Use Your Talents
Frohe Weihnachten
It is late on Christmas Eve and very loud in our house and I wouldn't have it any other way. Nine of the ten kids are under my roof at this moment. Ten, if you count the young man who is like family who is joining us for Christmas.
There have been movies and debates about football, remembering days gone by and talks about plans for those to come. There has been a lot of wrapping and a little bit of cookie making. I have a full fridge but nothing made for Christmas dinner. But that's ok. There are lots of capable hands and it will all happen one way or another.
There have been many hours logged in the car driving to and from the airport, to and from the grocery store, running in and out of gift stores. While I normally detest running it is different these days. The children we used to live with are no longer that. They are grown and fascinating. They make me laugh and make me think. The hours and errands have passed so delightfully with them along. I cannot imagine being blessed with better friends.
This year especially, after much separation and challenge, I am grateful for the gift of family. I hope you are smiling with yours, wherever you may be.
Frohe Weihnachten!
with care
A highlight of the season is pulling out this hand-stitched felt stocking from my childhood.
Snow Day in Heidelberg
Five
There has been nary a free moment in the past week or so. My husband surprised me with my early Christmas gift – he flew Colin here. : ) Besides that, there have been dance performances (3), a talent show, and a birthday for Tess. She is five now and requested a party with friends this year. We invited two sweet sisters for cake and homemade games one afternoon last week.
A slightly snow-covered castle and very pink cupcakes courtesy of her big sister.
Pin the tail….
And a pinata, which was a first for us. The birthday day turned out to be dark and stormy so we took advantage of the stairway.
Daddy was not going to miss the party so he took off work to come have lunch with her.
The party goers wrapping up their afternoon, sans shoes and with a silly little sister face from Abbie. A very nice day all around.
I apologize that I am behind on blog mail (as well as wrapping gifts, shopping, and a number of other things ; )) Bear with me please. We have another son and his friend arriving soon and will have a very full house for a few weeks.
Gaudete
"put it into your heart… that the thing that disturbs you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing. Do not let your countenance, your heart be disturbed. Do not fear this sickness … any other sickness, nor anything that is sharp or hurtful."
– message of The Virgin of Guadalupe
The Sheep’s in the Meadow
Sheep
From where I stand the sheep stand still
As stones against the stony hill.
The stones are gray
And so are they.
And both are weatherworn and round,
Leading the eye back to the ground.
Two mingled flocks –
The sheep, the rocks.
And still no sheep stirs from its place
Or lifts its Babylonian face.
-Robert Francis
Preparing
Nikolaustag
St Nicholas is busy this time of year, visiting local schools and churches. We have caught a few glimpses of him this season. At a local church…
And he even honked and waved at us from a white convertible at a stoplight one night, which left an indelible impression on Tess. As in, "Better get to bed now Tess, St. Nicholas is coming!"
"In his white car???"
So, that sorta threw off the authentic German Catholic vibe we were shootin' for but hey.
We still read about the beloved saint and woke to wooden shoes filled with traditional clementines, nuts, and chocolate coins in memory of the good Turkish bishop's efforts to secure an honorable future for some unfortunate maidens.
One of the few days you get chocolate for breakfast.
Lest you are mistakenly awed (and hence discouraged) by this display of authentic cultural celebration, let me just mention that Nikolaustag is Dec 6th.
These pictures were taken Dec 7th 'cause, um, St. Nicholas' helper discovered at a distressingly late date that she was shy on clementines and candy canes.
In 20 yrs they will never know. ; )
WC
German bathrooms are a funny thing. To us anyway. They most often have turn knobs like these. Very often there is also some change involved. Either you leave it in a bowl on the sink or you may actually have to insert it in the door to enter the stall. Reason being – there is often a live person nearby who is vigorously cleaning the room all day long. So you tip. Even if you are an American and are a little unsettled by women running in and out of both the men's and women's restrooms whomever may be present. (one of my little boys hasn't yet recovered from being advised on a potty stop. I will leave it at that lol)
The faucet in this restroom will strike American readers as odd namely because it is singular. That would be cold. But, not uncommon.
If you follow this Pinterest board of mine, you will guess how much I loved these mod door signs spotted at a local church:
I am easily amused, although you may be too if you made it this far down a post about potties. ; D
