The Christmas Makers

After a very stressful week of baking, hosting, play practice and sick kids, some one told me that some people are meant to be Mary and some Martha, and I am a Martha. I have thought about this and of course read- A Mary Christmas by Karen Kingsbury and Simple Christmas By ???. The conclusion---I don't want to be Martha. While all those things still need to be done, the focus needs to be Jesus and I don't want to forget that. As the years go by, it gets slightly easier, because I have added little helpers like L. She not only dislikes change, she simply can not do it. Her Sunday School teacher was absent yesterday and she had a fall apart. It reminds me that as Benjamin Franklin said "It is not the big events that rarely happen that bring happiness, but the small improvements to daily living." (modern language mine) Basically, it will not be the huge events like the Rockettes or big parties that my kids remember, but the little things we do though out the holiday season. Setting up Nativity sets and assorted crafts would be at the top of the list in our house.

But, I also got a reminder. The author of Simple Christmas pointed out that for many people, Christmas as an adult never lives up to those of our childhood, because as a child someone else "made" Christmas. Someone else stayed up late wrapping presents. Someone else made sure all the ingredients were available for cookies or hot chocolate on the spur of the moment. Someone else sent the cards or strung the lights on the house that made it seem such a magical place. At some point we have to leave home and become our own maker of Christmas. It is those that never do this that are convinced they can do nothing and "it will all be fine" simply because it is the holiday. Disappointment reigns when no elves that arrive in the night. And while it will be "fine" because our God is in heaven and the birth of his Son will arrive and change the world regardless of my actions, I also need to remember that it is I who will pass on that wonder and joy to my children. My actions and attitude will be reflected back in them. Just as Santa needs a few elves to get his job done, I need to volunteer for God's company of elves and start spreading the joy of the season. It may be done through cookies, or parties or even this all consuming play, but in then end, it matters not that I am a Martha or a Mary, but that I am honored to be one of the many sharing in the activities of the one true Christmas Maker.

What makes great literature?

Newsweek recently published a list of books that they considered vital to contemporary reading. Plenty of non fiction and newer titles that "they" felt should be on your reading list. Of course this is just another in a long line of groups or people endorsing and labeling books we should? be reading. It leads to the obvious question, are there still classics? Should there be certain titles that every school kid reads without question? What does it mean to be well read?

I have contemplated this alot this year as I have chosen books for our home school curriculum as well as directed H's choices and chosen family reading. It isn't always as easy as I once would have thought. H's reading level suggests she should be choosing 5th and 6th grade level books, but that skips her right over the Boxcar Children and most Beverly Cleary titles. Shouldn't this be on every third grade reading list? And how many new titles do I allow to push out the old stand bys? While I have not read the Chronicles of Narnia with the girls, I have read all but the last two Harry Potters. On the other hand, B and I just finished The Witch of Blackbird Pond as part of school and I was overwhelmed at how this book still thrilled me as much as on first reading many years ago. In yet another twist, A friend's daughter was placed in the advanced reading class at her middle school and many of our little circle were taken back at the reading list which had no "classics" but all newer titles including My Sister's Keeper. While horrified at that choice for a seventh grader, I read the next title The Hunger Games and absolutely loved it. What a great book on so many levels, but what title did it push out and is that okay? What if my kids never get around to the Mouse and the Motorcycle or Madeline L'Engle?

So, here's the question and I am seriously looking for feed back. What makes a well read person in the year 2010? What books would you have on the list- adult or juvenile?

Caramel Apple Cider Sauce

Another year of CPC partner and employee dinners are in the books. As usual lots of hard work by all involved. Cheesecake was the usual hit, but for any one willing to try something different, the best dessert was pumpkin cake served with ice cream and a warm caramel apple cider sauce. The pumpkin cake was nothing special, but as Brian said "could he just drink the sauce?" Yes, it is that good. So go ahead and make a batch or two. Serve it on anything. And, if you decide to eat it like soup, I promise not to tell.

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tblsp cornstarch
2/3 cup apple cider
2 tblsp heavy cream
1 tblsp butter

Whisk together first 3 ingredients. Cook over med - hi heat, stirring constantly until large bubbles form around the edge of pan. Reduce heat to low and allow to cook until it thickens ( 2-3 minutes) Whisk in butter and cream.

Back in Business

Oh, my sweet computer. How nice it is to again be connected to the outside world. As many of you have suspected, my life has been even more out of control than usual, but the main reason I have been missing is my lack of computer. One virus and several months later, I am happily working away at my new laptop. Still can't figure out how to connect to the printer but we'll start with baby steps.

A few notes to catch everyone up..... L did start at the primary center in Allen County. It has gone better than I ever could have imagined. She has a wonderful instructional assistant who never leaves her side and loves her like her own. Her responsive communication is really taking off and she adds signs and words along the way. We could still use a few less bloody days, but I love seeing her face light up as we turn into the school parking lot.

We are still keeping up with ACPC, Holy Trinity, Big Red School at Western and home schooling B. It is wild to say the least, but we are managing. We realize this is a season and we will make adjustments in the future.

Brian had knee surgery in October. It was outpatient and he did awesome. The doctor was amazed at all Brian had accomplished with the knee and leg issues he had before the accident. I assured him Brian is an amazing man, of course he did and will continue to do great things. Brian is still in therapy, but hopefully he will be back in shape before long. Now, if we can just find riot gear for him to wear on the farm.

For fall break, we took the "Great American History Trip". As soon as I figure out a few more things, I will post the pictures. The whole crew did great with the VERY long drive to Virginia to tour Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg. Of course the day at Busch Gardens and the stay at The Great Wolfe Lodge helped make hours of history more tolerable. I think everyone learned alot. An added highlight was how well L did with the amusement park scene and especially the characters. I feel safe to say a Disney trip is in our future.

Softball season ended well, cheer is in full swing, and I am supposed to be fixing huge amounts of dessert for the Christmas dinners as we speak but, I have lots of random and probably down right ridiculous thoughts to fill the screen. Check back in soon, I promise to be here rambling.