Remembering Paul ... May He Rest In Peace...

John's Dad, my father-in-law, Paul, died late this afternoon. John and his sister and brother had been down to see him in TX about a week ago. (these photos are from over a year ago)

Paul was not very responsive last week when John was there, and they knew the time was short. The nurses and chaplain who had called the last couple of days said that Paul was not in any discomfort and was well cared for, and for that we are grateful.

The doctors and nurses at the VA Hospital in San Antonio had been great in their care for Paul over the past couple of years, and very kind to him ... we are thankful for the excellent care he received there.

We were thankful for the many prayers the last year or two for Paul, and for the prayers for the repose of his soul now from many family and friends.

Paul had already made his funeral arrangements, and will be buried in TX, but at this time we are not sure of when it will happen, the Fort where he will be buried has a busy schedule, so it could be a couple of weeks? A memorial service will also be held up here for relatives and friends at a later date, probably not until late January or so.




Tonite, and in the weeks to come, we are remembering the good times with Paul, especially our visits when he was still feeling pretty good, recalling his jokes (which may not have always been so funny, but we enjoyed how much he enjoyed telling them and laughing at them!) - Good memories for sure! We are also thankful for the well wishes, prayers and sympathy from family and friends.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Lord, rest your weary ones, bless your dying ones, soothe your suffering ones, shield your joyous ones, and all for your love's sake. Amen.

Nativity Scene Re-enactment. A Blessed Christmas to All!

We had fun this morning getting ready for a photo shoot, for Christmas cards we'll be sending out to the sick and shut-in's who are members of Christ Church (from the Sunday School class), as well as cards for parents too for gifts. The Sunday School kids did great! Lots of fun to dress up and play out the scene from the 1st Christmas celebration of Jesus' birth.





We also watched this short, very cool video done by other Sunday School kids thousands of miles away... our kids really enjoyed the video..so much so, we watched it twice!

A great telling of The Christmas Story by the children of St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand... check it out on YouTube, at this link.

The Art of Assembling a Gingerbread House - A Grandson Experience & Fun!

This afternoon, my daughter and I picked up two of the three grandsons (unfortunately, Josh was sick and couldn't go), and we headed to a workshop put on in their town for kids to make gingerbread houses.

What a wonderful event it was! I can tell a LOT of work went into preparing for it, and they only ask a $3 fee for each child... it is a labor of love, and the women in Clinton who put it on are wonderful to do it!! They make wonderful memories for many kids (and parents and grandparents)!

They had gingerbread houses all set up, ready to decorate with a small bag of candies and a cup of frosting for each child. They also had tons of other candies and embellishments that they could add to their houses at a table in front. The kids took their plates up to the table and were able to get as many gummy bears, gum drops, pretzels, marshmellows, M & M's, sprinkles, fruit loops and so much more.

I believe I did see grandson Jeff consuming as much as he put on his gingerbread house..*L* But when I looked around at the other kids, they also were enjoying all the treats!




Our DIL, Janel, took the boys last year, but had to work this year ... sorry she missed the fun, but I am grateful for having the time to be able to be there this year with Jake and Jeff, and being asked to come with the boys! It was nice that they also let us bring a kit of candies and a house home for Josh to do too!





So, here are photos from our fun afternoon!








Such loving brothers, Jake and Jeff... hahaa!! *S*




And some of Josh at home decorating his gingerbread house too!! ....

Christmas Tree Snowflakes

Okay ..one more post before bedtime ... another idea from Pinterest ... snowflakes made from cupcake papers ...these are made from shiney silver foil-like cupcake papers.

Take one, smooth it out, then fold it in half... and fold it in half again... and again. Then take scissors and cut out various shapes, unfold, smooth out... and TAHH DAHHH!! Beautiful snowflakes!

Kasey and I had a competition in trying to cut out the VERY best one! *S* I think she might have won ...but mine aren't too shabby either!
We put them on our tree in the living room and Kasey K Photo took pics of them.

