Sunday, December 14, 2008

peanut butter and pine cones.


 There is always something about this time of year that stirs up an extra bit of nostalgia.  

Last week when Hannah was over, we made hot chocolate, and put up the Christmas tree.  Every once in a while, Aud and I would be putting up an ornament, and go.. "ohhhh remember this one?!?" and then share a memory about it, and tell Hannah why it was special.  Even our mom popped in the room and said, "oh... I love that bunch of grapes at the top of the tree, it always reminds me of my dad" :) 

Well, if you're wondering if that Picture is our Christmas tree... it's not... But... it does carry it's own bit of significance.  You see, spending pretty much your whole life in the same city does heighten the probability that your tri
ps down memory lane will increase. 
 
That's the tree outside the police station in downtown.  Every year around Christmas they have a special tree decorating party.  Growing up, my sister and I would go with our girl scout troop (handmade ornaments in tow) and go for the celebration.  Saturday, Aud and I were running some errands and saw this years decorations.  You see, WAY WAY back in our day, we would spread peanut butter on a pine cone, dip it in bird seed, and it was an ornament.   On our way back from the bank, we decided to stop and admire this years tree trimmings.  The one to the right is the one that caught my eye @ first glance... and rightfully so :)


We walked around for a few minutes and admired, laughed, and tried to figure out the thought process of developing some of the unique gifts on the tree.  See, every ornament on the tree is made of edible items for animals (who probably look forward to it as much as the kids).  Some had already fallen to the ground, but it just added to the character of it all :)  It was heartwarming to see the layout of this masterpiece.  All, and I mean ALL the ornaments were all set yay high... as in not any higher than my eyesight... just high enough for the little ones reach :) it's awesome. 

what are your favorite Christmas memories?!? 

p.s. - please enjoy the pic below of what we have lovingly named, "The Christmas Sloth".  It resides out front the apartment across the way from my friend Andrea.  I'm sure it will not be a forgotten holiday memory for that family...













Monday, December 8, 2008

going organic

no, i haven't given up potassium benzoate ( the ingredient that "protects taste" in diet coke)... but i've begun to see a new twist on the importance of going organic... especially this time of year. 

I'm attempting to make the leap this Christmas. I'm going organic.  I'm working on getting rid of the unnecessary additives. I'm making a point to remind myself of the main, pure, nourishing part of Christmas: Jesus.  


It struck me yesterday in church, and then again earlier this evening when I was watching Charlie Brown Christmas.  It was an issue in 1965 when the t.v. special first aired, and continues to captivate us today.  I'm not sure how many times i'll be able to say this... but I've got the same concerns as Charlie Brown.  Commercialism vs. Christmas creates conflict in me.

Now i'm just as guilty of the next person to get swept away with Christmas... I enjoy santa, his reindeer, cookies, ornaments, stockings, candy canes, and the fake snow that gets sprinkled around our Christmas village... but thanks to pastor Chris and Charlie, I have become refreshingly aware of where I can choose to focus my attention this Christmas. 

I hope that you celebrate with purpose this Christmas season... That you acknowledge the gift of Christ, and that you have friends like Linus to remind us of what Christmas is all about.