Gingerbread House

One of the Christmas activities that brings the most laughter is building gingerbread houses together.

 From humble beginnings, each year has grown progressively more elaborate and creative.

The tropical weather and the availability of materials definitely influence what we can create,

but when we have everyone together and a wide array of materials at our disposal in a cool, dry climate,

the possibilities are endless.

So is the laughter.

I love watching each person display a unique sense of creativity and skill.

Or a lack of those things. 

It doesn't matter, because we are all working together.

The results are always beautiful and delicious.

We make lots of memories along the way and strengthen our ties.

#meatcheato

Stewardship

"Bringing our body under subjection doesn't begin with diet and exercise, but with searching for and confessing idols of the heart that interfere with the discipline to which we have been called and which grace makes possible. You see, the stewardship of our physical body is not an addition to our gospel ministry calling; it is a significant part of of it." 

~P.D. Tripp, "Lead"

As I'm trying to jog more, my knees have been rebelling. I've added a simple turmeric latte to my daily routine. Using this inexpensive turmeric with black pepper extract, I use one caplet for every 1/3 cup milk. Drinking this helps me pause each afternoon, something I often forget to do. And my knees are happier, too!

In addition to stewarding our bodies well, we strive to serve our community effectively. Sometimes that looks like standing in line to vote.

And sometimes it looks like buying from local farmers who work hard to grow sustainable meat and produce. Our Thanksgiving turkey once again came from Shaky K Farms. I sure do love this farmer friend!

Carrot Cake Oatmeal always shows up on the menu when the days get colder. Saturday breakfast on the back patio is a treat and a refreshing way to begin the weekend.

Christmas Caroling

Christmas caroling is one of my favorite things we do together as a family each year. 

Our young adults added a new twist this year, 

they drove around to each of their grandparents to sing while Aaron and I caught our collective breath after the show.

The next night, we all joined together again to drive around town to sing to our "regulars". We even included a walk around the neighborhood with the Davis family to sing to several families in the area.

 What a lovely way to spread joy this time of year!

Sunday Together

We bought our tickets to attend Aaron's last show, since it was the only one we could attend all together. But first, our day began by filling up a pew at church and delighting my heart by singing and worshiping together.

 

Because this was Sarah's last Sunday in our hometown, the pastor and elders invited us to come up to the front so they could pray over her as she prepared to leave for the Solomon Islands. Such a special time.

After church, we quickly ate lunch (yay for crockpots!) and got Aaron out the door to get dressed for his final performance.

Our young adults had some strong opinions about Aaron's facial hair for his role as Fred. Clean-shaven with mutton chops was great for playing a character from a Dicken's novel, but as Dad, they were ready for him to go back to a beard.

We were all extremely proud of his hard work to get back on stage. Watching him thrive through rehearsals and performances was a joy.

Birthdays and Babies

Our crew arrived on Benjamin's birthday while Aaron was performing in "A Christmas Carol". We waiting until everyone was together that evening to eat one of Sarah's delicious birthday cakes to celebrate 25 years with the amazing Benjamin.

One of our adopted kiddos, a Gebauer, drove all the way to and from Dallas in less than 24 hours just to see Aaron perform. We've watched Ethan perform many times on stage in Dallas and in productions at SITAG when our kids were all growing up together.

After the birthday celebrations, Connor and Olivia gave us a handful of Scrabble tiles and told us to figure out the name of their new baby. We still didn't know if it was a boy or a girl.

With a little bit of guidance and some time, we figured out that baby Alice is on her way. We can't wait to meet her in April!

Advent Music

Obviously, music plays a large role in our lives.

Especially during Advent and Christmas. The Jazz Band always has a chili cookoff and concert, and I look forward to it every year. Several of our junior high bass players partcipate. I love these multifaceted musicians! The band allows anyone to sign up for soups and desserts, and this year we brought both.

The youth symphony held a special performance in December, also jazz. What a diverse array of music these students get to experience!

We joined with some dear friends to sing Christmas carols in a nursing home, too. So many opportunities to spread hope and joy this time of year.

Advent - Trying New Things

As much as I love Advent traditions, trying new things is good for us, too! This year, Aaron sang in a musical theater production of Dickens' "Christmas Carol" as Scrooge's nephew, Fred. He hasn't done anything like this since before we had kids!

Katherine and I attended a Christmas party full of kids on the second night of Aaron's performances. The whole party walked downtown to view the Christmas parade, so she and I broke away from the group for a few minutes to pop in and say hi before the musical began.

