[My apologies for the late posting but other things came up!]
There were babies to hold and play with…
Presents to wrap, and then unwrap…
Mouths to feed…
Pictures to take.
And expeditions too…
And so much family to enjoy!
I knew you’d understand!
–LS
And all through the house was the aroma of Christmas baking for the annual party…with of course the requisite contest, this year Gingerbread Tree decorating. How did we do?
You can try your hand at it with this easy recipe. Just chill the dough and roll out on a greased cookie sheet with plastic on top… and it’s easy as gingerbread trees!
Need ‘concrete’ icing? Just whip 3 egg whites, 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar, and 3 3/4 cups icing sugar for 7 min. or so until very stiff. Keep covered with damp cloth or plastic wrap until ready to use. Best used fresh. Makes 2 cups—enough to ‘glue’ on LOTS of candy, permanently!
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Well after all that, a relapse was in order, so now we’re laying a little low, waiting out colds while planning for the kiddn’s to come home with their kiddn’s…
We were married the week before Christmas Eve. So every year, interjected into the flurry of Christmas anticipation comes this celebration of all our years together. This year we’ve reached 29 and it merited me a lavish bunch of roses…
And to make the occasion extra special we had snow!
As Rachel and I tromped out to take pictures this morning, we missed the best one as a pair of mallards flew up from our little winter pond, bright against the morning sky… The only sign they left of their stay was their webprints…
I can only say I’m glad I’m not a duck, and can come in out of the winter cold and sit by the fire a while… Wish you could join me.
Wishing you a sweet and bright holiday time with your family and friends.
–LS
Lights are strung, garland hung
The nativity stands breathless
Bethlehem is still
Baubles and sparkles are suspended
The first Christmas card has come;
E-mail Greetings too;
The countdown has begun.
Once again our house will awaken to the voice of children.
Once again lesser gifts will reflect God’s own priceless One.
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In the meantime…
We get ready
And we live in hope.
This is the good news of Christmas.
God’s Lamb has been born…
Revealing God’s kind intention toward mankind–
To welcome as His own sons all who receive the Lamb as their own.
So we get ready…
And we live in hope of all that is yet to be!
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. I Jn. 3:2
“…in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” II Cor.5:19
“Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child–
Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Lk.2:15,17,11
–LS
