Merry Christmas from ThePianoGuys!

Merry Christmas!

 

Enjoy this beautiful music/video of the birth of Jesus Christ.

It is amazing.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

JoAnn

A little night music….

Start with one of the most beautiful buildings in Utah.

(The State Capitol Building)

Throw in a cold, crisp December evening.

Add a little history, some beautiful art, and some amazing architecture.

 

Add some talented musicians.

(and almost haunting sound effects with all the echoing of the empty chambers).

Pure magic!

Photo without flash:  a little fuzzy

 

Photo with flash:  a little unnatural lighting

Thanks for letting a few of us be part of the fun.

(Two of my companions!)

JoAnn

Joy amidst sadness… Hope during despair

I have struggled this past week with knowing what to blog about, while so much sadness is going around due to the tragedy in Connecticut. 

Somehow, it didn’t seem right to post happy, holiday related pictures and thoughts while so many hearts were hurting. 

We all have some connections to the situation- I have a little grand daughter the same tender age.  I also teach school and the thoughts of protecting my little class of students from harm and danger is very daunting and such a huge responsibility.  My students are a part of who I am.  I understand how teachers would give their lives to protect their students.

While a terrible situation has marred this holiday season, many good and kind acts have quietly taken place, too.

People are sensitive, caring, and thoughtful, and I’m amazed at the stories I have heard of their goodness. 

My own nephew, Chris, has spearheaded a project to help bring the family of six year old Emilie Parker home to Utah for her funeral.  Many people have responded to his plea to donate sky miles to help with the cost.  (Over 6,000 people have “liked” it on Facebook.)  JetBlue airline is doing all they can to help, too.

There have been other occasions when people have had to carry on with life and it’s celebrations, despite sadness and  loss.  My parents both passed away during this time of year- my dad just before Christmas and my mother just after (the same Christmas season).  Somehow, we put up a tree, bought little gifts to help Santa, and had Christmas for our young children, despite the emptiness in our hearts.  Good friends and family gave us their support and helped so much, too!

The amazing sisters Miriam and Erika of Be Book Bound wrote a great post about the Christmas carol “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day”.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow had written this carol on Christmas day in 1863 while nursing his son back to health, following injuries sustained during the Civil War.  Below are two stanzas that seem to hit home today:

And in despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

So, while life throws curve balls at us, we pick ourselves up and carry on.

And on.

If there were no bitter we would not know the sweet.

Our prayers go out to all the grieving families at this time!

Thanks to my sister, Linda, for the joyful Christmas decorations pictured above.  She has a real talent for making her house warm and cozy.  I keep telling her she needs to start a blog!  Don’t you agree?

As we approach this Christmas, I hope we can have HOPE in our lives. 

Hope for peace.

Hope for healing.

Hope for love. 

Merry Christmas!

JoAnn

 

A little Christmas magic….

 

I didn’t get any baking done today,

but would you like to see our play house …

with Christmas lights…

and SNoW?

I realize I have shown pictures of it with summer’s flowers, autumn’s leaves, and now snow and Christmas lights.  Will I be able to think of something festive to do to it next time I need a blog topic?  Think of all the possibilities.  Winter Solstice?  Christmas?  Canada’s Boxing Day?  Ground Hog’s Day?  Bill of Rights Day?

I’m sure I’ll be sharing something!

JoAnn

P.S.  Even though I didn’t cook, I did get a LOT done today!

☺

 

So much to do….so little energy

I’m finding myself with a pretty long to-do list today.

I’ve checked off a few items, but looking at the list is making me tired.

(My husband reminds me that I make things a lot harder than necessary because I  have a hard time making decisions-and I do!)

Maybe I should just do what little Aubrey does:

Check back later and see my cooking efforts!

JoAnn

P.S.  That is, unless I decide to take a really long nap!

Wish I had the energy these kids do!

Because I knew you….

Just thinking about one of my favorite parts of

Christmas

-sending and receiving Christmas cards.

No, I don’t love the time they take to prepare, the hassle of getting your whole family to pose for a picture, or spending part of your children’s inheritance on postage stamps.  Also, I usually struggle with coming up with a message that sums up all our lives in a couple of paragraphs without sounding too boastful (you know the pride of a mother) or grimly pessimistic (when you have those unwelcome trials that we all go through).  It is often a big seasonal stress for me…

BUT

I do enjoy the connection they give me with loved ones I don’t get to see very often.  I love seeing pictures of how your children or grandchildren have grown.  It is fun reading about what you have been doing, and I like looking at your pictures every time I open my refrigerator. Yes, I keep the pictures up all year.  (I just trim off the Christmas borders.) The first thing I do when coming home from work each day is to check the mail and hope it contains more than just ads and bills.

With today’s social media it is a lot easier to stay in touch with people, but I admit I like the personal touch of a picture or letter.

After listening to the wonderful musical “Wicked” by

Stephen Schwartz today, I am reminded just how much each of you means to me.  The song “For Good” is  beautiful! (Google the original Broadway cast and check it out if you are not familiar with it.)

The message is perfect:

(Glinda) “I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason,
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.”

Well, I hope you are all planning on getting your cards ready to send (and that I’m on your list). I will be watching my mail box for your card!

If you want a card from me, please send me your address (if I don’t already have it).

P.S.  I had a fun day today at Whitney’s baptism, with some cute little cousins.

Thanks for sharing the picture, Jenni!

♥

JoAnn

It’s coming….

The leftovers are almost gone.

The house is quiet.

It is officially time (I’m a Thanksgiving first person) to prepare for Christmas.

So much to do.

But…

I love the anticipation.

(Not so much all the work.)

Welcome Christmas 2012!

I hope it will be a great season for everyone!