Christmas, It's Almost Here

 

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It's such a pleasure to walk about downtown Newburgh.   The windows are lovely, the city hall is all decorated and all the old buildings look new.  Christmas does that for me.  So many things look new.

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And then there are the fun yard "guests" that brighten the day. . .even the Grinch is a friend.  Snoopy and Woodstock are such characters.  Santa is always there to offer just the right amount of cheer!!

I do love the lovely old and regal houses.  They offer warmth and festivity to all who pass by.  There is the Giving Wall.  One of the residents has offered gloves, hats, and food to any one who is in need and it is such a heart warming gesture that others in the neighborhood  have contributed to the Wall.  I think that's what's meant by "good will to all [people]."  And with that I wish all a very Merry Christmas!!!

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Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing,  Our World Tuesday. and  My Corner of the World.

Christmas Trees and Angels

Why, after all these years, when I'm finished decorating the Christmas tree does the treetop angel still listing to the right?  No matter how I try she will not stand straight.  And why, after all theses years do I expect perfection in this tree?  Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here.  My focus on perfection should be focused elsewhere.  Yes, indeed, it should be focused on perfection itself and "the reason for the season." My during this season of Advent will focus on the love our Savior showed us by becoming like us.  

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Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy  

Christmas Memories

Because of the kittens this year the the large tree was not erected...so I went back though some older photos and came up with this collage. But be assured the tree will be erected next year. Merry christmas one and all!!!

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Visit The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.    The pictures all are an inspiration!

  Today's link to Provident God.

Mosaic Monday...The Change of Holidays

Change is ongoing in life and at this time of year all sorts of decorating changes take place.  First there was Halloween...And then preparations for Thanksgiving Day.  The day before there was delivered this gorgeous bouquet with all the glorious colors of Fall!  By the next day considerations for Christmas decorating began.  We live to change and yet "change" is so very hard to accept sometimes.

So the bouquet is will not be overlooked.  I have placed it where I will see it each morning for breakfast, until of course its flowers wilt and fade away.  

Still preparation for Christmas must go forward...and because we have two new kittens there will be no Christmas tree this year.  Wait 'til you see what the stand in will be.

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Visit The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.    The pictures all are an inspiration!

  Today's link to Provident God.

Mosaic Monday

Santa's Helpers

The fairies and elves on last Christmas-tide
Decided to open their hearts very wide,
And spend extra time, throughout the whole year,
In helping their grandfather—Santa Claus dear.

"Our fingers are nimble. We'll quickly make toys
Enough to supply all the girls and the boys,
And Santa may watch us to see if it's right,
So all will be ready before Christmas night."

Then bravely they all went to work with a will,
And soon all was quiet in workshop and mill;
For old Santa said, "Enough, and well done,
We've toys enough now to make all kinds of fun."

We thank you, old Santa, and your helpers, too,
For all of the many kind things that you do;
And should you need more help in making your toys,
Just call on your small friends, the girls and the boys.

by M. Nora Boylan

It's been so very busy here at the Keller's that I've not had a chance to visit all my friends in the "neighborhood."  Hoping to be able to spend for time during this glorious season.  Wishing you all the very best!!!  And here's hoping that, you all are bein' the best helpers to Santa you can be.

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 The Little Red House and offer words of encouragement to Mary.  Mosaic Monday is postponed this week due to the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Oh my! What A Grand Time We Had...

Having gathered and eaten and played and shared time together there was the lovely glow of the trees. It's that glorious halo that lingers in the eyes of the wee ones and warms the hearts of those who witness the miracle of family in the name of the first and most Holy Family! 

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Thanks be to God!!!

Christmas Lights and Football

It's difficult for me to post this picture.  You see I have been a Denver Bronco fan since the team's inception in 1960.  Yes, even this year!!!!  Every team has to rebuild...(sound like I'm making excuses?)   Well, anyway, the reason I'm here.  Last Saturday night while in INDY we took a tour of the city and came upon this house.  I have to say that this picture does not do justice to the actual site. And so it is that I must give credit where credit is due and say to those fans who created this festival of lights, "Well done!"

AND!!!  GO BRONCOS!!!!

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Thanks be to God!

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Candy Cane
Originally uploaded by Pisces Romance

Mom sent this to me today and thought it would be good to post it for all to see.  It's a wonderful story about how those tasty Christmas treats came into being.

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Have a grand day!!! It's damp here...Snow maybe tomorrow!

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Thanks be to God!

~~Bad Haiku Friday and Haiku My Heart~~

When the season, you think, is getting out of hand, do like Sam!  Take a nap!!!  Or just take a break.  Times not the enemy.  Maybe the list of things to do is.  After the nap, see if there are some unimportant things on the list that can be eliminated or postponed.  You are too important to have all this stress.

Just do like Sam, CHILL.

(And in this weather it's not hard!)

