Lydia - Let it Go!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

 

 

More than 1,000 people dressed as angels, wise men and religious royalty at a park in Provo, Utah, have set a new Guinness record for the largest live nativity scene.  In the video, members of The Piano Guys provide instrumental music while David Archuleta and Peter Hollens sing Scottish poet James Montgomery’s "Angels from the Realms of Glory" to the tune of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

Everyday Goodness

A couple months ago, I decided that I was reading and seeing too many sad and troubling things..stuff that really can get you down.  But it isn't in my nature to quit watching TV, reading the news, or perusing the internet.  I am not one of those people who believes that removing those things from my life will automatically make things better.  I believe you have to live in this life and learn to pick and choose from the good and the bad.  It helps you to inform your decision-making process, it helps you to be open minded to the suffering of others, it helps you to form critical thinking skills, etc.  But, I also wanted to be careful to not become mired down.  So I decided I would actively seek out something good to read or watch every day (Sometimes that means that I look at pictures of tiny pigs dressed in galoshes.  Good things come in all different shapes and sizes, they don't always have to be some big spiritual revelation).  Today, I watched the music video for the David Archuleta song Glorious.  I had been resisting it for a long time.  For one his music isn't really my thing, and also I tend to automatically reject anything that everyone is telling me "I have to do/see/listen".  I am kind of snobby that way.  But I was pleasantly surprised by how pretty the song was, and how emotional it would be to see the images and hear the lyrics.  This is not a pitch for you to go see the movie; I haven't seen it either, and I am not planning to anytime soon.  Does that make me a bad Mormon?  No, it doesn't.  But I do think this song is lovely, so I am sharing it here.

Random Moments of Christmas Cheer - One

Enjoy!

The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving - Day Seven

Tonight I went to see the musical Brigadoon, which is the story of  a little Scottish village which only appears once every 100 years.   I have loved this musical my whole life, I always felt like the song 'Heather on the Hill' was special for obvious reasons. 

 

I also love anything Scottish.  I really identify with this part of my ancestry...and when I was in the Highlands of Scotland several years ago, I felt like I had come home.

 

Today I am grateful for my ancestors.

 

Here is a recording of 'Heather on the Hill' for your listening pleasure.

 

 

The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving - Day Six

Today is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

 

Tonight I am going to the symphony, where they will present a special program in honor of JFK... a little bit of Britten, a little bit of Stravinsky....it should be lovely.

 

Which got me to thinking, I wonder what other kinds of music were written in honor of JFK.  I found an article in Rolling Stone, that lists 16 songs that were either directly written to honor JFK or that mention JFK.  Some really great stuff actually.  You can check out that link below.

 

But of interest to me was this Beach Boys song, because the article says that the Beach Boys actually played to a sold out crowd the night of JFK's assassination in Marysville, California of all places, and that they actually started to write this song before the assassination but then feeling melancholy after the death of the President finished it as a sort of tribute.  I didn't know any of those things.

 

Today I am grateful for inspired music, and an inspired man.

 

 

Here is the actual poster advertising for this concert.  (I got this off of the following website - http://forgottenhits.com/the_story_behind_the_warmth_of_the_sun if you are interested in reading further.)

 

Here is the link to the Rolling Stone article. 

 

16 Song that honor JFK

Norwegians are weird...

 

...but I can't stop watching this video.

 

 

Gratitude Month - Snow

 

I am usually opposed to listening to Christmas songs until after Thanksgiving, but whenever it snows, I think of this song.

 

 

 

Today I am grateful for magical, beautiful, transformative snow.

Wildlife, Leaves, and Dale Chihuly

I went on some hikes up in the Silver Lake area this Fall, they were only a few weeks apart, but the difference in the colors is pretty amazing.  I also ran into some friendly fauna whilst admiring the flora.

 

Well hello there Mr. Moose.   I used my telephoto lense on the moose, because even though he was just mildly munching, they have signs all over the place about being wary of charging moose.   I wasn't in the mood to be trampled to death that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also saw some skittish deer. 

 

 

Yes there is a deer in this picture, can you spot her?

 

 

 

 

More munching.   I was less afraid of being charged by this particular little guy.

 

 

Same scene, a few weeks later.  Check out all the yellow.   Those are the aspens.   Soooo pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a bonus shot from my trip to the Symphony last weekend.   This was taken from the first tier balcony at Abravanal Hall.   The Dale Chihuly sculpture which we got during the SLC Olympics is just breathtakingly beautiful in my opinion, but I also love how you can see the lit up Salt Lake Temple across the street.  

 

Oh...and we went to the Zoo, listened to the Tabernacle Choir, went to Sundance, and watched a Soccer Match too!

I got a new camera in July, so here are a bunch of "test" pictures.   I am still learning how to use all the fanciness that I bought.

Hogle Zoo

We also went to Sundance to watch a free screening of the film "All the President's Men" for the 40th anniversary of Watergate.   I had never seen the film on the big screen, so I really enjoyed it.

We also enjoyed the patriotic service by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

And took a tour of the gardens on top of the LDS Conference center.  Nice views from up there.

And I went to a Real Soccer game on the 4th of July.

The end....again.

