Day 12: This is My Wish/Kevin Ross

I know it seems kinda corny that this song was written as part of a commercial, but I LOVE it!

Yesterday was one of those kind of days in which I wasn't sure how I wanted to respond to world-wide events and situations closer to home. I know how I feel. I've always been a "peaceful" warrior. But something is wrong in our world. And I don't have the answers.

It's times like this that I turn to God in prayer. The world is too big of a place for me to tackle. We can join together, and we do solve local and global problems. Yet, there are many that leave us stunned, unable to comprehend the reasons why or even begin to grasp how the tragedies we face fit into His plan.

Today's Christmas Carol pick is PEACEFUL. We need more:

This is My Wish

by Kevin Ross

via YouTube

Day 11: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire/Nat King Cole

Wow. It.  Is.  Cold.

School is canceled, puppy is sleeping inside, boys are playing games while bundled in blankets. Essentially, we're all taking the day in leisure and trying to stay warm.

Me, I couldn't help but bake another banana bread. (With pecans!--not chestnuts.) The warm smell is still wafting throughout the house.

I love these "surprise" days off. I'm forced to stay inside and make the most of the time (which seems to slow down on days like these).

My only regret at the moment is that I don't know how to start a fire in our fireplace. The additional heat would add to comfort, I'm sure. And there is something about the calming sound of a flickering fire that really settles my soul.

Until my husband returns, I'll listen to today's Christmas Carol pick:

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

sung by Nat King Cole

via YouTube

Enjoy and Stay Warm!

The Weekend Trio! Days 8,9, & 10: A Wintery Welcome

The weekend can be incredibly busy. Friday, my son took my laptop for hours. Saturday, well, Saturday, my time slipped out of my hands like powdery snow. And now it's Sunday! And wow! Baby, It's Cold Outside! (Forecast predicts even colder by Tuesday!) 

But here's my Weekend Trio of Christmas Carols to warm your heart and set a tone of peace and comfort. Enjoy!

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Friday's pick)

sung by Idina Menzel & Michael Buble
via You Tube

Silver Bells (Saturday's pick--a tribute to a friend!)

sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell
via You Tube 

Silent Night (Sunday's pick--a sweet lullaby to calm the soul)

sung by David Archuleta (I think he does a lovely job on this one!)
via You Tube

Day 7: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year/Andy Williams

I love this song! (And who doesn't love Andy Williams?)

Day 7 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

sung by Andy Williams

via YouTube

I'll admit, I didn't watch and Andy Williams' Christmas special at any point during December, but watching this video clip reminds me of how much fun they could be. Holidays of the '70s and '80s were filled with Christmas and Holiday specials, night after night!

Memories of the past holidays can bring so much joy!

Last night, New Year's Eve, brought back my memories of babysitting and watching the festivities on T.V. There was the excitement in Time Square and then again on the West Coast. The children I babysat for and I danced and shouted. We blew on horns and pounded on the floor! I loved these music programs on New Year's Eve. They seemed so electric and vibrant and I wanted to be there!

Now, in 2015, the broadcasts seem a bit dis-connected. (Is it my age?) Maybe it's because I noticed all the advertisement and product placements. Were they there before? (And please, let me know... Were the Christmas specials of long ago so laden with commercialism too?)

These "ghosts" of Christmas past are the ones I prefer to see as I remember through my '70s and '80s childhood eyes. They were simple as compared to the way media seems to portray "reality" now.

Maybe that's why the lyrics in the song say:
      "There'll be parties for hosting,
       Marshmallows for toasting and 
       caroling out in the snow.
      There'll be scary ghost stories 
      and tales of the glories
      of Christmases long long ago!"

If there is one thing A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens teaches, it is that the ghosts of the past can help us in our future. The trick is to figure out how. Often we don't want to dwell on our mistakes and misfortunes, but do we want to repeat them? How can I continue that child-like energy, naive confidence, and enthusiasm in a media-centered future?

Unfortunately, a cookie like the one to the right won't have the answer. This might be something that you or I need to pray about.

As you set New Year's resolutions, consider the past. What are the "ghosts" from the past that you push aside? What can you learn from these that will make the future one worth toasting? What about a resolution to put God first in your life?

Happy New Year! ~Juli