Christmas 2008

Hi All,

Merry Christmas!    That’s me on the left!  Hope your holiday started out with gentle words and caring family.  We started our Christmas out last night at Midnight Mass at the local catholic church.  It was a beautiful service, filled with musicians, music, all kinds of Christmas decorations and a beautiful mass to boot.  Here’s a pic for you.  We were treated to much good music, including Handel’s Messiah.  In this pic you can see the choir and the altar in the background.  The slide on the wall tells us what the soloist is singing “O thou tellest Good Tidings from Handel’s Messiah.  Very beautiful.  The entire family went to midnight mass.  We sat right next to the choir as we usually do.  That was we can always hear them.  A good time was had by all.  When we arrived home at 1:30 am, we had a sandwich and a cup of milk and headed to bed.  Opening presents had to wait till the morning.  The only person really disappointed by this edic was Brody.  He decided to stay up all night in order to open his presents as soon as possible.  When I checked on him again at 3 am, he was thankfully asleep!

Brody models a new pair of jeans for Christmas in the morning.  Everyone received a lot of Christmas presents, except for the cat “Cleo”.  We did serve her Tuna for breakfast which seemed to make her happy for the moment.

At 9 am preparation begins with the Turkey for Dinner.  The Turkey is cooked on the outside  gas grill, Dinner will be at approximately 5pm.  Christmas presents were opened after the dinner was prepared.  The rule this year was to keep Christmas simple and not buy a lot of gifts.  Somehow, this rule was forgotten.   Every one had Christmas presents under the tree.   Grandpa found a wool hat from Ireland, to help him stay warm.  Brody a flash drive and mom a new purse.  Everyone was thrilled with their gifts.  It was a good day with little to no arguing.  God is Good. 

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Day. 

Here we go a Caroling among the leaves so green!

Do I feel guilty that the entire country is experiencing bitter cold weather now, while we in Florida life in warm weather?  You bet I do.  But I for one have spent many a year living through the Chicago area winters and truly feel that I have put in my time for bitter cold winters in the north.  The lovely flower above has a beautiful aroma and I took this picture at the home that I recently pet-sat four cats and one dog.  The flower was in the pool area.  Just beautiful! 

We have a lot of Christmas birthday’s in the family.  My son’s was December 7Th, mine is December 19Th and my brothers K is January 4Th.  Today, we celebrated K’s birthday, while he is here visiting.  It is good to see him again.  It’s been a while since we have visited. 

We had a nice dinner made by my sister C; baked Zita with salad.  Delicious!!  C can really cook.  I made K’s birthday cake, dang!  I forgot to take a picture.  The cake was devoured, not a crumb left.  Of course, there would be a least one slice left but C’s lovely Labrador H note picture, ate the last piece! Double Dang!! 

I used a white cake mix box.  Followed the directions, added almond flavor 1 tsp. and baked as directed.  Then I frosted with a low sugar Chocolate frosting and layered bananas in the middle.  I was doubtful that the bananas would taste good in the cake.  And surprisingly, they really made the cake.  The blend of flavors was delicious and everyone seemed to enjoy it. 

We also went Christmas Caroling around the block, about 8 pm after dinner.  My brother in law, E played the Tuba and sister C played her trombone.  The rest of us sang, but to no avail as the Tuba and trombone drowned us out.   Fun was had by all.  A few neighbors even acknowledged our good-hearted greetings, by coming out side and Thanking us for the music.  The picture is of a house that actually had their lights and music coordinated very nicely.  They also won an award from the village for their decorations.  One of our troupe is ringing the doorbell, while another runs willy-nilly around the yard.  She is just three (3) years old, so she’d allowed. 

Quick pic of the Christmas Carolers.  Quite a motley crew if you ask me.  But we had fun, even Dad joined us and brought along his little dog Caitlyn.  Dad told jokes to the people who opened their doors to Thank us.     Dad loves to be the life of the party.  My brother K’s didn’t get a ton of presents, just one that the whole family went in on to purchase and that was an ipod.  Which he seemed to enjoy.  He disappeared into his room to read the directions straight away.  We were all tired from the excitement and retired early to bed. 