Christmas Cheer - Day Twenty-Five

Isaiah 9:6

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Christmas Cheer - Day Twenty-Four

O Holy Night

Luke 2:1-20

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christmas Cheer - Day Twenty-Three

Picture from Wikipedia - Santon of produce merchant

I was thinking about nativities the other day and of the different variations that I have seen or read about through the world. And a thought struck me...what gifts do we bring to the stable?

Of course there is the traditional nativity that we all grew up with and adore.

But…In South America, the Three Wise men do not bring Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh – a mostly Middle Eastern concept… but instead I have seen examples where they bring Corn and other useful items. Because what better gift could one give, but the gift of tacos? I kid...(but not really).

And in France, where churches were closed and large nativities were outlawed during the French Revolution, the people start to create small terra cotta figurines called Santons (for little Saint) which represented daily Provencal life…so there was the fish monger figurine, and the blind man, the scissor grinder, the girl carrying sticks, the produce merchant, etc. (a traditional Provencal nativity has 55 such figurines). What better gifts for the new little family than items they could actually use… sticks to build a warm fire, fish to fry, and produce to eat.

And I think about the story of the Littlest Angel, who when asked to produce a gift fit for a king for the newborn baby Jesus, offered up his most prized possession…a well worn box full of the treasures a small boy on Earth would love…his beloved dog’s collar, some interesting rocks from the stream bed, a butterfly’s wing.

And I wonder…what gifts do I bring? Because there is no physical baby to visit with physical gifts, I obviously speak metaphorically. But Christ is so much more than just the day of his birth. He would, I think, want us to live each day as though we were following the star of Bethlehem – an act which I believe showed great faith on the part of the Magi. To live each day with faith in our hearts may mean different things to different people, but what if it meant not being boastful, or afraid, or condescending. What if it meant having a listening ear, a heart full of gladness and service, and a welcoming smile? Honestly, I don’t have the answer, but I do believe that we are all blessed with unique gifts that only we can share and I for one resolve over the next year to try and figure out what that means for me. I challenge each of you to do the same.

I leave you with two versions of 'We Three Kings' to enjoy, because I couldn't pick which one I liked better.

Christmas Cheer - Day Twenty -Two

This recording of this song is my favorite christmas song. It was recorded in 1977 for Bing Crosby's last televised holiday special. (the special was actually filmed in September of 1977 and Bing Crosby died in October of 1977). I wish I had been old enough to remember seeing this on TV, I am sure it was very nostalgic for people coming so soon after his death. I love how David Bowie, who at the time was at the pinnacle of his Glam Rock career, shows such great respect for Bing Crosby. It warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye.

Christmas Cheer - Day Twenty-One

The weather report is forecasting snow for today. We have had a wimpy snow year so far and I for one have had it.

Let it snow!!!

Christmas Cheer - Day Nineteen

Today's Christmas Cheer post is a little DIY tutorial on making the world's easiest Christmas treats (thanks for the recipe Mom).

You just need three ingredients.

Snyders of Hanover square pretzels. Rolos. Pecans.

The pictures are pretty self explanatory, so I will just say - 300 degrees for 4-5 minutes. Then if you want you can cool them down in the freezer until they set... or not. Just do whatever the mood strikes you to do. See....it's that easy.

Smoosh the pecan into the Rolo.

Then give them away before you eat them all.

I was able to make 60 (would have been 62, but I ate 2 of the Rolos) of these with one bag of Rolos.

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, after taking the third picture, I decided to take all the nuts off and roast them first. I also baked the pretzels and the rolos without the nuts first.

Here is a lovely Christmas Tune to start off your week.

Christmas Cheer - Day Eighteen

I have been trying to post Christmas HYMNS each Sunday of my Christmas Cheer month, rather than just Christmas songs...and today I have something a little different, yet still very spiritual in nature. I find this to be very beautiful. I hope that you do too.

Christmas Cheer - Day Seventeen

We are living in a 'digital' world....

And this is just a little extra something just for fun....because it is so nerdy and amusing...

Christmas Cheer - Day Twelve

Every year since 1984 PNC Bank has published the "Christmas Price Index”. Much like the consumer price index…which tracks changes in prices for things like housing and food, etc., thereby giving some sort of measurement of consumer spending…the Christmas Price Index calculates what it would cost if you were to buy each of the items in the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ song.

What once cost $12,673.56 in 1984 now costs $24,263.18. Crazy! And if you'll note in the chart below, Six Geese-a-Laying really went up in price this year compared to last. Not a big shocker I suppose, it is pretty evident that food costs more than it did before. Why, I was shocked when my favorite string cheese went up in price 6 whole cents a stick. That is a lot people!

Anyway, here is an oldie but goodie. Happy December 12th!

Christmas Cheer - Day Eleven

I love John Rutter...there I've said it. The clip of this song is from a Thanksgiving program, but it is also considered to be a christmas carol. The text comes from Numbers Chapter 6.

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face to shine upon you

To shine upon you and be gracious

And be gracious unto you

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face to shine upon you

To shine upon you and be gracious

And be gracious unto you

The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you

The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you

And give you peace, and give you peace

And give you peace, and give you peace
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen