Isaiah 9:6

[Art by Simon Dewey]

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given . . .and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6

My Favorite Christmas Cookies

Shortbread cookies with icing and crushed candy cane on top. They melt in your mouth. This is the third year in a row that I've made them--I think that qualifies as a tradition, don't you?

It's not my recipe, though. Here's the link (scroll down to "Peppermint Shortbread"):

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

Healthy? No, but they're better for you than the cookies at the grocery store. Mmm.

Our First Gift at Christmas

{image by Royce Bair}

"It is easy to give to our own, those whom we love. Their gladness becomes our joy. We are not quite so ready to give to others, even if they are in need, for their happiness does not seem so necessary to our happiness. It appears yet more difficult to give to the Lord, for we are prone to believe that he must give and ask nothing in return.

"We have foolishly reversed the proper order. Our first gift at Christmas should be to the Lord; next to the friend or stranger by our gate; then, surcharged with the effulgence from such giving, we would enhance the value of our gifts to our very own."

-John A. Widtsoe

Christmas-ing It Up

Christmas is in full swing at our little house. We've been:

mixing...

gluing...

decorating...

wrapping...

and putting the presents under the tree. Literally. [We love that little tree.]

What's going on at your house?

Gee, Do They Still Make Wooden Christmas Trees?

Linus: Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?

Charlie Brown: This little green one here seems to need a home.

Linus: I don't know, Charlie Brown. Remember what Lucy said? This doesn't seem to fit the modern spirit.

Charlie Brown: I don't care. We'll decorate it and it'll be just right for our play. Besides, I think it needs me.

Happy Friday!

Today I'm Happy About...

{photo by Etolane}

...people who turn their Christmas lights on early (or maybe left them on all night?). Little Boy and I went on a walk around our neighborhood late this afternoon, and he loved seeing the lights that were already on.

A Difference Between Presents and Gifts

[photo by amandacphoto]

"We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a difference between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of ourselves--giving of the riches of the heart and mind--and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store."
-James E. Faust

How Little Boy's Slippers Make Me Happy

Since I've been trying to change the focus of this blog to the good things I find in my life, and the good things I want to remember, I am not going to tell you a story about how I tried to make applesauce ornaments yesterday and totally failed.

Instead, I'm going to show you these:



They don't make me particularly happy, at least not in and of themselves. But Little Boy received them as an early Christmas gift from his grandparents earlier this week, and he has worn them all day, everyday since. They make him very happy. And that makes me happy.

A Glorious Time of the Year

photo by Chris_J

Another belated Sunday post:

"This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas."


-Thomas S. Monson

I Think the Couch Is Getting Jealous

Seriously, who needs a lousy ol' couch when you have so many other options?

[That's the backside of Bobo, if you couldn't tell.]

[[Also, I'm thinking of re-titling this blog, "Photos of My Son Watching Television." Because I know you're all fascinated by this sort of thing. Not.]]