Generosity and Divorce are themes as we Read the Bible this year

Reading the Bible in 1 Year: History of the Children of Israel

The Nation of Israel - Reading the Bible in 1 Year

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year

It's time to roll 2012 back into the archives and jump start the new and unexplored world of 2013.

2012 was, in my opinion, not a good year. It was filled with talk of fiscal cliffs, elections, a year of banks behaving badly, shootings, and stabbings

But somehow we survived The End of the World.

And there's only one place we can go....and that's up. I mean from the brink of death, financial disaster, and total world destruction I'm thinking 2013 has got to be better. Right?

So on that happy note, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year!!!

Let's get 2013 off to a good start...with no more talk of worlds ending, falling off of cliffs or bickering between polarized parties. Let's raise our glasses and say Cheers, Skal, Sante', or to life in any language you want to use.


Friday, December 28, 2012

FRYday

So the holidays are almost over but it seems like they've been winding up for quite some time. Anyone else feel a little worn down, tired out, and over 2012?

Yep, I'm wondering:

Who's tired? Who's worn out? Who just needs that long winter's nap?

Well, we still have another holiday to make our way through: New Year's!

And, I'm working on party plans...mostly more food, feasting and holidaying.

How 'bout you? Any fun plans for the holiday?

Oh yeah, and I still have to see Les Miserables and The Hobbit!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Movie Review - Parental Guidance

We all wanted to go see Les Miserables. Unfortunately it was sold out for the showing we went to see. Instead of waiting around for an hour and a half, we decided to see Billy Crystal's and Bette Midler's new movie Parental Guidance.

And it was just what I expected: a little corney (okay a lot corney) but cute. It had funny moments that made me think back and smile and I even laughed a couple of times.

But the story was heavy-handed, predictable and, like I said, corney. So, it was a fun way to spend an hour or two but not high on my list of recommendations--especially if you aren't a parent. Only a parent can relate to a lot of this humor (and my kids made sure I knew...yeah, they whined a bit after the show) but still not a bad way to enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

All-in-all I'd give it a:



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Twas The Night After Christmas



Twas the night after Christmas, and all through the rooms
Ripped up paper was piled as high as the dunes.
The stockings were strewn on the dirty floor
After the kids had cried, “Isn’t there more?”

The children were hyper from candy and sweets,
Presents were forgotten underneath stinky feets
Like Momma’s carefully knitted Alpaca-wool cap,
Now all she wanted was that promised long winter’s nap.

But outside there arose such a noisy clatter,
No one would budge to go see what was the matter.
Momma had to go look out the window pane,
And she was sure she’d finally gone insane.

The moon beat down on the wet ground below
Of course it wasn’t as pretty as new fallen snow.
When, what to her bulging eyes should appear,
But more visitors that struck immediate fear.

“Hurry!” She screamed, “We’ve got to be quick.”
Presents we need—I’ve got just the trick
Pull out the fruit, candy, or wine for Bob, Joe and Uncle Nick
I knew exactly which gift she would ultimately pick
More rapid than eagles into the house they came,
Coming up with gifts can be such a ridiculous game!

“This is the best. Yes, the best thing by far”
"Homemade wine, better than. . .  a new car”
Then with bellies stuffed way past the brim
They laughed as their wine spilled over the rim
Staining the rugs, the tablecloths and clothes
Then little Andy stuck his finger way up inside his nose

Boogers he smeared all around our clean house
I wish he’d been quiet, say quiet as a mouse
But I’m never so lucky on Christmas Day
Now all I wanted, for them, was to just go away
But they’d come so far, so many miles they flew
I couldn’t say “Go!” That was too rude to do.

But the noise was exceeding what we’d call loud
And the house it was filled with more than a crowd
When up on the ceiling – no out on the roof
I thought I heard stomping – no the pawing of a hoof.
As I drew in my head, and thought about bed,
For a moment I wished I could just say what needed to be said.

“It’s time for everyone to leave, to just head on home!”
All I want this holiday is to just be left alone.
But I couldn’t say something so horrible – No, I couldn’t do that
I’d be worse than a rodent. Yep - I’d be a rat

So I tried once again to be happy and merry!
I pulled out the wine – made from sangria and a cherry!
My mouth I turned up like a pretty little bow,
And sprinkled sugar around to mimic the snow.

Holding my tongue, I gritted my teeth,
And wore the tree branches around my neck like a wreath.
I grinned and ate, yes I filled up my belly,
Until it shook and jiggled like that bowlful of jelly!

Now I’m chubby and plump, fatter than an elf,
And I'll be jolly - in spite of myself!
I’ll just avoid the mirror with a twist of his head,
Stay off the scale – yep that’s one thing I dread.

When the New Year rolls around, I’ll get right back to work,
Dieting, running, yep, I’ll be one giant, grumpy jerk.
Eating less - I'll be running more
Hopefully I’ll still be able to fit out that stupid door!

O well, I’ll just have to starve until I’m thin as a whistle,
I’ll eat leaves, lettuce and maybe a nice thick juicy thistle.
But I have one thing to say before I fade out of your sight,
"Happy New Year!” Yep it’s coming but until then, “to all a good-night!"

The Day After

In our house, a lot of presents are homemade like these:

I guess you'd have to play Minecraft to know what this is. My boys made it for my hubby because he loves to go mining for gold, diamonds and obsidian and of course he has to avoid zombies, creepers and spiders along the way ;D

Here Jake is giving his Dad the gift and he's got a scarf wrapped around his neck that I made for him.
Lars got a huge kick out of this gift because he LOVES this game. So even though he's dressed as the Grinch, he wasn't a grump at all. He'll have this bunch of blocks sitting on his desk at work to make him smile throughout the day.

And here's a gift that Kathryn gave to Luke. If you want to check out more of her art, pop over here.


Here's one of the photos that inspired her painting.


There were a lot more homemade gifts: food, candy, cookies, scarves, blankets, pillows, artwork, poems and more but this gives you a "taste" of what we give and get at my house.

How 'bout you? Any fun homemade gifts you got or gave?

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas Everyone

So my hubby is in the spirit! Merry Christmas everyone!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Birthdays

My brother and sister have a Christmas birthday that they share. No. They aren't twins.

We have a lot of that (shared birthdays) in my family: my hubby and I share a birthday, two of my children (again not twins) share a birthday, my brother and sis (like I said) share a birthday and my Mom and my brother-in-law. Kinda weird I know but that's my family. And you can tell how weird we are by this video, or maybe just how horribly tone deaf some of us are :D



But I thought I'd also share the cakes I made for the celebration. I decorated one and my hubby decorated the other.

I used whipped cream instead of fondant for the frosting. No one in my family likes fondant. So, if you have a delicious recipe for fondant, let me know. I'd be willing to try it.

I did use fondant to make the Poinsettia and the border but I needed a little something to make the cake pop.

We had a good time talking, singing (if you can call THAT singing) and eating. Plus, we even bedazzled our hair and nails.


 It's always busy at the holidays especially when you add in family birthdays! Now I'm off to finished getting ready for the rest of the celebrations:D

Merry Christmas!