New Year

When I think of a new year, I think of goals, resolutions. I reflect on the last year and think of how I can make the new year more meaningful. Not that I write a long list of goals to accomplish. I don't do that. I did when I was younger, but found that it was unrealistic. I often set myself up for coming up short and felt bad that I didn't accomplish all that I wanted to. Sometimes it's just better to start each day with a fresh new attitude and do what you can do... nothing else. 

I like the idea of a book to start the new year. Each day presents a fresh start. At the end of the day.... that's when to write and reflect on the day. Each day leads to the next day. A week. A month. A year. Every day does present a new set of opportunities. 

Op.por.tu.ni.ty - a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

It can come in every form. Personal improvement, financial improvement, health improvement, mental improvement, spiritual improvement, relations improvement. 

So, I'll start my new year with a blank page. Today, I'll live life. I'll write. I'll reflect. And tomorrow, I will start again. I like that. We'll see you at the end of the year!

Happy New Year!

Mother's Caramel Turtles

My mother made the best caramel turtles I have ever tasted! When December rolled around, I made a trip to mother's house for the annual making of the caramel turtles. It was an all day event. Don't let the simple sounding recipe fool you! 

The best part of making turtles is when the caramel finally reaches the soft ball stage. It is perfectly cooked to a gooey soft and slightly chewy stage. I drop some caramel in a cold cup of water, swirl it around in my fingers and form it into a ball. I set it on my tongue... it sits only for a moment and then melts away, giving my taste buds the sensation of pure, caramely deliciousness! It can take a couple of hours to get it to the stage of perfection. I never use a candy thermometer. It gets in my way. One bite, that's all it takes, and you are hooked for life. You can't live without them ever again. Mom's caramel turtles are to die for!
  
I started making turtles with mom when I was a young mother. In the mid 80's. My husband and I and our small family moved from Utah to Colorado and was too far away to enjoy the luxury of having turtles just down the street. I decided then and there I was going to learn how to make turtles. And I have every year, ever since. Most of the time I made the trek to mom's house. It was a treat to spend the day chatting and making merry in the kitchen with mother. It's now only a sweet and treasured memory. Mother passed away in October of 2011. My siblings were spoiled. Mother made them turtles every year, so they never learned for themselves. Last Christmas, I had a lot of requests from family members for the turtles recipe. I gladly shared with them. I made the above recipe card with some pictures of mom and home and sent it out in a Christmas card to about 40 caramel turtle craving families.

I think I have perfected the art of caramel turtle making. My daughters and granddaughters have become interested in making them with me. It's become a tradition... passed from my mother, to my daughters, and granddaughters. It makes my heart happy!

Enjoy!

writing prompt #5: Share a favorite holiday inspired recipe!

Silent Night

Silent Night

Silent night, Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child,

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace;

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

The most famous Christmas carol of all time had humble beginnings: Austrian priest Father Joseph Mohr penned the lyrics in 1816, and two years later - on Christmas Eve of 1818 - he gave the poem ("Stille Nacht," written in German) to his friend, Franz Xavier Gruber, headmaster and organist of the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria, high in the Austrian Alps. The organ in the church was broken, so Gruber composed the music for guitar; a simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass, where "Silent Night" was performed for the first time. The song soon spread beyond the small village, but until the 1850's, neither Mohr nor Gruber knew of its rising popularity. The English version with which we are most familiar was translated by John Freeman Young in 1819. The song--which has been recorded by more than three hundred artists--was sung simultaneously in English and German by troops during the Christmas truce of 1914, as it was one of the few carols familiar to soldiers on both sides of the front line.

When I think of Christmas carols, Silent Night is the first one that comes to mind. It conjures up reverence and peace to me. I love this song. It is easy to see why the English and German troops sang "Silent Night" as a truce Christmas Eve. It was a night of much longed for peace.

Joy

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King!

Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,

And Saints and angels sing,

And Saints, and Saints and angels sing.

Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns,

And Saints their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more will sin and sorrow grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He'll come and make the blessings flow

Far as the curse was found,

Far as the curse was found,

Far as, far as the curse was found.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,

While Israel spreads abroad

Like stars that glitter in the sky,

And ever worship God,

And ever worship God,

And ever , and ever worship God.

Based on Psalm 98, the lyrics of "Joy to the World" were written in 1719 by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, who is credited with writing more than 750 hymns. He wrote "Joy to the World" as a hymn glorifying Christ's anticipated triumphant Second Coming - not as a song celebrating His birth in a stable. In most cases, only the second half of his lyrics are still used today. The words were set to music more than a hundred years later by American composer and music educator Lowell Mason. While George Frideric Handel did not compose the tune of this carol, it was inspired by his Messiah, especially by the recitative "Comfort Ye." Today, it is the most published Christmas hymn in North America. (The LDS Christmas Songbook)

I love traditional Christmas hymns and "Joy to the World" has always been one of my favorites. As a Christian, I look forward to Christ's much anticipated and triumphant return. 

because I have been given much...

It's that time of the year! When I reflect more on the good things in my life. When I count my blessings. When I think of kindnesses given and received. I live a rich and abundant life. Mind you... it's my perception, and mine only. What is abundant to one person may not be to another. I have always lived an abundant life. Why? I'll tell you why.

