Christmas Day PWYC

The daily PWYC thread, where we gather to keep in touch, keep accountable and keep motivating each other.
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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Christmas Day PWYC

Post by Kathryn-in-Canada »

Merry Christmas!

One of my favourite sermons from the Festival of Homiletics was about all the bad theology and outright lies in the 'old favourite' hymns.

For instance, "O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie..."

Families forced into crowded conditions, weary from last minute travel, grumbling about the government, but excited to see each other. There's no way Bethlehem would have been a bucolic and quiet place.

And I'm sure that very few of our homes are quiet either. Even here, where it is just dh and I, my mind is racing a mile a minute with all I have to do before dd arrives (and that somehow I'll have to write a sermon while she's visiting.)

I suppose those old favourites, talking about peace and quiet were merely hopeful visualizations of how they want Christmas to be.

So I wish you all a peaceful and quiet, and fulfilling day. But look forward to hearing about all your adventures (good and bad) since this is the best place to come and share your real feelings of the season.
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OKay
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by OKay »

Merry Christmas!

This morning I have -
** washed hair and took a long shower
** put gifts for LO under the tree
** baked birthday cake
** made 2 batches of candy (pretzel/rolo) to take to family gathering

We have sleet/ice this morning, but no snow (yet)? When I opened the door to see how much ice/snow we received overnight, one of our dogs decided he would rather be inside this morning. Highly unusually because both dogs typically prefer to be outdoors and almost have to be dragged inside. The other dog didn't come to the door but I'm sure he is okay. He is probably snuggled up in the side of a hay bale. There is plenty of shelter for the livestock, but they usually act like the winter weather isn't happening. They prefer to walk around with a blanket of ice on their backs instead of staying in a shelter/barn.

Cake should be cool enough to frost. then it will be ready for LO put the decoration and candles on it after he wakes up and opens gifts.
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Lilac
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by Lilac »

Merry Christmas!

It is 16, snowing and so very windy. Brrr....

Last night dd2 went to the shop to pick up all the gifts that she had left there. Then she had to pick up everything that was here. While I was waiting for her to get here, I brought everything up from the basement. I knew that there was no way she would be able to haul it all home, so I offered to take a load. She said her dh could come and get it. I hated for him to have to do that because he ended up going to the grocery store for items she couldn't find at WM. As I was taking in gifts, I heard dsonil talking quietly to dgd3 and telling her she needed to go to sleep so that Santa could come. Dgd20mos was already asleep. I was able to take things in without dgd3 seeing me. This was around 10:00 and the wind just sliced thru you. Today dd2, dsonil and the 2 little girls will go to his parents for dinner.
Actually he will probably go separately and earlier to feed cows. I hate that she will have to drive out there, in this weather. She does have t wheel drive. This afternoon dgd16 will bring the boys home from their dads and they will open their gifts. Then they will come here for supper and gifts.

Last night dd1 and her family was with dsonils family. She is fixing lasagne for lunch today and having her dmil come over. Dgd16 has recently started working at the movie theatre. She won't be here for our meal but will come at 8:30.

Yesterday I baked bread and did 2 desserts. I also mopped the kitchen and dining room. Today I quickly need to clean the bathrooms, vaccum the living room, dining room and our bathroom. I want to do that before I shower and dh is till sleeping.

Since I can do nothing else right now, I will tell my bread story. The neighbor kids that I grew up next to had a Swedish gm. She was a wonderful baker and cook. In her later life, she lost her eyesight. She had always baked what her family called Swedish brown bread. It has 2 cups wholewheat flour and molasses in it. Her family really missed that bread. So one day her and her dd (my neighbor) decided for her to make it and the dd would measure everything. Because the gm had always just made it and not used a recipe that was necessary. When it came out of the oven, they brought us a loaf. It makes 4 loaves. My dm, 2 dbs and I scarfed down the whole loaf. When I was first married I made it often. Then my dsisil (db dw) started making it. She would always say "I'm making my bread". My dm would get so irritated because of the story behind it and how dsisil came by the recipe, dm thought she shouldn't call it "hers". Dsisil has continued to make many loaves of this bread every winter for 35+ years, so I think dsisil can really call it hers now and dm has finally quit harping on this. About 10 years ago, the neighbors son calibrated the recipe for this bread, for a breadmaker. I tried it once and it didn't turn out so hot, so I will stick to the original. The house smells wonderful as it is baking. Dh and I had to have a slice when it came out of the oven. I sent one loaf home with dd2 last night and dd1 will take one home tonight.

