A Bright and Merry Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Comments make the blog world merry and bright and the blog world needs more merry and bright. Here we go-

1. 'Tis the season to be jolly....so are you? 

In a word, not really. I know that's two words but eh. 

I have a pretty little carved nativity set I bought once upon a time on a trip I took with friends to the Christmas Market in Cologne. 

Remember travel? sigh. Anyway, this year I set it in my kitchen window, a reminder to keep my focus on the main thing. 

This is the main thing. 

2. Do you trim a tree this time of year, and if so is yours all done? What's something in your home-closet-life that needs to be trimmed in the new year? 

We do, normally more than one, but we're having a very low key holiday so just putting up one tree this year, and it's done. 

Something that needs trimming? My closet always, our file cabinet at the start of a brand new year, and my waistline but let's not think about that today. 

3. Are you 'dreaming of a white Christmas'? Is that a possibility where you'll be celebrating? According to this site the top ten places in the US you can count on for a white Christmas are- North Pole Alaska, Crater Lake Oregon, Yellowstone National Park, Winthrop Washington, Aspen Colorado, Ketchum Idaho, Mt. Washington New Hampshire, Whitefish Montana, Duluth Minnesota, and the Lake Tahoe town of Truckee California

Of the snowy spots listed which would you most like to visit? 

I do love a white Christmas, but in sunshiny South Carolina that isn't likely. For the record, a sunshiny Christmas is a-okay too. Honestly I wouldn't mind a trip to any of those spots but since it's Christmas I'm going to say Aspen. I'm sure it's especially beautiful this time of year. 

4. December 8th is National Brownie Day...will you be celebrating? How do you like your brownies-chewy or cake-like, frosted or plain, nuts or no nuts, a piece from the middle or give me the corner? As a child were you a member of a brownie troop? 

Brownies are one of my favorite desserts...chewy-no nuts-no frosting-and gimme a corner please (p.s.-I won't turn down the middle either) I don't think I'll be celebrating because we've had an abundance of treats lately and brownies in the middle of the week feels like something I should miss. See question #2. 

Yes, I was a member of a brownie troop, and at least one year my mom was the leader. 

That's me on the left and my baby sister keeping the tooth fairy in business on the right. I just noticed we're holding hands and is there anything more precious than sisters? 

 My girls were both brownies too, and I was a leader for Daughter2's troop. 

5. Share a favorite line or two from a Christmas carol or holiday tune. 

Every year on my blog I post the Casting Crowns version of I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. I normally like hymns as they were written (this one is based on the Longfellow poem entitled Christmas Bells), but this particular song has been made better for the tweaking. I love the lyrics so much, this line especially-

'Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on Earth, good will to men.'

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If I  listen to this song a couple of times I might have to change my answer to #1....

'Do you hear the bells, they're ringing? (Peace on Earth)
The light, the angels singing (Peace on Earth)

Open up your heart and hear them (peace on Earth)

Peace on Earth, good will to men'

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Weekend Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Nobody's mentioned the weather on their blog today, have they?  Ha!  It seems the whole US of A has had some weather this weekend, unless you count Florida, but I won't because who doesn't love a little ice and snow in early December?

We had a full weekend filled with all manner of festivity. Raise your hand if you love this most magical time of the year? I won't tell you how many attempts were made to capture this selfie, but it was so pretty when we came out of the restaurant last night I insisted we try. And try again. And again.

As we walked to our car snowflakes were falling, tinytowns Christmas tree beside the lake was aglow with its mass of colored lights, the trees in the village were all twinkly and fairy-like, and we both agreed that we love it. All of it. Even the craziness that we woke up to this morning, which essentially is a driveway turned skating rink.

I got up to go to bootcamp, because FYI the weekend included more than a little eating out, but alas no boot camp.  No way could I get my car down the driveway. I guess maybe I could have gotten down the drive, but not without taking out some serious rocks and the pillars at the curb. Hubs made a valiant attempt to get to his office at the normal time, but it just wasn't happening. He finally headed for the office a few minutes ago, so I'm hoping the roads are in better shape than our driveway.

