So I made cookies tonight so I could have some while I was housesitting. I just bought the break and bake ones. Since I did not have milk at the house I had them with egg nog.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Day 28: Silver
My new silver chain that my parents gave me for Christmas. I love having one chain and then just switching out the charms.
Day 27: Candy Cane
I love the story behind the Candy Cane.
Below is the Story. I pulled it from: http://ww2.netnitco.net/~legend01/candycane.htm (all credit goes to: Suzetta Tucker)
Tucker, Suzetta. "ChristStory Christmas Symbols - Candy Cane." ChristStory Christian Bestiary. 1999. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/candycane.htm (30 Dec. 2013).
Candy Cane
The True Meaning of Christmas
The development of the candy cane took a few hundred years. Before the invention of the modern pacifier, parents used to give their babies unflavored white sugar sticks to suck on. During the 1670's a German choirmaster had the sugar sticks bent into a shepherd's staff and passed out to children attending the Christmas services. This holiday custom spread throughout Europe and fancy canes, decorated with roses, were used as Christmas decorations in many homes. About 1900 the white candy cane received its traditional red stripes and peppermint flavoring. At the same time the legend of the candy cane came into being. According to this legend, a candy maker in Indiana designed the candy cane to tell the true story of Christmas - a story about a virgin giving birth to a shepherd who would give up His life for the sheep.The most obvious symbolism used in the candy cane is its shape. Turned one way, it looks like a "J" for Jesus. The newborn Lamb of God was named Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). Turned the other way, candy canes remind us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20). The sweetness of the candy reminds us that we are fed on the sweet milk of the Gospel of our salvation and peace (Eph 1:13; 6:15).
The hardness of the candy reminds us that Jesus is our rock of refuge (Deu 32:4, 15, 18; 1 Sam 2:2; 2 Sam 22:32, 47; 23:3; Psa 18:2, 31; 28:1; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1; Is 44:8). In rocky lands like Israel, people often sought shelter from their enemies in the caves or rocky crags of cliffs. Rocks also remind us of the solidness of the promises of Christ who is a precious cornerstone and sure foundation to those who follow Him, but a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who reject His gift of peace (1 Pet 2:6-8).
The whiteness of the candy brings to mind the Virgin Birth and the sinless life of Christ (Mt 1:23; Lk 1:34-35). We also are made as pure as the snow through the cleansing action of His blood (Rev 7:9, 14; Is 1:18).
The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes to remind us of the soldiers' stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on Calvary's tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-50). Some people say that the 3 small stripes honor the Holy Trinity while the larger stripe reminds us of the one true God. Others claim that the small stripes represent our mini-passions or sufferings and the great stripe symbolizes Christ's Passion. A green stripe is sometimes placed on candy canes to remind us that Jesus is God's gift to us. (Green is the color of giving.)
The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their occupants (Ex 12:22). Bundles of hyssop were also used to sprinkle blood on worshipers and objects during Mosaic purification rituals (Ex 24:6-8; Lev 14:4, 49-52). After his affair with Bathsheba, King David appealed to God's mercy crying, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow" (Ps 51:7). Peppermint reminds us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). His blood cleanses us from sin and destroys the power of death (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:6).
Day 26: I'm Listening to.....
I downloaded the app of the 12 days of Christmas for the IPhone. You are sent a gift everyday. It varies from music, movies, apps, and magazines. I have been listening to all of these songs because I just received the Justin Timberlake songs. The top two were given when you downloaded the app.
Day 25: Stockings
My stocking that my Grandma Betty made me when I was born. We have used this stocking every year. My Mom, Dad, and brother all have homemade stockings from my Grandma Betty. She also made ones for the dogs that I grew up with. Over the years a few little things have been fixed/ replaced but I love this stocking because it is so sentimental.
Christmas Tree 2013 - with presents under/ in it.
Day 24: Favorite Part of Christmas Eve
So this year on top of being about to go to Christmas Eve Service. I was also able to see Magee, Jason, Annie, Gracie, and Roan. We had a nice dinner and exchanged gifts. It was wonderful to be able to spend the afternoon with them. Since last year they were all sick. This year they also were sick but I some how lucked out and did not get sick. They all got sick throughout the week. This picture of the kids holding their carrots for the reindeer.
Day 23: Something Green
Something Green - Revolution Annapolis Christmas Eve Eve Service. This is the giant Revolution U that they made to put on the boat during the Annapolis Parade of Lights. They had this and Merry Christmas lite up on the way in the school and they the whole inside of the school was light by fake candles. It was a wonderful scene and get way to worship.
