This morning I climbed into the minivan to take Emma to school, and on to Monday morning stuff, when I hit the stereo power button... I was pretty much shocked by what I heard! No, it wasn't the usual profanity or annoying lyrics of today's music, but the sound of Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" that completely threw me off! Whatever happened to Thanksgiving??? Are we just skipping it altogether this year? Wow... What a disappointment. I LOVE Christmas music! That's not the problem... But when I consider what my ancestor, William Brewster sacrificed to come to this land on the Mayflower, all that was lost in the pursuit of religious freedom, all of the peril and trial he and his fellow shipmates endured (for years); I feel a little loss at the prospect of a forgotten holiday that celebrates gratitude for the gifts God so lovingly bestows on us.
So, that's it for today. As thrilled as I always feel when Christmas time approaches, I truly cherish Thanksgiving. For the bounty, the blessings, the time with family and friends, and the pause to thank Heavenly Father for all of his love and mercy; for the many things we take for granted. I am focusing this week on living in gratitude daily (as we were so gently reminded recently by a living prophet in General Conference) and for living in the present, not dwelling on the past or waiting for the future. That's all... Gratitude!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Halloween!
(Since I always forget to blog, I'm in the mood and am attempting to catch up a little!)
We were happily surprised that here in Pennsylvania, when this lovely holiday falls on the Sabbath, many of the townships schedule trick-or-treating and festivities for the preceding Saturday night! Our very own township did just that, so we were able to dress up our girls for friends' parties and send them out to collect many pounds of sugary treats. Conan spent two hours going back and forth from the front door to Christian's room down the hall where they were video gaming, while I spent a good hour devouring a favorite mystery book, then visiting with our good friends who stopped by with their adorable little 2 year old "elephant" (daughter)! Elizabeth, being a teenager, wouldn't finish her cat makeup until she arrived at the party, so I never got the completed picture, and Emma was extremely comfy in some newly acquired footy pajamas! Christian and his friends put on masks and raised their deep voices an octave or so in an attempt to collect some candy bars (by sounding 13)! This was after they lined up on the back deck with air soft guns, shooting into the back yard... such boys! It was too fun!!! Pumpkin carving was slimy as always and we roasted some of the seeds coated with butter and the amazing Mediterranean sea salt I brought back from Mallorca this summer! Yuuuuuumy!
We were happily surprised that here in Pennsylvania, when this lovely holiday falls on the Sabbath, many of the townships schedule trick-or-treating and festivities for the preceding Saturday night! Our very own township did just that, so we were able to dress up our girls for friends' parties and send them out to collect many pounds of sugary treats. Conan spent two hours going back and forth from the front door to Christian's room down the hall where they were video gaming, while I spent a good hour devouring a favorite mystery book, then visiting with our good friends who stopped by with their adorable little 2 year old "elephant" (daughter)! Elizabeth, being a teenager, wouldn't finish her cat makeup until she arrived at the party, so I never got the completed picture, and Emma was extremely comfy in some newly acquired footy pajamas! Christian and his friends put on masks and raised their deep voices an octave or so in an attempt to collect some candy bars (by sounding 13)! This was after they lined up on the back deck with air soft guns, shooting into the back yard... such boys! It was too fun!!! Pumpkin carving was slimy as always and we roasted some of the seeds coated with butter and the amazing Mediterranean sea salt I brought back from Mallorca this summer! Yuuuuuumy!
Hurray For Paint!!!
I was so completely horrified by the state of the walls in our new place; covered with patches of spackle and builder-grade flat white paint! So, while my hard working husband was out of town earning a living, I moved everything to the center of the family room and after pouring over hundreds- maybe thousands, of paint colors, just went with the colors calling out to me, the ones I loved! I kind of gulped, bought the 3 gallons, one for each room, and broke out the rollers and drop cloths. After an agonizing 4 days (you know how it is... trying to live with everything in disarray, running out of paint with half a wall to go... etc...) I had a beautiful new home! Really, that's what it felt like. I'm relishing in the deliciousness of robins-egg blue for the family room, a yummy cinnamon hued kitchen, and every time we come and go, loving the dramatic deep blue-green entryway! Since we are relegated to renting at the moment, it's all I can really do to make the space my own, and it makes a dramatic difference in turning a house into a home! It just feels like me! By the way, I LOVE the new Martha Stewart paint at Home Depot. It covers entirely in one coat, and has an amazing depth to it- for about $25 a gallon! NICE!
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