Guess I will venture upstairs and have breakfast and meds.

I hope you each have a wonderful day!
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helia
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by helia »

My cinnamon rolls from scratch are in the oven baking now!! They're looking beautiful so far. This is my dmom's recipe.

We got a little more snow, maybe 1/2 or 1 inch? And we now have clear blue skies and sunshine, very still. This is a picture perfect Christmas day here. :)

This morning:
- restocked kids' bathroom with tp and hand soap
- folded lol; put load of whites in dryer so we can have white damask tablecloth for meal this afternoon
- unloaded dw, tidied kitchen (not much to do there)
- devo. time
- took cinnamon rolls out of fridge, let them rise in warm oven
- took turkey out of the fridge; looked up roasting time. It is only a 10 pounder so won't take too long.

Next:
-s2s
-make glaze for the cinnamon rolls
-breakfast w/ family -- maybe make some eggs as well.
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OKay
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by OKay »

Homemade cinnamon rolls - YUM!!

LO is up and opened his gifts. He is a happy fella. :)

No sleigh bells noise in the background, however I do hear sleet hitting the windows and the siren blowing that DBro uses to call the cows up. :D

The roads are slick with black ice and sleet continues to fall so DH has made the decision to not travel to his DMom's for her traditional Christmas breakfast. She totally understood, but it didn't lessen her disappointment. DBIL (DH brother) is in charge of the crews that does the road sanding in our corner of the world, so he is working today.

I quickly put together some pigs-in-a-blanket (biscuit wrapped meat) for breakfast .....along with a piece of birthday cake. :)
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Nancy
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Merry Christmas!

Post by Nancy »

A very merry Christmas to all of you in PWYC land!
I let the birds sleep in and the roo did not crow until seven I'm grateful for that. I found grapes I'd froze last fall dgd helped me pick off the vine so that will be a Christmas treat for the chickens today in a bit when the frost melts off. It's 31* clear no snow on the valley floor but we can see it at the top of the hill close enough for me!

No news on the time bil will be coming shooting for noon. All plans are fluid at this point.

H. is still in bed.

I've been coughing a bit so will be taking care of myself.
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Lilac
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by Lilac »

editing to add that it was dgd20mos who was awake and dgd3 was asleep last night.

Just talked to dd2. When the little ones went to sleep there were no gifts under the tree. When they woke up their were gifts, Santa gifts and filled stockings. The little girls are playing with their Santa gifts and stocking stuffers but have to wait until the others are there this afternoon to open gifts. Dgd3 told her mom that she had a good idea and they could open all those gifts. :o :shock: I laughed and told dd2 that earlier I had a thought run thru my head that the 2 little ones opened ALL the gifts while dd2 and her dh slept. Luckily dd2 has the 2 little ones trained that they check mom and dads bedroom in the morning before they go to the family area of the house. If mom and dad aren't in bed, then they go look for them.

Dh still isn't up but I have ironed what I am wearing today. Yikes, still haven't had breakfast. Gotta go.........
BookSaver
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by BookSaver »

Merry Christmas, friends!

Last night's party with my family was wonderful. One of my favorite bits was at the very beginning. One of the great-nieces has just turned 1 and is walking very well. I was in the kitchen getting food out of tote bags, and she toddled in to see what I was doing. She grinned and held up her arms to be picked up, and when I did, she put her head on my shoulder and snuggled into my neck. So sweet, I just about melted into a big puddle on the floor! :D

DH and I get to stay home today. We have leftover pizza for brunch and a big green salad for supper. DVDs that I borrowed from the library are due back tomorrow, and we haven't watched any of them yet.

Must cuop to see what all of you have been up to the past couple of days ....
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Lilac
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by Lilac »

Dh is up. My cleaning can begin..........

BookSaver, when dgd20mos hugs me, she always puts her head on my shoulder and snuggles into my neck. I always have the same reaction as you did, and I always think how lucky I am. Enjoy your movies today with your dh.

Okay, black ice and sleet is always so scary.

Kathryn, I'm so glad that your dd will be with you for Christmas.

Helia, that sounds like a yummy Christmas morning breakfast.

Nancy, take care of yourself.

Ok, I have to clean....................
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Lilac
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Re: Christmas Day PWYC

Post by Lilac »

It is now 13 out with a -8 windchill. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.......

The bed is made. Progress! I decided to have a half cup of cappacino and then I will get busy. I hope!
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