Another fun idea...easy peasy, and lovely!

Santa Hats formerly known as Bugle snacks...

How COOL is this idea!!

Take Bugle snacks, and make them into delicious, and fun, Christmas treats!

Here’s what you’ll need ...

Bugles (they make several varieties, all are good with this recipe)
Red Melting disks (red chocolate things ...Wilton makes them, I found them at Michael's)
Mini marshmallows
White sprinkles (nonpareils)..although I've seen them made with red and green sprinkles too.

Melt the red chocolate candy melts, along with a spoon of shortening (to help thin the melted candy), in 30 second intervals on low power, or melting power in your microwave until melted. (at the 30 second interval, stop, stir, restart until it's melted)... it may not take as long in some microwaves. It took about a minute and 10 seconds in mine.

Then start dipping. I put in 3 - 4 at a time, used a fork to take them out (letting them drip off a bit first).

Let them set up for 40 minutes or so on parchment or wax paper... some directions say to let them sit way shorter than this .. I actually think an hour or two is better.

When they are set, remelt the red candy chocolate stuff and dip just the bottoms of the Bugles (the large part of the Bugle) into the melted red chocolate, then into the white sprinkles. (easier if you put the sprinkles into a bowl)

Then flip it over and dip the top in the melted candy and press a mini marshmallow on top.... HELPFUL HINT: I found I messed up the bottom part when I tried to dip the top part ...so I took a toothpick, and dabbed a bit of the melted red chocolate onto the pointy top, then stuck on the mini marshmellow.

Set them back on the wax paper or parchment paper and TAHHH DAHHH... wonderful Santa Hats! I let them sit about 40 minutes before I moved them to a container where I lumped them all together to use in mixes or on cookie trays.

I saw this at the Pinterest site and HAD to try it out - I think they turned out great!




Here is a link that takes you to one place to find some of the same directions in making them ... BUT ALSO a yummy, sweet chex mix to add them to!


It's beginning to look a lot like ..... a big Christmas mess here! (LOL) ... time to clean up and get some sleep!

I may JUST be The Next Great Chef!! LOL!!

... with thanks from the Pinterest site I was recently introduced to... OMG, I am already addicted!!

There are so many cool things there in ALL categories... I discovered some DEEEELICIOUS appetizer ideas I wanted to try out before Christmas and then use for then too!

So, tonite, after shopping for various ingredients, Kasey and I had fun putting some of these things together... and Kasey did a photo shoot of our creations..*L*

Yummy ...Salad on a toothpick appetizers... pretty and delicious too! And super easy!

Fresh basil leaves (or I also use red and green baby lettuce leaves), mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and black olives... spritzed with balsamic vinaigrette (you can use other kinds of salad dressing too).





I also tried a fun way to make a baked potato and it looks cool too... I could have also added grated parmesan cheese to the top of this, but didn't do it this time.


So, this makes a simple frozen stuffed chicken breast look like an elegant dinner tonite, eh? *S*

Check out more photos from Kasey K Photo too at her blog site here.

Prayers for Paul

Kasey and I picked up John and his sister, Sherry, at the airport in Milwaukee tonight. They had been in Texas visiting his Dad, my FIL, who is not doing well at all. Just a matter of time, he didn't really recognize them, and has lost many, MANY pounds since the visit in September. It's sad to see him that way... and to have to leave to come home too, knowing his time is short.

This is a prayer for Paul, as he transitions to life everlasting soon (from the Book of Common Prayer)...

Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on your servant Paul.

From all evil, from all sin, from all tribulation,
Good Lord, deliver Paul.

By your holy Incarnation, by your Cross and Passion, by
your precious Death and Burial,
Good Lord, deliver Paul.

By your glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the
Coming of the Holy Spirit,
Good Lord, deliver Paul.

