Probably close to 30 years ago my mother took great effort to make two complete nativity sets, one for my family and one for my sister’s family.

This display if far and above my favorite – it’s the first thing that comes out of the boxes in December, and stays lit day and night until the end of the holiday season.

Today, as I go through my house, preparing for company and meals and all the wonderful events of Christmas, I remember that this nativity – and all crèches – draw our eyes and hearts to the greatest gift of all –  God’s son Jesus, who may melt our hearts with emotions as we focus on the Bethlehem baby, in truth, came to give Himself so we can have eternal life.

Merry Christmas.

TODAY is ELF day!  Every year – the last working day before the Christmas holiday – I become Santa’s favorite helper!  I get all decked out in my green and red elf costume – complete with bells and Santa hat and candy cane tennis shoes.

Today is no exception!  I will jingle through the dealerships all day long, mostly driving people crazy with my bells, but being very careful how I sit.  Those bells can be a bit tricky…..

This evening I am going to a small Christmas party at Mauro’s restaurant in Jeannette – yep, you guessed it!  All dressed elf-ish!

It’s great fun, and a personal holiday tradition that I enjoy.  I think everyone else does, too!

But if you’ll excuse me, I must get moving or I’ll miss my sleigh-ride to work.  Of course, my dad would have said, ‘there’s no excuse FOR me!’ 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE!

This has been a cultural weekend for me.  Thursday night I attended Autmn’s 6th grade band concert at Harold Middle School.  She plays clarinet and did a great job with her classmates.  Autmn is almost directly in the center of the photo  – the shortest one in the row, with blond hair and in front of the girl in the purple shirt.  Hat’s off to all the bands. 

On Friday evening, my sister Kathy and her husband Paul invited me to go to the Byham theater in Pittsburgh to see A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  One of my favorite Christmas Classics, and a wonderful production!  I especially enjoyed a stop at Starbucks before the show, and all the children that were part of the performance. 

The theater is a beautiful building, and a perfect setting for a holiday celebration.  I was and am blessed to be included in this great event, and send a huge thank you to my very special sister for offering me the opportunity.

I am praying that you get an opportunity to celebrate the season doing beautiful things with beautiful people!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Although the picture is a bit blurry (my hands aren’t always that steady!), today’s tribute is to my amazing ‘boss’ – CEO and owner of Smail Auto, and the person I have worked for since 1967.

Bud and his wife Ellen have been part of my life for so long they feel like family.  They have encouraged, supported, instructed, directed, and taught me through every phase of my adult life.  Although, to be fair, I do tell everyone I was only two when I started working there; makes it hard to figure out my age that way!

I am just taking time today to say thanks – for their faith in me- and most recently LETTERS TO MARY .  And I am sending a HUGE Merry Christmas to Bud and Ellen, their families, and all the beautiful people I have met and worked with.  There are so many  friendships that have blessed my life!  Wishing the best of holidays and continued success and health in 2015!  Bud and Ellen – love you!   

Well, it’s officially DECK THE HALLS at my house.  The halls, the rooms, the windows, the dishes, the rugs….  Not a square foot is untouched!

To some, decorating is a chore, and just ‘has to be done’ – to me it is a love affair of all things bright and happy and good.  I love the lights, the music, the glitter, the company – and of course the cookies! 

One of my favorite displays is the Snoopy shelf.  Although there are little – and big! – Snoopys in every room, they take over the one bookcase in my family room.  The little Peanuts characters secretly dance and sing when no one is looking – I’m totally convinced of it! 🙂

So whatever you do this holiday season, take time to enjoy the beauty and delight of the decorations.  Yes, Christmas is much more than that – but why not enjoy it all?

ONE WEEK TO GO!  LET’S REJOICE AND ENJOY!

Well, as in ‘not a creature was stirring’  – these guys were stirring last night. 

Ron and I spent the better part of the evening last night creating a family of little chocolate mice.  If it had been up to me, I would never been able to pull it off.  This project takes a steady hand, which I do not have.

The body is a maraschino cherry (with stem) from a jar, dipped (coated) in melted chocolate.  They sat in the fridge for about 30 minutes, then we took the Hershey Kisses and dipped the flat bottom in the melted chocolate to give it ‘stickigen’.  White pressing the head and bottom together, the two little almond slivers were inserted between.  Once they chilled (again), he added the eyes and nose with a dab of icing.  It was quite a project, but the result was a family of happy little guys (and gals) waiting to be admired and possibly nibbled.

