A Snow Day...

I like snow days.  Well, let me clarify - I love snow days when my daughter gets one.  

We woke up this morning to at least 6+ inches of snow since early Sunday morning and guess what?  

No snow day.  Not even a late start.  

 

 Even with ice and tons of un-plowed snow, she went to school, on time, this morning.

Truthfully, I was a little bummed because I really enjoy those times with my daughter that are unexpected and I was hoping today would be one of them. 

Because it was snowy, freezing (seriously...10 degrees today!), and I was dreaming of being somewhere warm I decided to make these cookies....

 

I was perusing through one of my Christmas presents, the Martha Stewart Cookies cookbook, and found a recipe for Coconut Cookies with Passion-Fruit Curd.  I am not a Passion Fruit fan, but I love, love, love coconut! I decided to make the Coconut Cookie but make a Pineapple Curd instead.  I found a recipe here for a Pineapple Curd that I used at the base recipe.  

christmas decorations. (a reflection)

This year, Christmas will be different at our house.  We have decorated a little differently this year and I believe I like it. 

It is simple.  Reflective.  Contemplative.

We only chose three decorations to get out this year and this is the first. 

 

Our nativity set.  I love the simplicity of this set.  It is beautiful.  It reminds me of the plain and unadorned way Jesus Christ - Immanuel - came into this world.  Immanuel means God with us.  God came to live amongst us and in our hearts.  So humbly. Not as a king or ruler, but a child born in the lowliest of places. 

How amazing!  

The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords came and lived in a manner so humble that it defies all of our worldly logic of how a king should be.  (Philippians 2:7-8)

But this was God's plan. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace. 

(Isaiah 9:6)

 

 

You see, this was God's perfect plan to ransom you and I from our sinful state.  Do you know of any other king that has devised such a plan?  That a baby would come and live among the people.  And grow into a man - the Savior, preaching a message of love and repentance.  And then die at their hands to pay the penalty for my sins.  For yours.  For everyone's.  But this was the plan.  A beautiful, perfect plan. 

 

So each and every day, as I walk by this table and see this simple nativity scene which is a visual representation of the humility of my Savior, I am reminded again and again that this baby - this child, this man, this Savior - came for the purpose of setting me free.  Of suffering and dying so that I may live.  That, friends, is completely overwhelming. 

Overwhelmed at the love and mercy that has been bestowed on my life.

My heart is so very thankful.

 

I am thankful this year for the simplicity of the decorations around our home.  Instead of the usual busyness of lights, garlands, wreaths, multiple trees and red and green thrown into every nook, there is a calm. And a reflective peace. 

I pray for my family and for each of you this season. 

That the busyness will not overtake you. 

That you will take the time to ponder this amazing gift of a Son, a baby - and what that means for your life.

That each one of you will know that in the midst of the whirlwind of life,

there is Peace. 

His name is Immanuel.

New Lens!!

I've needed a new lens for some time now.

At least, that's what I tell myself.

As I take more and more photos and learn more about my camera, I see the value in each different lenses.  I have the standard lens that came with my camera and a telephoto zoom lens, but neither one of those is very good for taking portrait pictures of people or food indoors - without the flash.  I don't particularly like using my built-in flash. 

I've been looking at it for quite a long time now and was able to get it this week.  And oh my goodness.  I love it.  I've taken pictures of everything.  Everything.  Just to get a feel for it. 

Like my breakfast one morning...

and my dog waiting for me to drop something for him in the kitchen (gotta keep an eye on the floor)...

Or experimenting with the aperature and depth of field...

Or my burger at 5 Guys Sunday...

or my favorite subjects, my sweet husband and daughter...



I'm so thankful to have another way to record our memories!  I still have a lot to learn about this lens and taking photos with it, but I'm loving the results so far.