The Magic

I hope and pray that each of you had a glorious Christmas time.  I also wish for each of you a blessed and prosperous New Year!

I overheard a little girl ask her mother why people say that Christmas is a magic time of year.  I did not get the privilege of hearing the answer and have pondered it for a few days now.  Every year I watch all the old movies and the myriad of sappy Hallmark movies during Christmas time.  I cannot help myself and have been doing that for years.  While pondering the little girl's question and watching one more movie I came to the conclusion that at least the movie industries meaning of "Christmas Magic" is the idea of renewing broken relationships, forgiveness, the goodness of humanity,  and remembrance of better times of the past and hope for a better future.  These are all good things to want and desire.

Is it possible to want and desire better relationships, forgive others and hope for a better tomorrow every day of the year?  I believe it is and becomes a matter of changing your perspective, strengthening your value system and understanding the true definition of love.  For me love is God coming to us in the form of the God/Man, Jesus Christ and taking up permanent residence in our hearts.  It really does change the way we see the world.  I plan on putting into place some very tangible ways of reminding myself of this every day so that 2015 becomes a full year of magical times.

Make the most of the last day of 2014!

Dee

Retreat information coming very soon.

Getting it Done

What do you get a little boy for Christmas?  He will be turning 3 soon and has all the toys and love a little guy could hope for.  I decided to go simple and made a cloth alphabet to help him learn his letters.  They go in the bag along with a picture book.  Old fashioned but hopefully enjoyed well.

Finishing up some embroidery projects and english paper piecing as well.  Sent off a quilt to be quilted, second one close to being done and planning for the winter retreat are just a few of the projects getting checked off the "to do" list.  

I do hope you are taking time to relax and enjoy the season.

Christmas Blessings!

Making My List and Checking it Twice

Christmas time can be so hectic with everything we need to get accomplished that it can be easy to forget what is at the core of the festivities.  I have my own list of "to do's" and it gets longer by the day.  I'm sure most of you can relate.  My husband has been creating a to do list every day of his grown-up life and derives a lot of satisfaction in checking off the things he accomplishes.  He puts everything down, nothing he does escapes his daily "to do" list.  It has only taken 36 years to openly and honestly take a good look at this daily ritual instead of making fun of the things he writes down.  (All in good teasing humor, of course)

I on the other hand keep my to do list in my head and continually focus on what I don't have done and often feel overwhelmed.  He on the other hand looks at his written list and sees what he has accomplished and gets a certain satisfaction from the days accomplishments.  I don't believe this "aha" moment will change how I go about my daily routines but I do hope it will include looking at what I have accomplished and feel good about that instead of focusing on what I haven't completed.

Along with me, will you focus on the accomplishments of the day and take time to just sit and relax and remember the reason for the added "to do's" this time of year.  For me it is the fact that Christ came into the world to accomplish His greatest "to do" and that is to be my Savior.

Following is a holiday recipe that is quick and quite delicious.

Maple Custard Creme Brûlée French Toast

1 stick butter

5 eggs slightly beaten

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 cups whole milk or half and half

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

8 cups cubed day old bread

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Melt butter with brown sugar and maple syrup, and stir to blend.  Pour into bottom of greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.  Top with cubed bread.  Combine the eggs, mild, vanilla and salt until well blended.   Pour over the bread and stir slightly to coat bread.  This may be refrigerated overnight or baked right away.

 350 degrees for 35 minutes.   Invert or serve right from the pan.

The custard will be cooked through and the glaze will be thick and bubbly on the bottom of the pan.