Friday, December 26, 2008

Ponderings of the Day

1. All those after-Christmas sales of marked down wrapping paper can be skipped now. As the kids get bigger, the gifts get smaller and wrapping paper lasts a looong time!

2. Some of the sweetest memories kids make are with their cousins.

3. Traditional sounds of the season from Christmas Eve: my MIL's neighbor's lawnmower in the afternoon! (See what you gals up north are missing?!) And watching the St. Olaf's Choir and Orchestra's annual Christmas Festival on TV.

4. Red poinsettias will always remind me of my mom.

5. I love seeing all the closed stores and empty parking lots on Christmas Day. (Well, except for the movie theaters!) I'm thankful that there is still one day that celebrating, worshipping, and being with family is prioritized.

6. Taking Christmas dinner to the Alzheimer's facility so my MIL could be with my FIL helped me not stuff myself into oblivion. We pretty much just tooke the basics, as we did at Thanksgiving. No need (or logistical room) for 15 side dishes or 10 desserts.

7. Watching Faith Hill's Christmas special Christmas night on PBS was a blessing. Hearing her proclaim that Christmas is all about Jesus and sing Joy to the World, Silent Night, A Baby Changes Everything, and other songs on a public TV network was a worship experience!

I hope you had a great day and that your merriment and fun continues into the weekend!

Photobucket
at

12 comments:

  1. A Stone GathererDecember 26, 2008 at 5:52 AM

    Sounds like a wonderful day you had! I hope the memories of your mom made you smile too! We had a great day also! BTW Bekah loved the Bible!

    ReplyDelete
  2. larkswingDecember 26, 2008 at 7:54 AM

    Great ponderings! I too enjoyed the empty parking lots - made the world seem so much more peaceful!
    And I was wondering why the gift wrap was lasting longer . . .duh :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kelly @ Love WellDecember 26, 2008 at 7:58 AM

    I heard lawn mower-like sounds this week -- only they came from a snow blower.

    :-)

    By the way, you realize St. Olaf is in Minnesota, right? That's how we develop such beautiful choirs; we have nothing else to do in the winter.

    Except maybe one thing. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Debbie PetrasDecember 26, 2008 at 7:59 AM

    What a great list to read. That is a rare sight; empty parking lots. I wish you and your family a great 2009.

    ReplyDelete
  5. saraDecember 26, 2008 at 8:28 AM

    It is so true about the wrapping paper. I used what I had last year and still have plenty for next year!!!

    ....although a few of my kids got a bit carried away with the wrapping as they tried to "disguise" a gift!!

    I did not see any empty parking lots because I did not leave my house ALL day.....well, I did walk across the street (bed head and all) to visit with my neighbor!!!

    Hope you have a quiet/relaxing weekend!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beth HerringDecember 26, 2008 at 9:08 AM

    I enjoyed your post Christmas musings. Hope that you and your family had a day filled with joy.

    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Four Week VeganDecember 26, 2008 at 10:07 AM

    Wonderful thoughts. Christmas always reminds me of my mom, gone now 10 years, it was her holiday for sure! Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Xandra@Heart-of-ServiceDecember 26, 2008 at 6:03 PM

    I know your in-laws (and your husband) were appreciative of the food and company. I agree about the memories with the cousins...my dearest ones involve mine.

    Xandra

    ReplyDelete
  9. 2nd Cup of CoffeeDecember 26, 2008 at 8:22 PM

    'Tis true, all of it. I happened to catch part of Faith Hill's concert, too. I'm not a big fan, but I was enthralled with the baby song. Sorry you had some sorrow in this holiday. I did think of you. Sending love.

    ReplyDelete
  10. BrittanieDecember 26, 2008 at 10:11 PM

    My sister and I watched some of the Faith Hill concert too. I loved all of it. She has an amazing voice. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sarah@Life in the ParsonageDecember 27, 2008 at 10:51 AM

    This list blessed me by just reading it, thank you Linda!

    ...what I wouldn't give to hear a lawnmower right about now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gayle @ thewestiecrewDecember 27, 2008 at 1:01 PM

    Oh I'm glad your's was good, Linda.
    I thought about you without your Mama this year and I wondered how you were doing...

    ReplyDelete