This winter began in early November. Fields and ditches covered in white made up most of the landscape.  Roads covered with ice and snow punctuated the countryside.  Cloudy skies, frigid temperatures and snowy days continued most of the month.

Now it is December and we have experienced warming temperatures.  The white blanket of snow has turned into a combination of green and brown. Often the skies continued with clouds, dropping drizzly rain and sleet.  Other times, thick fog hung over the land.

These weather conditions do not make good conditions for making my family’s traditional anise cookies for Christmas.  At this late date I almost despaired of making any. With my children returning home for Christmas, it has been my wish to have some available for our holiday.

So, today, imagine my delight when I saw the sun shine.  Granted a few wispy clouds passed by the farm, but the sun has been a constant.  I whipped up a batch of Anise Cookies quickly and set them out to rest on my cookie sheets.  Tomorrow morning they will be popped into the oven.

I think that this high pressure system rolling through our area is a Christmas present that came early.  How kind of the Lord of heaven and earth to send  it my way.  He looks after big things and even the little things in our lives.

If you want to try anise cookies for yourself, look for the right weather conditions and follow this link to the recipe you want to try.  Or check out this link for another recipe that could bring you delight.

photo credit: MIKI Yoshihito (´･ω･) via photopin cc

Today I got to visit our many friends at the local care center. My partners and I were greeted by dozens of kind faces gathering in the lobby. We joined the folks there for Christmas caroling!

To sing to/with our friends at the care center, some plans had to be made and implemented. Before leaving the house:

• I tuned my guitar.
• I fed our cat.
• I donned my red-silk Christmas jacket.
• I found the German words of “Silent Night” or “Stille Nacht.”
• Hymnals and guitar in tow, I set off to town.

The weather, though foggy, provided for good clear roads, as I traveled. My timing worked well. I made it to the care center a bit ahead of schedule. Hurray, my plan worked!

This time of year brings back memories of Christmases past, with songs and carols of the season. We brought a home-made bass, 2 guitars, a tambourine and microphones.  We used the piano provided by the care center. We sang and occasionally the audience joined in a sing-along. What fun it was to reminisce musically.

Many residents at the care center grew up in German-speaking homes. What a pleasure it was to sing, “Stille Nacht” for them before we entered into the worshipful singing of the English words to “Silent Night.” How special it was to view residents singing along.  In any language, this Christmas is a reflection of that first Christmas that has influenced and forever changed so many of our lives.

Our care center friends certainly helped kick-off the Christmas season for me and my musical partners. They may think we served them by singing.  But, it is my opinion, they served us.

I hope that you, too, will find some creative way to share the joy and love of Christmas with others.  Wherever you are, whoever you are, Jesus’ birth was for you. He came into this world to bring you deliverance from your sins. Do have a Merry Christmas.

As the angel said, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11 (KJV)  Rejoice, Christmas is for you.

There is still time to share some Christmas joy and love by sending Christmas card designs from our store. Happy browsing and Merry Christmas!

Photo credit: Bretta Grabau