12/18/06: Oh, the Weather Outside...

... was simply delightful!

Yes, it was our first snowfall! To those of you in the eastern or northern parts of the country, that may sounds nice but rather ho-hum. But please remember that I live in San Diego County in Southern California, where a snowfall is an EVENT. People come driving up the mountain, without snow tires or chains, sliding around the icy meadows in flip flops and hauling huge amounts of snow back "down the hill" in the beds of their trucks. That's life when one lives in the mountains during winter.

In fact, I woke up this morning to a young lady from our church in the city, calling to see if we had snow in our small town. I told her that we didn't and that she'd have to try further up the mountain. However, I had to call her back a few hours later to tell her differently.

On Sunday morning we awoke to a nearly transparent dusting of snow on the ground. The boys were uninterested in such a paltry showing. But today ... REAL SNOW!

I had e-mailed a friend from church that we had a 30% chance of "frozen mix" (which sounds more like a margarita than a weather prediction), according to the local online weather source based at the school down the street. About 1:00 this afternoon, we looked outside and the yard was white! Snow was falling in clumps of flakes, and yes, the kids and I were right out in the middle of it as soon as we suited up. We caught snow on our tongues. We scraped it off the hood of my car in order to make slush balls. We let Dash, our dachshund, take a run through the fresh powder. T built a snow otter on our front porch railing, tail and all.

With Dash on his leash, the kids and I took a short walk to the school and back through the meadow, singing "Winter Wonderland" and "White Christmas." We even made up a song about the little red mini dachshund straining at his leash for the entire walk:

Dashwood the white-nosed dachshund
Had a very frozen nose
And if you ever saw him
You would even say it froze.
All of the other dachshunds
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Dashwood
Join in any dachshund games....

We took breaks inside to warm up and watch the Survivor Finale that Keith recorded last night when we were at our church's Christmas concert Sunday evening. E and I also watched The Bells of St. Mary's with Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Great film!

Our furnace broke last night, so Keith got up at 2 AM to build a fire in the wood stove, and then I kept it going all night. With temps down in the low 20's, we needed to keep the house warm! Tomorrow we need to call the propane company because apparently the problem lies with the new tank they just provided for us. Argh! And brrrrr!

But today in the snow, with kids racing around, singing and having fun, with J yelling "This is the best vacation ever!," showed me that this is what Holydays are all about: the wonder of nature, the joy of children, the beauty of God's world!

So our first snowfall is all that we wanted. And even more.

12/16/06: More Favorites....

After posting on my favorite Christmas carols, I thought posting on some other "Fave Fives" might be fun.

Today, it's MOVIES!

I found I couldn't, just couldn't narrow my choices to five, so here are my Top Ten Favorite Movies:

1. Pride and Prejudice (A&E with Colin Firth) (1995)

2. Dead Poet's Society (1989)

3. Much Ado About Nothing (Branagh) (1993)

4. Sense and Sensibility (1995)

5. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

6. The Importance of Being Earnest (Colin Firth again) (2001*)

7. Clueless (1995)

8. Finding Neverland (2004*)

9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)

10. Return to Me (2000)

(One of the greatest soundtracks EVER!)

(* means I'm guessing at the date!)

So there they are: Susanne's 10 Favorite Films!

And yes, I own them all. Gotta love DVDs!

12/16/06: My Favorite Thing about Christmas

It's the MUSIC!!!!!

I love carols! The older, the better, of course.

For that reason (either being older or sounding older or using Latin, etc.), here are my top five Christmas Carols:

(Aren't you lucky???)

1. "Greensleeves" ("What Child Is This")

2. "O Holy Night"

3. "Angels We Have Heard on High"

4. "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

5. "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."



Why, ask you?

Well, each carol obviously has a bit of a history. A friend gave me a wonderful book called Christ in the Carols, which has a little history and devotion about each carol.

Unfortunately, they missed my favorite! But I learned somewhere that "Greensleeves," my #1, was an old English tavern tune, then later more appropriate words were set to the tune in 1865. However, the melody itself dates, I believe, back to the 1500s. And with all simplicity, John Denver sings my favorite version.

My #2 favorite, "O Holy Night" makes me want to "fall on [my] knees/ O hear the angel voices," even if I happen to be walking through Target at the time. John Denver's rendition again is my favorite; I videotaped him on the Today show, singing it the Christmas before his death, and I watch it every Christmas Eve after the kids are all abed. It's a French carol, dating back only to the nineteenth century, but the Gospel truth portrayed, especially the world "in sin and error pining," always touches me.

