Giving the Unexpected at Christmas: Reflections on a Lavish Giver

This is the first year I have taken full advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday for Christmas shopping. Sitting in the comfort of my home, saving up to fifty percent, and pairing it with free shipping, is my way to shop! It sure beats the traffic, dreary weather and waiting in long lines. I … Continue reading Giving the Unexpected at Christmas: Reflections on a Lavish Giver

What are you giving up? “Giving up” and Giving More.

The conversation went something like this: “I am giving up chocolate. What are you giving up? I am going to give up chocolate too. What about you Cindy, what are you going to give up? Well, I don’t really go to church or anything, but I think I will give up chocolate as well.” This … Continue reading What are you giving up? “Giving up” and Giving More.

Finding God in 40 days

My family has easily been entertained at times, searching for and finding Waldo.  You are probably familiar with these fun, but peculiar books, with an assortment of wacky and whimsical pictures and Waldo somewhere hidden within.  I often picked up one of these books, in years past, to help the kids (and me) endure long … Continue reading Finding God in 40 days

Better than Chocolate: the Gifts that Keep on Giving

It is obvious which holiday is quickly approaching, for the red and pink cards in the seasonal greeting card section remind all shoppers of the latest sentiment to give. The hearts of chocolates are enticing me to buy a little something for myself. Soon the tents with flowers and stuffed bears will arrive in grocery … Continue reading Better than Chocolate: the Gifts that Keep on Giving

The Ultimate Christmas Gift: Something to be Merry About

The Christmas season isn't complete for me without the song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." I know I have mentioned this before, but unlike some songs, I never tire of it during the holidays -- playing it over and over on the piano. As a child we usually made it to church during the weeks … Continue reading The Ultimate Christmas Gift: Something to be Merry About

What the Angels Knew about Christmas

I am sitting here eating my favorite kind of Christmas cookie, an iced sugar cookie in the shape of a gingerbread man. I wonder what gingerbread men have to do with Christmas. There are many Christmas symbols like this-- some having closer connections to Christmas than others. My sister recently posted a photo on Instagram … Continue reading What the Angels Knew about Christmas

7 Layer Bars: Great for anytime of the Year

Don't you love recipes that are tried and true, delicious, loved by most, and simple to make? For all the above reasons, I love these bar cookies! They go by many names like, "Magic Bars," or "Hello Dollies." But since they are made up of seven layers of ingredients, I call them "7 Layer Bars." … Continue reading 7 Layer Bars: Great for anytime of the Year

Sharing the Extraordinary Christmas Story in Ordinary Places

Every Christmas story, play or nativity includes shepherds. When my kids were small, we dug through the closets to find costumes for our own Christmas story reenactment. Being the only girl, I was, of course, always Mary. The baby at the time was Jesus, and another kid would be a shepherd with a towel or … Continue reading Sharing the Extraordinary Christmas Story in Ordinary Places

The Ultimate Blueberry Pie that You Gotta Share!

Summer is officially here, according to the calendar, even though it has felt like summer for weeks now! With summer, comes the blues-- that is blueberries. Can I tell you how much I love blueberries? Everyday is a blueberry kind of day, for each morning I have blueberries on my cereal. They not only taste great, but … Continue reading The Ultimate Blueberry Pie that You Gotta Share!

Mesmerized by CHRISTmas

He sat, soaking in Christmas.  Lingering by my sister's glistening Christmas tree, my son longingly lay at the foot of the tree, watching and expecting. The wrapped presents eagerly waited to be open, each shouting, "pick me." The lights and ornaments danced and sparkled singing and speaking their own Christmas joy. The perfume of the … Continue reading Mesmerized by CHRISTmas