Down Time

I am enjoying a little down time today. No pictures because I didn't bring my camera cord with me to Indiana, so the pictures are all stuck in the camera.

We are having a great time visiting with family. Mr. C just finished beating Grandma at a game of Monopoly. I think he cheated. He showed me a stash of $500 bills he had hidden.

Probably the best present for Christmas was Pigglesworth. However, he makes the most annoying oinking noise and everyone besides Mr. C is ready to throw him out in the snow. Speaking of snow and Pigglesworth: earlier today Mr. C took the pig outside, put him on a frisbee and pushed him down the ramp all the grandkids made in the backyard.  Then he followed on a saucer sled. They had a good time outside together.

Visiting the in-laws tomorrow and then more of my family and then home. What a whirlwind week!

Does the sun ever come out in the winter in Indiana?

Happy Christmas

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2: 10-14

Passing the Torch

I know today is the day I should be posting something about Christmas, but I'm going to be unique and write about family instead. Last night Hubby came home after his week away at work. During the week we had received two big boxes, which contained car parts, not Christmas presents. Mr. C had been waiting for Hubby to get home to see what was in the boxes.

The two of them spent the better part of two hours replacing the window washer fluid tank and the motor that works the driver's side window. Not exactly how most people choose to relax after a week of work, and away from their family. I asked Hubby why he just didn't wait until today to do it. He said it was the first time Mr. C had been interested in working on the car. It was as simple as that.

Blessings are around us everywhere. Don't forget to notice and be thankful for them.

Front Porch Cocktails

Front Porch

When I decided to have a blog, I tried out several different names before finding one that wasn't taken. My first choice was Front Porch. it seemed "homey" and the blog is mainly about family, so it fit. But that name wasn't available.

Cocktails

Next I tried the names Cocktail and Cocktails. After all, I was planning on writing about other topics besides family and a cocktail is a mixture of things. However, both of those names were taken.

So after several months of typing in my extra-long user name (frontporchcocktails) to get to my blog I decided to check out the blogs who beat me to much shorter names. You can check them out too, if you want. You'll be the third or fourth person to do so. One of them doesn't even have any entries. I think that there should be some sort of time-out period for inactive blogs. Say if a person makes one in 2001, writes one entry and nothing else, then it could be canceled and the name available for a new, more prolific blogger.
Here are the blogs who pre-stole my name:
http://www.frontporch.blogspot.com/
http://www.cocktails.blogspot.com/
http://www.cocktail.blogspot.com/

Time to Panic

There are only 4 more shopping days until Christmas and I don't have anything for Hubby or my mom. I'm officially freaking out now. Why did I put this off until the last minute? Well, I didn't. I knew what I wanted for Hubby, but the store is out of it and won't have more until the new year. I bought something for my mom and then she went and bought it for herself. So now I'm heading out to the stores for the umpteenth time to randomly shop amongst all the other frenzied people who have put things off until the last minute. And the traffic...UGG!

Along the same lines. Smarty has to work until 6 on Christmas Eve. Our church service is at 5. So we are trying to decide if we should go without her, or try to find another church with a later service. Why is Chick-Fil-A open until 6 on Christmas Eve? Aren't they all about closing so people can go to church? Just one more thing.

Curious Cats

M's best friend, N, turned 16 this weekend. She bought her a hamster (with mom approval). We set up the cage and spent some time with it before handing it off. You can see who was most interested.

Christmas Tea

Mr. C and his 5th grade class

Today was the 5th grade Christmas Tea. Actually it was supposed to be yesterday, but there was an early dismissal because of weather.  Today we had a 2 hour delay for school, and I wasn't sure how the Tea was going to fit into the shortened day but it went off without a hitch.

Yes, you probably have noticed that Mr. C only has one "nice" outfit. Remember this post.  But seriously, how often does a 10 year old boy get dressed up?

The kids enjoyed finger foods and a few games. You can't tell from this picture, but all the tables were voluntarily segregated; no mixing of boys and girls at this age.

I was able to attend the tea because someone watched my class for me. That's right--I already have a class. The teacher I am subbing for had her baby on Tuesday, so I've been working this week. It has been a crazy week, with Hubby out of town, the freezing weather, and Smarty working every night, leaving me home without a car. This week has seemed much longer than last week, and it's not over yet!

Favorite Christmas Movies

There are certain TV channels that seem to have devoted the entire month of December to Christmas movies. Unfortunately they show the most bizarre, sappy  made-for-TV movies I've ever heard of. Like everyone else, I love Charlie Brown and Rudolph and Frosty. But I only catch them by accident, and usually not every year.  There are some Christmas movies that our family loves so much that we have the DVDs and make it a point to watch every year. Here they are.

