Merry and Bright

Oh, dear Readers, my Christmas holiday has been a lovely, indulgent affair full of sleeping in, jammies-until-noon and so many rum balls that I'm afraid to even think of the consequences. My parents were here to visit, and gosh! did we ever have fun.

Listen, we made the best turkey we've ever had. It was moist, juicy, flavourful and utterly divine. Here's why:

• we purchased a fresh turkey, just over 7 kg. (Who am I kidding... my Mom purchased it, not me)
  
• we roasted it, covered, breast side down
• we cooked the dressing on the side, not in the turkey. Dressing generally takes longer to cook than turkey, causing the turkey to dry out while the dressing is still undone.
  

Honestly, I could not believe how awesome this turkey turned out to be. I will never stuff a turkey again. Here's the thing, though -- I recommend boiling the giblets and neck with a little onion, garlic, peppercorn and bay leaf for the first few hours of turkey roasting. That way, you'll have some gorgeous fresh turkey stock to use in the dressing, which will give it the required turkey-ish feeling.

Yes, it was indeed a truly divine holiday. The snow was soft, the ice perfect for skating, the children were excited and the company was wonderful. I'll be back in the New Year to blether away as usual.

Over and out.

Christmas at the Blethering Spot

Balulalow

Lat us rejoyis and be blyth
And with the Hyrdis go full swyth
And see what God of his grace hes done
Throu Christ to bring us to his throne.




My saull and life stand up and see
What lyis in ane cribbe of tree.
What Babe is that, sa gude and fair?
It is Christ, God's Son and Air.





O my deir hart, yung Jesus sweit,
Prepair thy creddill in my spreit!
And I sall rock thee in my hart
And never mair fra thee depart.





Bot I sall praise thee evermoir
With sangis sweit unto thy gloir.
The kneis of my hart sall I bow
And sing that rycht Balulalow.

Note: 'Balulalow' is an old Scottish word for 'lullaby.' This lullaby to the Christ Child dates from 16th century Scotland. If you're having trouble understanding the words, try reading them aloud.

May God bless you with peace and joy this Christmas!

So Blessed

It's our anniversary today. Thirteen years! Whodathunkit?

I'm not going to spend much time posting -- I have better things to do right now than sit at the computer! But I want to take the time to say that I feel so blessed to be married to this man. He knows me, understands me, loves me. He is patient, he is kind. He doesn't envy, he doesn't boast. He keeps no record of my wrongs. He protects me, trusts me, hopes for my best, perseveres despite my insecurities and fears and weaknesses. It's an absolute joy for me to be his wife. I thank God for him daily. Bring on the next thirteen thirty fifty years.... I can't wait to spend them with him!

Tidings of Great Joy!

Oh, Readers, how marvelously marvelous yesterday was. Here's why:

The weather outside was frightful

But the cookies marched in and out of my oven in an orderly fashion

The kids had fun skating with our homeschool group

And, best of all... We got news from our adoption agency. We're back in business, folks! We are now officially up and running. Some lucky, lucky Canadian families got referrals yesterday. What a Christmas gift! You should see all the exclamation points on the boards in our Yahoo group. This is, literally, the best news we have had since that awful day in July. I'm totally amazed and grateful, and so thankful for all the hard work that went into lifting Imagine out of bankruptcy. Wow! Hang on, little ones! Your new mommy and daddy are on their way!

Nine Months

We have been waiting nine months for a referral...

Is it just me?

...or does the etched leaf on this frosted-glass bowl bear an uncanny resemblance to marijuana?

I pulled out this bad boy while washing my kitchen cupboards, and realized that my friends and family have been served peas and carrots in a glass bowl etched with a weed motif.

At least I've never served brownies in it.