Grief

 "Do not allow the sad sight of human injustice to sadden your soul; someday you will see the unfailing justice of God triumph over it." 

- St. Padre Pio -

Our friends' son passed away this week. Complications after the removal of a brain tumor  took his life. When I got the news I called our daughters to tell them I loved them. There is a hollow ache in my heart for my friends. Sorrow and joy, joy and sorrow; how uncomfortably well they co-mingle.  

When I read the above verse, I interpreted human injustice to be sin and death and God's unfailing justice and triumph to be over that sin and death. It is comforting either way.

Chinese Lantern Festival, Raleigh, NC

 We went to visit Claire and her family in Raleigh last weekend. They will travel to Daniel's parents for Christmas this year so we popped down to see them for the holiday and to attend Matthew's piano recital. Matthew gave a fine solo performance and he played duet with his sister. It was fun watching all the performers, from the youngest beginners to the accomplished teens. 

That evening, Claire treated us all with tickets to the tenth annual Chinese Lantern Festival. It was a spectacle of lights and color! I had no idea what to expect from such an event and it certainly was beyond anything I could have imagined. The displays were very large and the area they covered was enormous. We wandered along a maze of paths, through a tunnel and into large expanses of color and light. It was a feast for the senses. We thought about all the work it must take to set up such a display. Everything was made of wire sculptures covered in colorful nylon-type fabric, and lit from within. It really was amazing. 

The one negative aspect of the event was the crowds of people. Apparently they only allow a certain number of ticket holders in for a given time slot. What that number is, I do not know. But there is no one telling you to leave at the end of your time slot so the crowd just builds and builds. We arrived at a 6:00pm time slot. In some areas we were part of a river of people, slowly flowing along the paths, shoulder to shoulder. It was difficult to stop and appreciate some of the sculptures because you couldn't navigate out of the flow of people. If I were to attend again, I would choose the first time slot and be there before the crowds build up. They did have food and drink vendors, although we only partook of some mini donuts for which we stood in a long line right before we left. They were warm and good and worth the wait. 

The tunnel at the entrance.

 

The size and scope of the festival is visible in relation to the size of the people, in comparison.

 

These are all wire sculptures with colorful fabric stretched over the frame and lights inside.

 

 

 

This massive golden snake sculpture is an incredible 164 feet long and almost 20 feet high, It floats on Symphony Lake and is visible from the roadway leading in to the exhibit. Its reflection on the water was beautiful.

Another Snow! (Not Tired of It Yet!)

 We had another five inch snowfall yesterday! Boy oh boy! I don't recall having snow like this before Christmas during our twenty-three years living here. It makes Christmastime feel so much more festive and fun. It certainly beautifies the dull landscape leftover from November.

I was happy to stay home all day today. I put up the Christmas village and wrapped some gifts. For dinner I baked a broccoli quiche. I was surprised that given the choice between two dinners, quiche or hash browns and eggs, Steve chose the quiche. He doesn't usually like quiche. He said he chose it because it would carry his hot sauce well. I rolled my eyes and figured, of course. The picture window next to our kitchen island gave me a pretty view while I made the quiche.

 After dark, we walked out to the horse shed at the back corner of the field so Steve could chop more firewood for the wood stove. I held the flashlights for him. It was so pleasant and peaceful outside that I didn't want to go back inside too soon. We looked at some animal tracks, deer, cat, and bird, then walked slowly back across the field. The house was lit from within and it made a pretty scene. The snow just elevates everything to beauty.

 

Snow!

 

It snowed all day on Friday! We had to drive into Roanoke for an appointment that morning and rather than feel hesitant, we were excited to go. The main roads were mostly wet and slushy so safety was not a concern. It was exhilarating to be out in the falling snow. It reminded us of home and how day-to-day life just went on regardless of snow. That evening we went out again to dinner with friends. The snow covered landscape highlighted all the Christmas light displays that we drove by. 

The next morning Steve and I split up for different activities. The sun began to come out and revealed a stunningly beautiful landscape. The snow remained on every branch and twig. As I drove down the road, I slowed at every bend to appreciate each sparkling scene. What a gift it was to be in that moment. 