Friday evening we stayed home. It was nice. I sometimes think I'd like to have a Christmas tree in my house year round, but I suppose the special-ness of that would wane. Maybe. Arctic air swept in here on Saturday...naturally, because that's the day hubs needed to put up the outside lights. He tries to do that job in November, but his travel schedule this fall didn't cooperate, so he had to settle for the coldest day of the year.

Anyone out there hear a few naughty words when their hubs is dealing with the outside lights? I'm asking for a friend.

The lights are up, and we're still married, so win-win.

Friends who live a few towns over called and said they were headed to the German Christmas Market in our town, and did we want to meet them there?  Hubs was happy to take a break from the lighting debacle so we spent most of the afternoon on the boardwalk browsing the stalls and sipping Gluhwein to stay warm.

Afterwards we headed home where hubs commenced with the lighting shenanigans and I indulged in perhaps the greatest nap ever.  He woke me up asking about dinner at 7:45. Yikes! I think all the 5 AM mornings, combined with all the holiday to-dos finally caught up with me. I am still thinking about that nap. Merry Christmas to me!

We went to a local Italian place for dinner, and had a few clams with our garlic.

Not a vampire in sight!

Sunday afternoon we trekked over to some friends for their annual Christmas party, which is always so much fun. It's a fundraiser for a nearby food pantry, and they really do it up right. There are inflatables for the kids, and live animals, also for the kids, but hey we're all kids at heart, right?

Disney should call his agent.

Along with all the fun and games, there is always lots of wonderful food and conversation, plus jolly old Saint Nick makes an appearance too.

SANTA!  I KNOW HIM!

We left the party about 4 PM, right about the time the snow made its way into our area. We didn't get more than a dusting, but we did get inches of ice which is a bit more troublesome.

When I look at my front steps I can't help but think of that scene in Home Alone where McCauley Culkin pours water on the stairs to keep the burglars away.  Effective.

Today was my day to volunteer in a local soup kitchen, but even that has been cancelled. I guess that means I'm out of excuses as to why my Snow Village is still tucked neatly away in the basement as opposed to on display upstairs. I love it once its up, but what a job! All the dusting, and the rearranging of the tabletops, and the stowing of stuff on the tabletops, and the hauling umpteen bins up and down the stairs, and the chords which will not make any sense, and all that styrofoam packing that leaves little beads in its wake. I'm missing my elves today!

Okay, time to get busy.  Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was my Snow Village.
So what's it like where you live?

Froehliche Weinachten

 Weekends in December are extra full, or at least ours seem to be.

We spent Saturday and Sunday tweaking our holiday decor and by that I mean hubs hung garland across the railings and down the stairs, and wondered aloud why in the world we don't own the pre-lit variety?  I untangled the mass of cords that is my Snow Village, and seriously, that job made me sweat. It's a bit of a challenge to hang on to your Christmas spirit when dealing with light strands and extension cords in hard to reach places.

I still need to add some bits and pieces, like the trees and the skaters and such, but I got the basic houses up,  and that was enough for one weekend. Our main tree is still waiting for its topper, a job I just couldn't face after wrestling with cords for an hour, so that's on my list for one day this week. We always do our Christmas decorating in phases. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are happier that way.

I do love having a Christmas tree in the house. One of my favorite things to do in December is to get up early,  and while it's still dark outside sit in front of the lit Christmas tree. There is something about the quiet soft glow of the tree that begs for sitting still, thinking deeply, and praying earnestly.

Friday night hubs and I popped into town to see the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Conveniently there is a ginormous evergreen just beside the the lake and every year Santa drops by to do the honors.  Here's a shot of the tree in daylight....

and all lit up for Christmas...

My nighttime photography skills are unrivaled, don't you think?

Our little town holds their own version of a German Christmas Market every December and its lots of fun.

