Monthly Archives: December 2011

Birthdays and Death Days

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My best birthday present of all time!

The last week of December always means a time for extra reflection on the past, the present and the future. With the New Year approaching, I join with millions across the globe to make resolutions to improve. But, the week carries a little extra importance for me. My oldest daughter and I celebrate our birthday’s this week. She was my birthday present 21 years ago today. (That’s more than a little crazy to think about!) How could that many years fly by so quickly? Continue reading →

Christmas Eve Service Takes On New Meaning

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8:00 am on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve this year our family participated in a different kind of “Church Service”. Apparently, a few months back Mr. MoSop signed us all up for the weekly wardhouse cleaning detail. He felt it would be “a great chance for us to give a gift to Jesus on Christmas”. This blog post gives the lowdown on our non-traditional Christmas “gift-giving” experience – with a few “tips” thrown in for future participants. Continue reading →

Nativity Collection Shares Peace, Goodwill

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My Friend Nola

Every year in November my friend Nola Child begins to unwrap her Christmas treasures and transform her home into a sacred museum, of sorts. It takes Nola over a week of full-time effort to get everything into place. That’s because Nola owns over 600 nativity scenes from around the world (although, I’ve heard the unofficial number might be closer to 700). The pieces range from nearly life-sized down to the size of a thimble, and everything in-between.  Continue reading →

Silent Night Gets A Fresh Take

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Jake Justice and Amy Whitcomb recording Silent Night - used with permission

Jake Justice and Amy Whitcomb may be young, but they are already making a name for themselves in the competitive music industry. The two talented Mormon artists recently collaborated on a new recording of “Silent Night” which I am pleased to share with you today. Continue reading →

Welcome Christmas! Pull Up A Chair

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A Christmas tree inside a home.

Image via Wikipedia

Hello Christmas! You look so beautiful, and not even a day older, this year! Won’t you please come in and stay awhile? I’m sorry I’ve been rushing around so much lately I haven’t paused to spent more quality time with you. I know you can’t stay long, and your presence always fills my heart and home with such a special feeling!

I recently noticed that over the past 4 years of blogging, I’ve written more during the months of November and December than any other time. You, Christmas, inspire me! Some of the older posts are getting attention and traffic all on their own through search engines, or chance, but many readers may not be aware of some of the fun Christmas posts from the past. So, I would like to welcome all of my dear readers to come sit a while with me and Christmas. Whatever time you have to spare, here are a few of my favorite topics of conversation: Continue reading →

Carol Of The Bells and Cellos

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Confession time. There are a few Christmas songs I don’t particularly care for. Take Carol of The Bells, for instance, which usually scrapes along the edge of my nerves like a dull razor. The song is merciless for any singer with articulation problems, or any listener who prefers their music to stay on pitch. And, don’t even get me started with all of the painful High School Choir concert renditions I’ve been forced to sit through…”ding, dong, dinng, doonnnnng”…But, I digress. Enter cellist extraordinaire Steven Sharp Nelson and the magic elves with The irresistible Piano Guys (all classically trained Mormon musicians). They have just redeemed this poor carol from its drudgery status and demonstrated to the world how truly brilliant it can be!  Continue reading →

The Magnificat, Mary and Elisabeth In Film

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courtesy lds.org Free Domain

A new series of Bible videos created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being produced and offered free of charge to the public. The video series debuted this month with a stunningly beautiful depiction of The Christmas Story, Continue reading →

The Most WONDERFUL Time Of The Year

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English: Dwight McCann, http://dwightmccann.co...

Mathis: Image via Wikipedia

The distinctive voice of Johnny Mathis crooned through my radio, declaring “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!” The popular Christmas song went on to list exactly what makes it so wonderful, such as holiday greetings, being with loved ones, caroling, “parties for hosting”, and even “marshmallows for toasting” Continue reading →

A Sweet Caribbean Dream and Our 4th Blogiversary

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With all this recent talk of surviving windstorms, property destruction, subzero weather, and participating in neighborhood clean-up efforts, combined with the stress and franticness of holiday planning I think it’s high time for a tropical escape, don’t you? So come on in for a little “Calgon moment”, and sail away with me! Continue reading →