Journey to the Moon

Christmas is over for another year. I hope that each of you enjoyed the day in your own way wherever you were and however you celebrated.  This year's celebration was different for me and my family.  One brother and my nephew and I drove to the north a few hours away from where I live and there we spent a few days visiting my mother and my niece.

This photo is on the highway going northeast from Vancouver. One doesn't usually see the mountains so clearly defined. On a rainy day you cannot see them.  On a clear day it is usually too bright to see the mountainous outline.

I love the wintery looking sun.

The mountains are beautifully silhouetted today.

I rented a motel room with a small kitchen unit in case I decided to cook something while I was away. It turns out that I only cooked once (bacon and eggs).  But the kitchen unit was nice to have as I was able to keep juices, fruits and breakfast cereal on hand.  I like to minimize eating out in the restaurant. It really gets tiresome if you are on a road trip.

We ordered Chinese take out for one dinner and had more than enough for two meals for all of us.  I did eat in a restaurant for dinner on one night. I had spaghetti and meatballs instead of the usual fare and it was a nice change.  For Christmas Dinner we again ordered take away turkey dinner. The dinner included freshly roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy and toast. My niece and nephew's late mother used to make waffles on Christmas Day so in honour of that we also ordered waffles.  My brother did all the running back and forth to the restaurant and the room, which was nice of him!

These farmlands are between 1 and 1 1/2 hours drive northeast of Vancouver.

After dinner and gift opening on Christmas Day, I took  my niece to see the movie "The Hobbit" in 3 D. It was a very good film and I look forward to the sequel.  Seeing a movie with my niece on Christmas Day is a tradition.  I used to take my mother to the movie on Christmas Day as it was the one day of the year that she would venture to go and see a movie.  But she hasn't been able to go to a  movie for some years so now I take my niece.  My niece loves popcorn and she looks forward to an annual movie with her aunt (and sometimes other members of our family too).
 
In between all these activities, we also spent a lot of time visiting my mother at her residence and trying to make sure any errands and jobs she needed help with, were done.  We put up some decorations and photos for her and generally helped her get organized. If all goes according to plan, my brother will return next month for a shorter visit with her as he picks up a medical lift chair that mom used to use.  I will either keep it at my home and use it or try to sell it.

Seeing mist on the mountains always reminds me of the movie of Diane Fossey, "Gorillas in the Mist".

We are getting closer to our destination and the sky is breaking clear in a few spots. I love the winter wonderland all around us.

 
I had a difficult time on this trip. Some of you might remember me having had numerous issues with my right knee. That issues comes and goes but I can usually manage quite well.  However, the night before I was to leave for my Christmas trip, I had such enormous pain in my left leg and I could barely walk the next day.  The pain and compromised walking continued the entire time I was away.  I almost cancelled my trip but I did manage to rally myself and get out of town.  Anti-inflammatories and over the counter pain medicine did not help.

When I checked in at the motel, the clerk mentioned that she had a similar knee experience to mine.  When her doctor sent her for a leg scan it was discovered that poor blood circulation had blocked her veins.  The solution was to put a stent in her veins but she said she still suffers from pain. I do not know if this is my problem but it certainly sounds like it could be.   All along I had been thinking my knee problems were caused by arthritis or muscular issues.  I really do need to get my doctor to check it all out. 

Since I managed to get away on the Christmas trip, I also tried my best to enjoy my time.  I had a lot of help from my nephew and my brother in managing with the daily tasks and for that I am very grateful.

I spotted the moon coming out and managed to capture it before it went behind the clouds.

I am now back home now.  I'd like to rest but I have an eye appointment in the morning. I really don't feel like going but it is better to get it out of the way before my many appointments coming in the month of January.

I love to see the moon wherever I go.

I hope you enjoyed the photos today. Have a marvellous and safe New Year's celebration if I don't visit with you before then.

Please join others around the world for more beautiful photos of the sky at Skywatch Friday.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
(or A Visit from St. Nicholas)
by Clement Clarke Moore 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. 

 

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!" 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. 

His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" 

I hope you liked this well known poem which always speaks to me of Christmas. 

I am well prepared for Christmas this year. I managed to undertake my parties and preparations in a leisurely pace though I did have a hectic time with medical and dental appointments I was trying to squeeze in before the end of the year. 

I decorated my small abode a week later than originally planned but that worked out fine since I was too busy with appointments to enjoy the Christmas decor before hand. I don't "do" tons of decorations. I like to keep things simple. I've "sprinkled" photos of my decorations throughout the lines of the poem.

To my mind, absolutely none of these things that we've come to associate with Christmas (decorating the house, decorating trees, giving gifts to one another, attending parties, visits to family members, going into debt [for many], getting stressed out about the holiday preparations), has anything to do with the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In fact, I would venture to guess that most of these things are actually displeasing to him. But this isn't a post about judgement.