This movie is an awesome, realistical portrayal of the Bible story.  I love that Mary is not blond and blue eyed.

Even though I didn't grow up in the 50's this movie still brings back childhood memories. Who didn't have a Christmas when you really wanted that one special thing?

Classis Chevy Chase and dysfunctional family holiday. Of course it is hilarious.

Every Christmas Eve we go to the candlelight service at church, which is just peaceful and magical (yes -I said that a church experience is magical). Then when we get home, we sit down together, open some wine (adults only), and watch It's a Wonderful Life. Simply perfect.

Let it Snow

It has been snowing almost non-stop since yesterday morning. I tried to take a picture of it, but the flurries don't show up. Instead you can enjoy a picture of the aluminum foil star that Mr. C made for the top of our little Christmas tree.

Yesterday when we were walking into church there were great big fluffy flakes falling. It was so Christmas-like! Of course none of it is sticking, so we don't have the problems like some of you up north. Right now it is 19 degrees with a wind chill of 7, and not supposed to reach freezing today. Snow is nice for awhile, but I'm looking forward to Thursday when it's supposed to be 60!

The Best Gifts

What could be more important than shelter, warmth, and friendship? Apparently we've got it all under our Christmas tree!

The Longest Week Ever

How do people who are stay-at-home moms/wives/dads/etc. deal with their significant other being off work for several days in a row? Hubby has been home since Tuesday and it seems like a month. I haven't gotten anything done and yet we've been constantly busy. It'll be hard when he goes off to work on Monday and doesn't come back until Friday, but I'm sort of looking forward to getting back into my routine.

Sunday we take what furniture I can spare from the house up to Hubby's new apartment and he starts his new job Monday. We'll see how long next week seems.

Baking

A sampling of the eight dozen cookies I baked

Something about cold weather makes me want to eat, and eat, and keep eating. This time of year also inspires me to bake. If you know anything about me, then you know that I don't have any talent in this area. But I have perserverance.

I inherited (took) Granny's spritz cookie gun last summer. I was fascinated with the idea of shooting the dough out into cute little shapes. I'm still not quite sure how it knows to stop oozing dough at the end of each cookie. Hubby was amused that this was a new experience for me. Apparently Mother-in-Law used to make spritz cookies every year.

The kids don't like the cookies, but that's fine. I have been grazing on them and they won't last long!

Christmas Program

The children and youth had their Christmas programs last night. Mr. C was an angel and had to read the beginning of the Christmas story in Luke. He had all the "hard" words, but did a great job pronouncing everything. The children's play was about some Christmas shoppers who were fed up and tired of the mall. Some Christmas carolers sang songs reminding them of the true reason for Christmas. Then two angels read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible and then they all went over to sing around the nativity.

Mr. C reads from Luke

The Nativity Scene

The youth performed a play called "Christmissed". There were some people who had different excuses for not being able to read the Bible, worship, and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Some preachers showed them what would have happened if the key figures in the Bible stories had offered excuses instead of obedience--they would have Missed Christmas.

S as a preacher trying to convince Joseph to be Jesus' earthly father. He refused because he couldn't deal with the social stigma of a wife having someone else's child.

The three wise men, including M, debating whether to go see the newborn king. They ultimitely decide it's too much trouble and they have too many other things to do.

The youth also performed with the handbells. N's mom posted it on Youtube, but I can't find it. Maybe I'll get it up for tomorrow.

M is 4th from left, S is on the far right

This is one of those times when I wish that family lived closer, so they could come and be a part of this in person and not just throught the internet.

Coronation Dance

The night the girls have been eagerly awaiting finally arrived. The story in pictures.

Please don't make me look like a Texas cheerleader!

Pink? No. Clear? Yes, that's much better.

WOW!

S not sure about D's boutonniere

M with her best friend, New Orleans (N)

M did a good job on J's boutonniere

M & N with their dates before heading off to dinner and then the dance. This is where we parted.

This is the first year we didn't go to the lead out at the dance. They decided to charge parents to come and watch from the balcony and I didn't think it was worth it. Neither of the girls were in it this year, so we didn't miss much.
Hope you enjoyed the pretty pictures!

Pigglesworth

 One thing that Mr. C  has been asking for for Christmas is this pig. It is actually a dog toy and it sounds like a pig when you squeeze it. Why does he want this? Who knows.

M wants all the food containers that look like food and are usually for toddlers: Cheerios container, Goldfish container, Wonder bread sandwich container. She actually wants anything that is hanging from those displays in the grocery aisles: curvy straws, sandwich shape cutters, tongs, fancy gloves. I think she is just attracted to the displays. What weirdies!