Edited Anticipation List

I asked my sister to edit a blog post for me so I left it open on the computer and went on a couple of errands. After remembering never to go shopping on the Saturday before Christmas I came home and found that a number of my family members had helped themselves to editing my post. Due to the fact their editing is far more entertaining than my original, I'm going to show it to you.
(to clarify, my brother Carter goes to Virginia Tech whose students are called "Hokies")

I'm looking forward to . . .

My delightfully scented perfume waiting for me under the Christmas tree.  

My grandparents coming to visit us next week

Carter visiting for Christmas break

Christmas morning excitement

Getting Carter lots of presents

Spending time with people who have come home from college (Carter)

Eating an abundance of cranberry relish at Christmas dinner

Eating an abundance of oyster stuffing at Christmas dinner (example of real food, more on that later)

Seeing the Les Miserables movie (not, it's a lame movie)

A possible big trip in February (more on that later) (Visiting Carter)

The highlight of the year for me, Carter's birthday in November. I am heartbroken since I'll be missing at this monumental event.

Finishing my nutrition course (and starting to serve real food) (secondary editor's note: you wish!)

Game nights with friends (By that I mean watching the Hokies!!!)

Jumping to Enter Sandman at all the VT home games (Go Hokies!!!!)

Speaking French (possibly...)(like that's gonna happen)

Getting married, it's about time (email me if interested)

Giving Charlotte a signed (by pro surfer) surf board

What exciting things God might put into my life in the next year (see above)

A time when peace reigns

A place of no wars, fighting or tears, also known as Heaven. 

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful

Signs of Christmas

One of my favorite parts about Christmas is the fact that we have traditions. Activities, smells, or tastes that happen every December that remind us of Christmas past. Here are some of my family's:

Pomegranites. You pretty much only see them at Christmas. Is it because they are red and Christmas-y looking, or because they grow this time of year? I don't know. 

Papa's shortbread. 

He uses an old family recipe and uses an antique scale to measure the ingredients. No measuring cups allowed!

To anyone who has tasted this shortbread, the reason it's so good is because it contains 2 pounds of butter.

This year I have been taking extra time with my Christmas wrapping. These are two of the gifts I've wrapped so far.  

For gift tags I used a free downloadable template and printed it on a Trader Joe's bag that I cut down to size. I love it when people take the time to make a practical item beautiful.

Over the years our Christmas tree has turned into a memory tree. Instead of color coordinating our ornaments we collect ornaments throughout the year signifying our accomplishments, trips, and memories. 

The wee sifter is for our love of baking, and the chicken is from our chicken slaughtering project. 

This whistle is the one my Papa used when he was in the Australian Navy in the 50's. The car is one my dad used to play with as a boy. 

Some of our trips have included Versaille, skiing in Vail, and China. Being a communist country, it was difficult to find Christmas tree ornaments, instead we settled for hanging some money.

Interesting Words

I just found this web page that lists all sorts of unique and creative words. I've written some of my favorites here. Some are English, others French or German. 

Other Wordly

I have a serious case of fernweh

I am a paralian, how interesting sounding is that? 

Some words have a creative meaning and a beautiful sound. 

Who knew there was a word for this?

Now if I could only remember these words and use them in my everyday conversations.

Anatomy of Thanksgiving Dinner

Just for fun I chronicled our Thanksgiving dinner in just black and white.
Please forget the previous statement whilst you view the following picture of the fire.

Cozy crackling fire all day

Even though I feel like a little kid when I say it, I really don't like Brussel Sprouts...

Key part of Thanksgiving: dessert. This year we had chocolate cake with ganache frosting along with the Thanksgiving staple of pumpkin pie. Please take a moment to admire Emily's beautiful pie. Editor's note; the pie looks much better in color.

Standing rib roast, delicious oyster stuffing and sweet potato casserole. 

Though I'm not a huge fan of sweet potato, so I just eat the topping off, again like a little kid.

Mushroom wine sauce for the meat any edible thing to be found under the sun.