Day 22: Favorite Christmas Song
Love this group and there versions of both of these songs. My Favorite song of theirs is The 12 Days of Christmas. It is a mash - up with a couple different Christmas Songs included in it.
Day 21: Where You Slept
Love my new bed that I got back in August. I was still sleeping on a twin bed with a horrible mattress.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Day 20: Wrapping paper
Spent the afternoon wrapping presents for family members and then this evening put together a gift for Annie, Gracie, and Roan.
Day 19: Favorite Ornament
I received this ornament at an Ornament Exchange a couple of years ago. I love the way it is hand crafted. The person who gave it to me she told me while she was traveling in South America. It was great to be able to keep this one and to have it hanging in my room year around.
Day 18: Wrapped
Secret Santa gift all wrapped up. This year I pull the Principal's name out of the hat. It has been fun doing it for her. She told me on Friday that I did a wonderful job and that she loved everything. In addition to that she told me that I out did myself and she had no clue that it was me.
Day 16: Christmas Tree
We decided to do the Hallmark ornaments this year. You can also get a peek at the Christmas trains that run around the ceiling.
Day 15: Lights
These two trees My Grandmother made years ago. I love to look of them when they are all light up.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Day 14: Sky View
Sky View
I'm all caught up and now have a camera that I can use again. I'm using my Dad's until I get a new one since mine decided to die on my last weekend.
Day 13: Something you're Reading
I am currently reading four books: I am reading Not a Fan for Local Revolution, I'm reading James Potter and the Morrigan Web (James Potter, #4) I got turned on to this series about a year and half ago. I have loved the previous three books in the series. This one was just fully released a few weeks ago. I'm also in the middle of rereading through Harry Potter for the 5th time. I read the series once a year. The last book I'm reading is The Return of the King. I have been working on this book for about two years. It has taken me forever to get through the series. I will eventually finish the series even if it takes me another 10 years. I started reading The Lord of the Rings Series back in 2003. Over the last couple of years I have given my self a challenge to read a certain number of books. This year I gave myself the challenge to read 13 books. I'm in the middle of deciding how many books I want to set for my self next year. The year before I read 40 books. Several of them were in PDF form and very short. I tend to reread a ton of books. Sometimes I will reread a book every year like the Hunger Games series and the Harry Potter Series. I have read the Hunger Games series twice since I read it in the fall of 2011 and Harry Potter I have read it four times all the way through and I'm in the process of reading them for the 5th time.
Day 12: You
Revolution had free Holiday Photos on November 30th and December 1st this year. This is the best picture of me that I have had taken in a while. Last time I had a professional photo taken other than for a yearbook for work was when I was a senior in High School. I love the way this photo turned out.
Day 10: R is for... Reading and relaxing on a Snow Day
R is for... Reading and relaxing on a Snow Day
Day 7: Today
Spent the my first Saturday off since I quit my second job :) working on lesson plans and reading Harry Potter/ James Potter
Day 6: Ornament (s)
I love having my Charlie Brown tree full of some of my ornaments from over the years
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Day 2: Something Red
I love my Charlie
Brown Christmas Tree. Last year I had it
in my classroom at school. This year I
decided to keep it at home so I can enjoy it all of the time. I have added some other ornaments this year beside the red ball that is the show case from the movie because they hang the red ball and then the tree leans over. However,
I love how the Red Ball catches the light and the reflection.
December 1: Shopping
A.C. Moore was
having a 25% of sale 6 pm to close last night and I also always carry my
teacher's id to get the addition discount there. So I went a finished most of my Christmas shopping for the three munchkins
in my life. I am making
them an art bucket for Christmas that has different items for all of them. I bought some stickers, and coloring books. I am about 85% done with my shopping now I just
need to finish making everything.
December Photo Challenge
So I have been missing from the
blog for about a year. I didn't know
what to write about and have not had the time to really write more than a
little bit in my journal but that has not even been much.
I have
decided to do a December Photo Challenge that I created. I took parts of three different ones
that I have found. I pulled my
favorite parts from each one to make a new one. I think I might make ones for the
rest of the year or just have this jump start a 365 which I would love to start
and finish. I have
started that twice before but I never make it through a couple of weeks.
Here is my
Challenge:
Here is my
challenge if you want to join in with me over the next month. I'm posting my pictures to Instagram
under the hastag #decphotochallenge
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