I had the opportunity to spend the night with my little sister, Janell, this past week and we laughed, I cried ( I do that sometimes ~ happy and sad) while she cooked dinner and I wrapped a big Christmas present. We talked non-stop until I crashed and went to my room. Janell and I have a new chapter being added to our life scripts within 4 months apart this upcoming New Year. We are both going to be a GranMa this upcoming spring and summer. I'm thrilled beyond belief, as she is, and seeing the love and delight that other friends receive from being the "Grand" at this stage...I know it's going to be wonderful. Check out my new baby countdown...New Baby will be due on July 4, 2009. It is exciting...new life that will bring new celebrations, new traditions and lots of memories. There will definitely be new traditions and memories, mixed with the old and with a new blessing from Heaven.
There is no better time than now to look for opportunities to do simple acts of kindness and evaluate fellowship priorities with Christmas purpose in mind. People priortizing and how do we best spend our limited energies? It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. Is it time to reconcile with someone in our life? Perhaps for some. Recent dinner with friends brought up the subject of forgiveness and I've been thinking about it. For me it's a gift that we can give and should give to ourselves. If we can forgive, can't we grow, leaving more space in our lives to be the kind of person God designed us to be? I think I can. But, as I mentioned at dinner. Ann Landers once wrote: "It's okay to forgive, as long as you forget what it is you are forgiving." Something to ponder as we wonder into a New Year and for most of us, make New Year's Resolutions.
One of my favorite things about Christmas is all the beautiful paper. Wrapping paper, paper tags, cards and now, Christmas bags for those who don't want to wrap. That makes Christmas a bit simpler and I am all for a Simple Christmas.
My wrapping closet...talk about making it simple. It's like I have my own Hallmark store!
I like to have all my Christmas gifts wrapped in one color. Everything matching. But who was it that said "Perfection is Needed for a Perfect Holiday?" Nobody I know. Another one of those self-induced, unrealistic expectations I set for myself but always feel "squared up" when it's all shiny and bright under the tree. I used to wrap each son's gift with the exact same wrapping paper but gave them either a red bow, or a green bow, to tell them apart.
Here's one of our Christmas photos where I tried to "ease up" a little and wrap Tag's gift in a different color so Sam wouldn't be opening a chew toy! Tag always gets a gift. Doesn't everyone's pet? My son and his wife's boxer, Tag, is a wonderful pet and this year Tag gets an ornament: "Hi, My Name Is Get Away From The Christmas Tree, What's Yours?"
Break for a phone call ~ I just found out Tag is in route to San Antonio! He's coming home for Christmas.
I try to ease up a bit on all the perfection and organization from time to time. Well, maybe not so much the organization...I mean doesn't everyone label their Christmas Rubbermaid containers of decorations? Sure makes it easier for me.
For some, I think we simply need to adjust what our peception of perfection really is. Maybe it came from childhood. Everything seemed perfect then. But then...what did we have to do? I sure didn't cook. That was Mom's and Mama Rush's doings. Magically, it just happened. As you know from my Thanksgiving blog, now I realize how much time and energy they put into those meals.
I just remember that it was "all about us." Meaning the little ones. Wanting a stuffed animal, a certain doll, (not Barbie for me...she never could make up her mind what she wanted to be when she grew up though she had a wonderful shoe collection, a record album...then, of course, my piano). Now that was a wonderful Christmas. I learned to play the piano, even played at church in the Sunday School Dept. until I got in trouble for jazzing up the Christmas Hymns. Of course, the pastor's son was right there on the bench with me. I think that's when they brought the choir in!
The stairs all green and shiny with a favorite painting I did when we three lived in Galveston in 1979 and the boys and I went to the beach. A complete stranger wanted our photo, next thing I knew, I was painting it in classes I took at a local gallery. Wouldn't part with it for a billion dollars.
Our Christmas stockings - - Mine on the left (I used to be an avid runner and Sam picked out this particular stocking when he was about 6) and his stocking.
Steven's stocking is now joined next to his beautiful wife Lauren's stocking...elegant and in need of glitter...to be done.
I have many favorites in my collection of Christmas decorations, things that people have given me, treasures I made and have had for many, many Christmas' but probably my favorite is my ever growing collection of snow globes and nutcrackers. Snow globes being so shiny and bright and my nutcrackers standing at perfect attention.
My Coastal Santa came to me one Christmas from my dear friend, Carol, who (at that time) lived on Galveston Island. He is so heartwarming since I am from the coastal bay area...a barefoot Santa...only from Galveston Island.
A tradition since I was a new mother, back in 1975, was a letter to Santa. I would write to Santa all kinds of wishes for family and friends. I know he listens, I've seen my wishes come true and will continue this tradition for my grandchild. Of course, his/her letter will probably be sent to the North Pole.
There's a special little corner for my Mom's Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause, as well as one given to me by my sister, and sitting in front is a basket of pine cones that I collect every year in December that have fallen from the pine tree near my mother's resting place. Its a gentle reminder of all the fun Christmas' we had in her home.
Knowing that we were made in the image of our Creator means that we are different from animals and all other creations. Being a man and woman made in God's image means we share a likeness with the most creative Being ever. So...no matter who you are, what you do, what talents you possess, you have the inherited ability to be creative. We each have the ability to learn and grow and to create original expressions of who we are, what we are about and what message we want to send to others. That's a wonderful thing...use your creativity to do something for someone else for Christmas, especially with all its potential adornment.
I make many of my own handmade cards, all of my own wreaths and am now into doing Christmas ornaments that light up to go UNDER the Christmas tree. They always seem to bring a special smile to the recipient. I not only enjoy the creating, but I enjoy the results. It helps me think outside the box and leaves my mind open to many possibilities. With all the boxes that I put myself into of work and even, unfortunately, with play, creating things has no boundaries. It gives me permission to "color outside the lines."
