Food and friendship

Doesn't food always taste sweeter, shared with those we love and care?

Just before Christmas, when another family, our newer friends, came over for lunch (the children together):


Then, when our old friends came a long way to see us:

The food was good (I think so ;p), and the fellowship, what joy!

Now, as the year and decade come to a close, there are new and old friendships, including yours, I really treasure. Because they are not easy to come by.

Have a happy and blessed new year, my dear friends!

Food wise...
The honey spiral ham (couldn't really go wrong with that) I had slowcooked rather than used the oven to roast it, went well with an easy made-from-scratch pineapple-ketchup dip. Dinner was more Asian, a combination of our fave everyday meals I make, and I did spice things up a little with a curry chicken. The Christmas wreath inspired broccoli ring, and tree bread (back up one post for the recipe) were part of the simple merry touches.

And yes, thinking simple and familiar helps break it down to more manageable for me, especially with kids to watch, not just the stove!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
- Philippians 4:4

Photos wise...
Saved these "merry" shots I took of the children one fine fall day two months ago, for our annual photo-themed greetings. Photos because our families back home love to see how the children are growing. There's another little gift with lots more shots, small enough to fit into their pokets, I hope they'll enjoy.

Used to come up with my own simple design, that's erm not so simple to do. After three children, I'm glad there are time-saving shortcuts like this template from a photo service provider, that still allows for some personalization. And I'm not up all night, ho ho ho!

Christmas takes shape

Bit by bit, Christmas is taking shape in our home...


Above: Jon holds a plate of easy-to-make edible "Christmas trees"*, shaped from refrigerated dough he did a nice job rolling out.

Such are the homemade touches I love to labour this time of year. And better yet, to catch the children in a jolly mood to join in the fun, and...

I'd better also catch Kait before she runs off with the cookie cutter again!

Hot off the oven: a Christmas tree, Frosty the Snowman, and St Louis' iconic Arch... and another tree...

These are our best sugar cookies -- so far this Christmas, out of a lot more dough that became playdough!

As for the M&M's, more ended up in our mouths even before the cookies got into the oven!

There are the less savory moments though, when I let the season's busyness on top of the day-to-day stuff get in the way of all the joy :(. I got flustered, frustrated, and furious... Why are the kids always acting up? Is the husband hearing a word I'm saying? How come I haven't got round to our messes that just keep piling up? And why, after this year's big move, does it seem I'm more disorganized in more ways than the last two Christmases expecting Kait and after she was born?

Meanwhile, with the holiday break and no school for her brothers, the lil girl is even more intent on fighting her single nap. Or she'd not take one at all, but it's too soon to be giving it up!

She's up and about playing, even when the boys pretend to go down for a nap...

... and that's when they finally listen to this mom to stop using the bed as a trampoline! (Kait: Let me outta here)!

Earlier, when I simply could not find where I had boxed away our glitter glue and construction paper (*sigh*), the boys used their imagination for these cool cards...

Jon's cards used different geometric shapes for different teachers. Ben, who knows Santa is makebelieve, drew his friends and teacher as the ones riding the sleigh. I especially like his reindeers!

It's true that little touches like these can be big on joy!


However, while I am a "little details" person, I have to be realistic about how much time and energy one has to sweat the small stuff, without missing out on the big picture.

And only so much overtime after the kids slept, I could manage to put in for the rest of our well-wishes for our loved ones and friends. But the spirit of giving and sharing is something to keep at always, not just this season.

At the heart of Christmas is God's gift of Jesus Christ, the Joy to the World...

Ben's nativity scene, and Jon's "adore-naments" from previous years' Sunday School adorning our faux fir, are like personal reminders to me that it's Jesus we celebrate.

'Tis the season to be jolly, and rejoice!

Fa la la la la...


I simplified my to-do list.

The kind husband helped stow away our messes (temporarily).

And the Christmas tree bread made for a cute appetizer in the lunch we had the pleasure of having another family over.

Then, more happy cooking just now for three friends who've come from out of town to visit with us, YAY!

I'm no Martha Stewart, but putting in touches like these and cooking for those we hold dear, bring joy to my world :).

* To make Christmas Tree bread...
Either use refrigerated breadsticks as on the Pillsbury website, or the round biscuit version works for us:
Just halve each round piece and roll out, then snake it to form tree and pinch off a portion to attach as the trunk. Brush on egg, sprinkle some sesame seeds, and bake!

Pictures taken over several weeks since Thanksgiving.