Happy Advent!!!!!

                                                                                                                                                      
Yesterday, November 28th, marked the beginning of Advent, the holy season in which we prepare for Christmas and the second coming of Jesus.

Speaking of Christmas, it feels like the holiday comes earlier and earlier each year. Just four days after Thanksgiving, it seems as if almost every house in town already has Christmas lights and wreaths hanging outside, and in some houses you can already see Christmas trees through the curtains. At the mall, Christmas sales, decorations, and presents abound, while carols stream out the speakers.

Please reread the date at the top of this post and take a deep breath. Its November 29th. Christmas is still 25 days away.Though its past October I still feel we're overdoing it.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE Christmas. It is the one holiday that outshines my love for Thanksgiving, mostly because it is the 2nd most important holiday we celebrate (Easter being the first). The reason why its so important is because it is the day God sent His only Son Jesus to save us. I also love Christmas for all the other obvious reasons, the songs, the decorations, the gifts, the cheer etc.

But, it is November and it is Advent, our time to prepare for the day. Maybe putting up all the Christmas stuff and singing carols already is some people's way of preparing, but for other people, I'm just worried that by the time Christmas does come, they'll already be taking them down (which usually does happen) and forget why they put them up in the first place. And the stores? The ones that started their sales on Thanksgiving Day? I know they aren't preparing for the Christmas season, they want it to start now, they don't care about what it truly means, they just want customers.

I admit, its hard for me not to join in, and we should start to get in the mood because the 25th is going to be here soon, so I think listening to a carol here and there and watching a Christmas special or two won't hurt, just as long as we don't overdo it. I think to truly enjoy Christmas, we should prepare, (our hearts then our house) and when we are prepared, let the joy begin!

So grab an Advent Calendar, prepare, be patient with those Christmas ads, light those purple and pink Advent candles, and have a happy four weeks of  Advent!

Don't forget to sing "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel"!

Special Thanksgiving Edition of The Missy Times Is Now Available!

Inside The Times
Hurrah For Thanksgiving Day!
Over The River And Through The Woods, a Thanksgiving Poem
Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation
Thanksgiving Resources
From The Readers:  Their Thanksgiving Memories, Traditions, Favorite Parts of Thanksgiving, And Things They Are Thankful For
Thanksgiving Decorations
How To Fold A Napkin In A Pyramid Fold
Stores, Forget About Black Friday Ads!
Leave It To Beaver
Poll Results

Snow, Part 2

                           

This morning, just two days after Thanksgiving, I woke up and climbed down the ladder of my bunk bed. I walked over to the window in the dark room and peeked through the blinds and was very, very pleasantly astonished. Fluffy white clumps that looked like tiny little clouds were slowly drifting to the ground. I felt a wave of excitement rush over me, for, though I saw it on the ground in Cleveland at the beginning of the month,  I didn't actually see the snow fall then.
This time it was the real deal! The first Beaver snowfall of winter!
It was so beautiful. I've been noticing something for a while now, and when I went outside today I noticed it yet again. Some way, I don't know how, when you stand outside in the snow, the world seems so much quieter, even more peaceful, and the silence sounds louder as long as the flakes are falling. Maybe that's why a winter wonderland seems so magical and mysterious. What do you think?
The snow didn't stick, but it was really cool to see it. Winter is beginning!

Oh How I Love Thanksgiving!

                       

                 

Waking up on Thanksgiving is almost as good as Christmas, for you know what good things the day will hold.

Colorful floats sail across the TV screen far, far away in New York City at the Macy’s Day Parade.

The whole house is bustling with chaos, everyone rushing here and there, mashing, mixing, stirring, adding, rolling, baking, tasting! Delicious smells waft from the kitchen as mother checks on the

turkey in the oven.

Relatives pour in from near and far, hugging and laughing, as the mound of coats on the couch piles up.

Finally, everyone is seated at the dining room table in eager silence. Then, coming through the doorway, seated on a shining silver platter, is the star of the show, the turkey! The room breaks into conversation but is soon silenced again as everyone bows their heads to pray.

Mountains of fluffy mashed potatoes with avalanches of flowing gravy; cranberry sauce with steam curling up towards the ceiling; turkey, both dark and white meat; green bean casserole, crunchy with fried onions; sweet pies of all kinds. The table has so many colors, it looks like a Autumn mural.

In the evening, after the meal, everyone is tired and lounges around in the living room, watching football, talking or playing games. Soon its time to go to bed, oh what a great day it’s been! Oh, what many things there are to be thankful for! Oh, how I love Thanksgiving!