We sinners beseech you to hear us, Lord Christ: That it may
please you to deliver the soul of your servant, Paul, from the power
of evil, and from eternal death,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you mercifully to pardon all Paul's sins,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to grant Paul a place of refreshment
and everlasting blessedness,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give Paul joy and gladness in your
kingdom, with your saints in light,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Jesus, Lamb of God:
Have mercy on Paul.

Jesus, bearer of our sins:
Have mercy on Paul.

Jesus, redeemer of the world:
Give Paul your peace.

Amen.


(((((Paul))))) xoxoxox This is not a good-bye, for those who love the Lord, know we will meet again. Lord, in Your mercy ... Hear our prayers.

Love my Sunday School Kids! - Preparing for a Nativity Photo Shoot...

My class was small today, hopefully all the kids can be present next week ... until then, we pulled together parts of costumes...still some wardrobe malfunctions to deal with before next week, and more props... but the kids posed in anticipation of the photo shoot next week they will be in. We'll use the photo for Christmas cards to parish members and family.

Can't wait till next week! *S*

God Bless Us Every One! - A Christmas Wish from Timothy Cratchit ...

A few more Christmas decorations ... see my previous post for more...

I collect wooden canes..and older wooden crutches too .. .and old distressed dolls that no one else wants ... this one reminded me of Tiny Tim, so I attached him to a crutch long ago ... he hangs with my wooden canes ... but I added a few Christmas things and the sign and tahh dahh! A Christmas wish for all...


I also have a collection of nativity baby Jesus's ... I have one under a crown ... Born to be King of kings, and Lord of lords... the Prince of Peace is He!




And the others are in a wire gift box ... with an angel inside - I call this one The Present of Presence... the best present we have all EVER received at Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look a LOT Like Christmas ....

Busy couple of days here ... putting away art assemblages to make room for Christmas decorations. Hauling Christmas decorations and various trees from the attic and basement... ugghhh!!

But, it's looking pretty good so far ... just a few more things to do and the decorating will be done! Then on to finish buying and wrapping gifts, making appetizers that I can freeze for later Christmas consumption and of course bookkeeping since it's almost year end too.




Front porch lights and an old sled with skates and my giant wooden candy cane.

The dining room chandelier decorated with red glass berry beads and glass ornaments, and fancy Christmas flowers on the hutch with light branches.




And the pencil tree fit really well into my table leg planter that I had made a few years ago. I hung those old glass bird ornaments I had found a week or so ago on the pencil tree...wish I had a few more of them!

I collect brush trees and other unique trees that I put on my mantle...













The tabletop tree with the cute stuffed bears is always a hit with the grandkids... the tree skirt was one our Aunt Evelyn made many years ago and she passed on to us.

The bucket tree on the desk, along with an old St. Nicholas made with a vintage quilt piece helps make the wild boar head more festive too..*L* I have to find my santa hats that I put on the wild boar heads and deer head in the living room yet too.




More to come...maybe tomorrow....

Old English Advent Tea at Christ Church

This afternoon was our second annual Old English Advent Tea.

Delicious teas, finger sandwiches & desserts, elegant tables, gentlemen servers, Saint Nicholas with gifts, hat required, gloves optional - a fun Advent afternoon for women and children.




Tables were decorated by women of the Parish and turned out BEEEAUTIFUL! Each woman used their own tea sets and decorations.

Donations of homemade desserts and finger sandwiches were also supplied by the ladies of the Church. And the serving trays were set up by the men and women.










The gentlemen servers were men from Church, who did a great job of bringing around the delicious goodies, a variety of teas, and filling and re-filling our teapots and serving trays. Husband John and my Dad, Jerry were two of the servers.




Saint Nicholas (thanks Bruce!!) was also in attendance, and visited each table, having photos with young and old, and even gave each of us a gift bag!






Young and old enjoyed the afternoon tea, with a few games and lots of fun.
Thank you especially to Pat who did so much to make the afternoon special with the gift bags and extras ... and thanks to our gentlemen servers, Jerry, John, Ron, Steve, Terry and Mark!!




















A fun time for all!! Look for dates of next year's Old English Advent Tea in 2012~!