Away for a few weeks - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Away for a couple of weeks leaving later today.
Son and DD-I-L are still asleep and will be leaving today, then we will finish packing the RV and go too.

I have most of the time scheduled, with visits to all the family members on the Central Coast, and Blue Mountains, including my daughter and Grandaughters, and Barry's son, granddaughter and brother. That includes a Grandaughter who lives in UK that I have not seen for more than 10 years.  Praise God for Facebook!

I will be meeting Lowana (a workmate from about 1983-4) in Sydney next Tuesday and we will be going to the Mawson Antartic Diaries Exhibition.
 
We are having a 'holiday' with one of the motorhome groups too, joining them at one of the Hawkesbury River Leisure Parks for nearly a week.  Then we will have a leisurely trip home via the Pre (free part) of the  Tamworth Country Music Festival.

A Blessed, Peaceful, Contented and Healthy NEW YEAR to all Blogger friends.

O Holy Night

With love and blessings for Peace, Joy and Love at Christmas.

Countdown to Christmas

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,

      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As we meditate on these awesome words this week, we push aside the images of Santa Claus, snow and reindeer that  are the norm for most people at this time of the year, even in our hot and sunny climate in Australia. We are blessed that the media are playing the traditional carols and it is  "Merry Christmas" rather that Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings.

We have our last concert for the year tomorrow, and while some would think it is the most depressing place to go as it is a dementia ward, we know we are helpful as the activities office is trying to run the men's shed out in the grounds as well as the ward, although there are other staff about.

My christmas gift to myself came today and I am thrilled with it, though I do not have the musical expertise to do it myself.

A guide to playing healing music at the bedside

Leaving the Readers who call in here with love and prayers for a blessed Christmas Season.

So exciting to see that our Australian blog friend Crystal Mary Lindsey's book "Shadows of Time" is now out and available at Amazon and  Barnes and Noble, and is an Editors Choice, no less.  Congratulations!!

For my friends who have not been over to Crystal's, click for Crystal's Blog and a synopsis of Shadows of Time or the link to the book on  Amazon or  Barnes & Noble, though I'm sure you will want to read about it first.  Wonderful to see that Crystal's daughters had a hand in the attractive cover.

The contemporary Christian tale is about:
"Twenty-seven-year-old Ariana Ross has not had an easy life.......................
She has no idea how many surprises await to change her life forever."

Congratulations again, Crystal, and with every Blessing that your book will reach a wide audience and be a great encouragement to your readers.


With love, Jan

Thankful

Very thankful for our Christmas this year, and where we are in life. There have been some very quiet Christmases in the past.

I have a day to spare today to edge a little closer to being organised. Cards to send to people I did not include in my mailout, gift wrapping and finishing up there, and shopping for the main meal.

This year is very special as my son and D-I-Law are coming, and as far as I can remember, I have not had Christmas with my son since 1983 due to various circumstances.  He was overseas for a number of years, and since returning, they have worked (Registered Nurses) on Christmas Day every year.

He was reminiscing about the hams that our family was given in his childhood, and I said yes we will have ham. Now I have never bought a ham before, let alone glazed one, so I have been looking out for a good recipe.  Some of them have masses of ingredients, but there was a recipe in the paper this week that I like. I will only buy a fairly small one, as I don't want much leftover.  All it needs is cranberry sauce or redcurrent jelly, balsamic vinegar and cloves.

Cranberry & Balsamic Glazed Ham

I will also be making his favourite dessert, which isn't plum pudding.  Actually I confess here that I have never made a plum pudding, and now the thought of boiling one for hours puts me off, and I don't like the taste of the bought ones. The recipe was in a church recipe book back in the 1970's under the heading Continental Dessert.

It looks and tastes luscious, but it actually very economical. Anyone who would like the recipe, please email me.

So, away from the computer to get started on the day.

Love and  Blessings, Jan