Puzzles and Paintings

"The General and Madame came home on Christmas Eve, and such a racket the servants made, for they were glad of their coming!" That lively account of George and Martha Washington's post-war return to Mount Vernon was one of many contemporary sources John drew upon to bring this stirring scene to life. "I went to Mount Vernon in winter," he says, "and shot many rolls of film at every hour of the afternoon, looking for the most dramatic light. The roof is white now, but back then the shingles were red, so for a visual counterpoint I took the liberty of giving Washington a bold red manteau. You'll notice there are no wreaths, candles or other festive display to greet the general this Christmas Eve. Decorating for the holidays did not become an established American tradition until the 19th century."    -ArtUsa.com

A while ago, my mom bought a 750 piece puzzle which is a smaller version of this painting by John Buxton. I just started working on it on Sunday, and it's coming along really well. Its such a cool picture with Washington looking so stately and regal and all the colors so warm and bright, though wintery too. I don't believe many people think very much about this event in his life, on Christmas Eve, just after the war had ended.

I had never seen this piece of art before but now I'm really enjoying it as I fit it together, piece by piece.

Above: "He Returns Victorious" by John Buxton

Veterans Day

                                                                                 
Hope you had a happy and remembrance filled Veterans Day, as we honored all those who have offered their service and fought bravely for our country's freedom.

Make sure you check out The Missy Times for a report on the annual all county parade, which was held by our own Beaver PA!

Thanksgiving is Sneaking Up On You!

                                              

The Holidays are slowly sneaking up on us and before we know it we'll wake up and it will be Thanksgiving Day!

Do You have:

1. A favorite Thanksgiving memory?

2. A favorite Thanksgiving Tradition you carry on every year or have just started ?

3. Something you are particularly thankful for?

4. A favorite part of Thanksgiving?

If you answered yes to any, or all of the above, write it down in a little paragraph. However long or short it is does not matter; it could be one word or five-hundred words! All the responses I get will be compiled in the next The Missy Times for a special Thanksgiving issue. We need your help!

Email your little piece to mom.and.rose@gmail.com or just comment on this post.

Here's an example:
My favorite part of Thanksgiving is gathering around the table with family, cooking up warm and yummy food, and that nice,cozy Fall feeling.

It's as easy as that!

Snow!!!

My Grandma had knee surgery this past week and my mom and I are here in Cleveland to help her out.

          Yesterday, when we left Beaver it was a little overcast and chilly but except for the layer of  unraked leaves skirting the ground, the grass was totally bare. So naturally I was quite suprised when, as we neared my Grandma's exit, the rooftops we passed were dusted with some strange white dust and the ground along the highway was covered in some weird foreign substance that I haven't seen in over six seven months. Yes, believe it or not it was snow!

     When we arrived at the house I got out of the car and reached down to scoop up a handful of the icy flakes which were caked onto the grass. It was the first time I'd touched snow in what felt like years! I'm not quite used to winter yet!

         Today is supposed to be in the 50's though, and the small amount of snow has melted. Now, as I look out the window in the nursing home computer lab, past all the old men watching the Brown's game (most are sleeping), I can see the sun shining bright and clear. Winter isn't here yet, but it sure is on it's way!

THE ANONYMOUS FILES

THE ANONYMOUS FILES

The place where anonymous people can make themselves heard

Who wrote this spectacular edition of The Anonymous Files? That's the question that you have to answer. To place your guess, please comment on this post. Good luck!

Apple Season
------------------------

There is much to love about the sights and scents of autumn, but one
of the best parts of this season are the fresh-picked apples. There
are so many delicious dishes one can make during the apple harvest,
from apple pie, to apple bread, to apple crisp. And don't forget about
apple beverages such as hot apple cider! There are so many varieties
of apples, from Granny Smith, to Johnny Gold to Red Delicious; a
flavor and texture for just about any apple treat that you might want
to whip up. You can choose crispy, soft, tart or sweet - whatever
suites your fancy.

The best way to experience the delight of autumn apples, though, is
going to an apple orchard and picking your own bushel. It's so
enjoyable to spend a sunny autumn afternoon in an apple orchard
picking ripe apples off the branches. Even if you are short, have no
worries, because there are metal "apple picker" contraptions that look
a bit like a La Crosse sticks to help you grab the apples off the high
branches. Last year I went to an apple orchard on a sunny Sunday
afternoon, and it was just lovely to be in the countryside seeing all
of the colorful trees around us, feeling the cool autumn breeze and
harvesting fresh autumn fruits. It was an experience I would recommend
to all. So if you get a chance in the next week or so while the apples
are still fresh for picking, go harvest, prepare, and enjoy an edible
apple experience of your own!

If you would like to submit an article for The Anonymous Files, email it to mom.and.rose@gmail.com

Thanks!

Isaac and the Blessing

This year I have been learning about ancient history. One of the subjects I have been studying is Bible history. This was for one of my writing assignments. (see Genesis chapter 27 for the whole story)

                                 

Isaac was staring at the back of his eyelids.

He thought he had heard a noise.

The soft breeze blew through his long beard as he lay perfectly still, listening carefully.

But all he could hear was the faint braying of the sheep out in the pasture, the tent flap flapping in the wind and the hushed coo of a mourning dove.

