A 99-Cent Tradition

A number of years ago we started a tradition. Just before Christmas we all go to the 99-cent store to buy each other stocking stuffers. We all wander around the store by ourselves, trying to avoid each other as we choose silly gifts for each other.

So, today, the electricity went out at 4:15, so we drove to the store and found what we needed. We came back in the dark to a dark street - no electricity yet. Hal found the camping lamp which sits fully charged in the closet, and by the time we got the gas log lit in the fireplace, the electricity came back on. Good thing, since we wanted to eat dinner and heat the house.

Hooray, again!

Liesl and Chris made it to Claremont early this morning - 12:40 after a marathon day of driving from Eugene with a little side trip to the Bay Area. Now the holidays are really here!

Journey to Bethlehem

Here are the adorable angels in our church's Journey to Bethlehem this morning. They were so good, we don't have any stories to tell about them. The shepherds were equally well-behaved. The baby Jesus watched the entire pageant with great interest, "no crying he makes."

Annual Newsletter

Click on photo for larger, more readable version.

Ishiguro

I have really enjoyed the other three Kazuo Ishiguro works I've read, so I was excited to get his latest book - Nocturnes. This is a collection of 5 stories of which some are loosely related, each about relationships falling apart, music and the night. I am surprised to say that I did not really find anything compelling about any of the stories. I always read a book wondering if it might be a good pick for book club, but I will not be choosing this one.

Winter Sing

Another year, another Winter Sing over! Here are my string students who did a lovely job. The beginners played Jingle Bells, and the orchestra played Simple Gifts and Sing We Now of Christmas. I teach one private lesson tomorrow, after which I am done teaching until January!

Hooray!

Claire came home tonight!

Study Break!

Tonight was the annual chemistry dept study break at HMC where students have a cookie-decorating contest. Faculty bring eats, students work very hard on their entries to win a chance at a prize. This year the possible choices were gift cards from Starbucks or In-n-Out. The categories this year were: Best Chemical Theme, Best Use of Frosting, Best Story across Two or More Cookies, Judge's Choice, and Best Overall. This cookie won for Best Use of Frosting.

Night Before Christmas

Here is a picture of my childhood version of The Night Before Christmas. It was published in 1960 and illustrated by Catherine Barnes, published by Golden Books. My own copy probably disappeared in our family's move from Chicago to Kansas when I was 9. A number of years ago, I decided to start searching for some of my favorite books. I wanted this one, but had no idea how to search for it, not knowing the illustrator. Do you know how many versions there are of this famous poem? After looking all over the internet, I finally found the information, only to discover that copies of this book sell for $70-150. Well, I managed to find a copy on eBay about 4-5 years ago with a "buy it now" price of $35, and you can be sure I "bought it now."

Getting Ready for Christmas

My daughters will be relieved to know that we put up the tree today - before they get here! However, we will still leave some of the decorating up to them.

I also pulled out my favorite Nativity. My grandfather, a Mennonite minister, was also a woodworker, and he made many of these sets. I love the simplicity of the lines.