Also an important part, cranberry relish. My Nana always brings one with cranberries, apples, oranges and walnuts.  I eat by the bowl. Editor's note: literally by the bowl.

My darling Mumsie's handmade napkin rings.

And to end out the night we do the dishes. Then we stayed home and played cards, and did not go shopping, 'twas delightful. Editor's note; Emily creamed everyone in Dutch Blitz.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, Emily is the editor. : )

anthology of thanks from A to Z

Anna, me. God has given me an incredible life

Blogging, baking, beds (my bed is incredibly comfortable)

my trip to Congo, chocolate covered pomegranate

my amazing dad, my loving dog who shows me unconditional dog love

examples of people who live their life for Christ, exercise

fellowship with fellow believers, family, cozy fires in winter

grandparents: I'm thankful to have both sets still alive, Greek- taught to me by my grandpa

home, hair- specifically my long curly hair

inspiration that comes from many different sources: nature, people, Scripture

jasmine

kitties that sit in my lap and purr

laughter, learning about life

my most amazing mom, music- radio, playing the piano, singing, iPods

nature-made food

ocean

photography, pumpkin bread with chocolate chips

quiet

renewal, reading

simple pleasures in life, smiles

technology, it makes life much easier in many ways

unconditional love

vitality

warmth both figuratively and physically

that I'm not a xanthippe. (Emily said I had to use a word that actually started with the letter x and I couldn't come up with one, so I came up with a word that I'm thankful I'm not:  an ill-tempered woman)

yearning for a heavenly home

zeal for life

 

Today..

Today I'm...

I've been thinking how I should have take more pictures at the White Unto Harvest conference. I believe I took 3 the entire time. Talking just took up all my time. 

Still thinking what a wonderful Oyster Roast we had on Saturday. 

Tons of people + oysters + desserts + laughter = A fantastic party

Learning french. 

Learning a new language takes time, a lot of it. I just started French, so far I enjoy it, but then I've only been studying it for three weeks. Ask me in a month or two. 

What is it with girls and chocolate? 

I'm editing pictures from a photo shoot with this dear family. 

While listening to this beautiful song. I've listened to it over and over again. My favorite part starts at 2:15. I may or may not rewind that sections many times over... If you haven't listened to Piano Guys yet, do!

The sermon yesterday was on the importance of feasting with fellow believers. In the Old Testament the Jews feasted 22% of the year. Feasting is a time for building up the Body of Christ. Often it is hard to have fellowship when you leave church right after the service. I am thankful for the wonderful fellowship I enjoyed yesterday with fellow believers. The two hours we spent talking with believers was so refreshing.

I woke up to the soothing sound of rain pattering on my window this morning. Only problem is soothing sounds make you want to stay in bed rather then get up in the cold darkness of early mornings. 

I've been practicing this piano piece. I almost have it down and it's lots of fun to play. 

And last but not least my brother is home for Thanksgiving and we're very glad to have him back. 

Up North

After D.C. we headed to the not-so-cold north, Ontario, Canada to spend a few days at our cottage. I was hoping for nice chilly weather, but sadly it was not to happen...

Once we crossed the border we stopped for the night in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a very charming town (where my mom's cousin runs a B and B).  We arrived rather late and only caught the tail end of a fabulous sunset over Lake Ontario just down the street from the Inn.

We enjoyed beautiful colorful leaves around the cottage--somewhat lacking at the beach to say the least. 

Trees just off our deck overlooking the water

We spent our days by the cozy fire in our brand new woodstove

 We did lots of reading,

Some berries we picked down by the shoreline

Splendid landscapes from the cottage; this one very early one morning.

And pretty afternoons too looking out the other side of the deck.

We just never get tired of the view, no matter what time of day.

Early in the morning. 

The water was perfectly smooth, hardly a ripple to be seen

And as is my usual habit, I took portraits of my sisters. My sisters can never complain when they get older that they don't have any pictures of themselves when they were young. 

My wonderful parents