Burdenofglory’s Weblog

Some people don’t give gifts at Christmas, because they are convicted that gift-giving takes away from the true meaning of the event.  I agree that in a material society, gift-giving can turn into a circus.

However, gift-giving is a love language.  God joyfully gave us His Son.  And we feel loved.  Rebecca joyfully made her daddy a Viking’s football player out of aluminum foil, push pins, beads, and hot glue.  And he feels loved, too.

We frequently misuse God’s good gifts, and we need to protect against that.  But accepting His gifts, and the gifts other loved ones give us, is a joy.  I hope you all feel His love, through all His good gifts to you this Christmas.

We usually make it out to the Pioneer Park sled run at least once a season.  Conditions need to be just right, and tonight was the night.  Firm icy cover.  Only twenty other people.  Wind chill above zero.  Blast off.

It can be a bit perplexing to zoom down an icy hill when you can’t steer.  You just scream at people in the way that they could die if they don’t move, and that usually works.  In past years, when everyone and their dog is sledding, we have hit a few idlers.  But we never broke anything, on them or on us.

One year we were desperate to get a good run in, and really didn’t have enough snow, especially on the slide that gets you started.  My brother-in-law, Luther, foresaw this problem and used a weed sprayer filled with water to spray the slide.  It soon turned to ice, and we were up and running.

Sledding is another memory I’ll cherish, when my bone density doesn’t allow it anymore.  But until then, I’ll see you on the slopes.

It’s crunch time.  All those last minute Christmas projects that need to get done,  better get finished,  now or never.

We draw names in Marcus’ family, and Katherine picked Cooper.  I occasionally make a book for a family member, so I decided this was Cooper’s year.  I just find pictures I’ve taken of my victim the past year, send them to Walgreen’s, write a caption that goes with each picture, and botta-bing.  If my printer wasn’t 10 years old I’d print the picture off with the writing.  Someday.

Past books have included Cousin Tori’s quest to find J.K. Rowling’s stolen manuscript, Brother-in-Law Luther’s ability to do all things, Katherine having to save the family from doom, and Ashley’s fashion through the ages.

Great fun.  Nothing fancy.  Can’t sew.  This I can do.

We went to the International Quilt Study Center & Museum today.  Maddie had to go for a field trip for her geography class(with a different teacher).  You can’t take pictures of the quilts, but the architecture was quite picturesque also.

Two years ago we went to Washington D.C., and we were confounded by the huge art museums that only had a few rooms of art.  There was all this space.  Everywhere.  Modern museums must all be on this scale, because the quilt museum was no exception, even here in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The quilts we did see in the 2 rooms were very labor-intensive pieces, with unbelievably small, even stitches.

But the gift shop featured creations from local artists, which we enjoyed immensely.  It was like going to the Farmer’s Market or the Lincoln Art’s Festival.  Rebecca had to buy Katherine a gift(can’t tell) there, and Maddie bought herself a necklace for Christmas.

Our feathery, fluffy friends descend en masse when it is cold and snowy.  It is a real treat when our woodpecker shows up.  I’m sure you know why birds are so poofed up in the winter – under their feathers they trap a layer of air next to their bodies, which insulates them from the cold.  It never ceases to amaze me that these little guys don’t turn into ice cubes when it is -4 degrees, but God has it taken care of.

I know cardinals are the token Christmas card bird, but that is because they look so snazzy sitting in a redbud covered in ice.

Mrs. Cardinal isn’t a slouch herself.

Mr. Junco is interesting because I never see him unless it is freezing outside, and he is never alone.  He prefers to eat sunflower seed off the ground, picking up after his messy neighbors.

I saved the best for last.  The nuthatch is a little showoff.  He hops down the tree upside down, and picks sunflower seed out of the bird feeder upside down, too.  I haven’t seen any other birds around here that can do that, although I am sure there are some.  He also takes each seed to the tree trunk, wedges it in the bark, then pecks open the seed(upside down).  Then he gets another seed and starts all over.  In our old bur oak trees, we could see hundreds of hulled seeds stuck in the bark.  I don’t think he has to worry about gaining weight over the holidays.

Side note:  Except for the female cardinal, I have no idea if the rest of these birds are “misters.”

What is it about snowmen that make me smile?  They look so innocent gazing into the fire.  Kind of like Frosty when he was in the greenhouse.  Don’t fret – I moved mine back to the table when I went to bed.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”  Psalm 8:3-4

DPP has made me look around more than usual at God’s creation for inspiration.  It doesn’t take much looking to be awed.

Oh, Cluney.  What a life.  Did you need another pillow?

I know I keep the house cold, but I was rather shocked when I saw Ashley studying with her stocking hat on.

“Good night, Ash, ” I smirked.  “What’s up with the hat?”

“It’s my thinking cap,”  Ashley sincerely responded.

I considered college an age where you might not don a thinking cap any longer, but I was wrong.  If it’s good enough for Jo March, it’s good enough for Ash.

You are witnessing the first item on my 40th birthday itinerary.  Ashley took me to get my nails done.    Then I met friends and family for lunch at the Blue Orchid(this was also planned for me).  Next, shopping with my husband who doesn’t shop.  Then to my mom’s house for delicious pasta and bread.  Then………..

I THOUGHT I was going to a hotel in Lincoln, but Marcus informed me we were going to a bed and breakfast in Beatrice.  We stopped by home, and low and behold, a houseful of people I love came to help me celebrate my birthday.  I am overwhelmed, and didn’t even think about taking a picture for the DPP.

Marcus, the girls, and many others had been planning this party for weeks, and I had no clue.  Not even Rebecca, the secret spoiler, gave anything away but a sly smile the last few days.

My favorite interaction this week was with Hudson, my 7 year old nephew.

“Aunt Jen, how old are you?” queried Hudson.

“39, but I’ll be 40 this Saturday,” replied Aunt Jen.

“Wow, that’s older than my dad.  In fact, that is older than anyone in my family,” exclaimed Hudson. “Except Freckles(the cocker spaniel).  She is 49!”(he giggles)