We rejoined the group to take pictures in front of downtown's huge Christmas tree.

Instead of the same boring, flannel, plaid pajamas, Katherine requested a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer onsie. So when Colossians 3:12 showed up on the Advent tag, a bright and fuzzy onesie is what she found. 

Something else new for this year? Being invited to a youth orchestra Christmas party at the "Home Alone House" (which happens to be where the harpist lives!). Such a sweet family. Getting to know them a little bit better brought us much joy!

 

Marriage Monday

True love is opening my pajama drawer to find neatly folded and stacked pajamas awaiting me. My husband knows me well.

 

Advent Sweet Sabbath and Baking

"We are tempted to view seasons of dormancy as failure, but the Sabbath invites us to resist that temptation and see fallow seasons as an opportunity to trust and grow in one's capacity to wait." 

~Eryn Lynum, "The Nature of Rest"

Growing in one's capacity to wait. Isn't that one of the goals of Advent? Cancer certainly thrust a season of dormancy upon me. As I regain my strength, I don't want to lose that opportunity to trust in the Lord and in His perfect timing.

Yeast bread is another reminder of waiting and trusting, as the yeast works its magic bubbles in the dough. This cheery sweet bread from our favorite baker, Beatrice Ojakangas encourages me to be patient and watch for the delicious things God is doing in our lives.

Cherry-Nut Christmas Wreath

from The Great Holiday Baking Book

2 packages (5 1/2 tsp) active dry yeast

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground cardamom

1/2 cup hot water

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Cherry-Nut Filling

3/4 chopped walnuts, pecans, filberts, or almonds

1/2 cup chopped candied cherries

1/4 (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 Tbsp packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp almond extract

Combine the yeast, flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom in the work bowl of a food processor; mix until blended. Or combine in a mixing bowl and make a well in the center. In a small bowl, mix together the water and butter. Pour the water-butter mixture and the eggs into the flour. Process or mix until the dough is smooth and satiny. If using the food processor, process until the dough turns around the bowl about 25 times. If necessary, add additional water a tablespoon at a time until the dough has a soft, satiny, springy texture. If the dough seems to be too soft, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time, processing between each addition until the dough is no longer sticky. If mixing by hand, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and satiny, then return to the bowl, cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. If you have used the food processor, cover the bowl of the food processor and let the dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

In a mixing bowl, combine the filling ingredients. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface. Roll the dough into a 24x9 inch rectangle with a lightly floured rolling pin. Soread with the filling. Roll up starting from a long side in a 24-inch roll and pinch the seam to seal. Carefully cut the roll in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. Turn each half cut side up. Pick up each half of the dough and carefully lift one side over the other, twisting them into a rope, keeping the smooth side down and the exposed filling side up. Place on a lightly grease or parchment-covered cookie sheet and shape into a wreath or circle, pinching the ends together. Let the wreath stand in a wrm place, covered, until puffy, 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until brown. Serve warm.

Advent Whimsey

I know Advent is a time for serious reflection, but it is also a time of whimsey and quiet joy. While we walked on a nearby trail, Aaron took the time to snag some mistletoe for our doorframe.

Saint Lucia's Day fell on a Saturday, when teenagers like to sleep late. So I was thrilled to be the one who got to make a special breakfast and deliver to Katherine in bed. I decided to forgo the flaming candle wreath on my head :-)

Katherine used her delicate art skills once again to paint strings of lights on my fingernails. She continues to amaze me with her creativity.

 

Cancer and Advent

This year, I knew to expect a round of scans and appointments in the first half of December. So we planned ahead. Once again, we obtained permission to play Christmas carols in my hometown's little cancer center. 

We intentionally scheduled on the same day as my checkup with my oncologist. All scans continue to be clear, and my bloodwork looks great!

 

Advent Traditions

Sometimes we try new things to tune our hearts for Advent, but there are a couple of traditions that always point my heart in the right direction.

Attending a performance of Handel's Messiah (with score in hand, of course) never fails to elicit worship from me. This year, Katherine's cello teacher, Mr. Buck, performed with the orchestra, so we had an extra reason to sit in the audience.

The other tradition that I will do my best to keep no matter where we live?

Christmas mugs and special drinks to go in them. I always need the verse to remind me that God knows what is in our hearts, and He is the only one who can do the work my heart needs. This year, we splurged and bought some beautiful pottery mugs from Her Hearts Company.