Getting Ready For A Cookie Bake

After spending the afternoon doing last minute Christmas shopping Chuck and I came home to make some sugar cookies for the cookie bake Julie is having at her house tomorrow. I just finished and thought I'd write a bit.
We enjoyed Christmas shopping together but the market place was a bit crowded and crazy. Since we only had a few things to get and a few groceries we didn't mind it that much. But it was quite hard to get down the aisles without bumping into someone.  I heard one mom shouting, with joy, because she finally found what she was looking that her son had asked for for Christmas. She and I were both in the game department and I asked her what game it was and she was more than happy to tell me. So I wrote it down and also saw one more. It may be a future game idea. I had already gotten all the kids gifts. She said Merry Christmas and was on her way. And just to share with you how impressed I was with people out there for the holiday season, I share with you about my trip to Lowes.
I was looking for a gift and decided to get it. So I asked one of the workers, nice and available, if he could help me get something on a cart and out to my car. He said, sure thing. So I went up to pay for it and on the way there was another guy who asked me if he could help me. I said no, I had already been helped and then I got an urge just to praise him and all the workers. I said, "you guys are awesome." I walked in the door and right away someone helped me, then the cashier was anxious to help me get my item, and paid for. And you were so friendly, you are all just awesome." He said, "that's what we like to hear, you have a Merry Christmas." And today, several different times, clerks were quick to help me find what I needed and get it paid for. I was really impressed. And all the time Christmas music playing in the background. It was all actually fun. I didn't hear "Merry Christmas" at Walmart, but Happy Holidays. I wanted to go up to one of the clerks and ask her if they were told they couldn't say Merry Christmas. But I did hear it from people shopping down the aisles.

Baking cookies for the cookie bake at Julie's Dec. 21-11

Then tonight Chuck helped me mix up dough for the cookies, and I rolled them out and cut them, baked them etc. Tomorrow, at Julie's, we will decorate them with frosting and sprinkles.  5 of us girls are getting together plus the grandkids and friends, 5 adults and 10 kids. We are all making different types of soups to keep us energized. I'm making Taco soup with cornbread. So it should be a fun day tomorrow.

Chuck making pumpkin bread for the staff at church

We did get our tree up fairly early, this month, and Chuck put the lights outside on the bushes and some lighted candy canes plus baked pumpkin bread for all the staff at church..

Our tree and outside lights through the window 2011

So we have been enjoying the lights. They create such a wonderful atmosphere. I love mini white lights.  Tonight when I was baking there was a movie on about the life of Thomas Kincaid, painter of light. It was how he got started and the inspiration he got from an old painter.

Thomas Kincaid, Painter Of Light

The old painter was painting the darkness for much of his life. And one day he discovered the light because Thomas had come to visit him and lit a candle, which inspired him to do his final painting, with light in it. He painted the fall leaves all dark and gray, but they were very beautiful colors when he put the light behind them shining through. The painting sold for a big sum of money, enough to help Thomas, his brother and mother, keep their cottage. After the man finished the painting and gave it to the mother, he went back to his home and died. Thomas carried on and painted many paintings with a source of light in them. I loved the movie. Inspirational along with baking my cookies. I worked during the commercials.

This morning the both of us were thinking there is just too much pressure and stress during the holidays. But as we bumped into different ones in the store, who were also busy and stressed out, we came to the conclusion that we are motivated by stress sometimes, and the busyness is alright. Anyway, we enjoyed the day and really got a lot done. I hope you are enjoying these days and giving and sharing your love with your friends and neighbors and an occasional person in the market place. You may be the only Christ they ever see.
I found something that helps with the stress. Last summer Chuck and I went to see a Civil War re-enactment. There were several tents set up and you could buy things at the sites. I spotted some Sassafras tea. There were about 10 pieces of small Sassafras branches in a bundle. You put one or two in a pan of water and boil it to steep. It makes a very fine tea with lots of antioxidants and gives you energy. My mom used to drink it when I lived at home. So I learned to like it way back then. I like it with sugar and it is very soothing too. Sassafras tea really connects me with my mom in a positive way, which is a good thing.

Sassafras Tea

Here are a couple quotes that I read on Facebook that people call Wall quotes...
God doesn't give you the people you want, he gives you the people you need. to help you , to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you the person you were meant to be."
"When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you."
So many memories come at Christmas. Some of the negative times were difficult to remember and bare, but all the memories and things that we experienced made us who we are today. I think we learned to choose to be blessed, shaped, and cultivated instead of being bitter over things that could have destroyed us. Only by God's grace and strength, not our own, could we enjoy this present day, being blessed so much. Have a Merry Christmas everyone and we trust your new year will bring good health and blessings over flowing for you.