santa.
Then last night we happen to be at the mall and we happen–or so I think–to be heading towards Deseret Book for said scripture cover when I see it. The worlds largest, most sturdy and most totally “this-is-the-telescope-of-my-dreams” telescope! And get this. It’s the very same one on one of the recommended lists we found during our research. And it’s under $100.
In a heartbeat I am at the counter of the store slapping down my credit card. And I am so excited I can hardly contain myself.
My kid is getting what he wants this Christmas. (To be honest, the kid in me is getting something she’s always wanted this Christmas–besides the giving-the-perfect-gift thing.) And he has no idea.
And this present, while temporal and subject to being worn or broken, will linger as a happy memory in his heart long after it has gone the way of many a good Christmas gift. And when he his old he will tell his kids and his grandkids about the year he got what he really wanted for Christmas. I just know it!
ME.
I have the best hot chocolate recipe in the world. It actually has three versions:
The one with butter and cream
The one with cream
The one with two milks
This is the time of year that I obsess about making tamales. I want to fill the freezer and my tummy with their corn husk goodness.
I love my Young Women and think they are the best in the world. “OH!” said one 17 year old Laurel, “I am getting. Soon I will be in college, graduated, married and have children. I am SO OLD.” Even with how amazing and delightful they all are, I can’t help but think of the one girl that I’ve lost. I want her to come back.
My Christmas tree takes my breath away.
My 3yr old daughter asked for a carrot from Yo Ho (Santa).
I have an anniversary around Christmas, too, so this year my happy surprise has already come. Last Friday, we went up to a cabin at Sundance for the night. We went to Sundance for dinner, then headed up to this cabin, just above Sundance. (They even had Aveda lotions and shampoos there — yum).
We sat by the fire, played games, stayed up WAY to late not wanting the whole thing to end. Saturday morning came, and we lingered until lunch, trying to make one night feel like two.
Now I’m so totally in the Christmas spirit, you could wring me out and you’d get tinsel!
OOOOh how these responses please the c jane!
I’m so glad just to hear others that are in the Christmas spirit! I love this time of year.
Back in the winter of 2004 there was HUGE snow storm in Salt Lake City. Do you remember it too? I had been praying and hoping for a white Christmas since it was the first one where I was really away from my family in Las Vegas. I sang ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Chrstmas” about a million times and watched the weather like a fiend. Did it ever snow! I could not believe how beautiful the city was, all wrapped in white.
Christmas was a pristine day. I had been dating my husband at the time for awhile and thought that each present I opened might be something ’sparkly’. I was very disappointed when all the presents were unwrapped and no ring on my finger.
The rest of the day involved enough food, family, snow and games to distract me from my sadness. As we returned home from our grandparents N. took a detour. He told me he had sleds in the trunk of his car. We slid into the parking lot of Liberty Park and I naively asked where the sleds were. He said that he had decided he just wanted to take a walk instead.
Underneath a tree where we had spent part of our first date he proposed and slipped something sparkly on my finger.
I love Christmas!
1. got my january martha today in the mail
2. my best friend (not counting you) brought me fresh mistletoe from her recent trip to oregon and drive on the coast in their new mini copper s
3. put my new mistletoe over my bed…get lucky like every night!
4. going home for christmas, now that song means something to me
This is my first Christmas with my own little family away from my big family. I am sad, but happily starting my own traditions and realizing that you don’t need “snow” or a “white Christmas” to feel the Christmas spirit, because I feel the spirit in 78 degree weather! I also am learning how to string lights on palm trees, but it’s hard because they are pokey.
At our ward Christmas party last week, Santa came and brought all the kids presents (coloring books and crayons). My daughter was the first one up to talk to the Big Guy (but not on his lap, she didn’t want to get too close). When he asked what she wanted for Christmas, she surprised me by saying, “Well, my slippers have a hole in them, so I probably need new ones.” So true! And so practical! When Santa handed her her gift, he said, “These probably aren’t slippers but I brought you something else instead.” She replied by saying (with a disappointed look on her face), “That’s okay. I can just keep wearing my old slippers….even with the hole.”
Needless to say, that made me tear up more than a little bit. I was so proud of her good cheer and realization and acceptance that we don’t always get what we want. What a wise little three year old I have!
Dalene, I am soooo thrilled there’s a real closet Santa in our midst.
I spend the entire year not giving our kids what they want. Dec. 25th is there one turn of the entire year!
I love you, santa-gal!
Somehow the New Year has come early for me. Since the beginning of December, I have revamped my life in ways that have made me feel like a different person. So far it is successful. I feel like a better me. You can just call me George Bailey. Happy December!