#3, "Angels We Have Heard on High," gets me with the Latin every time. "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" -- Glory to God on high! This carol is also not listed in the book cited above, but it remains one of my favorites to both play and sing. I also like to hear Bing Crosby or Charlotte Church sing this one.

"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus," #4, is a carol that I didn't learn until recently, but the words simply stab me in the heart. It was penned by Charles Wesley in 1744 and captures so perfectly the expectation of the Israelites for their Messiah. Lines like: "Israel's Strength and Consolation," "Joy of every longing heart," and "Born to reign in us forever" make my heart strain to become His more fully than ever.

My fifth favorite, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," I prefer to hear in Bing Crosby's mellow voice. The words are Longfellow's and were written in the throes of the American Civil War. The setting of wartime is clearly seen in the verses: "For hate is strong/ And mocks the song/ Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then we are reassured: "The wrong shall fail/ The right prevail/ With peace on earth, good will to men!"

So take time to sit back and really, truly HEAR the words of these familiar carols. Curl up with a mug of hot cider or cocoa, look dreamily at your Christmas tree, and remember once again and even more fully, He who is the Reason for the Season.

12/15/06: A Taste of San Diego History

I believe I've mentioned in several of my blog entries that my family has long been San Diego natives.

I did a little Googling this week, and found out that yes, we've been in San Diego for a loooong time. Just over a century, to be precise.

In 1900, William Quayle and his sons Edward and Charles moved from Denver to San Diego to continue the family architectural firm. Despite amazing work in the Denver (including the H.H. Thomas House in the 1870's, now on the Denver Historical Registry, as well as the First Avenue Hotel in South Denver) and Fort Collins areas, William transferred the firm to Southern California. William died in 1906, and then his sons, the Quayle Brothers, took over and built some of San Diego's landmarks.

They worked on creating Balboa Park for the 1915-1916 California Exposition by designing the Salt Lake and Union Building just east of the present Organ Pavilion. They also designed the North Park Theatre in 1928, the Old Police Station in downtown San Diego in the late 1930's, The Silvergate Lodge Masonic Temple in 1933.

Currently as part of downtown redevelopment, Edward's classic Fletcher-Sammons Building on 6th and Broadway (1906 and expanded in 1910 by both brothers) is being renovated into valuable loft spaces. They also designed the Pythias Lodge Building on the corner of E and Third, as well as the Elks Club on Cedar Street, which currently houses the Cal Western School of Law. They also created beautiful single-family homes in the neighborhoods of Mission Hills and Golden Hill/South Park.

I have much more to look at. Apparently a family member long ago put together a catalogue of all their buildings, and I also found a Master's thesis on William, Edward, and Charles Quayle in the University of San Diego library. Since I am an alumnus, I think I can find and copy it. I hope to get there over the Christmas break. My mom has tons of stuff at her house, including the catalogue, which I plan to document.

And the burning question .... Are we in the Quayle line related to the former VP, Dan Quayle?

The answer, although not verified, is "most likely." William hailed from the town of Ramsey on the Isle of Man, and that's where Dan Quayle's heritage also lies. I plan to check it out quite thoroughly as soon as I have both the time and the strength.

12/14/06: Who Will Survive?

It's that time of year again -- Survivor Finale Time!

I was disappointed to see Parvati leave, although I really could have done without the nude jacuzzi scene....

Her smile, her being the underdog much of the time, and her surprising agility in the challenges seemed to make up for her flirtiness and her scheming.

I was even more thrilled when Jonathan the jerk went home last week. Gosh, it was about time! Argh! What a horrid guy, especially after his food purchases, going around the camp burping obnoxiously into everyone's faces. Ick, ick!

But my favorite is Ozzy. He is simply amazing in agility, skill, and friendliness. He's come back from the edge a couple of times already in the game, and his kindness and friendliness combine to make him my favorite. I wouldn't mind if Yul won, or even Becky, but not Adam or Sondra. Adam was willing to let Parvati go without a fight, besides being just a selfish dude in general, and he definitely needs to get back to his sweetie, Candance. Sundra seems to be just riding on her alliance's coat tails, not really adding anything to the game. Becky is a strategizer, so I feel that her planning with Yul justifies her being in the finals.