I know that many people are trying to keep their focus on the real  reason for the season at the same time they are trying to juggle the other demands of the season with all the things we have come to accept in western society as Christmas.

  In my own life, I long for a simpler time and a turning back to what is real and true.  I want to honour my Lord as much as I can through what I do and how I choose to live life.  I am learning as I go and nothing is difficult in that regard.  I think that God is just leading me step by step to a different way of life and it is good. 

I think you will agree that one of the best parts of the season is when we get to spend time with family and friends.

So let me take this moment to wish each of you joy, peace and love and a happy time with those that you love. 

There are many in this season who will be alone with no one to love and show them care. If you are one of these dear ones, I pray you would reach out to those around you, especially those that have no one else.  It will help you feel less alone and you will feel good cheer for moving beyond your comfort zone. 

  If you are someone who is blessed to have many loved ones in your life but you know someone who doesn't have friends and loved ones near, or someone who is a senior or a  "shut in", I pray you would  take some time to show them some love and joy this season in whatever ways you feel comfortable with (a card, an invitation to coffee or a meal, an offer to lend a hand with a chore, invitation and a ride to a service or an outing, a home made gift, etc.). You will really be giving a gift that brings lasting memories to you both.

Wishing you and your loved ones all a very

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(see you in the New Year)

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

   




 

A Little Poetry, Tea and Cake

On Wednesday a friend who has recently returned from a holiday in India, invited a small group of women to her home for masala tea, nibblies and poetry readings.

I thought this was a lovely idea and decided to share a happy poem. One that brings me joy when I read it or hear it.  I can  "see" the daffodils come alive through the words of the poem  "I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud" (sometimes known as "Daffodils"), by William Wordsworth.  

For the nibblies, I contributed some Gingerbread Cake.  I haven't made it before and I found it had a nice, dense texture which was perfect for dunking in tea.  I left my cake plain rather than add a sweet topping because I knew there would be other sweet nibblies at the gathering. I  added some fresh ginger to the recipe in addition to powdered ginger but it was the fresh lemon zest that really gave it it's great taste. Not too sweet. Just perfect.

First I'll share the poem and then the recipe in case you'd like to try it too. 

I wandered lonely as a cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

A small piece of Gingerbread Cake, strawberries and Rooibos Tea

Gingerbread Cake 

2 cups (260 grams) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup 113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (105 grams) light brown sugar

2 large eggs

Zest of 1 lemon (outer yellow skin of lemon)

1/2 cup (120 ml) unsulphured molasses (To prevent the molasses from sticking to the measuring cup, first spray the cup with a non stick vegetable spray.)

1 cup (240 ml) milk

Lemon Icing: (Optional)

1 1/2 cups (150 grams) sifted confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar

2 - 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter and flour a 9 inch (23 cm) round or square cake pan with 2 inch (5 cm) sides.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

In bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lemon zest and molasses and beat to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the dry ingredients and milk, alternately, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat just until incorporated.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing cake from pan. Let cool completely and then, if desired, frost with the Lemon Icing. 

 

Lemon Icing: Mix together the sifted confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until smooth. (The icing should be thick but still spreadable.) Pour the icing onto the center of the cake and spread with an offset spatula. Some of the icing will drip down the sides of the cake.

This cake will keep for several days at room temperature. Can serve with softly whipped cream, lemon curd, or slices of apples sauteed in a little butter and sugar.

Makes one - 9 inch (23 cm) cake

 

I've Got Mail

I had a happy surprise today. I learned a few weeks ago that I had won a giveaway.  Since it was being mailed from Oklahoma, USA I was prepared to wait awhile.  My experience is that even a mailed package from California can take up to a month to reach me so I thought a package from Oklahoma would take a lot longer.

I was pleasantly surprised that I did not have to wait as long as I thought I might.

Isn't my little guy cute?!

A photo of Roarbert the Lion and his lavender scentsy pak.

Beth of Masterpiece blog, had this terrific Scentsy Giveaway. She let me choose my stuffed toy and preferred scent.  I chose Roarbert, The Lion and French Lavender as the scent pak to put inside. I love Kenya and I love lions so the choice was easy. I think Roarbert is adorable.

If you've never visited Beth, please do so here. She is an awesome woman of God who shares from her heart.

Thank you, Beth! 

I'll take good care of Roarbert.

It's a Beautiful Day!

Hi friends,

We've had a lot of gray skies and rain this past while so it is wonderful to get a patch of blue sky and sunshine now and then.

Here is what greets me today.

 

The wind whipped up this afternoon and changed the shape of the clouds. It also revealed all the fresh powder of snow on the mountain tops.

This is my submissions to Skywatch Friday today.
Enjoy your weekend.

