Friday, December 18, 2009

This year we are receiving so many more hits to the website which means I am going to have to be more diligent about monitoring the inventory. Tonight I will be making 2 batches of fudge, and then tomorrow I need to make 2 more. I also have a batch of "Wilderness" soap to make. My goal (not resolution) for the new year to is keep our inventory current so I don't get caught short again. But this is a good thing. It means we're growing and that's what we want.

Claire and I went shopping at Walmart for toys for the Toys for Tots. I wanted to keep purchases limited to those made in the USA. It was a challenge, but we found some. There was a selection of puzzles and many, many games so we felt good about what we put in the "Tots" box. It was gratifying to see the Angel Tree at church emptied last week. I think the older you get, the less you need and giving becomes the joy. Some good souls learn this early in life - others get to it eventually. I'm a slow learner, but I am trying to make up for lost time.

When we got home, Claire and I made Christmas cookies. Clay took a nap. Baking cookies is not fun, or so he says. Claire had a lot of fun. She loved playing with the flour that we were using to flour our work surface. Grandpa showed up just in time to test one. That's his official job.

***********************************

Word of the day:
Today the Church celebrates : St. Gatian, Bishop (3rd century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1:18-25.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.