Here’s part of the family – with only the first mouse having eyes and a nose.  They were very agreeable and attentive, but I don’t know how they’ll be once they can all see!  In the meantime, two of them came home with me, just to sit in the fridge and be shown off to friends and family who pop over for a holiday visit!
Hoping all YOUR holiday mice are friendly and agreeable!  🙂

Saturday afternoon my daughter and her three sons traveled the hour from ‘Almost West Virginia’ to visit.  They shared their Santa photo with me and I was excited to see them dressed in their best!

After watching Snoopy Christmas Tales DVD, we bundled up and went over to the Word of Life Church to see their production of ‘Return to Bethlehem.’  We were greeted at the door by a display of wealth, compared to that which the wise men may have carried on their journey.

The journey to Bethlehem was amazing – we visited the people traveling to pay their taxes; we saw the shepherds in the fields, huddled around a warm fire, watching their very noisy sheep.  We listened while the three kings spoke to Herod, seeking the birthplace of the baby King.  Then we walked the crowded streets of Bethlehem, talking to the merchants and hearing of the couple who had arrived the night before, the young woman being great with child.

The boys were wide-eyed with wonder as the Roman soldiers moved the crowd along, and humbly paid their taxes with the shekel they had been given earlier.  But the best and most amazing sight was the stable, complete with live animals, where Joseph, Mary, and the new baby sat snuggled in the hay.  The baby slept peaceably against his mother’s chest, his tiny fist clutched against her cloak.  It was all very moving and impressive, and Peyton, Logan, and Chase loved every realistic moment.

We walked back to the car, past the spotlight that cast the bright star into the heavens (Chase insisted it was a spotlight; I insisted it was a star!).  Crosby the camel stood serenely, greeting guests and munching on hay.  We had a great time there, traveling to another time, another land.  To see their faces focused on the bustle of the city and the drama of the presentation was the highlight of my holiday to date.  I recommend that if you have not already done so, next December check out the Word of Life on Route 136 in Hempfield Township.  It’s the first weekend of the month and is well worth the trip.

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday, December 7th, my best friend from high school – Gen Morris – celebrated her birthday.  She is such a special person, and I am so honored and blessed that we have stayed friends and kept in touch.

From the first day we met – at lunch in the cafeteria at Youngwood Junior High School – when we shared a Lebanon bologna sandwich and a snack – we have been (as Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables said) kindred spirits.

When she moved to Rochester NY the year after my divorce, I was broken hearted.  But we sucked it up and made a pact to keep close even though far away, and to this day we have kept that pact.

When my dad and sister had horses, Gen was ‘in love’!  She so enjoyed riding and caring for them – I preferred my 63 Chevy!  But Dad treated her like a daughter, and we had great times growing up together.

Even though I went through some tough times, made some really stupid choices, and lost my way a few times, she stuck with me and by me and picked me up when I didn’t deserve to be picked up.  I am thankful for her life, for her friendship, and for the strong, fine Christian woman that she is.  So Gen, I wish you a wonderful, happy, love-filled life, and know that I am always there for you!  Happy, happy birthday –  Love you much!!  

Well it’s that time again – time to unpack the dozens of boxes that are stored in my garage for 11 months and DECK THE HALLS! It’s quite a task, and normally takes a solid week of lugging and placing and arranging.  But in the end, the house looks like a Christmas wonderland.

The biggest item on the list is usually the Peanuts characters.  Not a room is left untouched, and little clusters of Snoopys and Lucys gather to celebrate the season.  Everything from Snoopy Santa hats and tea towels to cookie jars and nativity scenes – Perfect!

My favorite piece is the hand-painted nativity that my mom made, a gift from not only her hands but also her heart.  This scene has had a place of honor every year since its origin, and is one of the first boxes to be unpacked!

So even though I love the glitter, lights, music, twinkle, and festive atmosphere of Christmas, it is the Reason for the Season that brings it all together, and – as Tiny Tim would say – God Bless us, Every One!   May your Christmas Season be happy and blessed!

Last night we were able to totally surprise my sister with a party in honor of her 60th birthday.  Her husband Paul did a great job with all the planning and arrangements.  She was, indeed, unaware of what awaited her behind that door!

My sole responsibility was to provide him with a photo of a very young Kathy to put on the cake.  I found one of my favorites – she wanted to be involved in MY first day of school, and since mom was busy with me, she dressed herself.  And since she could not manage the buttons and tie belt, which belonged in the back, she put the dress on backwards and handled the whole thing herself!  She looks adorable, cuter than I did, in fact, and has grown into a wonderful friend and the best sister I could ever wish to have.

Paul, of course, always makes crazy faces for any photos, but aside from that, you can see my radiantly beautiful sister, and her happiness shines!  So a very happy 60th birthday to my precious sister – and wishes for many more to come!  Love you!