Hubs and I spent a couple of hours there on Saturday browsing the vendor stalls, sipping traditional Gluhwien, and eating brats topped with sauerkraut for a lakeside lunch.  I took this picture of the Stroopwafels for my Daughter1-they're her favorite-

And this one for Daughter2 because fudge is her love language. 

So are German Christmas Markets.
She and I have seen more than a few.
Sigh.  

I love the sign by these decadent dipped apples.

Oh, and guess what?
Santa was there.

Pretty sure this was not a copycat.  Look at that face!

Afterwards we went to see the movie Lincoln.  We both really liked it and Daniel Day Lewis is completely believable in the title role.

Sunday afternoon we were invited to a fundraiser that hubs former boss and her family host every year. Monies raised benefit a food pantry on Long Island and this year the need is greater than ever.  The pantry is run thru a Catholic church there and the priest spoke to the party-goers describing the very difficult circumstances they face in Sandy's aftermath.  Many in their area are still without heat and power, and a large number of people are also without jobs.  The recovery is slow going and some of those jobs will be permanently lost.  He closed by saying that in the middle of something horrible he has witnessed so much good.  Help has come from ordinary people and nothing is too small not to be appreciated.

Our friends go all out when they host this party.  They invite several hundred people, have inflatables for the kids, a petting zoo, and oh yeah, guess who else was there?

I know.
I spoke to him and he is definitely not a copycat.   Look at that face!

Okay, my to-do list is as long as my arm so I need to get busy.  Just a reminder that I'm hosting a little 'thing' here during the month of December.  My daughter1 made the cutest little button ever,  which you'll find on my sidebar.  If you're participating in  The 12 Days of Christmas Kindness you'll want to add this cuteness to your sidebar too...just copy and paste the link you see under the button.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about go here for details.

Happy Monday!

Away in a Manger

For the past several Decembers I've traveled with a group of friends to Christmas markets in one charming German city after another.

The market stalls are loaded with vendors selling amazing food, jewelry, scarves and, my personal favorite, beautiful handcrafted Christmas decorations. There are so many choices it's hard to know what to buy. Occasionally our decisions were based on luggage space which is sad but true.

I have brightly colored nutcrackers, delicate glass ornaments, a small hand carved nativity and, one of my very favorite souvenirs, a German pyramid. The pyramids come in several different sizes but mine is four-tiered with six candles around the bottom tier. When you light the candles the paddles on top of the pyramid slowly turn.

I chose this pyramid because it held all the pieces of the nativity story. In the center of the bottom tier you'll find Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus in the manger. All around this scene are the intricately carved camels and kings.

The two middle tiers feature shepherds and their teeny tiny sheep...

And on top of it all is where you'll see the sweet choir of angels...

I can almost hear them singing.

"And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:7 (NIV)

This post is linked to the December photo challenge hosted by Susan...today's prompt-Away in a Manger.

Holiday Home Tour 2010~ Falalalala lala la la

If you have a blog you do know that you're required to post a few pictures of your Christmas decorations each year, right?

I read that in the handbook.

Or somewhere.

candle holder proclaiming 'Welcome' in German

Christmas Market, Nuremburg Germany, 2004

Do you change your decorations very much from year to year?

hand made German pyramid

Christmas Market Salzburg, Austria~Dec, 2010

Or do you take comfort in keeping things pretty much the same?

Colonial Soldier, London~2006

St. Nicks Tree Farm~Snow Village vingette, USA~2002

One of the things I like best about pulling out the boxes and bins and bags each year is seeing the old and familiar....

our Maryland crab, Annapolis, 2003

I look forward to unwrapping ornaments that were tucked into tissue paper just one short year ago.

our favorite ~ the British taxi, 2004

I welcome the flood of memories that wash in with the ribbons and bows....

suitcase ornament, gift from a cherished and well traveled friend,

Munich 2008

happy memories of travels with family and friends,

Alpine ski smoker

The Christmas Market, Dresden Germany~2007

of sights seen close to home...

Rockefeller Center, NYC~2009

and those seen miles away.

