Back in NJ Again

We began driving to Michigan St Nicholas day in the afternoon. We drove back yesterday and today. I got a cold the night we arrived and still have it now. 

I hope to rest up and be able to celebrate our Christmas this Saturday, January 7th. 

I don't have much more to say.

May God have mercy on us and save us 🙏 

St Nicholas Day

O who loves Nicholas the saintly,

O who serves Nicholas the saintly,

Him will Nicholas receive,

And give help in time of need:

Holy Father Nicholas!

He who dwells in God's holy mansions,

Is our help on the land and oceans,

He will guard us from all ills,

Keep us pure and free from sins

Holy Father Nicholas!

Holy Saint, hearken to our prayer,

Let not life drive us to despair,

All our efforts shall not wane,

Singing praises to your name:

Holy Father Nicholas!

St Nicholas Eve 2022

well then

I don't think I have cooked a hot lenten meal (orher than Mary's soup) for a long while. 

I just got news that our local priest may be gone by end of January (before it was May).

I don't know more but am rather reeling. Ten years and now a significant change.

May God have mercy 🙏🕯

A Quiet Thursday

Mr Husband is at work. Quite rainy today. I realized I can now walk up and down steps normally!!!!! 

I baked 8 more loaves of Koek (Dutch spice bread) for St Nicholas day!

I am so glad that I was able to do this. 

We have family visiting starting next week so been getting ready for this! If I don't write much for the second half of December don't worry it just means that I am busy 🥰🎄🎁

I still have to prepare (stamp and seal) all our Christmas cards! 🎄 

I am quite weary so trying to pace myself....

May God have mercy on us 🙏 we surely need it.

NYC ~ Busy at Christmas Time

I had a real run of shopping today!

Harney and Sons 

McNultys Tea and Coffee 

Myers of Keswick 

Tea and Sympathy 

Trader Joe's 

TJ Maxx

And now my Christmas shopping is (nearly) done.

For me the last three years Tea and Sympathy homemade mince pies 🥧 are part of Christmas for me.  I personally really love them.  I got some today, wrapped them carefully and put away in the freezer as our Christmas, as most know, is in January.  

Picture from last year of a mince pie 🥧 so small, warm inside with a little bit of brandy butter: perfect.  With a nice hot cup of tea 🫖☕️

I was glad to be walking again! It's getting better, some soreness but I need to get stronger again. 

I found a planner for next year. It's perfect for me. And two nice notebooks for DV more research next year. 

I have a lot to be thankful for. 

When I back in New Jersey there was a young girl maybe early 20s nice clothes, makeup, neat hair in a pony tail I think. Sitting on a bench, in the dark, weeping as people walked by.  I circled back.  She said that I was so nice but she didn't need anything. I promised to pray for her tonight. Maybe you can join me? 🙏

Christmas time is always hard for so many.  

May God have mercy on us 🙏 

Processing

So we recently learned that our priest and his Matushka are officially retiring next year. It's not surprising (given their age) but at the same time sudden. 

This priest has been our spiritual father and confessor for 10 years. It's a big change.  A loss.  Not knowing yet who will replace this special couple. 

This year has been one of a lot of change, of loss.  

Well. That's today's update. 

I am reminded that God is full of mercy...🙏

Sunday An Unexpected Blessing

I got to meet a Monk who is the librarian at one if the oldest libraries in world.... St Catherine's Monastery in Mt Sinai. See HERE.

As a professionally trained librarian (and lover of Orthodoxy and books and traditions that have not varied in hundreds of years) it is no small thing to say that I was thrilled. Actually all warm inside and happy is a better description. ☺️ 

Thanking God 🙏❤️🥰

Saturday, Sweet Saturday

 

A new batch of cranberry orange 🍊 muffins this morning. 

Pots of tea, a nice breakfast. I put the cookies and koek in the garage freezer. Figured out that I don't easily have room for more baking. 

Leftovers for lunch & dinner 🍽 🙂

I didn't sleep well last night so was tired. 

Really glad to have been at vespers. 🙏🕯❤️

I walked a few blocks and stood for most of Vespers + did a lot of dishes and stood. At times tonight my foot hurt but overall was doing well. Still hurts when I do my "toe crunches" (the tendons are the issue here).  

I am getting excited for Christmas 🎄 🤗 ☺️ 

I know, though, that it can be a tough time for many.  

I think the beauty of it helps me.  And my home and our shared traditions. 

But to everything a season. 

No matter what season you are in, may God protect, comfort, guide and in every way save you 🙏 ❤️ 

Christmas Baking Commences

Baked Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Cleaned up everything. 

Thanking God. 

May He have mercy on us 🙏 

So Many Layers Here

 

Saw on FB. 

{Icon is of St Nicholas} 

So many beautiful thoughts come from this... 

NYC A Warm December Day

I made it into NYC. It was wsrm enough that I didn't need a winter coat!

I finally, after years, baked Koek again. 

recipe HERE 

It smelled so wonderful baking. 35 minutes for the 8 small loaves 🥰

I am  glad for this. 

I hope I can do more baking. We shall see.

May God help us 🙏