It started at home. The home I grew up in. We did not have a lot of money. Dad worked for the State Fish and Game Department. Even though it required a Master's degree, it still was not enough to give a growing family of six children the extra things that every parent desires for their children. Dad supplemented his income by investing in rental properties and conjured up ideas and other creative ways to make money. He loved to work and he taught his family to work. We worked together. Dad always saw an opportunity to make something from nothing. He was a bartering man. A saddle for a piano; cement driveway for a cow. He had a positive attitude about life. I never heard him complain about anything. We had a good life. It's true! What you see and hear as a child, from your parents, follow you through life. I thought we had everything. We were rich. I didn't see it any different. How thankful I am for that! The outcome could have been much different had my parents complained, didn't work hard to improve their circumstances, felt picked on, or expressed their financial situation in a negative way. Oh... I can't tell you enough how very blessed I feel because of my parents wisdom.  We had a roof over our heads, clothes to wear, food to eat. We enjoyed all the opportunities of exploring and developing talents... like piano lessons, dance lessons, baton lessons, swim lessons, gymnastics, scouting, sports, band and choir. 

But there was more... much more! Through out the year, our parents found ways of helping others. They provided acts of service to the needy, the elderly, the sick, and lonely. As active members of the LDS faith, giving and receiving service is a way of life. Following our perfect example... Jesus Christ. I remember on many occasions where someone was invited to come to dinner. Foreign exchange students were invited to participate in holiday festivities. Christmas was always a time to share our abundance with those in need. Deliveries of home-made bread and jam, boxes of oranges, quilts, and other comforts and necessities were often done in secret. A tradition, The Twelve days of Christmas, was always a favorite service project. Delivering gifts and treats, in secret, for twelve days was the highlight of the holiday season. It was the feeling, the thankfulness, the joy of giving and serving others that brought the spirit of Christmas into our hearts and home. Our parents involved us children in every aspect of service. They gave us one of the greatest gifts they could have ever given us... the gift of serving. 

As young parents in the early 1980's, providing service was important to my husband and I. We carried on the Twelve Days of Christmas tradition with our three young daughters. We wanted them to feel the same joy that service brings. After Christmas, we were pleasantly surprised to see a card hanging on the bulletin board.

There were circumstances in life that had me on the receiving end, as well. After a long and painful divorce and moving to a new place to start school, five children in tow, it was evident to some thoughtful neighbors and members of the church, that we could use a bit of help. Although I did not see it exactly that way at the time.  At first it was hard to accept the help, but through love, patience, and passage of time, it became a blessing in our lives. I appreciated the help when help was offered... a generous and abundant gift of selflessness. 

I was always one who would never admit to having things "hard". I always had enough! I was blessed. It must have come from home. The positive attitude, you can do anything you want to mind set. Yes, it was a struggle at times, but I was much better off than most! I didn't think myself as needing help. I bought a small home, we had sufficient food on the table, clothes to wear, transportation, and I was going back to college. My children didn't see that we didn't have enough at times. We made due with what we had. And we shared our abundance when we could, as little as it was. Most importantly, we were happy!

Since then, I have been able to give more again. It's a good feeling. For Christmas, instead of exchanging gifts in the family, we take turns heading up a service project. What money or temporal means we would have spent on each other, go into providing a service to someone in need. The grandchildren are now recipients of feeling the joy that service brings!

One of the choicest experiences we have had during this time of year... sharing our faith and traditions with an intern and his wife, from Ghana. And them sharing with us. It provided a rich experience of exchanging beliefs, culture, and traditions with each other. An abundance of the Christ(mas) spirit was felt among us.

Last year, at this time, I was standing in line at the grocery store. When I went to check out, to my surprise, I found out my groceries were paid for! A lady, three ahead of me, had left some money with the checker to pay for the next few customers in line... as far as it would go. I felt gratitude in my heart for a thoughtful and kind gesture provided by a stranger.

In all my circumstances of life, some better than others, I have always felt like I had an abundant life. Whether in giving or receiving. We can feel joy in service whether we are on the giving or the receiving end. Our church broadcasts a Christmas Devotional every year. The First Presidency talked on this very thing... so inspirational! To listen to the talks and the Tabernacle Choir sing, click here lds.org.

I also came upon a blog (via Pinterest) that has some great and fun ideas for service. Click here http://tsjphotography.com/blog/random-acts-of-christmas-kindness-summary/

Losing your parents can change you. They are in my thoughts continually. I miss them. I love them. I am grateful for their examples. They showed me the way by living as Christ did. I am much more reflective than I used to be. My taste in music has even changed. I still like the music of my day, some country, and some soft rock. And I love this time of year because Christmas music fills the air. But most of all, I love inspirational music. It is so uplifting. When I first read the prompt from Mama Kat's on choosing a favorite song and turning it into the title of my post, I went with the very first song that popped into my mind... 

Because I Have Been Given Much

Because I have been given much, I too must give;

Because of they great bounty, Lord, each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from thee With ev'ry brother that I see

Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,

I can not see another's lack and I not share

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, My roof's safe shelter over head,

That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by they great love, dear Lord,

I'll share thy love again, according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed;

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

(text; Grace Noll Crowell, 1877-1969, music; Phillip Landgrave, b. 1935)

What are some ways that you have given or received service? 

prompt #5: Take a line from a song you love and turn it into a title of your next blog post. Let the content follow.

Angels

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful, all ye nations, rise;

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th' angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail! The Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Ris'n with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die;

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Written by Charles Wesley, brother of Methodist founder John Wesley, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" was first published in 1739 in Hymns and Sacred Poems; Wesley was the Poet Laureate of the Methodist Church and published more than 6,500 hymns during his lifetime. The version we know today was altered by various people- most notably Wesley's co-worker, George Whitefield, an itinerant Anglican minister who came up with the familiar opening couplet we now sing, When Whitefield- who did not have the ability to pay his college tuition- entered Oxford, he was assigned to work as a servant for other students in exchange for his tuition. He woke them in the morning, carried their books, polished their shoes, and even helped write their assignments. The melody of this carol is based on an energetic chorus composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840 as part of a cantata commemorating Bible printer Johann Gutenburg.  (text from the LDS Christmas Songbook)