Anne of Green Gables House

a visit to friends on Prince Edward Island~2009

I will open an ancient JC Penney box and find a play dough star...molded by a sweet soft girl who loved glitter and paint...who thought deep thoughts and dreamed big dreams, even at the tender age of 3...

She still loves glitter and her paints...still thinks deep thoughts...still dreams big dreams. I will give her the star and she'll take her time...she'll choose precisely the right branch on which to hang her play dough gift.

Still my thoughtful girl, so careful in her choosing, full of grace and beauty...I'll smile inside to see the sweet soft three year old still there, in my girl of 22.

I find the precious hand prints of another sweet, soft girl..an impulsive, laughing four year old whose bright eyes twinkled...whose love of life was contagious and oh so hard to tame.

Her hand prints are 20 now but her infectious smile still brings joy...her eyes still twinkle...she makes us laugh, and still she loves so hard.

I'll watch her when she isn't looking and I will feel so grateful for the mighty toddler child turned woman who is still her mama's girl.

Finally, nestled amongst the old and the new,

I'll find the heart of the matter...

gift from a neighbor, Maryland, 2002

A true life love story whose message never lessens,

our first Christmas together, December 1984

Knoxville, Tennessee

never dulls,

never ceases to amaze...

Christmas Market, Cologne Germany, 2008

It's the reason for the season.

May yours be blessed and merry!

This post is part of the Holiday Home Tour 2010...visit The Nesting Place

and/or Show us Your Life at Kelly's Korner on Monday to add your own link or to see more homes.

Guten Morgen

Wow. It was a weekend plus, but here I am, home again. I've been in Munich. And Nuremberg. And Salzburg. And let's not forget the almost full day I spent in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow. Let's just say England's transport system is easily overwhelmed by snow.

I had plans to fly to Munich to meet up with six friends for a weekend of talking, laughing, and shopping at the German Christmas markets and we definitely hit the ground running. Once I got there anyway. I flew out Wednesday night and was supposed to make a connection in London at noon on Thursday but sadly all flights to Munich, including mine, were cancelled. All but one which was going out early evening and thankfully I happened to be standing in the right place at the right time and got a seat on that flight. Many thousands were not so lucky.

So I arrived in Munich (finally!) and in spite of having shopped in Harrods twiddled my thumbs in Heathrow for some 7 hours my bag did not make it. Hey, that's what friends are for, right? We were all staying with my friend A.M. at her lovely home in a suburb of Munich and everyone contributed to my wardrobe on Thursday...long johns and a hat from one friend, warm socks from another, a turtleneck from another and deodorant from another. I'd been in my same clothes for a couple of days so these things matter people. And take note, I had almost no makeup so those pics from Day 1 are a little sad. We had plans to go to Nuremberg for the day on Friday so A.M. said we could leave a note on her door for British Airways to please deposit my bag with a neighbor. I'm sure she could have worked out the wording herself but in the end we felt it was best to ask her German neighbor to compose the note for us so there would be no miscommunication. My bag was there when we got home that night so yay!

We rode the train from Munich to Nuremberg which is an old walled city filled with history and a fabulous Christmas market.

Course you can't ride a German train for two hours without a pretzel so AW bought this for us to share...

The markets consist of a couple hundred stalls full of German crafts and Christmas decorations and lebkuchen and of course gluwhein because baby it's cold outside!

Gluwhein is essentially mulled red wine and it warms you up right down to your tippy toes.

Did I mention the food? Because there are lots and lots of food stalls with all sorts of delicious treats to try and resist...

Or not...

This is the classic 'Nuremberger'...yum!

One of my favorite sites in Nuremberg is the huge Gothic pyramid that sits in the cathedral square. It is stunning...

Nearly every European city has a beautiful cathedral and Nuremberg is no exception...I never get tired of seeing these amazing old churches.

This is getting long so I think I'll save Salzburg for part zwei tomorrow. Before catching the train back to Munich we had a fun dinner out in a little Italian restaurant where we raised our glasses to friendship...

Friendship born while living far from home...

And now-two continents, five countries, seven separate cities.

To friendship that remains.