I Love Winter, but…

Okay — got the camera, bought some new shoes for walking, found the sandals and flip-flops, got a wide-brimmed hat with 50 SPF for the sun.  Need to dig out the shorts and bathing suit and see if they fit (oh, dear, I’m nervous!)  Whew! It should be fine.

Too early for that, you say?  Oh, no it’s not if you have a plane ticket to Maui.  Can’t wait to feel that warm breeze and watch a sunset from my balcony (lanai).  Just a few more weeks and I’m out of here for a while.  Goodbye, Chicago.  Hello warm weather, sunsets over the ocean, relaxed living and lush landscapes.

Can you tell I’m ready?  Can’t wait! I’ve waited most of my life to see the beauty in Hawaii that captured the interest of my parents back in the 70’s.  My Dad played Don Ho’s records for weeks after they made the trip and wore his Hawaiian shirt often.   I’m taking that same shirt with me to wear on the beach and I’ll think of my folks and how much they enjoyed their visit to “paradise,” as I take it all in.

The Occasional Visitors

I like to wash dishes in the morning so that I can look out my window and see the forest and whatever is happening out there.  Here’s what I saw yesterday and managed to grab my camera in time.  I guess they find it hard to find their favorite foods covered by snow.

River’s Edge deer family

Sheep and a Donkey in our Church?

From the choir loft I could see the shepherds and holy family waiting for their cue.  But, what were the shepherds holding in their arms?  Could it be real sheep?  As the entourage made its way down the aisle to the front of the sanctuary, I saw the sheep struggle in the arms of the shepherds and, oh, yes, a donkey was also led in.  The children ( and most adults, too) were so excited to see a “live” nativity scene…right there in the church.  The congregation craned their necks to see the sight.  We all celebrated the birth of Jesus last night and held our lighted candles as we sang “Silent Night” and felt the wonder of that moment.

Something different for Christmas Eve in our church in 2009.  A very special 5 o’clock worship service for all ages and a wonderful, celebratory experience, that will be long remembered in our congregation.

May the peace of Christ be yours today and throughout the year to come.

December 13 – Sankta Lucia Day

For all my Swedish friends!

Puppy update for my friends

All but one of the ‘Doodle puppies have gone home with their new families!  Just thought I would post a plug for my daughter’s  business venture of breeding Multigenerational Labradoodles.  Here’s the sweet little girl that remains with her mama.

She was born in  September and was the largest girl of the seven puppies born.  If you want to see more pics of the puppies, go here www.soundlabradoodles.com.   You can learn a lot more about Labradoodles from the site.

I saw the puppies several days after they were born — and helped to take care of them all for a few days.

It was fun to see the development of all these cuties!  I’m glad they have found caring families to play with.

I believe there will be another litter in Spring/Summer  2010.

Jazz Great Honored

Dave Brubeck was honored yesterday by the President at the White House and also at Kennedy Center.  He is an icon in the music world with his jazz artistry.  He is a fine jazz pianist and composer. He has been one of my very favorite musicians for a long time.  Congrats to Dave!  A well deserved honor!

Advent Hospitality

Each day of Advent I am committed to finding a prayer, a poem or devotional reading to remind me to think of  what God was accomplishing during this season so many centuries ago.

God of Hospitality
I want to prepare my heart for your coming.
Stay close by me
as I walk through busy days.
Open my eyes and ears and heart
that I may see you all around me.
Amen.

- Beth A. Richardson
Child of the Light: Walking through Advent and Christmas

An inn with great hospitality in Quebec – L’Auberge du Joli Vent

First Thanksgiving, then Advent

The beginning of the holiday season causes mixed emotions for me.  I am always thankful for friends who are so generous and invite singles like me to join with their family celebration.  A little sadness is always there at the beginning of this time of year.  My daughters are both many miles away and dealing with their own holiday scenarios — will they have the children with them this year, or are the kids with their dad/mom?  What to do to keep up spirits if family is incomplete at the table?  I lived through these same scenarios with similar emotions and feelings.  This has been going on for 20 plus years for me and it always starts the same way until I “make a plan” for things to do that are becoming my own significant traditions.  Repeating each year, the things I’ve enjoyed doing, brings me peace and contentment instead of sadness.  I focus on the true meaning of Christmas by singing in my church choir and helping others in the congregation to enjoy their Christmas worship experience.  I do fun activities with friends and try to create some happiness for others at our local food pantry.  I hope for snow and spending time outside in the cold air, snowshoeing, if weather permits

I follow Advent’s progress each of those days through various seasonal writing and find that by Christmas Eve, I am excited as I wait with Mary for the birth of her Son, Jesus Christ.  The commerical side of this season falls away as I remember the reason for Christ’s birth:  saving all people from the sins that weigh them down,  presenting humankind with the opportunity to live a life filled with joy and peace with faith in Jesus Christ.

I move from sadness to joy more quickly as the years go by.  So, once again I will start the Advent journey, and end with joy!

 

 

Fiber Arts at Chicago Botanic Garden

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I have long admired people who express their artistic ability in quilting.  My mother and grandmother were quilters, but I never had the interest in learning the art of quilting.  (I’m a knitter.)

Not only quilts were displayed, but clothing, wall hangings of all sizes and much more!

The colors chosen by each quilter and weaver were different in each piece displayed.  From black backgrounds with brilliant star shapes to metallic threads and appliques placed on the quilted piece.  Quilts made from tee shirts were quite popular in the huge display.   Some quilts were for sale and the prices were in the hundreds and a few in the thousands.  I am always happy to see that artists like these quilters are not afraid to put a value on their beautiful work.

It was another example to me of how different and unique we all are.  Each person has something beautiful to express in his or her own unique way.

The show will be open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you care to see the very best in quilting and fiber arts.  I always enjoy seeing this type of artistic expression– and besides that it was a beautiful, warm, November day and how many of those will there be?  People were thoroughly enjoying being outdoors in a beautiful place today!

Trip across Lake Michigan cancelled today

My friend and I drove to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Chicago to take the Lake-Express car ferry to Muskegon, Michigan, today.  It was something we had planned to do last summer, but just never found the time.  Well, it is now something that will be put on next summer’s “to do” list!

The trip across the lake was cancelled because of rough conditions and high waves.  We got all the way to the terminal before finding out we would not be going for a ride on the nifty Lake-Express, high speed car ferry.  So, we watched the vessel tie up at the Milwaukee dock after a rough, slow ride from Muskegon.

OK, so what do we do now?  Lunch?  Where in Milwaukee?  Used our GPS to look for a nice place to go for lunch instead of riding the waves today.  Ah, yes, after perusing many suggested places,  I remembered a fairly famous German restaurant after seeing it’s name scroll by on the screen…”Maders.”  Well, take us there then!

Considering that the last time we visited this place was more than 5 – 8 years ago, we were curious to find out if it was still the same.  It was the same!  Right down to the Apple Strudel.   The lunch was excellent and now we know where we can find a good, German meal.  (Need to drive to Milwaukee, however.)