Christmas this Year - 2010

December is a crazy month for my family and me - living on a Christmas tree farm will do that. On top of the merry bustling around, we bring an integral part to many people's Christmas celebrations and traditions.

But for my family, we've been learning that everything is not about tradition - in fact, when we try to keep some of the more "traditional" traditions, God shows us that there is more to it than that. For Thanksgiving, all attempts to get a family get-together were thwarted, even simpler Plan B got sick.

For Christmas this year, we didn't have a tree. Yes, the shoe-maker's children were barefoot. Almost as soon as we brought in the fresh, fragrant garland and greenery into the house, my youngest sister and brother started showing signs of allergies.

So we were without a Christmas tree. But it doesn't stop there. ;)

My cousin also developed horrible allergies to the fir. So, on Christmas Eve, his older sister laid out a blanket and left a note:

Dear Santa,

We can't have a Christmas tree because of allergies.

Please leave the presents on the blanket.

Despite the sad lack of a tree in the house, Christmas was simply joyous. On Christmas Eve, my siblings and I exchanged the gifts for the person we drew ealier in December. I must admit, it was entertaining watching my sisters shopping for each other in the same stores at the same time. I figured out that Jake had drawn me; I predicted that I would get a Joann's gift card. Guess what I got? I was right. :) Little Eli shopped for himself while selecting his big brother's gift. The final choice? A nurf gun set with two guns - one for each of them. I think Eli was more excited than Jake when we exchanged gifts.

Christmas morning was simply wonderful. I think getting to sleep in 'til 8:30 helped. As I was waking up, the beautiful melody of 'O Holy Night' drifted through the house as my sister graced us with her piano playing. Doing animal chores seemed less tedious than usual - I also had to gather fresh eggs for the eggnong. Once I finished making the eggnog, everyone was up. Commence the breakfast making! Scrumptious bacon, broccoli, and mushrooms all went into the scrambled eggs. We also had fresh squeezed orange juice along with banana bread our neighbor had made for us.

We didn't get to the presents until almost noon, and that didn't bother us one bit. Ever since we were little, our parents instilled in us that Christmas was not about presents, but of the birth of our Savior. For as long as I can remember, before even touching the gifts, we have always read the New Testament account abotu the greatest gift given to man. It really doesn't matter what everyone received as under the 'Christmas tree', but we were together. It was also the first Christmas with Oma living on this side of the country. We played games, ate cookies, drank eggnog, enjoyed each other's company, and rested from a crazy December.

I hope that all Christmases will be this wonderful for years to come. Merry Christmas to everyone!

~*S*~

Here's a toast!

...Without the alcohol. I had a sudden hankering for home-made eggnog, but lo-and-behold I lost my recipe. I searched everywhere, and every recipe I found, had a lot of bourbon, brandy, congac, liquer... I mentioned my predicament to a friend, and she graciously shared the recipe that she successfully uses (much to her sibling's delight). Being myself, I couldn't leave the recipe as it was. First time through and already changed things. ;) So without any further ado, here's what I've come up with for a family friendly eggnog!

7 farm fresh eggs - seperated (you need both the white and yolk)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
big pinch of allspice
1 quart fresh milk

Take the egg yolk and sugar. Beat them up. Add the spices and stir to combine. I love the KitchenAid. Pour the milk in as you're beating the egg mixture. Put the mixture into a seperate bowl. Wash the mixing bowl and whip the egg whites to a peak somewhere between soft and stiff. Slowly pour the yolk mixture into the whites and thoroughly mix. Pour a big glass and drink it straight or fill a coffee cup half full of the black ju-ju and fill the rest with the eggnog. You'll beat Starbucks any day. ;) Enjoy!

I have a confession to make...

I have an addiction. To sewing! :D Especially historical costumes! (I'll post about my next grand costume in a later post. I still need to get pictures) So without further ado...