Grassy Dancer

In my last post I mentioned I had been at the mall to see a movie. It so happens that the mall was also having special artisans and guests as part of the Christmas program. Every weekend there will be a different theme and different artisans.  It seems to be a great idea as I had never seen the mall so busy in all my years of going to it

Even Santa made an appearance.

I loved looking at all the brightly lit Christmas trees from my vantage point on the 2nd floor. Unfortunately my cell phone camera doesn't do justice to the sight.

I promised in my last post to share a short video of a young boy I saw giving a dance performance in the mall. As I watched him I was very impressed and felt proud of him as  he danced in the tradition of the Plains Indians.

I was too far away to get a good shot but this will give you an idea of the regalia of the young boy who is wearing white and turquoise.  You can see it much better in the video below.  The female dancers are wearing jingle dresses. I didn't get a chance to watch them dance as I had an appointment to get make.

I'm not fully sure but I'm fairly sure *wink, that the young boy is dressed as a Grass Dancer and he is dancing in the spirit of the Grass Dance. I am not an expert on the dances so I've taken this short description from a website.

The Grass Dance style is a very old dance rich in history that has become very popular. In the old days, it was the job of the grass dancers to flatten the grass in the arena before a pow wow. The name "grass" does not come from the stomping of grass, but it comes from the old habit of tying braids of sweet grass to the dancer's belts, producing a swaying effect. Today, Grass Dancers resemble a multicolored swaying mass of yarn or fringe on the dance floor. The Grass Dance is a very fluid and bendable style, with the dancers trying to move their fringe in as many places as possible at once. The Grass Dance style was born in the North, but its popularity has spread South, and now this beautiful style is available for everyone (Source: http://www.thinkquest.org/pls/html/think.library)

 For information about the Grass Dancing regalia please click here.

I have embedded a short video of the young boy dancing.  It will give you a better idea of the regalia he is wearing and his footwork.  Pardon the shakiness right at the beginning of the video.  It gets better as it goes on.  I thought I had a second video to upload.  Somehow I seem to have lost it. If you find any problems with this video, please let me know. I may have to upload it again.

This is my submission to Our World Tuesday today.

I hope you enjoyed this short introduction to the Grass Dance and the young boy's performance as much as I did.

Anna Karenina

From time to time I like to participate in memes; my favourite ones being Skywatch Fridays and Our World Tuesday.  I used to participate in Scenic Sunday too except that it doesn't seem to be so active.  The last week on line was from October. Oh well, I will present anyway *wink.

I was at a local mall yesterday to see the new version of the movie "Anna Karenina". It is a movie I have seen before when Greta Garbo played the role of Anna.  I saw it as a child and the tragedy of Anna's story made such an impact on me that I never forgot the film.

Many years later, I read the book while on a journey to Kenya. I enjoyed the book very much though I felt it was overly long.  Of course this classic, by Leo Tolstoy, was translated from Russian into English and that likely had a bearing on the length of the book too.

If you take the time to view both the original trailer for the film and the trailer for the latest remake, you will see  just how differently the films were marketed to the public.


The actors Jude Law, as Aleksei Karenin the, husband to Anna, as played by Keira Knightley, are superb.  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, plays Count Vronsky, Anna's love interest, but I don't think he fully succeeded in bringing his character to life.  He looked great in his military uniform and carried himself well as a Count and as a cavalry officer.  But I did not feel a depth to the character that Count Vronsky needed to portray so we can understand why Anna would throw away her life for him.  In the book you get a better sense of why Anna finds him irresistibly attractive.

The other thing I did not like about the film is that it is set in a theatre.  This means you are constantly watching set changes glide in and out of the screen while you are trying to follow the story line, The sets are absolutely beautiful, but I personally did not like this approach.  I found it all quite distracting and unsatisfying.  When Count Vronsky falls off his stead at the racetrack, I would have far rather watched him ride his horse on a real track rather than on the theatre stage.  The theatrical approach worked for some of the film but overall I don't think it really worked for most of the story.  Finally, some of the actors, like the one who played Ann's brother, Steva, had a "campy" approach to his character and I don't think it was the right approach for the tone of the story which is rather serious.

The way this film is shot in a theatre and with some over the top, actors reminded me a lot of the film "Moulin Rouge".  However,  "Moulin Rouge" was a musical and I loved it.  "Anna Karenina" is not a musical and I didn't love it.  By the time two hours had passed, I was tired and eager to get out of the theatre but there was still more film to see.

I wouldn't discourage you from seeing this film.  Unlike me, you might actually enjoy the theatre setting.  You will definitely find the costumes and sets both sumptuous and beautiful. In addition, the tragic story of the consequences of illicit love does come through strongly as a result of  the marvellous acting of Jude Law and Keira Knightley.

While at the mall I was also fortunate to have seen a surprise dance performance.  I managed to capture it on video and will be sharing it in a few days.  Please come back and check it out as it is rather unique and will be a treat for you.