Spice and Sweetness-Journal #5

My outlook today...I'm loving this Christmas Season. Yesterday, during church, the music director had the congregation sing a hymn from the hymn book, "Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him." But the accompaniment was a special arrangement with piano, organ, and violin. We have a lot of musical talent in our congregation. The pianist, also an accomplished violinist, is the concert mistress for the Southern Utah Symphony and the violinist (during the meeting) plays second chair in said orchestra. In our ladies meeting, the whole program was music and stories. The above mentioned concert mistress and her lovely daughter played a duet of "O Holy Night." I was so touched by the music of the day that my spirit just soared and is still up in the clouds.

On my mind today...can't stop thinking about warm, sunny beaches. I don't miss many things about living on Oahu except the warmth, sunshine, humidity, and ocean. Rust, cockroaches, centipedes, and racism, I can do without very nicely, thank you.

Blessings from the past week...I continue to marvel at my increased and increasing health. I feel so happy right now. I'm always laughing. Joseph is so much better, too. He's lost more but I think I'm leveling out.

What's cooking in my kitchen...We're making a new treat for Christmas Eve this year. You dip a maraschino cherry with stem intact in dark chocolate and immediately stick it to a dark chocolate kiss. You put two sliced almond pieces on it for ears and stick it on a wedge shaped sugar cookie. Walla--Mice on Cheese. Plus, I'll bake a plum pudding, fruity spice cake, and carmel sticky buns. Of course I don't eat much of this, but I love to bake and share with family and friends. With only four of us, we'll just have a roasted chicken with the trimmings. A turkey is way too much for a small family, and I have lots of chickens in the freezer.

Prayer requests for the week ahead...My FIL is pretty sick right now and could use a bit of comfort, relief, and strength.

My appearance today...a straight long navy skirt, blue/grey 3/4 sleeved T, silk flowered cardigan, wool socks, and my every faithful Birkies. Still wearing my hair long and curly but did consent to a trim last week of a whole centimeter. I even took a ruler with me to show her what I meant by a trim.

Exercise goals for the week...my arthritis is totally cleared up with my new herbal formulas. No pain in my hips, feet, hands, or neck. So I'm going to really get out and walk.

My reading this week…more in my herbal program and LMU. Hey, I'm about 3/4 done with my first herb class. Not reading any novels or mags right now, but am loving Western World History. I'm looking forward to the release of History of the Medieval World by S. Bauer in February.

A Scripture passage I am memorizing/meditating on...I love to read Luke, especially chapter 2 this week. Long ago one of my children memorized this chapter. It brings special memories of time with this little person as well as the life of the Savior.

Home making tasks this week...I'm in the bedrooms and storage room this week. I'm not buying anything except fresh groceries, since we are trying to use up stuff in storage before we depart.

Something new to try...no time for new things on Christmas week.

My week is looking...full of fun family times.

Creative projects I'm working on...I got fabric for Gayle's birthday next month. I'm need to get this dress finished before we leave, since we'll drive right past their house two days before her birthday.

God has been teaching me...patience again. The house we rented last year looked like it would be out of the question, but at the 11th hour it all came together. I need to let go and let God take care of things. He always does.

For devotions...I'm going to focus on Luke this week in both English and Spanish.

A simple pleasure...bright sunshine through my kitchen window as I wash the dishes. I'm so thankful to have dishes and food that needs to be washed off of them.

Commitment to loveliness...1) baking for Christmas 2) remember to take care of my heels 3) work before play 4) polish O Holy Night for Christmas Eve 5) one nature walk and drawing for my nature journal

Pictures to share…Now that there are so few of us, our Christmas traditions have morphed a bit. Spencer has had friends in to build Christmas houses for the last few years. Mom and Dad are not as fun as peers right now. So this is the finished product, serious and crazy. We are trying to enjoy our last few days with him right now.