Christmas Day Delights

Christmas day morning we woke to find out that the church service was canceled 

due to icy parking conditions.

Did you know that the next time we have Christmas on a Sunday is 11 years away? 

Meanwhile, it was warm and cozy inside and we were ready for the kids. 

Finally! 

There was excitement with each doorbell.

Tehya and Paeton arrived from visiting their grandparents on the island.

Then the Friesens and then the Sawyers, around two.

I set out appies, which they added to as well. 

It's become one of my favorite moments ...

the excitement, the anticipation, starting with little yummy bites around the island.

The kids found their own island. 

Shaun and Kristal had prepared some games,

and this was a lot of fun!

It's so good to have the kids at the age where they can all participate. 

We played a type of Charades game called, "Where are we going?"

and a family feud game ... boys against girls.

The GOATs (Greatest of all Times) against the GABs (Girls are Better) 

Yes, we made them work for it! 

We had a mini concert by the girls ...

they had disappeared into a bedroom earlier to "practice something" ...

and came up with a 12 days of Christmas song that had us all laughing ...

especially the chicken in Mimi's tree.

Lacey and Jade performed a Jingle Bell jingle on their ukuleles.

So fun! 

The kids each took a turn reading a part of the Christmas Story.

And then they got to open gifts. They still take turns on the gift opening chair ...

something we started when they were little.

For dinner I had prepared Beef Wellington ahead of time

(posted by Ellen in the Celebrations cookbook)

and put it in the oven when it was time to cook. 

It is a lot easier to do than it looks... 

which makes me smile.

The men were happy, the kids were wondering how Mimi did this. 

Along with that we had a medley of roasted potatoes, yams and carrots,

steamed broccoli and cauliflower with a mustard sauce

roasted green beans with lime zest and cranberries

a green salad with mandarin orange segments and caramelized nuts (Monika's salad) 

Everyone, but our three in Indonesia.

I love that we had a good representation from there. 

After dinner the kids went off to watch a movie,

most of them in jammies or sweats by that time,

while the adults exchanged gifts.

Another moment that one just wants to hang onto.

I did not take any more photos ...

sleepy kids were revived with dessert

and everyone lingered late.

It's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone again ...

a shared joy that's there all year,

but expressed more-so on this one day. 

Makes me want for more of it all year long.

🤍🤍🤍

 

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear

That glorious song of old

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold

Peace on the earth, good will to men

From heaven's all gracious King

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing

And the hymn we think of is Isaac Watt's 

"Joy to the World" 

which was the first song on my mind this morning. 

We rejoice because God has, as Mary exclaimed

"been mindful of the humble state of his servant ...

He has done great things ...

His mercy extends to those who fear Him

from generation to generation."

God reached down to humanity,

He became Emmanuel, God with us.

"And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled Himself

by becoming obedient to death -

even death on a cross!"

This is salvation by faith,

Good news for every generation past,

but especially so for us today in a world that so desperately needs saving.

So ... let every heart prepare Him room.

And heaven and nature sing! 

Merry Christmas! 

 

Twenty Years Ago

I simply cannot describe the feeling of being 20 years past that day, 

so much planning, so many details to work through

for a daughter and fiance (students in CA) coming up for their wedding ...

at Christmas!

This photo embodies the joy of our girl, 

hardly able to believe the day has come to  ride to the church 

to wed her prince.

The church was decked out with trees, white mini lights, 

many white candles and a fresh green aisle garland 

that I can still get a hint of the scent of when I think about it. 

A mini orchestra played

and her sister serenaded her down the aisle with Gabriel'ss Oboe. 

A winter fairy tale wedding.

On this cold day they managed to do an outdoor photo shoot.

I love this one with her five bridesmaids ...

her sister, two cousins and two friends. 

The guys also had a lot of fun, Kristal's brother and four friends from CA.

A first trip to Canada for most, I think. 

Photos were taken on the Westminster Abbey grounds

between the service and the reception. 

After their wedding they went back to CA.

The following years brought about several moves 

due to Shaun's work

and so Natalie, Landon and Koen were each born in a different state. 

It served for many trips to see and get to know our sweet littles. 

Many happy hellos and teary goodbyes. 

But all that changed when they decided to move to Canada in 2011.

This is where Evy was born. 

And no more big moves  ...

 a dream I hardly dared hope for.

But more than that, seeing them grow as a family.

Shaun and Kristal, 

Your commitment and love for each other

as well as for your family and those around you

has given us many reasons to give thanks. 

It is with much joy that we celebrate this day with you!

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make His face to shine upon you,

and be gracious to you.

With much love, Mom and Dad

Sugar and Spice

 

It was their first day of Christmas break and they came for breakfast.

It is easy to please this bunch with crepes ...

some like them with sugar, some with cinnamon sugar, others with strawberries and cream,

and a few with bananas and nutella. 

After breakfast we rolled German spiced peppernuts and sugar cookies. 

Peppernuts

I had found some great little craft packages 

(Christmas tree ornaments) at Target in the fall.

They turned out to be perfect for this age. 

The only one who didn't make any was Landon, 

but while the kitchen was busy, some took turns playing pool downstairs,

or hockey outside with Papa. 

They get both of us for these dates now and I love it! 

Lunch was simple ... chicken strips, mac and cheese and veggies.

And those trees on the island ...

they were a spur of the moment side trip to Save-On with Papa.

The girls who went with him came back full of smiles,

having picked out personal trees to take home. 

This still makes me smile to remember how excited they were!

Cookies and trees for this pre-Christmas week. 

And my heart filled up again,

savoring these special times. 

🤍🤍🤍

First Christmas in Heaven

I made Mom's glazed cookies this week.

The round ones which our grands have dubbed Oma cookies,

taste like a little chocolate cake incased in meringue icing.

The elongated ones are slightly spiced and filled with plum jam.

There's not many things that make me feel her absence as

much as when I make her cookies,

remembering how she rolled, cut and pinched ...

her hands wrinkled, nails cut short,

deftly filling pans, 

later to glaze them all, late into the evening. 

As I went down this memory lane,

 I saw the years I'd take her shopping for a dress

around the week of her birthday,

which we would be celebrating this weekend.

She always apologized that her birthday was so close to Christmas,

"when you are all busy!"

But she also loved getting a new dress.

Such wonderful memories that come packed into this month

truly make one want to know,

what Christmas in heaven is like. 

I listened to the song that the Clark family sings,

and you can imagine my tears...

imagine her in the choir,

and maybe even in the kitchen,

glazing, melt in your mouth cookies.

So I'll share the lyrics to Christmas in Heaven, written by 

Paul Marino and Jeremy Johnson

Maybe you have a loved one or two

whom you are missing this Christmas.

Know that one day the waiting will be over,

and there will be no more tears,

December hasn't changed

This town looks the same

They still light that tree in the city square

There's red, white and green shining everywhere

And I wish, you were here

And I wonder

Is the snow falling down on the streets of gold

Are the mansions all covered in white

Are you singing with angels, "Silent Night"

I wonder what Christmas in heaven is like.

There's a little manger scene

Down on Third and Maine

I must have walked right by it a thousand times

But I see it now in a different light

'Cause I know you are there

And I wonder

Are you kneeling with shepherds before Him now

Can you reach out and touch His face

Are you part of that glorious Holy Night

I wonder what Christmas in Heaven is like

Is the snow falling down on the streets of gold?

Are the mansions all covered in white?

Are you singing with angels "Silent Night"

I wonder what Christmas in Heaven is like.

🤍🤍🤍

Our Tenth MGCC Christmas Party

 

We had some special company come from across the line this weekend

and it was exciting for several reasons!

Greg and Ellen have not been able to come to Canada for a few years.

We got to show them our newish home

and we could travel the rest of the way to Elmer and Judy's together.

I looked it up and it was exactly 10 years ago 

that Elmer and Judy hosted our first Christmas party.

Just as then, their home was festive and welcoming

from the white lights to the tree, mantle and candles.

The long dining table was adorned with a garland of fresh cedar boughs,

blooming eucalyptus and pine cones.

Such a pretty bowl of punch! 

And here we are, 10 years older.

We missed Kathy due to illness and Char and Betty living in Manitoba. 

Everyone had something to bring, 

but our hostess prepared the delicious dinner.

Cranberry Chicken

Mashed potatoes,

Broccoli salad

Peas and carrots

She and her hubby did an amazing job of serving together.

A perfect team.

After dinner we played a trivia game and 

we learned that there still are many things we don't know about each other.

The guys left for the games room

and we got to do a small gift exchange 

while enjoying our in person visit late into the evening. 

A friendship that came together through recipes,

but has spread to all other aspects of life.

Such a treasure.

❤❤❤