Looking Like Christmas

With no snow on the ground and extremely mild temperatures it has been difficult to imagine that Christmas is just around the corner here in Midcoast Maine. Getting our Christmas tree has made the imagining a bit easier.

We stopped at a lot, less than a couple miles from the house, and located one we could all agree on in less than five minutes. I think the fact that it was sprinkling accelerated the choosing process and made us more agreeable to compromise. Tell stood near it and made sure we didn't lose "the one" when Jim went to get the seller.

   

He gave himself this job a few years ago and takes it very seriously.

Nolan had stayed home but helped steady the tree during setup, which also happened in less than five minutes. 

It only took about twenty years of experience and replacing our less expensive stands for an L.L. Bean cast iron one but Jim and I have finally mastered quickly setting up, and KEEPING up, a straight sturdy tree. 

With "A Charlie Brown Christmas"  playing and eggnog to sip we enjoyed the memories that so many of the ornaments brought back as we placed them on the tree. 

We missed Jubal just a little bit as we placed his special ornaments on the boughs in his place. Some reminded us of the little toddler of a thousand faces.

And some reminded us of the man he has become.

When the tree was decorated I put on one of my favorite Christmas albums, Bryan Duncan's "Christmas Is Jesus", and sat on the couch with Jim enjoying the peacefulness.

 No snow. No Jubal. Picking our tree out in 50 degree weather....It's a little melancholy to be sure, but these things don't make Christmas, they only enhance the celebration of the One who was born to bridge the gap between God and us. Christmas is Jesus.

Sampling

We occasionally enjoy sampling new foods as part of our school day. Havarti cheese from Denmark and Korean pears were on the plate today. The Havarti reminded us of a cheddar taste but the texture was much softer. The Korean pear had a high water content with a texture closer to an apple than our local pears. Both items received a thumbs up from Atira, Tell and I.

No Vegemite for Me

Atira and Tell are currently indulging in some melted cheese on toast with a thin underlying layer of Genuine Vegemite from the beautiful land of Oz. I will take Atira's word for it when the words "Mmmm. This is SO good!" roll off her tongue. I have no desire to verify her statement. Australia has many wonderful culinary delights to partake of: lamingtons, meat pies, roast lamb and pumpkin, pavlova, Tim Tams, Cherry Ripe and crumpets......but notice Vegemite is absent from this list.

When Atira queries, "Why don't you like Vegemite?", the answer is simple. Because I've tasted it.

2015 Wreaths

Thanks to the hard work of Terry Safford, the nearly 40 year tradition of our wreath-making night at WWBC continued this evening. Our front door, now encircled with boughs of evergreen and a pine cone bow, shouts "Merry Christmas!" to those passing over the threshold. 

Atira attempted a chocolate truffle candy wreath this year and it turned out delicious. I mean divine. She has hung it on the inside of her door away from any wandering fingers that may pass by.

The accomplishment of the evening may have been making Sue Johnston's lovingly lopsided wreath door-worthy but I never doubted it could be done. Some scissors, a bow and well-placed Christmas bling goes a long way. I may have also filled in with some greenery here and there but that's all hush hush. What matters is in the end the Johnston's wreath was worthy of the porch spotlight.