Magic all around

Grinches, scrooges, party poopers, and others beware this is a post about snow and Christmas!

It finally happened...the first snow of 2005 to grace the lowlands of Whatcom County. Last night as I sat behaving (Andrea no comments) like a lady during choir practice, my eyes were draw to the gorgeous stained glass windows of the church where we practice. All of a sudden, what should I notice but great white snow flakes being driven against the panes by the wind. They only lasted a few moments but I saw them just the same. My decorum rapidly deteriorated to the point where I caused a disturbance in my row out of sheer excitement. Thankfully my behavior did not seem to be noticed by the director until later when I was still staring at the window and neglected to be paying attention for the cue to stand. Then I got the evil eye from Sir Gerald. Today I was home ill and I felt quite guilty as I laid in the recliner, watching a Christmas movie, while the snow fell heavily outside my window. Almost felt like I was playing hooky! I know it will probably be gone by tomorrow but since it's not even Dec. yet there is hope for more as the season progresses. Even Tut-tut, my cat, streaked out this morning and had a good romp, chasing snow balls and leaping over snow covered ferns. I admit I do still need to pick up a set of tire chains and throw some rocks or sand bags in the back of my truck for weight but those are things of minor hassle.

This brings me to Christmas. I love Christmas, though I am particular about how I celebrate it. I don't even think about it till after Thanksgiving. I love the intense weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Somehow starting in Sept. takes away from the season immensely. I know some people find the season stressful and don't look forward to it at all but I take it as it comes and if I get cards sent out, great, and if not, oh well there is always next year. I don't buy things for people just to buy them. Some years people get things and other years they don't. It depends on if anything struck me as being just right. On the other hand I love the lights, the music, the connection, the time to think about the Gift of the Ages, even if He really was born in the spring sometime. Some years I decorate a lot and other years I don't make time for it but regardless I always love driving at night at this time of year. And I always make time to go on specific light viewing excursions. No one in my family is too keen on the holidays because of bad memories but for me many of them hold some precious memories like:
our red spray painted tumbleweed Christmas tree when we lived in AZ,
all the hours Tina, her brother, sister and I spent making paper ornaments for the perfect little trees that we looked all over for to fit in our travel trailers during those wonderful tree planting days on the SE coast,
the hours that my mom and I spent making barbie and doll clothes for the Angel Tree kids,
the fun I have had organizing adopt a family projects for different families over the years,
the year we had homeless 2 ladies and a dozen kids over for Christmas dinner (long story)
serving tea at the Everson Library for several years during their annual Silver Tea/Gingerbread House display,
building a snow fort with my foster brother one year,
making my grandparents cry one year by flying in and surprising them on Christmas Eve,
digging up trees with my dad,
listening to "A Christmas Carol" on the radio Christmas Eve,
Christmas movies...I have a weakness for christmas movies, especially the happy ending, wishes come true types (and of course there should be at least one good viewing of the Grinch each year!)
and of course the music, most recently the Messiah. All through the years the music has been a big part of what I look forward to during the holidays.
Ok so I haven't ever had a hallmark Christmas and some of them have been downright sad and disappointing for one reason or another but no two years have ever been boring! Each year beings it's own magic and it's own memories. The wonder of it is that if this year doesn't end up being fantastic there is always next year!

I hope this holiday season is a great one for all of you and between now and the end of the year if any of you get the urge to do something festive and want some company, call me! I just might be up to joining you!

Coffee Drinkers Beware

All my dear coffee drinking friends might want to watch this little video and think about this the next time you sit down to the steaming cup of joe!

What a Night!

Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night a fair maiden set off on a quest to satisfy her soul with music and friends. She single handedly braved the fierce wind and rain for almost 2hrs. in her trusty cashmere stead before arriving without mishap at her destination, thanks to good directions from the host. The object of her quest was her dear friends but even more importantly the black polished Bozendorf beauty that rested serenely amidst contrasting white furniture and carpet, in a home far above her economic status. The company was good, the music was wonderful. This maiden often finds herself working and spending her time in the kitchen or cleaning wherever she goes and this time she made a commitment to not clean and just enjoy the music. The kitchen was beautiful and the temptation was great but she was resisted. It was strange but she managed to feel only twinges of guilt as she laid on the couch, listening to others clean and organize. There were many people that played the piano throughout the evening, the singing was fun and the time of hymn singing was quite refreshing. After everyone was gone she tried her hand at the piano and found that it was quite exciting play a little again. Before leaving home she had completely forgotten to take any familiar music with her but Johanna was able to find some music that was not too complicated for her to plunk away at it. The two remaining people in the house didn't run away with their hands over their ears which was very encouraging to say the least and gave her the courage to keep playing for a little while! Now this maiden may be adventurous but she knows her limits and so had lined up a chauffeur in the person of Johanna for the ride home which was very pleasant. There was a little drama on the way home but the Lord was good and it was soon solved. She finally got to sleep around 4am! WAY PAST her sensible bedtime but well worth the memories.
Photos of the evening don't begin to capture it's real essesense but they show a lot of silly smiles and the beatiful star of the evening, the piano!