Sense and Sensibility patterns is having a give-away! To enter I have to decide on a favorite pattern. Oh dear. Which one? How on earth am I to decide?! Fine. I'll be decisive. My favorite pattern is the 18" dolls regency dress pattern. Now that I think of it, that really was a no brainer. I've made so many regency dresses for dolls now, that I have the pattern memorized (I can probably do it in my sleep...) And have figured out some super cute alterations to it as well!

http://sensibility.com/patterns/dolls-regency-dress-epattern/

A Literary Ball

I had a sudden urge to write something and a 3rd person journal entry about the literary ball is what I came up with. :)

Not too long ago in a land not so far away, a special invitation was received for an upcoming ball. The theme was literary, so come as a favorite author or character of a book. But there are so many books out there, how was she to decide? Of course it was going to be a fancy event, so plans were underway about what to wear and how the ride to the ball was to be procured.

It was the day of the ball, and everyone had a great sense of anticipation. How shall I do my hair? Do I really want to wear that? She pondered the entire morning along with many other questions buzzing around in her brain. But these thoughts had to be quiet for a while so she could finish her chores in time. As she was cleaning in the barn, someone (who shall remain nameless for their sake) accidentally stepped on the shut-off valve to the enormous water tank, allowing the 2500 gallons to gush forth. Adrenalin rushed and emergency mode kicking in almost instantaneously, everyone jumped in to save the barn from Noah’s second flood. Hours later, sore and tired, she was ready for the day to end, but it couldn’t – the ball was that night.

After finally deciding what to wear (a green and gold renaissance gown), hair done up with a pretty ribbon and curls, fixed the immodest neckline, and the epiphany that she was Queen Susan from Narnia, she was ready to go – with an hour to go until her ride pulled up. What to do? Cinderella syndrome kicked in as Mom assigned some chores. Up the drive way came the carpool (after the chores were finished) and the group set off in the pouring rain to the ball.

The ballroom was the perfect environment for the event: elegant chandeliers hanging from a high ceiling, antique hard-wood flooring, lights and tulle draping from the chandeliers and wrapping around the wooden columns, and an abundance of sweet treats (which was very important to her brother). For hours and hours everyone danced the olden dances from times long past and the evening swept by in an instant as she blinked. Did it have to over so soon? No.

People still lingered, long after the main part of the event was over and it was nearing 11, and brisk swings and elegant waltzes were danced. Sadly, there were never enough young men who were interested in waltzing, so she contented herself with attempting to dance the man’s part of the waltz. It truly was attempting. The two young ladies could not figure out what the other was doing, so they both stepped back to see what the other was doing. Her friend showed her what she was doing, and she started to show her friend what she was doing. Just as she was getting into step, a young man, whom she had never met, suddenly swept her into the dance floor in a waltz. Bewildered and trying to utilize what little she knew of a waltz, they danced the rest of the song together, and it was over almost as soon as it had started. Perhaps I’m dreaming. This only happens in fairy tales, right? was all she kept thinking.

All this, and the night was far from over! With all the sound equipment picked up and the ballroom cleaned up, some of the die-hard party goers made their way to a local restaurant. It was midnight, and it wasn’t the car that turned into a pumpkin. She certainly didn’t need any help from a sugary milkshake to show signs of extreme drowsiness. An hour past midnight and the carpool decided that they should head home.

As they came up the drive way, it was immediately apparent that the electricity was out due to the violent storm, and at the front door, they were greeted by a sleepy mother holding a flashlight. After changing into her nightclothes, she quietly slipped into bed and blew out the votive in the lantern. It was the perfect end to a literary ball.

"Please, sir, I want some more"

But wait! there's more! Well, yes there is almost always more when it comes to telemarketers, but not always with pictures. Fortunately, a friend posted more pictures! Here's some of my personal favorites. :)

Books!

And the dance list. Well... part of it.

I didn't know that Santa danced... ;D

The Spanish Waltz! Yeah, it's one of my favorites. Cha cha cha!

More Spanish Waltzing

Ole'!

The level of sanity drastically drops after midnight. We even had a Stig sighting.

And here's a movie of the night!

http://www.youtube.com/user/NateB19866#p/a/u/1/-9UUQdiHUhk

Never underestimate the power of books

Or a home schooler's knowledge of them! Last night was a wonderful night, filled with dancing, friends, more dancing, and did I say dancing?

Group shot!

So many pretty costumes!

Could it be the Stig? No, it's the Stig's Dancing Cousin!

I even had a personal body guard. :nods:

An Admiral

Sherlock Holmes!