Having five in the finals is a difference from the earlier Survivors. So I'm looking forward greatly to the finals on Sunday night.

And I'm cheering on Ozzy. And I won't mind much if Yul or Becky win. As long as it's NOT Adam!

GO OZZY! GO! Woo-hoo!!!!

12/14/06: Doing the Happy Dance!

Cuz I am DONE with my Christmas shopping!!!!

Woo-hoo!!!!!

Now, I do still need to take the boys shopping for their gifts to give(although I am trying my darndest to get my dear husband to take that task over, for this year at least). At least E is finished as well. Much wrapping needs to be done, but at least the purchasing is complete.

I should have all my Christmas cards done by tonight and ready to mail tomorrow, except for a couple that I don't have addresses for. Even the ones for our church family only need to have photos and letters stuffed in them, and then sealed.

Keith mailed all our packages today, so those are done as well.

All the Holy Days decorating was done on St. Nicholas' Day (December 6). During that day E carefully put up the ceramic nativity scene on the mantel over our woodburning stove, with greenery and white lights behind and a candelabra (holding two red and a gold candle) on one end and a hurricane lantern on the other, both decorated with red bows. After clearing our usual knick knacks and books from most surfaces in the living room, I put out our snowman collection on the small table between the front door and the Christmas tree, and the collection of music boxes joined the mantel clock on my great-grandmother's treadle sewing machine. Red bows jauntily chher up lamp shades, wall lamps, candles, baskets, etc.

The gorgeous handsewn Advent calendar (made by Keith's sister) takes up the wall behind the dining table (which is our school table nine months out of the year). On the table, built by Keith, we place a century-old white tapestry napkin, and then center our angel on it, surrounded by two red candles in brass candle sticks. The angel is too heavy for our small tree, but she makes a lovely centerpiece with her flowing white satin gown and beautiful brown ceramic curls and purely glowing face. On the wall behind her hangs our Christmas card holder, made up of green and red flannel with the words Savior, Messiah, and King each on the three pockets. The boys also used dental floss to hang tiny white snowflakes from the dark rafters of the living room.

The kids put up the tree, and we decorated it after dark to the music of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. First, the clear lights, then the strands of gold beads are carefully draped. The tree is topped with a wide red bow hung with golden bells below. Then I slide the wire hangers onto each ornament as the kids come to take it and hang it on the tree with care. Most are handmade, either by family members or friends; most have an important memory attached. Some are carved scenes and Scriptures from St. Luke that tell the Christmas story, along with a new cross I bought this year, also engraved with Scriptures from St. Luke's Gospel.

Outside on the front door hangs our new greenery wreath, along with a green corded Christmas tree that my mother macrame'd with red wooden beads when I was in junior high, and a "Merry Christmas" sign my brother painted for us at least fifteen years ago. We don't do lights here as no one can really see the front of our house. (I wouldn't mind some icicle lights under the eaves of the front porch, but Keith hates hanging lights.)

On the kitchen table stands our wooden Advent wreath that Keith made us -- greenery and purple decorations wrap around five candles: three purple, one rose, and one white in the center. The Christmas place mats that Keith made for my grandparents (all deceased now) when we were first married grace the table that he also made. My snowman cookie jar supplants our usual classic Winnie the Pooh on the kitchen counter, and my window sill above the sink is filled with candles and a miniature nutcracker.

I just need to cut some greenery closer to Christmas for the tops of my bookcases. And once we're done with school (after tomorrow the 15th, that is), I'll stow away our books and decorate the top of the encyclopedia bookcase with candles and baskets full of pine cones from our own trees.

So we're well on our way to relaxing for most of the Holy Days. What a blessed time to curl up with family, a roaring fire in the stove, candles, carols, good movies, and satisfying books!

So blessed Holy Days to all! And to all a joyful heart!

12/13/06: Pajama Party!!!!!!

Last night, after a long "Super Tuesday" down the hill which included the majority of my Christmas shopping, I headed over the the annual pajama party at Kim's home at seven.

The theme is It's a Wonderful Life, which we watch every other year. On the off years, we watch a different Christmas movie. (Last year we watched The Preacher's Wife.) All of us women, in our pj's and slippers, come bearing goodies to snack on and much to share of in our lives. We cuddle on Kim's couch with hot cider, fragrant tea, or bubbly sodas, and a beautiful china Christmas plate bearing an assortment of goodies: Keith's toffee, Rae's cinnamon rolls, Diana's jam thumbprints, and Kim's pecan pie, which also doubled as a birthday cake for our lovely Mrs. Albertson.

