Happy New Year's!

Happy New Year everyone!!

Christmas reading

It was just a few days before Christmas, and a young priest in a small town on the eastern plains of Colorado was building a nativity scene for the church, up front near the altar.

He was busying himself with pine boughs late that afternoon and could not see the door, but heard the squeak as the door opened. As he peered over the branches, he could see a small boy enter, poorly dressed against the biting cold.

The young boy quickly moved to an old steam radiator to warm himself. After the sting of the cold had left his hands and face, he looked around the church, and his eyes came to rest on the nativity scene.

The young priest, fearful that he might frighten the lad, remained motionless behind the scene that housed the miniature child Jesus, and the rest of the familiar faces of the manger.

After satisfying himself that he was alone, the youngster approached the manger scene and stood before it, looking down on the babe in the crib. The priest, still hidden, was watching intently.

Finally the boy spoke: “You’re poor too. You don’t look like You will get any toys for Christmas either.”

A tear trickled down the face, reddened with the warmth of the church after the hurt of the cold. “You know what I want for Christmas, more than anything else in the world,” the boy told the infant Jesus. “A toy army Jeep, with a real driver in the seat. Any kind will do, but it has to have a soldier driving it or it won’t be any good.”

The priest’s heart was touched. His was a poor parish, but he didn’t recognize this young boy, and certainly by the looks of his clothes, there wouldn’t be any money for toys, and little for food, in his home.

“I’ll bet You can get me that toy Jeep with its soldier driver. I’ll come back tomorrow at the same time and see You again.” And with that the boy left the church and went out into the cold.

The priest finished his work on the manger, but his thoughts were on the boy and his request. A toy Jeep wouldn’t be hard to find, but one with a soldier driver—that would be a tough assignment! And the boy was firm. It had to have a soldier driver. “Well, it’s worth a try,” the priest thought. “I’ll look in all the toy departments in town.”

It was a small town, and the priest went into every store he could find, but found no toy Jeep with a soldier driver. He drove to a neighboring town, and after much searching, his heart was filled with relief; he found a toy Jeep with a soldier driver.

Early the next morning, the priest made his way from the rectory to the church, holding his coat tightly around him. His thoughts turned to the young boy. “What was his home like? Did it ever have heat?” The thoughts troubled him, but as he clutched the toy Jeep with its soldier driver in his gloved hand, he felt relieved. “At least the infant Jesus will have His gift for him.”

The priest carefully placed the toy Jeep with its soldier driver next to the crib where the infant Jesus lay, and arranged the candle display so that there would be light upon the olive drab toy.

The priest went about his day, and later in the afternoon again hid himself behind the manger to await the boy. Minutes passed into an hour, and the priest became discouraged. “Maybe the boy lost his faith,” he thought. The old radiator hissed out its sound of heat, and again the priest’s thoughts turned to the boy’s ragged unsuitable coat to hold out the biting Colorado cold.

Darkness began to spread throughout the church, and only the warm glow of the candles lit the pews. The priest thought of turning on the lights, but dispelled the idea, thinking any minute the boy would appear.

Suddenly, the hinges groaned and squeaked, and the young boy appeared at the back of the church. Once again he went to the radiator to warm himself, and as he held out his hands to its warmth he let his eyes become accustomed to the dark. Finally, satisfying himself that he was alone, he approached the manger scene.

The priest was breathless with anxiety, and as he came close, and the candle by the manger lit his face, the priest saw the magic of Christmas come alive in the boy’s eyes.

“I knew You could find it!” the boy exclaimed. “It’s just what I wanted, a toy Jeep with a real soldier driver!” A slight cloud appeared in his face. “But, I don’t have anything to give You.” He said, “Maybe I’ll find something for You at home.” He turned and walked down the aisle. Then suddenly he paused and then turned back, clutching the Jeep tightly in one hand but holding something hidden in the other. He walked back to the manger scene and placed an object in the crib with the Infant Jesus, and merely said, “I’ll share with You, Merry Christmas”—and left the church.

The dim light failed to let the priest see what the boy had shared with the Infant Jesus. But after the squeaky door closed behind the boy, he walked around to the front of the manger, and what he saw in the crib, put there by the boy, brought tears to his eyes.

The boy had placed in the crib with the Infant Jesus the part of his toy that made it so special—the soldier driver.

A true story? Yes, it was a homily I heard from a young priest at a Christmas midnight mass in Colorado two years ago. I’m sure he said it better than my attempt at writing it. You see, he authenticated the story. He ended the story by simply holding up the toy soldier. He had saved it since that cold December day.

It's a wonderful life

One of my all-time favourite Christmas movies is "It's a wonderful life". Saw it growing up, then went about 12 years before I saw it again. Such a classic!

A Christmas post

Before the ice is in the pools,
Before the skaters go,
Or any cheek at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow,
Before the fields have finished,
Before the Christmas tree,
Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!
—Emily Dickinson

Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
—Grace Noll Crowell

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
—Oren Arnold

Christmas snow

Just when we thought we could forget about snow for Christmas.. it started snowing. We woke to a white blanket. This wasn't the first snow of the year, I looked back at my pictures, and we actually had some on the 5th of Nov, but it melted the same day as it fell. So this is a happy surprise, and makes it really feel like Christmas.