Yes, it was an amazing night. :sigh: Did it have to end? No. After dancing for HOURS, we dared to venture for yet another outing: Sheri's. At midnight. Haha! Yeah, you can call me crazy because the next morning I was playing music for church. Anyways... It has been raining very heavily for the last 12 hours, so there was lots of water all over the place. I'd like to see you hop over gigantic puddles in a floor lenghth dress with a little bit of a train on the skirt. ;) Yes, it was interesting to say the least as I tried to make my way to the restaurant. I got some strange looks from some people standing outside (Creepers! AAHHH!). I think I was the one to turn into a pumpkin at midnight, because I started getting super giggle-y... Some of you know how bad that can get. ;)

Beauty

A Psalm

Truly the days are glorious when with the Lord,

Where a blissful summer day of the sould is found.

Everything has a delicate beauty;

Nothing can be seen as ugly -

A gorgeous flower in the field,

A precious baby asleep in its cradle.

The joyous laughter from a contented child,

The melodious song of a bird at dawn.

The breeze of a summer evening,

The glorious singing of pure worship in the morn.

A taste of the most succulent, fresh fruit,

The satisfaction of a fulfilling devotion.

Truly every gift from the Lord is beautiful,

Every gift of the Lord is precious indeed.

Written by Sarah G

We are given glimspes of heaven in our everyday lives. Just open your eyes and you will see them.



Encore

A friend of mine posted more pictures on FB! Here's a few of my favorites!

I don't know if I posted this already, but it's a cool picture

More Flap Jack Flipping!

And more line dancing! Can't quite tell what Dad is doing though. ;)

And a special presentation of the Texan Terrorist. 

YEEHAW!!!

It's time for a hoe down!!! 

Yes, we like to goof off. ;)

Trueness to goodness! We're just goofing off!

"See that cute guy!" :giggle giggle: Oh, nevermind.

What's a hoe down without dancing?

Meet Manny



A perfect couple!

He's my cousin, trice removed.

Paper lanterns!

So proper. ;)

pumpkin toss!

The first and second place winners of the ladies' Flap Jack Flippin' Frenzy

Thanks for enjoying it with me!

Getting ready!

Last Octocer, my family graciously hosted what was the result of some long car rides and giddy girls with lofty thoughts. Dancing, pies, pumpkins, friends, full moon, crisp autumn chill, more pies, more dancing, and some bonfire singing made the evening absolutely perfect. My family and I were completely whooped by the end of the party, but it was oh so worth it! Now every time it comes up in a conversation, people ask me if we'll do it again. And all I could answer then was maybe, I hope so. Well, the parents have given the go-ahead and it's on it's way! The harvest party that people compared to something that was stuck in the movies or old books is coming again this year!

Now it's time to make the final plans, make lists, and get the final emails out!

The dance floor

I can't wait!!!

I'm surrounded!

By roosters, that is. ;) We have over 50 chickens running around right now, and several of them are roosters. No, we are not raising fighting cocks (most of these will be 'taken care of' in less than a week), the hens fight more than the roosters. That shouldn't surprise you. ;) But every morning when I open up the barn doors, dozens of poultry come running our and all of the roosters start giving it their all. From the tiniest 8" bantie to the 7 1/2 lb. lunker start crowing with all their might. Every rooster has his individual crow, almost to the point where we can tell the difference between them. Come butchering next week, things will get very quiet. Now, don't take it the wrong way when I say that I'm looking forward to butchering. I'm not morbid. But I am looking forward to actually getting things cleaned up around here.

Having so many chickens can be quite destructive. They sneak into the garden, tear up the flower beds, peck dents and dings into the pumpkins (I promise you, they'll taste better AFTER they've turned orange. :roll:), they make messes everywhere they go, ect.

So yes, I am looking forward to butchering, just not the actual deed.

1863

A welcoming lunch greeted us as we came up to the camp

A friend getting ready to go on a stroll through the camp

"Get back in line!"

Maybe if we lay low, they won't see us.

"Give me that water, boy!"

Playing taps

Going for a walk

Now it's time for the cooler settings on my camera. ^_^

Group picture

Zoomed out

moment of silence

Now for the piece-de-resista'nce!

Tada! I love this picture