Sunday's Song--O Little Town of Bethlehem

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.

--Phillips Brooks, 1868

Recipe--Gluten-Free Salmon Pinwheels

Gluten-Free Salmon Pinwheels

Mix:
8 oz Cream Cheese, Softened
1 t dried dillweed

Spread onto:
4 8-10" Rice Tortillas
(I doubled this and also used Spring Rolls Skin which we liked better)

Sprinkle on top:
4 1/2 oz Smoked Salmon, finely chopped

Evenly space on top:
16 Spinach Leaves
16 Strips Pimento (I just used olives)

Roll tortillas tightly, using extra cream cheese to seal, if needed. Wrap securely in foil or plastic wrap. Place in fridge over 2 hours, but under 24 hours. Cut in 1" pieces, and place cut side up on platter. Cover 'til ready to serve. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!!

On Christmas Day, it's nice to be able to reflect on the real reason for all of our celebrating: Jesus coming into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!! --LKR

O Holy Night
(Minuit Chrétien)

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

--Placide Cappeau, 1847

Christmas Family Get-Together

We hosted Christmas in our home, this year, and had a blast! Since moving from the Chicago area and away from long-time friends and our church's youth group (that we hosted monthly), we don't do a whole lot of entertaining, anymore.

The menu is the same at Thanksgiving as it is for Christmas: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, rice stuffing, gluten-free bread stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, canned cranberry sauce, and a gluten-free green bean casserole--or just served with sliced almonds as it was for today.
Every year, starting right after Thanksgiving, begins dessert making. Cookies, candy, and other goodies are made for friends, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and last but not least, family. Our large freezer, aka garage, keeps these treats safe and cool 'til the opportune time.

Because a large crowd was coming, my youngest made a veggie tray while I made a parsley ranch dip shortly before family arrived. Cheeses and sausage also were served. A few days before this, I also whipped up two different cheeseballs. Gluten-free crackers accompanied these appetizers. Salmon pinwheels made with rice tortillas, a big hit, were a new hors d'oeuvre that wes served, this year.
After the feasting, there was a flurry of activity. Time flew by too fast, and soon people began trickling out, family by family.

A very Merry Christmas and Hannukah to you all! --LKR

Recipe--Ham and Cheese Cheeseball

Ham and Cheese Cheeseball

16 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 C Sour Cream
1 T Garlic Salt
1 C Ham--I used Canadian Bacon
1 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese--I also used a little bit of Swiss Cheese
1/4 C Parsley

Beat first three ingredients in bowl 'til smooth. Stir in ham and cheese. Form into balls and roll in parsley. Refrigerate. Serve with crackers--Mary's Gone Crackers and Glutino Gluten-Free Crackers are superb. Enjoy!!!

Sunday's Song--Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

--Charles Wesley

Sunday's Song--O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Locks of Love

It was reminiscent of the scenario two years ago; Elizabeth waiting patiently as I worked the rat's nest out of her younger sister's hair. This year, it took me 1 1/2 hours to do!

Both girls enjoy growing their hair long to donate to Locks of Love. Today was Elizabeth's third time and Hannah's second.

It's a super cause, and an "acceptable excuse" to allow them to cut their lovely locks even though Hubby and I both love their hair longer.

Elizabeth loves her hair long, too, but also likes to donate her hair to help others.

Since it grows back rather quickly for them (unlike with me!), it's something fun for them to do! :-)

It was really neat--the same two ladies at Fantastic Sam's (located on Mall Drive in Eau Claire) that cut their hair two years ago did it for them, again, and remembered us!!! :-)Thanks, Wendy and Emily! --LKR

...The Saga Continues

If this morning was a bit chaotic and on the 'Oops!" side of things, the rest of the day went quite well:

1) Vet gave a thumbs up on kitty's healing injured eye;
2) Van was fixed and looking wonderful thanks to Nelson's Auto Body;
3) Only paid about $22 to fill up the van--hurray!!!;
4) Poochie finally dropped a load in front of me so a sample could be taken to the vet (yes, my second trip there, today!!!);
5) The sun came out and I needed my sunglasses!!! Yesssss!!! :-)
6) Flock of wild turkeys on both sides of the road as I was driving by :-)

Much more good stuff happened that I'll be remembering tonight as I count my blessings one by one! --LKR

A Series of Unfortunate Events...

This morning was difficult, to say the least. A snow storm had come through just to the south of us, and all three cherubs were hopeful for a snow day. My son, who's historically had difficulty getting up on mornings when there is school, was more difficult to drag out of bed than usual.

My hubby had to get to work to teach college early this morning, so I took over with the early morning routine. Tickling and being overly silly helps make things better for my son in the morning, but we unfortunately ran out of time to get out for the bus. Meanwhile, my oldest daughter ran back into the house, and, between breaths, said, "It's not my fault! The bus driver never even saw me!" She had been running alongside the bus!!!

The bus arrives at the corner at 7:00am. It's still dark, and I just can't understand why junior high and high school students who are naturally becoming night owls are subjected to early morning wake up calls.

The snow plow came through our neighborhood at 6:35, this morning. They are busy working on the main roads before this, which is more than understandable. I listened to the radio for school closings, and they were all south of us.

I got my youngest daughter up while my oldest decided her stomach was awake enough for breakfast and made scrambled eggs. My son wouldn't eat. My youngest rarely can eat in the morning because of GERD which my oldest daughter also has. Challenging, but I understand because I had similar problems.

My oldest started the car to warm up, then took Mister Poochie out in the swirling snow. After youngest left on her bus, oldest went to sit in the car, then came flying back into the house. "It's not my fault! Promise you won't get mad at me, okay? I accidentally power locked all the doors in the car..., and my backpack is trapped inside!"

I laughed and made another call to both schools, then called hubby. Unfortunately, our van is being worked on, and this is a loaner car. Hubby fortunately was able to drive over to the auto body shop, get a spare key, and drive the cherubs off to school. I am now leaving for the vets for an eye check-up for our 7 month old kitten who had an eye injury. --LKR

Sunday's Song

Emmanuel

Together in this place of worship
Your greatness we proclaim
We stand as one in giving You
All glory and acclaim.

To You our hearts are open
To You our hands we raise
Come take the place
Of honor in our lives.

Emmanuel
Our God is with us
Prince of peace
Mighty One
The ever-living God.

See the praises of our Savior
Rise to open skies
With the dawning of redemption
Your glory will arise
For You alone are worthy
Here in Zion You are praised
Our Lord and King
Forever You will reign.

Emmanuel
Our God is with us
Prince of peace
Mighty One
The ever-living God.