It’s Friday (finally!) – here are 5 random happenings in my world this week:
1 Stopped last night to buy Christmas crackers for our family gathering in 2 – count ’em – 2 weeks. As a Canadian, this is a British tradition we enjoyed loved as kids — one person held each end of the cracker and pulled them apart – a *POP* sound soon followed, and everyone ended up with a tissue paper hat to wear, a small toy and a joke or riddle to share. Our boys and grands have grown up with these at the table and it wouldn’t be Christmas without them!
Too much fun!
2 Tuesday at the State Capitol (which is wide open to everyone, by the way) my team and I were busy setting up Legislative interviews when a young man wandered into the studio. At first I felt a bit annoyed, because you see I didn’t really have time to shoo him out of there. But as he stood and looked around – with wonder in his eyes – my eyes softened and we ended up talking for about 20 minutes. He’s my youngest boy’s age and he told me how he’s going to Community College, working part-time, and lives with his Grandmother. He told me more about himself in those 20 min than maybe I needed to know – but in that moment he let me know he needed to be heard. It was yet another lesson to STOP – SLOW DOWN- and LISTEN. Everyone has a story to tell and sometimes you just have to stop moving to hear it.
“Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible someone ever reads.”
The Michigan State Capitol .. and State Christmas tree, blanketed in fog in December. An Emjayandthem (C) photo.
3 Still no snow. Driving to meetings and running errands is easy-peasy; it was 59F yesterday. People are out without coats. Shocking – in December. I didn’t feel any Christmas spirit until youngest boy and I decorated the tree last night. Leveraging his height, we laughed as he straightened the angel and tweaked the lights “just so.” Standing back to admire his handiwork, we both agreed that their home-made ornaments are our favorites. He put it best, “They tell our story, Mom.”
a shot of youngest boy in grade school … An Emjayandthem(C) photo
4. I’m glad today is Friday and that the weekend is not yet another runaway train. At least not yet. Hubbs is prepping for a business trip next week and he’s stressed about that, I have a full schedule, too, yet there’s so much to accomplish here at home. I think a vacation day is in order – the house to myself? Ooh ahh …. 🙂
and there it is
5 Talking with friends about how hectic our days are – jobs – kids – grand kids – aging parents – and BAM here come the Holidays. More and more we’re all talking about simplifying things. This simple message resonates with me:
And you? What Holiday tradition from your childhood have you carried with you? How are your preparations coming along? Are you taking any time outs just for you?
As a young child we would have pieces of a wafer and would go around to the aunts, uncles, cousins and break off three tiny pieces and eat them. I don’t know where this started or which tradition this came from but I think of how so many things in our live is symbol with 3 especially Father, Son, Holy Spirit. After we did the wafers, we said grace and ate our feast…
I love it! MJ
I got sick midweek so that has cooled my heels about the holiday. I’m recovering nicely but my spirit hasn’t be revived. Still have to decorate the tree (and no ambition to do it!). Perhaps over the weekend I will revive!
Hope you are feeling much better now! MJ
Back to normal (or my version of normal)!
Beautiful moment and photo of the capitol. I too love the home made ornaments. I have a few from when I was young. I can’t think of any specific traditions we have, but one favorite Christmas memory was when I was shipping out. I was single and shipped out 11 of 12 months a year. I got a big box when we pulled into port (not sure, but it might have been Scotland), and it had a small, completely decorated Christmas tree in it, sent by my sister-in-law. It made my day and then some.
That must have been so neat to open that completely decorated tree – what a wonderful idea! MJ
I’ve never heard of Christmas Crackers. Gorgeous fog-shrouded Capitol scene. Near 70 here today, I pulled out the capris again! A lovely day for lunch with hubby and a little more shopping. One tradition I keep is the making of Pizzelle waffle cookies. This year I’ll experiment with gluten-free flour for one of our granddaughters. I like the peace and quiet after hubby turns off the tv, so this is my blog time, snuggled in my pjs in the recliner.
They are great fun, if you find some, buy them — Enjoy your cozy time! MJ
Well, we had a business trip this past week….so that put all my holiday decorating plans on hold! I love the comment your son made about the handmade ornaments: so true! Love your beautiful Capitol picture, too. I think you SHOULD take a vacation day!
I love his comment, too — rings true with me! I love the juxtaposition of the foggy Capitol (past) with the crisp (new) tree 🙂 I am taking a day off shortly!! MJ
59 F. In Michigan. In Dec. can you believe it?
65F yesterday. Baked Christmas cookies in a tank top & shorts, with the window open!! Nutsola!! M
Wowza!