Framing the Dialogue

Posts Tagged ‘christmas’

Tis The Season

Guess which one is me (hint - my beard is fake)

The weather outside wasn’t quite frightful though the high never cracked 30 degrees, but it would have been nice to have been able to stay all snug in my bed.  But visions of Christmas shopping pushed me instead.  To Target, to Home Depet, to WalMart and Subway to be fed.  Sorry!  I got carried away so I’ll get back to writing instead.  STOP before I see red!

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The Christmas Sweater

I takes a lot to put yourself out there for all the world to see.  Glenn Beck has never seemed to shy away from letting his listeners, viewers, or readers see deep inside himself.  The Christmas Sweater is a such a story.  It is a glimpse inside a very painful, life-affirming, and enlightening period of his life.  Beck changes some of the facts to tell his story, but it doesn’t affect the impact of the tale.  As I read this touching novel I found myself trying to predict where it would go.  I knew, obviously, that Mr. Beck survived, but I wondered what path his journey would take.  The Christmas Sweater is an engaging tale and well worth reading.

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Travel Treasure – Byzantine Seminary Press

I travel a little and often come across unique places.  Many are duds, some are interesting, but some are stunning and cool.  This series is about the stunners. 

I didn’t have to travel very far for this one.  I first discovered it after my Father passed away in 2004.  I was looking for some mementos for my children to remember him by and to commemorate his life.  He was always proud of his Byzantine heritage (yes we are Catholics too) and I wanted to get each of them a cross to be blessed by his priest during the memorial services.  Our Byzantine cross is different from the one used in the Roman Catholic church in that it includes the place where Jesus’ feet were and the sign that was hung mocking him (see photo – the Byzantine cross is on left).  Most religious stores do not sell these crosses. 

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December 26

One of the hobbies we enjoy in our house is a little unusual as we sometimes like to decorate cakes.  Recently John Mayer held a contest for his fans to decorate cakes and send in photographs for a chance to win prizes.  Our family accepted this challenge with our day after Christmas themed cake titled; Dec 26.  I took time lapsed photos as we made a cake featuring famous Christmas characters vacationing after the big day and put together a video for your enjoyment.  I have also included some shots of the cake after the video.

DSC_3976 

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A Time For Giving

Donate_FullAs we approach the Christmas season many of us look inside ourselves to consider how we can help our fellow man.  This is truly a time of giving and Americans are more generous than most other nations.  I am not just talking about aid given by the federal government, but donations by average people who often open their pocketbooks when others are in trouble.

I read a heartwarming story about an organization that received nearly $3 million from Americans to help reduce their debt.  Unfortunately their debt is fastly approaching $8 trillion.  If you have guessed that the organization is the United States and the Treasury Department accepts gifts.  This is in addition to the taxes we are all forced to turn over. 

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A Bird In the Hand Will Cost You 20 Bucks

…six geese a laying,

F i v e    g o l d    r i n g s,

Forget the calling bird this year’s rings will cost you $350. and the nine ladies dancing will cost you $4,759, but a partridge will only set you back $20.

It is that time of year.  Actually I started seeing Christmas decorations several weeks before Thanksgiving.  When I was young, stores didn’t put out Christmas decorations until December 15…what a great day.  I also had to walk two miles each way to school into strong headwinds and uphill each way.

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