Sunday, December 23, 2007

Christmas Wishes and Bon Appetite!

Whew! Christmas shopping is done (though not wrapped yet, that's a project for this afternoon...) and we've got all the makings for a yummy non-traditional Christmas dinner. I know, I know, but I'm just sick of turkey and dressing, for some reason.

Instead, we're cooking BBQ brisket and chicken on our new "Big Green Egg." Have you guys seen these things? They're wonderful! To the right is a demo pic from their website.


The Big Green Egg is a ceramic smoker and grill in one, and we're looking forward to breaking it in big time this week. BTW, my husband and daughter were at the grill store yesterday and she asked the salesman (with her most serious face), "We like it...but does it come in any other color?" ;)


My parents are driving up from Atlanta on Christmas Day to join us for lunch, then an afternoon and evening of games and visiting. I'm looking forward to time spent with them (one of the biggest blessings about moving back to the South).

On Wednesday, my mom and daughter and I are headed to the Opryland to see the Radio City Rockettes for their Christmas show! Fun girl time.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and pray you have a wonderful holiday full of laughter and good times with family and friends.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Thunder in Winter?

It's a beautiful rainy day here in Nashville. The kind of day that reminds me of growing up in the South. Having lived in Colorado for the past seventeen years and experiencing lots of beautiful snow (and okay, sometimes really yucky snow after the first few days), it's nice to see the rain.

But thunder? And lightning? I can't remember the last time I've heard thunder in winter. And seen lightning during the day. But it's perfect writing weather, for sure, and I'm heading to take advantage of it.

The fireplace is already lit and Jack's asleep on the sofa...

Off I go!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I'm doing really well...and, I'm not doing really well

That's exactly what one of the ministers at our church stood up and said this past Sunday. He shared a very honest insight into where he is, where he's been with the Lord, and where he wants the Lord to take him. I so identified with what he said.

As the holiday's approach and I finish From A Distance, I find myself looking forward to time that will be spent with family and friends.
I'm looking forward to playing Rook, Spades, Scrabble, Catch Phrase (a new one for me), watching The Bourne Ultimatum (my husband and I love those movies so I'm sure we'll have a "Bourne Day"), and of course watching It's a Wonderful Life and eating yummy foods.

I'm looking forward to walks on the beach (we're getting away for a few days to Hilton Head), time to read (never enough of that), and time to reflect on what I did "well" in 2007, and on the areas in my life that need major help in 2008. Hint: the first list will be much briefer than the second.

I'll be taking an inventory of what God has done in my life and reflecting on his goodness. Thanking him for things I've forgotten about, or have started to take for granted. I'm asking him to show me how I need to change. Some ways are obvious to me, others are not. I need his help to look more like Christ, however painful that process will be.

That's one of the beauties of God--that he loves us enough to chip away, chip away, chip away until he unearths the jewel that he's been creating within us, and that would not be there without his mercy and grace.

So, before I step back into 1875... If you were to ask me today, "How are you doing?" I'd have to answer, "I'm doing really well. And...I'm not doing really well."

Between now and the New Year, I'm journaling and asking God to shine a light on those areas of my life that we need to work on in 2008, as well as to remind me of our recent victories. I'll share what he shows me when the time comes...

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Gentle Suggestions for the Holidays

I happened across something in Patricia Hickman's blog the other day that I want to share with you. If you're grieving the loss of someone you love who's no longer with you, please stop by Patty's blog and read her recent posts.

They're so powerful and give suggestions for how to deal with that pain during this holiday season. And as you'll soon learn, Patty is well acquainted with this kind of grief.

Here's an excerpt from Patty Hickman's blog:

After the sudden loss of our daughter, we were warned by other grieving parents of the “dreaded holiday season.” Our family had always enjoyed our Christmas fanaticism, the neighborhood lights competitions, and the many annual traditions we practiced. Having had loss thrust on us suddenly, we had to reconstruct Christmas.

For the holidays, personal memorials aid your sense of loss like a healing balm. Holding a candle lighting service in honor of your loved one can be a comfort and allow you to reflect positively about the one you are missing. I wore one of Jessi’s blouses and my husband played one of her CD’s. I sprayed her favorite cologne into the air, closed my eyes, and danced in the aroma. Our youngest son and I collected miniature ornaments that we felt his sister would love. We found a miniature tree with battery operated lights. We decorated the little tree, took it to the cemetery, and gave it to our Jess for Christmas. We felt as though somehow she knew and was there with us. Just as we were leaving the cemetery, a soft winter rain let go and in the dim grayness, we could see Jess’s tree shining out. It was a reminder of the light of Christ that had always shown forth from her heart. That is the power of memory-on-purpose. Purposeful memories bring comfort.

Read that entire entry here. And her current blog posts here.

I hope you're blessed. I certainly was.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Something to brighten your day

I know I've been quiet in recent days. That's because I'm currently in the San Juan Mountains, scaling the cliffs of Mesa Verde, and having a fabulous time! Oh wait...did I mention I'm there in 1875? ;)

I'm actually wrapping up From a Distance so am sequestered in my office working 16 hour days but am loving these characters and the townspeople of Timber Ridge. Believe it or not, you can already pre-order the book on cbd.com. Which...ahem....means I'd better get this finished!

Okay, now for the something to brighten your day:

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