Thursday, December 22, 2011

I am still trying to get gift bags together.  I spent the morning and early afternoon at church working with others to get it decorated for Christmas.  Decorating the church is my least favorite job in the world, but it was fun visiting with people and the time went pretty quickly.   I wish I had taken a picture.  I'll try to remember to take my camera with me on Christmas Eve.  It's not quite as elaborate as in years past, but it still looks beautiful.  As Deacon Al says, "less is more." 

Clay and Claire are spending the night tonight.  We just finished watching "A Christmas Story."  Poor little Claire waited and waited for Ralphie to get his Red Rider BB gun, and then she fell right to sleep.

As hoped, the lilac looks much better out of the mold and sliced.  I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out.
I also made a last minute batch of Christmas tree candles for gifts for some people at church.

Most of the house is clean - cluttered, but clean.  The kids always want pancakes when they stay over so tomorrow will be a pancake morning.  They'll stay until afternoon while Mommy and Aunt Anna shop, and help me run some errands.  I'll come home and finish cleaning and the last two stockings for a family order..  Then I have a few more gifts to wrap and I should be good to go.

I am really excited about Harold's present, but I am not going to show it here because this will be the one time he reads my blog.  He doesn't have  clue as to what I got him.  It is one of the best gift ideas I've had in a long time.

Word of the day:
Feast of the Church : The Great O Antiphons: "O Rex Gentium"
Saint(s) of the day : St. Ischyrion, Martyr († c. 250)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:46-56.

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.