I have been busy, which really is no excuse because I know plenty of people far more busier than I. I guess in the spare time I have had lately instead of typing my fingers have been working da needles and yarn. I’m a little behind on my Christmas presents but almost done! I think only two left to go!

Driving home in the dark last night the glow of Christmas lights were every where. Unlike most left over of Christmas like say the gift wrap ripped and crumbled, the light still perfectly in place. Tacky and classy a like I love Christmas lights. Seems like my neighborhood was a bit slow in putting them up this year so I’m glad they can stay in their glory a little while longer. Couple doors down from mine is a Jewish family whom my family is friends with. Every year they make a hole in our little circle of lights. This year I threatened to get some blue lights and wrap their house with them while they were out of town. As thoughtful as I thought I might of been with that, I think they might of taken it personally so I refrained.

I love after all this time we still say “Merry Christmas.” Every other holiday gets “happy”. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy New Year. Happy Birthday and so on. Merry is an older word you find in say a hymn. I’m not much for hymns myself (other than Sandra’s new record or my couple of years in a Baptist church) its odd I find myself drawn to such a word or more that I find a hidden smile that we say Merry Christmas over Happy Christmas (which some people do. Rebels.) Sets the holiday a side from the others, as it should be.

I know that we are not to be dependent on other. But the joy I found in spending time with pieces of people who live scattered around the country in Nashville last week – was more than I ever expected. I didn’t go to get filled the way I did. I went for this beautiful tradition known as “Behold the Lamb of God” Christmas show Andrew Peterson put together years ago. As Scott said, its now turned into seeing a group of close friends getting together once a year to play music. Brought together by the telling of the true tell of the coming Christ. A story we all so well, at the same time don’t even start to know or understand.

Feeling disconnected at work and even youth group, it was wonderful to feel some warmth of connection in chilly Nashville. It was a long over do smile sealed on my heart. The dozens of hugs I was given warmed my soul deeper than I ever thought I needed. Fellowship is something that God designed us to be apart of. We feel it when we are alone, its a gloomy place to be. But as Don Miller said, God created us with this need. Adam felt lonely before the fall and none of the animals he named could fill this hole in him. God knew Adam’s need provided Eve; provided fellowship.

Now, after the remains of the weekend this great group of people I was with are reminiscing about their favorite moments. I’m horrible at recapping things let alone putting my finger one moment that was a high. It could of being watching Narina with the girls and feeling comfortable enough to let my tears fall watching Asian sacrifice his life. The long over due cup of coffee over conversation with close friends. The sharing this Christmas tradition with Jason for the second year in a row while watching him have wonderful guy time. Small amount of time to get in so many conversations with people you see far too little. Like Kathleen Kelley, “All these nothings mean more to me than so many somethings.”

Not to leave out the short time spent in North Carolina after the busy weekend. Things went a little hay-wire but turned into me able to spend time with Jason’s brother, sister and new brother-in-law. I love growing closer to them, developing my own relationship with them. To see the loyalty they have to Jace and this acceptance of me with little knowledge is touching. Also seeing my circle of friends in Greensboro for far too little of a time just draws me closer to that state. It seems in all I say or write since returning has had a smile at the end of it. When asked how my trip was I simply reply “Wonderful”. Wonderful because it was in a city I know and love with people whom I feel loved by. In the mist of it all, I knew the presence of Jesus there. Weather in the goofing off or the sweet words exchanged He was there.

…Nashville. Here I come!

*big grin*

Our Christmas tree is up (his name is Scooter). The presents are starting to collect under its branches. The kitties are trying to drink its water. The palm trees have lights wrapped around their trunks. My ornament this year is a hippo, how appropriate. T-minus three days till Nashville and I’m so stinken excited. Every posts that comes up for new things to do gets me ever so excited. I’m glad I’m taking the road trip back to Greensboro to see Kari, Mike, Brian and Sarah. Wouldn’t be Christmas without them. The mornings are freezing (well in the 40s) and I have to always wear socks. Its nice having a little winter weather to help with the Christmas celebrations. Holiday trio drinks at Starbucks seem to be all we make these days. Gettin’ a little tired of steaming eggnog though. Wish I owned more Christmas music but cant find the practically of buying up album I only listen to during one month of the year. But I need the classics. I’m behind on my Christmas presents of knitting scarves. Seems all that’s on TV these days in New York and how wonderful it is during this season. I will go there for the holidays one day, especially time square on New Years. Think I’m crazy all you want, I’ve always wanted to do that. My lips are capped, which means weather is finally listening to my pleas. I love December.

Remember my sad day when I tired to make pumpkin fudge? Well, it was. I gave up on bake goods and moved onto trying to be more domestic, cooking. Started small, watched some “How to Boil” and made some pears that where a hit at Thanksgiving. Started watching Rachael Ray shortly after getting over how cheesy she can be I became a fan. Went and bought the magazine . Made a couple of her dishes and still have a few to try. Today she officially won me over. I love Rachael Ray and all of her cheesiness because she makes five minute fudge. Yes! Five. Minute. Fudge! While stirring the mix I was worried I was going to somehow, someway screw it up. I pour it into my cake pan, place some walnuts on top for good measure and stick it into the fridge. I tried to do other things around the house to forget about my fudge, but I couldn’t. But I waited and when I pulled it out of the fridge the fudge was hard! Though, after sitting in a cool area, anything would get hard. So I set it out on the counter and leave the house. I just came home and cut a piece off and it stayed solid! Solid I tell you! And its oh so yummy. I’m officially in love with Rachael Ray thanks to her fudge.

Stolen from Kristin

Seven Things to Do Before I Die (Lord willing):
1. Go to London and New York
2. Go on a hot air balloon ride
3. Read all the books I own
4. Write a book
5. Travel to all 50 states
6. Own a house with a wrap around porch
7. Get married and have some kids

Seven Things I Cannot Do:
1. Cartwheel
2. Spell
3. Sing
4. Be taller than 5′2 and 3/4
5. Speak another language
6. Public speaking
7. Math

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Spouse [romantic interest, best friend, whomever](not necessarily in this order!):
1. His thoughtfulness
2. His freckles
3. His intelligence.
4. His sense of humor
5. His heart for youth
6. Way he puts with “my” things (Gilmore Girls, chick stuff, etc)
7. His patience

Seven Things I Say (or write!) Most Often:
1. I know!
2. yall
3. would you like room for cream?
4. yay!
5. by any means
6. humph
7. oh yeah

Seven Books (or series) I Love:
1. Muddhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner
2. Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller
3. Let Me Be a Women by Elisabeth Elliot
4. Ashley Stockingdale books by Kristin Billerbeck
5. The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs
6. Ruth: A Portrait (biography of Ruth Graham Bell) By Patricia Cornwell
7. Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn

Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again:
1. You’ve Got Mail
2. Bridget Jones (ether one)
3. About a Boy
4. Any Jane Austin Movie
5. Return to Me
6. Sweet Home Alabama
7. Garden State

Seven People I Want to Join in:
1. Kari
2. Carla
3. Susan
4. Brian
5. Laura
6. Mike
7. Jason (only reason you are last cause I want you do to it but doubt you will. Go ahead, prove me wrong.)

Photos from Jr. High all nighter and dad’s birthday