Better yet is this
 Rely on Mary's image
of tranquility!



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Thanks be to God!

Please visit Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings the sponsor of Bad Haiku Friday.  Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart.

Bad Haiku Friday

Haiku My Heart

Once Upon A Time Recipes

There is always that special recipe that brings back wonderful memories of gatherings of family and friends and grand times spent together.  Christmas is one of those times when memories flood back for me.  What about yours?

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Today's recipe reminds me of the gift of  a friend gave me and all the wonderful recipes and stories it has to tell.  The book is The Twelve Blessings of Christmas by T.J Mills and how that gift brings joy to to family and friends.  It also brings back memories of one of those traditions my family had at Christmas and the breakfast pastry on Christmas Day.

It was a treat each Christmas to have this fruit-filled stollen warm and tasty with our eggs and bacon after early Christmas Mass.  The recipe I have been using is not as complicated and takes very little time to prepare.  And so I offer it from the pages of this delightful book!

Christmas Stollen

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 packages yeast

1 package yellow cake mix

4 1/2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 can cherry pie filling

Mix together water, yeast, cake mix, flour and salt.  Place in a greased bowl and let rise until double.  Divide in half and roll to a 12 x 8 oval.  Spread 1/2 can of pie fill on one side of dough and fold over half of the dough on top.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Place on a greased cookie sheet and let rise until double in bulk.  Bake in a 350  degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely and drizzle powdered sugar frosting.

(I place the loaves on baking sheet covered with parchment paper.  I also used cream cheese icing on the loaves.)

Baking this stollen each year also allows me the opportunity to thank God for Lisa who gave me this book in the first place.  She is on of those treasures for which I say,

"Thanks be to God!"

If you have a recipe your family enjoys traditionally every year, please link below so we can all share in the the excitement and try your recipe this year!!

~~Mosaic/Macro Monday~~

The tree is decorated and the lights are aglow.  

Still savoring the wonder of this Holy Season.

It seems like a long time ago now but every time I hang this and other ornaments that Ron and I have made out of porcelain I recall the joy I had in making them. They were gifts to family and friends.  To me they are still treasures of the wonderful Christmases past!  They instill in me the hope of Christmases to come.

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Thanks be to God!

Now visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Lisa at  Macro Monday  also has much to offer.  The pictures are grand.


Again this Wednesday please
join me in offering Once Upon a Time 
Recipes, a story and recipe you
have as tradition at your house.

~~Bad Haiku Friday and Haiku My Heart~~

Don't want to hurry

Want to savor the moment

Decorating fun

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Thanks be to God!

Please visit Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings the sponsor of Bad Haiku Friday.  Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. 

Bad Haiku Friday

Haiku My Heart

Once Upon A Time Recipes

There is always that special recipe that brings back wonderful memories of family gatherings and grand times spent together.  Christmas is one of those times when memories flood back for me.
What about your?

The recipe I offer today is one that Ron's family has shared since they were small children.  And so it was on that special "cookie baking Sunday" that we all did our part to make these fun cookies.

Wes, Laura, David and Ron

having a wonderful time baking  together.

Burlingame, CA, 1973

Candy Cane Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
Crushed peppermint candy (optional)

Cream margarine and shortening.  Add sugar and egg.  Add dry ingredients.  Divide dough in half, color half with red food coloring.

Use 1/2 teaspoon of each color, roll and twist colored and uncolored dough then lay the cookie on an ungreased baking sheet, shape like candy cane.  Top with crushed peppermint candy if desired.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake 9 minutes or until set and very light brown.  Makes 4 dozen.

If you wish you can also use green food coloring and twist the dough into wreaths.

 It was such fun baking and watching the little ones eye as they watched the cookies come off the cookie sheet.  They were so careful not to break the Candy Cane.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

If you have a recipe your family enjoys traditionally every year, please link below so we can all share in the the excitement and try your recipe this year!!

Bad Haiku Friday

Wedding is over
Birthday celebration done
Relax it's Christmas!!!

And so now I will add a recipe that really isn't as simple to make as it would appear. Don't let that discourage you! All Chefs still have to keep making a cake until they get it right! Thanks you again to Kay!

Try this recipe for your Christmas Holiday season:


HAPPINESS CAKE

1 cup good thoughts
1 cup kind deeds
1 c consideration for others
2 cups sacrifice
2 cups well-beaten faults
3 cups forgiveness

Mix thoroughly, add tear of joy, sorrow and sympathy.
flavor with love and kindly service
Fold in 4 cups prayer and faith
blend well.
Fold into Daily life

Bake well with warmth of human kindness
Serve with a smile anytime

It will satisfy the hunger of starved souls.

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Thanks be to God!!

Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton

Homeless in Our Homes

The Christmas season is domestic; and for that reason most people now prepare for it by struggling in tramcars, standing in queues, and rushing away in trains, crowding despairingly into teashops, and wondering when or whether they will ever get home. I do not know whether some of them disappear forever in the toy department or simply lie down and die in the tea-rooms; but by the look of them it is quite likely. Just before the great festival of the home the whole population seems to have become homeless. [The Thing: Why I am a Catholic]

Returning and Rest

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel;
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength
But you refused and said,
"No! We will flee upon horses"--
therefore you shall flee!
and, "W will ride upon swift steeds"--
therefore your pursuers shall be swift!
A thousand shall flee at the threat of one,
at the threat of five you shall flee,
until you are left
life a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,
like a signal on a hill.

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30: 15-18

Prayer

Lord, rescue us from getting sucked into the cyclone of commercialized Christmas this year. Help! Save us! Help us commit more earnestly to times of prayer, worship, silence, and reflection. Convince us to trad commotion for community and frenzy for friends. Show us what it takes to become more genuinely human that we might recognize You within us and your face in the face of others.

Advent Action

Be radical: stay home this year. Look at your calendar early and block out segments of sanity. When someone asks or makes demands on your time, simply reply, "I'm sorry, but we/I have something already scheduled." Just say no. Remember if this holy season turnout as crazy as previous years, it was at least partly your choice. Determine, instead, to be co-partners with God in writing your own future. If you want to be even more radical, unplug. Block out days, or parts of days, where you fast from electronics: no television or DVDs; no music or radio; no computer. Instead, talk, play games, cook, do crafts exercise, read, pray. (Advent and Christmas, Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton)

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I have to say when I first read this reflection I thought it was humerous, though after I read it the second time, I'm sure it was not meant to be! It is a perfect lesson on how I behave during this time of the year! I was looking in the mirror when I read it the third time. I resolved to do something about it. There is still time!

Though, at times, I am at the mercy of others, I still have the right and privilege of controling the majority of my time. So I have resolved to do something about this. My time is precious. My life is precious. My well-being is precious. Why? Because God created me in love. It is time I "loved" me by taking care of what God so wonderfully created!!! So in "fasting." I will find joy, because I have CHOSEN this time for me and Him! What's more, I'm going try and find The Thing: Why I am A Catholic. It is probably a book from which I can learn a great deal more about ME!

Wishing all a glorious fast!

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Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Friday

Christmas was Merry
But the best is yet to come
Today we gather.

Not all will be here
In spirit they all will be
And thanks be to God!

This year is the Keller year to have what I call the Extended Christmas Celebration Day (or ECCD). Jimmy and Kelly have been here since Christmas Eve and with all the Ackermans we had the traditional Clam Chowder dinner.

Mass was attended on Christmas Day. Always, joyful, it was a bit somber as Kelly's grandmother passed away only Sunday. So as the "babe" was blessed and placed in the manger, I reflected on how fragile life really is and was reminded again how the treasure of life should be acknowledged to everyone at all times.

Returned home the share time and watch videos not related to the holiday. We laughed, cringed, and yes, nodded off. We all went to the Laura and Roy's (daughter--The Ackermans) for dinner and WII, A really great day!

BUT today, all but the Charlotte Kellers will arrive. There'll be turkey, stuffing and all else. YUMMMM!!!! Finally, in late afternnoon we will share that special time when the little ones will open their gifts and we can rest in the glow of the family.

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AGAIN!
THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

Simon is ailing again...

Friday, "Simon" went on the Fritz again. Have had the chance to use the computer at work...Miss sharing with all of you, but has offered me a chance to reflect and accomplish some tasks I have postponed. If I don't get him home before Christmas, please know I am thinking about all of you and your families and wishing you all the Blessing that Christ our Savior can offer!

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Thanks be to God!!!

Tthe Littlest Angel

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Of all the stories I cherish from my childhood, the story of the Littlest Angel is by far my favorite. My godmother, Aunt Rosemary, gave me the story on record, narrated by Loretta Young. And I had as much anticipation waiting for the time when I could listen to it as I did in anticipation of Christmas.

...On the day of the miracle, the Littlest Angel proudly placed his small box before the throne of God. The littlest Angel trembled as the box was opened. There was a butterfly with golden wings, a sky-blue egg from a bird's nest, two white stones from a river bank, and a strap from the collar of his dog. The voice of God spoke, "of all the gifts this small box pleases me most. I accept this gift in the name of the Child Jesus born this night in Bethlehem." The box began to glow. It rose until it hung over the stable where the Son of God had just been born. The box would forever be known as the "the shining star of Bethlehem.

So you see I knew there was hope for me. For as children we want to know we can please God. The validation came to me in this story. Whatever I did, no matter how plain, it would please God. How is it we forget that when we "grow" up?

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Every breath of air and ray of light and heat,
every beautiful prospect, is, as it were,
the skirts of their garments, the weaving of
the robes of those whose faces see God.
John Henry Newman

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Thanks be to God!!!