Carina, I want–no I NEED–your hot chocolate recipe. And I believe you beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the best.
And what day do I come by for the tamales?
Well, I’ve tried to keep the real meaning of Christmas in my mind and heart this year and not get all stressed out over the shopping, baking, etc. So far, I think I’ve been successful for the most part. I’ve tried to be more cheerful and tried to be more giving. I’ve tried to enjoy the season with the family. But, I’m afraid to say, I’m feeling the stress coming on. It’s Dec. 13th and I haven’t gotten one single present yet because, as usual, I’m waiting for one of Lee’s houses to close (that was supposed to close a week ago!AHHH!)(Story of my life!) So, I most likely won’t be able to shop until next week. I’m also feeling a little stress for the Ward Party. I have to play the piano and I’m not ready. I also can’t bake because my oven isn’t fixed yet! Oh, well, I guess I need to have faith that all will work out and everything will be fine.
Thanks for letting me vent…
Please ignore my previous comment. I’m just a little frustrated today but I’m fine now.
We just got back from the Library and drove around looking at all the lights in the neighborhood. Tell Chup that the kids really liked your big multi-colored lights and Scott informed us how cool Bro. K is because he puts his lights on a timer so they go on the same time everyday. (Just one of the reasons he’s cool!) Anyway…
I’ll see you Friday but bring your earplugs so you don’t have to hear my horrible piano playing!
One year in a very sacred RS gathering, a few of us role played some of the women surrounding Mary and the Babe in Bethlehem. I was blessed to play Mary and sang “Breath of Heaven”…
Then another year I sang with the Primary Children at our Ward Christmas party a song that I cannot find the title to, but it goes something like this:
Lullaby little one, angels gather near
Come, they say, see the King…in a manger here.
They sing of you Messiah,
Filling me with joy.
The Son of God has come to earth as such a tiny boy.
Do you know? Can you tell? All that you will be?
King of Kings, but for now…a child like me.
(Sorry…I pushed the wrong button)
THIS song makes me think about the baby in Bethlehem.
I love Harry Connick Jr. at Christmas time. His voice and old school style are fabulous. I love his cd that is red. I can’t remember the name, but I think it is his newest one. My favorite song is “The Happy Elf”. It’s not a very religous song, ok not at all, but it is fun and gets you in the Christmas mood. Pretty much every other song is good too. He’s such an awsome crooner.
December so far:
We decorated a gingerbread house and covered it completely in candy. (I love candy!) Kade carries it around and calls it his cake.
The other night we took a ride to Spanish Fork and went to the Festival of Lights. Kade loved it and I loved how much he loved it.
We surprised Ethan with a dinner party at Tepanyaki for his birthday (2 weeks early.) He kept saying, “I’ve never had a surprise party before.” Ha…I got him!
Addison learned to sit up and babbles like a crazy animal. She had her 6 month appt and the dr says, “She is in the 50-75% for weight and 25-50% for height, so that’s where these chunky thighs come from.” I was laughing so hard.
Oh and I met Cjane in Target and then bought a cool shirt w/polka dots on it.
So far it’s looking like a good month: lots of family time, lots of good food, lots of Christmas spirit.
I don’t know when I’ve so much fun reading comments on a blog.I usually skip them. What a great idea Cjane!
This is my first ever comment and I couldn’t resist adding my little bit. We just bought a puppy. This is a big deal because I am not an animal person and I already have five youngish children ages 4-11. I am homeschooling one of them and going to school myself. I am relatively busy. I don’t need a dog. Well, maybe I do. I saw his ad in the classifieds and just knew he was meant to be ours. Adoption! He is a beautiful Samoyed (white, fluffy, sled-type dog). I adore the way he chases snowflakes and rolls in the snow. He has the pinkest tongue. He loves me, too, in a puppy-doggish sort of way and I don’t even mind cleaning up his puddles, much.
I guess it was good to remember that no matter how full our lives are, there is always room in our hearts for more love.
Oh, I hear him barking now. Nature must be calling and out we go!
Congrats on your first comment Melinda and even more so for your new arrival. Next to babies, I am sure, puppies are the best. Your family is very lucky!
Right now all my four boys are sprawled on the floor on blankets in front of the fire. Three-year-old has fallen asleep. On the couch sits Grandpa, reading them “A Christmas Carol.” I came downstairs to this scene, and wept, because I am missing most of Christmas this year because of health problems and surgery. I’d been sitting in a recliner in my bedroom all week and came down to this. What a sweet little treat.