Pizza & Mr. & Mrs. Santa

The kids & I were in town getting some things, and it got late, so we stopped for pizza at a little foreign place we've been to before. The pizza is good, and for a really nice price. Across the street Mr. & Mrs. Santa "stood" outside the shop.

Playstation zombie

They have plastation 2 & 3 at the library, so when I take the kids there, the boys will often sit & play, after taking a short trip down the isles of books to choose something. Here's Patrick totally into the game.

Christmas decorating

It's usually not long after Victor's birthday (22nd Nov) that we bring up the decorations, tree, manger scene & start decorating the house. Here are some pix of the kids and the decorations.

Lighting of the Christmas tree

On the first Advent week-end, most neighbourhoods put up the lights on the neighbourhoods Christmas tree. Here they put on music, Santa came & gave out goodie bags to all the kids.. and then people stood around talking. It's a cozy little tradition.

Victor's 9th birthday!!

Strawberry cream cake, just because

Someone gave us some strawberries, so we had strawberry cream cake. It's easy to put together.. yes, put together. Here you can buy the cake already sliced into 3 layers, you put cream & strawberry jam between each layer, and strawberries on top. And, vuala.. done!

Vanessa at the hair dresser

Here in the autumn and spring hairdressers need models for their students to practice on. Then the haircuts are for free, or for a big discount. Vanessa got a hair cut & some lighter stripes done. She loved all the pampering!

To Andrey- happy father's day

To Dad From Mom on Father's Day
I'm sure, like me, you often feel
When all is said and done
The job of raising kids today
Is not an easy one.

I'm glad you're there beside me
To counsel and advise
And help me find the answers
To their never ending "whys?"

I'd be lost without your shoulders
So much broader than my own
To lean upon when problems
Seem to big to solve alone.
As long as we're together
We can weather storm and strife
And take in stride the ups and downs
That go with family life.

And someday when our little ones
Are old enough to stand
Straight and tall without the need
Of any helping hand -

We won't recall how hard it was
We'll just be proud and glad
We happened to be chosen
For the roles of Mom and Dad!

Happy Fathers day!

Who's the Boss?
While having their evening dinner together, a little girl looked up at her father and asked, "Daddy, you're the boss in our family, right?" The father was very pleased to hear it and confidently replied, "Yes my little princess." The girl then continued, "That's because mommy put you in charge, right?"


The Drink Of Water
A small boy is sent to bed by his father.
Five minutes later...."Da-ad...."
"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring a drink of water?"
"No. You had your chance. Lights out."
Five minutes later:"Da-aaaad....."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??"
"I told you NO!" If you ask again, I'll have to spank you!!"
Five minutes later......"Daaaa-aaaad....."
"WHAT!"
"When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?"


Today nearly 100 years have elapsed since the first father's Day was celebrated. Fathers of 1900 didn't have it nearly as good as fathers of today; but they did have a few advantages:
In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.

In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses.
Today, it's the size of his minivan.

In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success. Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.

In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived. Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.

In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons. Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.

In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business. Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR.

In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on throat cancer.

In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for baseball practice."

In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."

In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations

while fishing in a stream.
Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A


The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get. -Tim Russert

My borcht recipe

I lived in Ukraine for 11 years, and so I learned to make borcht. The one I make now evolved from many different ones I was shown how to make, and from personal experimenting. I am happy to have had so many people show me their variation.

Ingredients:
Makes a medium size pot (6 liters)
1 kg of beef w/ bone (or 2 big chicken legs)
1/2 cup white beans (soak for 2-3 hours)
1 big beet root
5 medium potatoes
1 big carrot
1 big onion
1/2 medium head cabbage
1/2 big red bell pepper
2 bay leaves
3 peppercorns
3 spoons tomato paste
1 can crushed tomato (or equivalent is chopped fresh tomatoes)
5 heads garlic (you can use less)
100 grams salted salo (pig fat)
dill
1 cup sour cream


Cut the meat into pieces, put them in the pot & fill with water. Put it on high heat til it starts to boil, then lower the heat. Skim off any foam from the surface. Add beans & cover to cook for @ 30 min. Peel the beet, cut in half & put into the pot. Continue cooking.

Take the beets out after @ 30 min (the meat can just continue to cook on low heat). Put on a plate to cool off, while you peel & grate the carrot, chop onion, thinkly slice bell pepper, and 3 heards of garlic. Fry with sunflower or vegetable oil til the onions are done. Take the frying pan off the heat. Grate the beets & add to the frying pan. Put back on the heat & fry together, adding the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes). Put all of this into the pot.

Peel potatoes & add to pot, add bay leaves. Fill a little water in the pot if necessary (the soup level at this point should be about 5 cm from the top of the pot). Thinly slice the cabbage (thinly!), add in the pot. Slow cook about 7 min. Turn off the heat (check first that the potatoes are cooked).

Now the final finishing touch. Cut the salted salo into tiny cubes. Chop the remaining 2 heads of garlic and the dill. Grind together. Add to cooked borcht. Wait 10 min. Now it's ready to serve. Add a spoon of sour cream to your bowl of borcht. Serve bread along side.
Enjoy!

Trick or treat?

Autumn colors

GPS detour

When going to visit my mom's aunt at her old folks home, we used he GPS. We were sent on a big detour on a small dirt road for 20 km.