I Found My Thumb

Gotta HEADlight now

Hanging at Aunt Suzy's

Pearce really gets into this visiting the city folks. Putting his feet up, chomping on some cheese, and watching Arsenal vs Chelsea is a fun thing to do at Suzy's.

Words Can't Describe

Having a Talk With Buzz

Christmas Morning

Well, the day did get started in a good Christmas style. I got up at 6:30, went and turned on the Christmas Tree. Then I moved the Advent Wreath to the dining table so we could light the candles undistracted by the toys. We used Pearce's Bible (we've used it throughout the season) for the lesson.

Only difference this time was Pearce wouldn't read with me. He has been parroting every word I say during the Advent readings. Pearce wouldn't even sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. I do believe he wanted to get to the toys. Especially a certain space ranger.

Well, Santa was all that Pearce had eyes for (and Nana). Buzz Lightyear and the Weeble Wobbles were pretty much all he cared about at first. As we opened more presents for him and showed him his stocking he still went right back to Buzz.

Half way through the gifting we noticed a little something white falling from the sky. It kept on falling and falling. Then we got a call from Calhoun saying that the youngest nephew was sporting a fever of 102+. Alternate Christmas dinner plans were resorted to. Have you ever seen A Christmas Story (fa ra ra ra ra...)

Nana and Regina headed for Calhoun to represent at Christmas Dinner and deliver presents to the Holland children. The snow is still falling. I forgot to mention that I got a calendar from Tang's Garden.

Well, I might have forgotten something but maybe Kristi will fill in details through the comments. Pearce is now sitting in front of the tv with Buzz watching Toy Story (with Jessie)

Christmas Bread

This the first Panettone recipe I tried in the machine. It is good, but I meant to try another recipe first. I really wish I had more people around to eat up what I make, as I make it, so I have an excuse to make more.

Oh, yeah! I didn't put a picture of the first loaf out of the machine up because it got pretty much used up in cheese toast and slathered with butter and honey.

Breakfast and Movie

Chillin'

Going For A Christmas Eve Cruise

Il Panettiere

I have made my first loaf in the bread machine Kristi and I got for our wedding. No you don't really need to to do the math. I made the basic loaf tonight and if it does well I'll make one of the panettone recipes I found. After I find the right panettone recipe I'll get to work on the pile of recipes Suzy sent me. I think I'll start with the cheddar bread and move to the applesauce bread. I can't wait to try them all.

Andrew Elkins

Holland/Elkins Christmas Dinner

Claire's Big Day

Sunday was a big day for a little lady. Claire was baptized at Westminster and the whole local crowd was in attendance, minus Randy who had to play at his own Church. Nana, Papaz, and Daddy posing with the Queen of the Day.

No Eclipse For Me

Stinking cloud cover. Claire was such a good girl she woke Daddy up at 1:00 to see the Lunar Eclipse. The clouds had other ideas about my observing this rare phenomenon. Nice thick layer of condensed moisture between the earth and the greater heavens blocking out the not so frequent obscuring of our local natural satellite left me staring. Staring at the Christmas Tree and listening to Christmas music and contemplating the adjuration to always be awake, always be watchful, to always be prepared for the coming of the Lord. Two hymns came to mind; Sleepers Awake and Watchman Tell Us of the Night.

My Mamaz Made This For Me

Mid-Week Advent Devotional

My Son Rocks

Claire was fussing and crying so I was going to check on her. Pearce put his hand up and said, "Don't touch her. My got this." at which point he ran over to Claire and gave her a pacifier.

Andrew Elkins

Bag o' Sleep

If you have a gently used sleeping bag or access to one that could be given to WPC we'd love to have it. During the Session meeting last night we realized we have huge amount of space and the temperatures are really, really low. So we decided to look into opening our doors when the other shelters are full. Once we approve that use of the facility I want to immediately be able to open the doors if necessary.

If you are coming up Sunday for Claire's baptism and have a bag to donate bring it along. If you have no idea what I'm talking about drop me a comment and I'll get in touch with you.

Andrew Elkins

It's My Weekend Next Weekend

Just a reminder to the Elkins world that Claire's baptism is this coming Sunday 12/19. Drop us a line to let us know you're coming. The menu is Kristi's Loaded Potato Soup and Reba's Chicken and Rice Soup with sandwiches. The service is at Westminster Presbyterian at 10:55 and food will follow at Glenridge Rd shortly there after.

Pearce's First Solo Car Repair

Pearce is already getting started on the car repair business. He is checking and clearing Mommies check engine light. The light comes on every time the gas cap isn't exactly tight enough. I figured that this would be a good way to include him in keeping the cars up to snuff.

16 Days and Counting

This has been a crazy week. I being the impatient person that I am got my Christmas cold nearly three weeks early. Which may not be a problem since it won't go away. Committee meetings and MANDATORY afterschool meetings. Picking up the superboy after said school meeting (we got Lil Caesars). The list could go on.

However I have found what I want for Christmas. I want iTunes cards or Amazon cards (or the nearest approximation to that). I'm always wanting to buy something I hear on Pandora (Internet radio) I have also found Donna Leon (minus Death at LaFenice) and nearly everything Anne Perry wrote on my Amazon/Kindle app.

I Like This New Habit

We have developed the habit of stopping at Buffalo's on the way home from church. I like it especially because always forget that I got the Tex-Mex burger last time until it arrives on the table. Then I remember. Kristi then rolls her eyes.

Christmas Table

Aren't I Just the Cutest

Hello everybody.

I Just Mowed the Yard

And it is the second day of December. I should have made a picture before I started mowing. All those trees leave a lot of leaves all over the place. I just had enough gas to run over the yard twice to get it nice and clean looking. It was not a minute too soon because we are having Kristi's Murray County friends over Saturday for some family Christmas fun.

A Little Seasonal Poetry

Wanting to believe in the coming of the Lord
Not believing the possibility of a saving Christ
Having never known faith in a dream for peace
Astounded, skeptical of the stories told of Mary
Lost and struggling with a darkness without joy
Enduring the emptiness of life without any hope

Willing to believe in a Savior is the seed of hope
Looking for the signs of the coming of the Lord
Wandering towards the light of an expectant joy
Hearing with new hearts the legends of a Christ
Listening again to the angels words told to Mary
Silently praying for long denied feeling of peace

Believing the prophesied Savior will bring peace
The people wait for the fulfillment of a new hope
An angel’s message from God of serenity to Mary
Prepare a place of honor at the coming of the Lord
Hearing the promises of the prophecies of Christ
Friendship and concord are the messengers of joy

Heavens ring with the singing the news of great joy
People will be come together with a dream of peace
Lost sheep will be discovered once again by Christ
Nations will rejoice to find again their eternal hope
Happily making the way for the coming of the Lord
Having faith in the magnificent blessing given Mary

Elizabeth opened her home in celebration of Mary
To share their magnificent double blessings of joy
One’s blessing will herald the coming of the Lord
One’s blessing will always be the Prince of Peace
Promises foretold fulfilled in the blessings of hope
Singing the praises and glory of the birth of Christ

All magnificent praise and brilliant glory to Christ
The Spirit is magnified in the humble soul of Mary
All the world shines bright with never ending hope
Nations celebrate with ecstasy and abounding joy
The world rests in the quietude of protective peace
People parade in adoration at the birth of the Lord

The coming of the Lord is foretold in Christ’s prophecy
Peace is ushered in at the birth of Mary’s baby boy Jesus
Unending joy and boundless hope are gifts to all mankind

Andrew Elkins