I was recently talking to fellow creators and the subject of Santa Clause came up. Where did he come from and what does he stand for? Seems as though we each our a version...all three not too different from the other. But to set the record straight...a little bit of trivia.
Our Santa Claus (a dutch-language version of St. Nicholas) is a modern characterization of fourth-century bishop of the Christian church in Myra, a land of "green hills, warm sum and soft sea breezes" in what is now, Turkey. According to A Gift from St. Nicholas, Cjrostome Bolley says that "St. Nicholas understood that life's real treasure is found in doing what is right in the eyes of God, and he discovered that joyful peace comes from loving others. He is remembered fondly for his anonymous efforts to give away his inherited wealth."
This is one of Karen's beautiful pieces of ceramics. I also have SNOW and JOY...they are all very special, as well as the ornaments she has made for my tree.
I recently took a photo opp on one of my many journeys around South Texas and ran across this beautiful church. As you can see it is the oldest Polish Catholic Church in the U.S., founded December 24, 1854. It is a beautiful church and these photos do not do it justice. Take a drive there someday and see for yourself.
PANNA MARIA, TEXAS
Panna Maria (meaning Virgin Mary in Polish) was established in 1854 and is the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the USA. Father Leopold Moczygemba founded the historic Polish community of Panna Maria. He came to Texas in 1852 to serve the religious needs of German communities that had already been established. In letters to his family in Silesia, he spoke of the possibilities of an improved life for them in Texas. News that was shared by his family with friends.
In 1854, about one hundred families made the journey to Texas and the new Polish community of Panna Maria was born from their courage, fortitude and desire to find a better live.
Father Leopold Moczygemba (1824-1891): The son of of Leopold and Ewa (Krawietz) Moczygemba, Father Leopold was born on October 18, 1824 in Pluznica, a small community in Upper Silesia area of Poland. In 1843, the young Leopold made the decision to take on the devoted life of a Catholic priest. His early service was in northern Italy and then Bovaria before his calling took him to Texas in 1852.
Today, Panna Maria's population has dewindled to less than the original numbers that settled here. In the year 2000, less than one hundred citizens were still living in Panna Maria. The symbolic "old oak tree" near which the they built their church remains standing as a historic living reminder of the first settlers. The church itself has been rebuilt.
Silent Night, Holy Night. Angels we have heard on high...Gloria. Let us adore him. Let us rejoice. The good news is that we have been given the perfect gift for making the best Christmas ever - - Christ. As we remember the simple birth of the Savior, we can give thanks for the miracle of His life. We can also give hope with each gift we give for a renewal of His Spirit in the lives of those we love. Simply remind them of the blessing of the Miracle, the hope and the wonder of Christ's life and death, and the impact on our lives.
Worship Christ, renew old friendships, revive or start new personal and family traditions, and give gifts with joy, receive them with heartfelt gratitude and let the light of Bethlehem shine over you and all of your celebrations this year.
And Good Night To All ~ Babs
When I took my little ones to look for their pumpkins, but never with the intention of cooking the pumpkin, it was always for decorating the doorstep. No decorating with the knife, though, always with the magic marker. This family of jack-o-lanterns lives a couple of miles from me and I'm in awe of the creativity put into each jack-o-lantern.
Later I moved on to store bought, pre-lit, hard plastic pumpkins. I still have my sons' pumpkins and we always had 3 little pumpkins sitting on our door step just under the Fall Wreath 
that would hang on the front door changing from a summer wreath to an autumn foliage. Sometimes I don't have an actual wreath but always sign the door with a little spot of seasonal color to greet those who visit with a little season reminder. In 1975 there was one little pumpkin, then 1977, two little pumpkins (3 counting me) to show the world how many pumpkins were in our little house and now I have another out on the porch that greets my trick or treaters, to indicate a new little pumpkin to our family, my precious daughter-in-awe, Lauren.
In my early days of motherhood at pumpkin time, searching for a recipe to cook the pumpkin after Halloween, was quite a treasure hunt before the days of the internet. Truly, look in all your cookbooks and see if you can find where it tells you HOW to cook the inside of the pumpkin. Couldn't find it in mine...bought the pumpkin but off to the market to fetch a can of pumpkin filling to do the pie. Look like it tasted pretty good to those who indulged!
Fall lends itself to a time of reflection and an appreciation of nature. To me, Fall is about harvest, reflection bringing about change, foliage and the changing of the blooms, leaves and blossoms. 
My mother and my grandmother used to say: "Everything comes full circle. " I know that to be true now... I am older and wiser though at times I still tend to resist...to change that is, in my personal life. Even from looking at my flowers and trees 
But, I don't think experience is the word. How about just middle age and having gone through a few storms...of course remembering Hurricane Carla all the time. But, optimistic he is, he stayed through the night text messaging back and forth and convincing me that all was okay. Reports were showing that the eye wall was going to pass directly through Houston and that was the worst part. Fearing he would think "all is well" and relax his guard. I think after he lost power, whatever relax he had...well, it was gone. Same said for his patience. Don't we all take air conditioning for granted and the other little things in life like hot water and ice? Well, I gave in to my tiredness about 2:30 in the morning, hoping and praying for the best but just not able to stay awake. He had been reassuring that all was well so off to bed I went hoping the media was wrong. It was going to take a different path...they can do that, you know. No messages came through during the night but when I woke on Sunday morning, first thing I could think of was to "text Sam." I did, and let me tell you the message I got back was "No power, Mom, when is this thing going to move on?" Even in a text message, I had the sense that there was no more tolerance, no patience but he wasn't leaving his home. I believe, though he's never said it that the wind had been loud and strong and a sense of "doubting about staying" must have set in. 
