Tidings of comfort and joy....

When I was little we went to midnight mass at our church--and I mean midnight. It was exhausting as a little kid, but I grew to love it year after year. The church was dark, except for the Christmas trees all around the perimeter, the lights around the altar and choir areas, and some low lights here and there in the corners. The music, okay, so it was sometimes good and sometimes not-so-good (listening to the all caucasian group singing Harry Belefonte "Long time ago in Bethlehem, so thee holee Bible say..."), yea that wasn't a highlight. But, the church singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" at top volume, all verses, including Latin--that would stir up the heathen.
But let me back up, because all during Advent, the nativity set was up at the altar, with a singular character missing: the Holy Child. So, throughout Advent, my dad would let me go up there after church and point out, "see, he's not there yet." Then, finally, at midnight mass, the priest would bring the statue in, completing the picture of the Holy Family. After mass was over, and people are leaving, my dad would make a point of taking me up to the altar again, to see the baby Jesus in his manger. It was wonderful.
Still today, as I'm driving about town I see other manger scenes, and during Advent, I always point out to my kids, "see he's not there yet," so that after Christmas, they, too are elated to see baby Jesus resting in the manger, too.
Yes, I know it's a statue, and I know he's here, but not here. He does dwell in us, but I love the feeling Advent gives--one of waiting, wanting him to come and stay. And when the little statue is in place, the picture is complete, and the joy is complete. It does make me feel so much better to know he's here and to see the little statues in their places affirms that feeling.
So he's not here yet. He does promise us he's with us always, but he won't completely be back until the time is right. When that does happen, there won't be the waiting, just the elation.

A Fast and Furious New Friend

His name is Spencer, and he is a gangly 42-pound labrador mix. About as wiggly as a 2-year old toddler on a sugar buzz, he is also a pretty happy bloke. I don't know if I'm ready for this, having said good-bye to our dear friend Sam in May. It will be a test of my constitution, patience and will to live to see who survives: the dog or me. Or, my husband, let's just say.

Observations in Gravois Creek Area

Banana, seen alone in parking lot of Women's Health Complex.

Sign posted at library: Learn to make Goth sock puppets.

Santa is sitting in one of the hospital waiting areas, in a green "Bass Pro Shop" sweatshirt, sleeping.

Plunger found on the roof of the hospital.

I signaled to a driver that I was leaving the mall, if she needed my spot. She did not say thank-you. I hope she passes this kindness along.

Just had to share this morning's events. After reading my friend's Caring Bridge website for her husband, I was pretty down. My long list of personal prayers has gotten very long, as I told my husband last night. And, I need somethings to brighten my spirit. I'm looking forward to church tonite to recharge, followed by a late dinner with some friends. I am looking for Crayola Model Magic, so if anyone finds some that is white, let me know, because I'd like to get some for the boys for Christmas. Then, in my running this morning (no shower, hair basically combed and no makeup, in my glasses) I run into a former boyfriend (the one I happened to break up with to date my husband). I'm happy to report that even though I looked pretty bad, he looked just as surprised to see me, wearing a big blue knit stocking cap. Not that I revel in other's misfortunes, but happy that we both looked a bit grubby to be out and about.

In my personal prayers:
SB, SD, MS, SG, KK, MF, ML among my usual prayers for my family and friends. Hear us, Lord! Amen.

Turkey Makeover, part 3

Now we really didn't just have these, this was a couple days ago. To me, it was a homerun:

"Loaded" Potato Pancakes

1 cup finely chopped turkey
2 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
2 scallions, finely diced
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 envelope of instant potatoes, (one that makes 4 servings),
prepared according to package
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup bread crumbs, plus more for coating
S&P
Veg Oil

Combine the turkey, bacon, scallions, egg, cheese, S&P and 1/2 cup bread crumbs into the prepared potatoes. Eat an iron skillet with enough veg oil to coat the bottom completely. Fashion scoops of potatoes into little patties, coat in bread crumb and fry 2-4 minutes per side. Place on paper towel to drain. Serve with sour cream.

We ate these and a salad--a full meal. And, this made approximately15 patties.

Christmas comparison

As you can see from the Venn diagram above, the custom car garage really is the cooler toy.

Being heard!

Last week, Buzz had a sleepover at a friend's house, and we had the younger two at home. Beav slept in the next morning, but Bear was up at the usual time. Padding around behind me, Bear talked about what he dreamed about the night before, what he wanted for Christmas, what he'd be doing for Thanksgiving, and what he wanted for breakfast. The hubbie got up for work as usual and ate breakfast with him, and remarked about how chatty Bear was. "I suppose he just finally had a moment to be heard without any interruption," he said. And being heard without having to yell, I added. Sometimes that's all anyone needs.

Leftover fun

So far, we've had turkey salad sandwiches, turkey stir-fry with ginger sauce, turkey potpie with black beans and sweet potatoes. One last turkey leftover night will be turkey/mashed potato, possibly croquettes. I'm enjoying this whole "leftover" thing.
Got a good post coming for Buzz's Christmas list....I need to get the pictures downloaded, though.