Grace

A grace gift is a gift given without reservations. A gift with no strings or conditions. A gift that is neither earned or necessarily deserved. In Christianity this is the way God gives His gifts to us. In our own lives are we able to give this grace way? When we gave gifts at Christmas, last week, were we able to give each gift with grace? With the understanding that it was no longer ours, but it belonged wholly to the recipient? It is sometimes hard to do. We might find it hard to accept the fact it is not being used for or how we intended. But shouldn't we step back, let go, and remember we gave the gift in a grace way? I hope I can always remember this and give and live gracefully.

New magazine to love

When I first created my blog, several years ago, I had no idea there were so many other women who were sharing their interests and passions. I had followed a couple of political blogs, and only wrote on mine to share my thoughts with friends and family.
Once I discovered Google Reader, I began to realize there were so many women in so many countries, who were doing the same thing. One of the first blogs that I followed was that of a beautiful young woman with a beautiful, growing family, who voiced her opinions without reservation. On her blog, Parisienne Farmgirl, Angela has shared her life and loves with her blogger friends through joys and disappointments. She dispensed wisdom beyond her years. She made me laugh, and sometimes even cry. Blogging is such a new phenomenon, bringing people together from all parts of the world. I have gotten to know her through this medium and, I hope in some small way, encouraged her to continue. 
At midnight last night, she announced that she has taken a huge step in a new direction. She is starting an online magazine. I know that it will be a grand treat to her current readers, and I'm sure, will introduce her to many new ones. I hope you will take a look here, and that you will decide to subscribe. I'm positive that you won't be disappointed.

Christmas Dinner

This year my son-in-law, Scott, is in So. California, caring for his mother as she recovers from surgery, so my elder daughter, Peggy, and I were invited by my younger daughter to have dinner with her. It was such a nice treat. This is Polly's first flat in the US. She has had such fun decorating it and now preparing it for Christmas.
She prepared a lovely dinner for us. Her menu included roast pork with roasted potatoes and other veg, salad, 3 cheeses, and Peggy made a chocolate and peppermint cake.
We opened our gifts while dinner cooked. After dinner we dropped by some long time friends for a little visit and take presents.

Dear Santa, I can explain

Welcome

Polly hard at work in her kitchen

dinner prep

Kitchen shelves all dressed up for Chirstmas

Dinner is ready and Polly lights the candles

Boxing Day, the Feast of St. Stephen

Good King Wenceslas may be the most heartily sung and least understood of all the Christmas carols. Who was this enigmatic Wenceslas and why do we sing about him? He was not a king, but rather the Duke of Bohemia (907-935). He was a good, benevolent nobleman who gave his life to spreading the gospel and expanding Christianity in his country. His brother, Boleslaus, however, was anything but good. Tragically, he ended up killing Wenceslas and succeeding him as duke. A century after his murder, Wenceslas was canonized as the patron saint of Bohemia (part of the modern Czech Republic).

The Christmas carol by English hymn writer John Mason Neale is based on a popular legend of the life of Wenceslas. The tale concerns a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen, the second day of Christmas, December 26. During the journey, his servant is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king’s footprints in the snow. Although the bouncy Scandinavian tune we use for the carol has been criticized for its lack of musical finesse, many love this joyful melody that supports the saga. It focuses on generosity and kindness, and giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. It is a chronicle about reaching out to the marginalized, the oppressed and the ostracized in our communities. It’s about the love of Jesus.

via Commissioner William W. Francis

Wishing you a Blessed Chrismas