A little after ten, Kim, Diana, and I were grabbing tissues to wipe our teary eyes and noses as Jimmy Stewart held Zuzu under the Christmas tree with the gorgeous Donna Reed by his side, as the bell rang. Yes, Clarence got his wings, and the Christmas season may now begin.

12/10/06: Second Sunday in Advent

This Sunday is the second Sunday in Advent. According to the Advent materials from Focus on the Family, this Sunday we light the second purple, or the Bethlehem Candle.

The verses to be read for today are Micah 5:2-4:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.

Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is labor will give birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

And he will be their peace.

Isn't that wonderful? That Bethlehem, that little "podunk town," as Pastor Rollo used to call it, would be exalted as it became the place of the Messiah's birth?

Here's the collect for the second Sunday in Advent, from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer that we use at Alpine Anglican. I have to admit that it's my favorite collect of the entire year, and my friend Rachel, who is a Lutheran, says that her church uses it as well, and that she loves it, too. So here it is:

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

12/08/06: Ecumenism at Work!

Woo-hoo! Last night both of our churches, Lake Murray Evangelical Free Church and Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity, worked together! And it was the coolest thing ever! I'm still trying to believe it actually happened.

Several weeks ago after a Friday healing service, I was telling Father Acker about Lake Murray's monthly service at God's Extended Hand, a place that feeds the homeless both meals and the Gospel. He wanted his own church to do something like this -- to learn to serve despite their small size -- so I contacted Alan, who leads our Lake Murray homeless ministry. And he was cool with having the Alpine gang come alongside us to work together for the common good.

So last night the kids and I picked up Father, his wife Alice, and their neighbor, Martha, and we drove to downtown San Diego. It was wonderful to see Father Acker up there, playing guitar with the worship team. I read part of the sixth chapter of St. John's gospel to the crowd. Alice, Martha, and E, T, and J helped prepare and serve food, and B sat on my lap most of the time. My wheelchair was in the way a bit, but it all worked out.

The kids were reluctant about going at first, but once they were there, they had a great time. J was excited that he got to help with the chicken, and E was stirring pasta while T was doing a little of everything. Then they worked hard distributing the trays to everyone who came for the meal.

Seeing our two churches working together in a ministry project was too cool to describe!

Although I'm very tired and sore today from all the activity of the past few days (B's birthday, homeless ministry, etc.), I'm very glad we did it all, and I'm very glad to rest most of today.

And I will get to my Christmas cards sometime soon -- I promise!

12/07/06: A Day to Remember

December 7th.

Yes, it's Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. And it's so much more.

You see, my grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, the most devastating attack upon American soil until 9/11. Notice, please, that I didn't say "in" Pearl Harbor. No, he was on the USS Ward, an insignificant destroyer that was patrolling outside the harbor in the early hours of December 7.

Yes, the crew of the Ward saw something curious in the waters outside the harbor. Quickly they identified the curious object as a Japanese submarine, upon which they emmitted a depth charge and sunk just outside the Harbor before dawn. And thus, the crew of the USS Ward discharged the first American shot of World War II.

Many, many years later, the submarine was found by divers, right where the Ward reported discharging their weapons.

Then December 7 became even more important for my family when 1944 rolled around. The Ward was hit by a Japanese kamikaze pilot and my grandfather, Captain Farwell, managed to evacuate all the men with no casualties.

The men of the Ward were rescued by the USS O'Brien, captained by William Outerbridge, who piloted the Ward at Pearl Harbor. Outerbridge had to give the order to scuttle the Ward, so with my grandfather at his side, the two men who had captained the Ward watched it disappear into the sea.

Here's a link to a picture of my grandfather in his later years: http://hometown.aol.com/warddd139/captain_richard_e_farwell.html

And a link to his version of what happened at Pearl Harbor:
http://hometown.aol.com/warddd139/richard2_story11.html

Other 7's run through my family: my grandparents were married on January 7, 1942, and my mother was born on October 7, 1943.

Then I gave birth to my youngest child on December 7, who was named for my grandfather; we gave our baby his middle name. My grandfather was not alive to meet his namesake, but I think he'd be proud just the same to have a great-grandson born on this memorable day.

So Happy 7th Birthday to B, born on this most important day in the history of our family.