SIGHTS AND SMELLS OF CHRISTMAS

My life has been crazy this past week. My visit with family was wonderful. We enjoyed the local historical sites of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and Historic Williamsburg. I survived (barely); hosting my husband's office party, my birthday, and last but not least my wedding anniversery. Next week our youngest will be turning 13! No longer a little boy.
Too much to take in. I have been trying to keep my head above water and not get too sentimental and then a bit depressed. Life goes by way too fast. December is always a good check for me to remember what is really important in life. Not to get carried away with making everything perfect.
It is so easy for me to get caught up in making Christmas so big it becomes so little and then it is gone. One of the ways we celebrate this advent season in our home is with the reading of scripture and the lighting of the advent candle. Many nights we have to catch up for missing previous readings. We try to find balance by laughing at ourselves and calling it a family tradition to be behind.

Above are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. They are called Thumbprint Cookies in our home. Sometimes they are called Jewel Cookies.
Here is the recipe:
1 Cup plus 3 Tablespoons unbleached flour
1/3 Cup Succanat or regular sugar
1/2 Cup butter(softened)
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Mix sugar and softened butter, add yolk and vanilla. Mix in flour.
Dough will be a bit crumbly but gather in a ball working in the crumbs and wrap in saran wrap or foil and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
When cold roll in 1 inch balls and make a shallow thumb print. Put raspberry preserves in the hole.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
They are yummy, buttery, goodness. The raspberry jam breaks up the sweet with it's tartness. These cookies will be a major contribution to weight I will be gaining. Seriously, I had a couple for breakfast this morning instead of the healthy smoothie I told myself I would make.

Here are Mr and Mrs Claus helping in my kitchen. How many times I have looked at them and wished I could make them come to life and help with the holiday baking and knitting.

But it is a silly fantasy for the reality is that I am way behind on my Christmas knitting.
Here is a scarf that as you can see I am not even close to finishing. It is a pattern featured on the cover of the Debbie Bliss winter magazine. It is in a basket weave pattern and I love it. The above picture doesn't do it justice. It has a wonderful texture and density that will make it perfect for cold weather which, by the way, has escaped us here in the south.

A personal ritual for this season is to spend time reading the  gospels. I head downstairs before everyone wakes up, plug in the tree lights and read. Reminding myself that God's goodness is in Jesus. "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men." God chose His Son, Jesus, to bring us peace-God's peace. Because of God's love manifest in Jesus I can come to God with my sins forgiven and have reconciliation with the God of the universe. God's goodwill never ends all because of the babe in the manger. The paradox of that never ceases to amaze me.
My prayer for all of you is for God's love to so envelop you as you enjoy the gift of this Christmas season.
GRACE BE UNTO YOU, AND PEACE, FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. PHIL. 1:2