 

We decided to go over to Nelson's Tree Farm which Frank still opens every year for Christmas. We chose to drive the pickup rather than walk over. We wore good snow clothes and boots and it was fun to walk around the fields. We came home with a "needy" tree. Steve was sure that we should not remove the unsightly lower branches so we stood it in the stand as it was. Installing the Christmas lights proved to be a challenge because some places had no branches or the branches were too weak to hold them up. Steve came into the living room and played Christmas albums to boost my spirit and I got the job done. Tess and Blake came over to hang ornaments the next day. As always, every Christmas tree becomes a beauty once it is adorned. 

And with the weekend under our belts, we woke to snow again on Monday morning. Two snowstorms in four days. It doesn't get any better than that! 

 

Beginning to Get Relevant Things Done

 

In trying to keep the momentum going and get productive things done, the focus has turned to Christmas. I do not have a ton of Christmas decorations but they are enough to provide a puzzle for me as to where to place everything each year. I try to take photos of those displays that I was happy with from the prior year. Then all I have to do is look at last year's photos and ditto that.

Of course, when I went to friend Kay's house yesterday and saw all her lovely decor, it made me want to rethink mine. Sigh...If I remind myself that it will all have to be repacked and put back away in a few weeks it might help me curb my enthusiasm.

 This particular day (which was actually Monday) began with an ice storm. We woke to everything coated in dripping ice. It was the perfect day to stay inside and do cozy things.

The first task I tackled was to make and can a dozen jars of jellied cranberry sauce for giving. The red is so pretty in the jars and the sauce tastes great too!

We had the smallest amount of chicken left from Thanksgiving dinner. I used it to make chicken and dumplings for our dinner. It was an amazingly easy and satisfying meal on this chilly day.

 Remember these folded, quilted ornaments that were popular back in the 90's? They are still fun to make! I needed an ornament for a ladies night out so I decided to use some leftover fabric from the quilted tree skirt I made earlier this year (In the photo below). It was fun and relaxing to pin together. I hope it is well received. So, I think we are off to a good start on Christmas! Next up is the decorating...

 

Still Some Chaos Before the Harmony

 Sunday morning started out a little rough with chaos attempting to regain a hold. A light ice storm, forgotten class notes, and a late arrival to church slightly rattled my feeling about how this day was going. But we came back around to harmony that evening when we attended the Roanoke Choir's "Lessons and Carols" at St. Andrew's Basilica. When the organist began to play the Prelude, there was nowhere else left for our thoughts to go other than on this glorious, auditory spectacle. The deep notes on the organ reverberated throughout the basilica and into our bones. The strong voices of the choir soared up to the vaulted ceiling and back down again, creating an ethereal sound. Bible readings of prophecy and fulfillment alternated with the music and brought our thoughts into focus. The song offerings were joyous and filled with hope. I had to fight back tears at the beauty of it all. Oh I do hope this is what Heaven sounds like!

PS. The choir sang all the verses for every song. We don't often sing or hear them all. The audience was invited to sing along to some of the favorite Christmas hymns. I can't say I ever sang the last verse of, "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel". It was especially beautiful: 

 O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.

From Chaos to Harmony

 

Thanksgiving is a wrap! The house was bustling with extra people, children, and a dog. Our Thanksgiving meal over the last thirty years rarely changes such that it can practically cook itself. However, I still made a mess in the kitchen, cleaned it up, then made a mess again for three days running. In between messes, I had some wonderful time with Claire over morning coffees and bedtime snacks. 

A few weeks ago, Claire bid and won an auction that included a bonanza of cross stitching supplies. She brought a bin of it with her so I could go through it and choose some supplies for myself. I was astounded at the quantity of linen and floss. She had over one hundred skeins of silk floss alone, not to mention four gallon-sized bags of hand dyed floss! There were yards and yards of linen in all colors and counts. It really was a dream. Most of it will be resold but I was appreciative at being given first dibs on some linen and floss.

After everyone left, I cleaned the kitchen, washed all the sheets and towels, then vacuumed and washed the kitchen floor. It was time to bring the house back into order so that we have a clean slate to begin making Christmas preparations. Advent has begun! In a few weeks we will have another round of family and children here to celebrate Christmas with us when Chelsea comes down with her crew from New Hampshire. Plans are being made and we look forward to this joyous season.