    

     Isaac opened his eyes but all that he could see was an overwhelming blur of shapes and colors that made his head hurt. He clamped them shut again and rolled over to go back to sleep, the noise was nothing…..

     

     Wait, there it was again! He listened silently…. yes there it was! He could hear hushed whispers coming from outside.

“Esau must be home with my meal!” he thought “Now I can eat and give him my blessing so I may die in peace.”

Someone entered the tent.

“My Father” said a voice softly.

Isaac sat up. The voice was not the deep burly voice of Esau, his oldest son. Esau, who always brought him good meat from the fields and cooked it just the way he liked it. Esau, who was so strong and manly; Esau, though only by a few moments was nevertheless, his first born son who would receive his special blessing.

    

    No, this voice was soft and gentle. This voice was not Esau’s but Jacob’s. Jacob, Isaac’s scrawny young son. Jacob, who cared for the sheep and cattle. Jacob, who would rather sit with lambs than shoot a bow. Jacob, who would always be subject to his twin brother.

“Who art thou my son?” said Isaac

“I am Esau, thy first-born. I have done as thou commanded me. Arise, sit and eat of my hunt, that thy soul may bless me.”

Isaac’s mind raced.

He was sure this was Jacob, for it sounded nothing like Esau. But he was a very sick old man, were his senses just deceiving him?  “That must be the case” he thought, for Jacob never hunted game. When he was hungry he always cooked up a bowl of porridge for himself but never did he hunt! And besides, he had summoned Esau not Jacob. Jacob would never go against his father’s wishes, he knew that Esau was the oldest; he knew the blessing was rightfully his.

    

Surely this was Esau.

But how did he find, kill and cook the meal so quickly? It was a few mere minutes ago that Isaac had told him to go out and hunt.

“How did thou find it so quickly, my son?” asked Isaac.

“It was the will of God that what I sought came quickly my way” replied the voice that sounded so much like Jacob’s.

Isaac opened his eyes once more. The blurry picture came flooding back and all that he could make out of the crossing lines and colors was a fuzzy outline of a person that gave him no clue to which son this was. He shut his eyes and coughed.

“Come hither that I may feel thee, my son, and prove whether thou be my son Esau or not.” he said.

He heard the bowl of meat being placed on the ground and the shuffling of sandals in the dirt and all at once a head was thrust in his lap.

“Here I am Father” said his son.

Isaac felt him all over. He felt skin that was coarse and hairy just like Esau’s.

“The voice is indeed the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” he pondered out loud.

The voice told him it was Jacob, but the skin convinced him it was Esau. He could not get this wrong. This was the blessing he would give to his son before he died that would wish him good farming, land, success and victory. This was the blessing that would make him the head of the family and all others subject to him. He could not get this wrong.

“Art thou my son Esau?”

“I am”

Isaac sighed. It must be Esau.

“Come; bring me the meal that you have prepared so that I may bless you.”

Isaac ate his fill of the delicious meal that was cooked just the way he liked it. After he had he had eaten every morsel his son came near him and kissed him. Immediately the sweet smell of Esau’s clothes wafted into his nostrils.

“Surely my senses deceived me for this is certainly Esau, my oldest son.”

Then as Esau knelt before him Isaac blessed him:

“May God give you dew from heaven and make your fields fertile! May he give you plenty of grain and wine! May nations be your servants, and may peoples bow down before you. May you rule over all your relatives, and may your mother’s descendants bow down before you. May you those who curse you be cursed, and may those who bless you be blessed.”

And as Isaac murmured these words he was filled with contentment.

But little did he know that this really was Jacob and that the real Esau was on his way home and that he had been completely deceived

New Issue of The Missy Times En Route to Your Mailbox!

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The Anonymous Files
The Missy Times Goes Online

Our Fall Harvest

Way, way back in June, upon my older sister's request we bought a pack of little red cabbage plants from the fruit market she worked at. I love having a vegetable garden in the summer, and I had never tried to grow this type of plant before, so I was pretty excited. We planted three of the cabbages and gave one to my neighbor. They grew very slowly but surely. It was cool to watch layer after layer of leaves form before they finally peeled back to uncover a tiny round cabbage.
     Today, on the first day of November, we cut our last cabbage head. Many people have problems with moths and bugs laying eggs and chewing holes in the leaves, but, as you can see from the picture we had no trouble at all.  I had no idea way, way back in June that the cabbages would turn out so great.
     We used one to make a red cabbage slaw with carrots, cilantro and basil. The second head we gave to our neighbor. And what we will do with this, the last of the cabbages, I'm not sure.
     I don't know if  your luck will be as good as ours was, but if you are interested in gardening, I suggest next summer you try the red cabbage.

Suggestions?

As the editor of The Missy Times and a victim of writer's block, I am always looking for news stories to put in the upcoming issues. If you ever have any ideas for a story, I'm all ears. And if you have any general suggestions for The Missy Times or this blog, I'd love to hear them!
To let me know your thoughts, please comment on this post.
Thank You very much!