 Wishing you and your the happiest of Christmas Holidays.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

20th Annual “Christmas on the Green”

Yesterday, I joined my community band at the 20th Annual “Christmas on the Green”.  I’ll have to say Florida is no slouch when it comes to putting together Christmas programs.  And I’ve seen a lot of them. 

Yesterday my community band played at the concert program “Christmas on the Green” at La Cita Golf course.  Sponsored by the Rotary Club, Florida Today, and many others regular sponsors from the event. 

Along with the hundreds of Sponsors for this event, the local schools were participating as well.  Including Apollo Elementary, Atlantis Elementary, Challenger 7 Elementary, Coquina Elementary, Enterprise Elementary, Imperial Estates Elementary, Mims Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, Riverview Elementary, South Lake Elementary, Astronaut High School Chamber Choir, Park Avenue Christian Academy Voices of Victory, and Titusville High School Madrigals. 

The student sang excellently, there wasn’t an out of tone note among them.  Even the first graders sang in tune, I must commend their music teachers. 

I was especially impressed with the Titus ville High School Madrigals, they did an excellent job!!

Best of all after everyone sang and the Brevard Community Band did their numbers– Santa Clause was flown in via Helicopter!!  Which was a splashing success!

Silver Bells

City sidewalk, busy sidewalks.
Hey!  I’m having a really tough time reconciling that we’re already past Thanksgiving and we’re nearly to Christmas.  It’s just that it doesn’t feel like Christmas.  I don’t feel Jolly.  I’m not singing Christmas Carols.  In the community band where we been rehearsing Christmas Songs for at least six weeks now.  I feel no Christmas Spirit.  I even participated in the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Still no Christmas spirit.  What is wrong with me? 

Dressed in holiday style
I believe the problem lies in my heart.  I’ve let all the troubles of the world invade my heart and weigh it down.  It’s not that I feel sad, it’s just I don’t feel anything at all.  Just the weight of the world.  Though I do know it’s good to think about others instead of ourselves.  Though I think that Christmas time is a time to reflect on the Miracle of Christmas! 

In the air
The Miracle of Christmas, even the words themselves have a glow to them.  In the sky, a great star light up for all to see,  great wise men follow the star to a little baby wrapped in rags for warmth.  The setting is that of the poorest of the poor.  A young mother watches over her little one making sure it is safe and fed well. 

There’s a feeling
We forget in our fear that when Jesus the Christ was crucified on the cross there was an insurrectionist hanging on either side of him.  Don’t believe me?  Read it, it’s in the bible.  Somethings never change. 

Of Christmas
And next to the little baby wrapped in rags and the young mother is a gentle older man making sure both these treasures are safe.  For that is his greatest concern.  Keeping his small family safe and well-cared for in this stable, where they stopped for the night. 

Children laughing,
Three wise men approached, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The Father and young mother marveled in their heart on how God was caring for them in a small stable in the city of David, surrounded by all the animals who sleep and eat in the stable.  These gifts the wise man brought would help them in the future provide for their journey to Egypt to escape King Herod insane edicts to slay all the first-born children.  But of course, the father and young mother didn’t know that then.  They simply trusted God in His Wisdom to show them the way. 

People passing,
And guess what, God kept them safe in a time, where there was little to none safety to be found.  A small family with only the clothes on their back, a donkey to carry them and meals as God provided them.  And it was a real miracle.  Born in our hearts on Christmas Day.   I guess it’s not so difficult to get in the Christmas spirit after all.   

Meeting smile after smile,
I think one of the reasons, I’m lagging behind in Christmas spirit is because I’m separated from my son right now.  He’s in California with his Dad, and I’m in Florida with my Dad (small grin).  I miss him, it won’t feel like the holidays till he joins us for Christmas.  Loving you, my son, from a distance.  Hoping you’ll be in the Christmas spirit soon when you come to visit.

and on every street corner you’ll hear
Wishing you all the finest the miracle of Christmas can offer you and your loved one this holiday season.    If you think of it, please pay this message forward where you can.  Much Love to you and your family!

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day.