Kitchen Windows, Memories, and Some Quiet Time

Hello out there! On the Fifth Day of Christmas my heart is full and I have much to
share. Christmas blessings to all of you near or far, my prayers go out to you
wherever you are! The weather report for today is - a cold, cloudy, and where is my
sunshine kind of day?! I sit snug in my home with all the Christmas lights on. I've
started a fire in our fireplace with several logs burning bright making our living room
toasty and warm. I am so thankful to have a home and my thoughts go out to those
with no home at all. I can't imagine not having a home. Helping out at the
St. Francis Sack Lunch Ministry has really opened my eyes. I don't take (or I try not
to) things for granted anymore. Having a home, being able to adjust the thermostat
to make our home warmer or cooler, food to eat, clothes to wear, a bed to sleep in...
I am truly thankful for all that we have.
I looked out my kitchen window and what did I see? A bright red cardinal and a blue
jay flying in and out of the oak tree. A squirrel ran by and stopped to munch on a nut.
I smiled and laughed and thanked God for so much. I poured a cup of coffee and
sat down by the fire. Jim is out working and our home is so quiet. Last weekend and
through Christmas Day there was laughter and children's voices and adult voices too -
inside and outside boisterous grandkids ran around. Our family home was full -
fond memories, a joyful gathering, and keepsake pictures that will remain in my heart.
This is my "Christmas Window" the one above my kitchen sink.

I cut the snow flakes out of paper and hang them up each year. My special trinkets sit
on my window seal this time of year. The lady bug night light - I've had it since I was a
small child. The metal hand bell and the Precious Moments hand bell have a story of
their own - I'll post that link below if you'd like to know more. The Holy Family snow
globe is musical and plays "O Holy Night."  The one thing that stays up year round, is
my "Mother and Child" night light and I turn it on every night.
The big oak tree you can see through the window is where my friendly little squirrel
and birds come to visit. I love the view from that window!
This is my big kitchen window in front of our table.

The little trees hide the bird bath that is right out front. The same bird bath our
youngest grandson (when he was about three) would dip his hand in and make
the Sign of the Cross as they were leaving. One of those, "You might be Catholic
if...…" type of things! We love that memory! The long driveway has some stories
to tell; basketball games, sidewalk chalk, races, all kinds of riding toys...we've
watched the sunset, the kids play, and fireworks while sitting out front.
Today is a perfect day of reflection as I enjoy this rare quiet time. December is such a
special month. Our son's birthday is in mid-December, our daughter's birthday is
right before Christmas, then we celebrate the Birth of Jesus. My birthday is tomorrow
and I am so thankful, so very thankful, for my life.
The following is the link about the hand bells and so much more!
https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-season-of-memories.html
I think you might like this memory too:
https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2014/12/every-baby-should-be-able-to-grow-up.html
And here is one more - from December 2015
https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2015/12/blessed-with-another-year-of-life.html
                                              Merry Christmas! Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                    Bye for now, Sharla




                                                                    

All is Calm, All is Bright - Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Hello out there! Merry Christmas to you and yours! I pray that this joyful season has
been full of love, light, hope, and forgiveness! I enjoy the whole season - from the
First Sunday of Advent all the way to the Epiphany! The day after Christmas through
the Epiphany is (for me) the "All is calm, all is bright" part of Silent Night. The gifts
have been bought, wrapped, and opened. The baking has been done and the (as in our
case) big family celebration is over (until the next get together)! We actually had two
big family get togethers this year:
Saturday, December 22nd, our oldest son and granddaughters drove in and arrived
about noon. By 2:30 p.m. the rest of our family began to arrive. We were blessed to
spend the afternoon and evening with all of our family; our children, their spouses, and
all ten of our grandchildren. The kids ranging in age from three years and nine
months to almost thirteen years old had a blast. The weather was perfect and it was a
beautiful day! They played basketball and hide n seek. They jumped on the trampoline
and played cards. I bought a new 300 piece puzzle (Nativity Scene) and placed it on the
card table in the living room. The puzzle was finished by the time everyone left. Our
son brought some homemade eggnog and it was great. We have our own traditions and
they change a little each year! Tamales and tortillas, beans and taco meat with all the
fixings (grated cheese, sour cream, hot sauce) chili con queso and chips! The motto in
our home is: "If you are hungry when you leave - it's your own fault!" Thank
you, Jesus, we always have plenty of food for our large family and for anyone else
who stops by! We had a "crazy sock exchange" and it was lots of fun. Everyone had
some type of decorated socks (Jim picked out "Wylie Coyote" and mine were the little
space guy). You fill one sock with small little items; candy, cards, lip balm, hot wheels,
gift cards, etc. and everyone picks a number - like a White Elephant Christmas gift
exchange. Anyway, there was a lot of laughter and we all had fun. Our oldest son
and granddaughters left on Sunday afternoon. Their visits are always too short but we
were so happy they were able to be with us! We decorated waffle cones with green
icing before they left. They looked like Christmas Trees! The cones were upside down
and we pressed M & M's into the frosting for decorations and we used gummy worms
for the garland! We really like that activity and the best part was you could eat them
when you were through! Jim and I went to Mass on Sunday evening and arrived early
enough to pray the rosary before Mass began.
Monday, December 24th, Christmas Eve - I still had a lot to do! I wrote out my list
and checked it twice! I was so happy when everything was done. We went to the
Christmas Eve Mass at 6:00 pm and it was beautiful, joyful, full of song and light!
Tuesday, December 25th, Christmas Day - Happy Birthday Jesus!
Jim and I made four loaves of beer bread. He sliced the ham and I put the beans on the
stove. The presents were all wrapped and the food was ready and our family arrived
once more. We were blessed with another "awesome weather day" and we gave thanks
to our Heavenly Lord. We stood in a circle in our living room and prayed together before
the grandchildren opened their presents. We reminded them to always be thankful and
to be kind to others. Our four youngest granddaughters handed out all the presents and
then the excitement began....pajamas and boots and books, oh my! Wrapping paper and
boxes were quickly picked up and out the door they ran. Our Christmas Day Meal is
not traditional but it works for us! You eat when you're hungry and there is plenty to
choose from; ham on beer bread or ham on Hawaiian Rolls (every kind of mustard and
mayo to choose from). Sausage balls, a bowl of beans, or a bowl of caldo (soup) or both
and or all of the above! Tamales left over from the Saturday before, chips, and quesadillas
made to order, are on the Ynostrosa Menu for Christmas Day and we thank God for it all
because we truly feel blessed!
We made edible Christmas Trees out of waffle cones once more; marshmallows, sprinkles,
gummy worms and M & M's, oh my! With green icing everywhere we sent them outdoors!
A lively and kind of rough basketball game ensued between the parents and the older
kids! My two J's (both of their names begin with J) he is 8 and she is 6 came in and
complained to me about the basketball game. I fixed them a drink and made them a
quesadilla and they sat side by side at the bar and ate. Their spirits picked up and I took
a cute picture of them - Nana knows how to make everything turn out all right! That's
my job - taking care of all my babies, my precious gifts from God.
It was a little after 9:00 pm when our home was quiet once more - Just Jim and I and
a peaceful, silent night. The hymn I love so, especially on Christmas Night!

Silent Night, Holy Night

All is calm, all is bright

I pray that this Season of Christmas brings you joy, love, and light!

Wherever you are, near or far

May God bless you and all those you love!

Christmas Peace and Blessings, Sharla