Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

Where does the time go?
I can hardly believe that it is already December! How did that happen?!

For some reason, I thought that life would slow down a bit after college, but it seems to have done just the opposite. It's definitely a different rhythm of life, but not a slower one. Maybe without the breaking up of the year with semesters and scheduled breaks, the days now just run together. Of course, the holidays break things up (thank God), but otherwise, it's just one day into the next.

I can't believe I have already lived here for 4 months. I know in the grand scheme of things, that is not a long time at all, but I feel as though I just unpacked. (And my roomies can verify that in some ways I did just unpack- those last few boxes).

It's already just over 3 weeks until Christmas. This is my favorite time of all, and the days are filling up very quickly. So many great shows (Rosie Thomas, Andrew Peterson, Bon Iver), so many get togethers, ice skating in the park, work Christmas party, friends' Christmas parties, etc. So much going on- So turned off by the crazy chaotic consumerism that our culture promotes.

This year I am most looking forward to spending time with the people that I love. These last 6 months or so have proved to be a season of transition and uncertainty. I don't know that I have ever been more grateful for people who know me inside and out and love me well (you know who you are)! I am so comforted and encouraged just being in the company of individuals who understand where there are no words. Thank you to those of you who speak truth into my life when I need to hear it and are silent when all I need is your presence or listening ear.

This Thanksgiving was the first holiday celebrated in our home without every sibling present. Three weeks until I am home sweet home with the whole McVicar family reunited once again. So thankful that Amanda (with husband and puppy too) will all be home for Christmas. Counting down the moments for all of us to be together again.

Until then, enjoying the moments and events and this season before I blink and it's 2009.

Much love (and all things Christmas!)

It's the Hap Happiest Season of All

With all of the changes recently, the holidays just bring so much warmth and a sense of "home".

This is my first holiday season as a "grown up", I suppose.

One of my roommates, Val, decided to be an incredible world traveler this holiday season. She is leaving us to go visit a friend in India for a month. We were so excited for her, but sad to be lacking one dear roomie for our first Christmas together.

Mal and I quickly devised a plan to remedy this. So... we had Christmas early!

We brought out our little Charlie Brown-esque Christmas tree
Strung popcorn and cranberries
Put out the nativity set (that Val brought from Israel)
Hung stockings
Listened to Christmas Music
Lit too many candles
Had cheeseball (I am such a grandma!!)
What's a holiday without sparkling grape juice?
Shared "Christmas Dinner" together (a turkey, cranberry wreath, so good!)
Made Christmas cookies and decorated them
Watched White Christmas

All this before Thanksgiving even!

It was wonderful time with both of my amazing roommates! We'll miss Val, but if you think of her, please remember to pray for her while she is traipsing across India this next month.

Peace (and tidings of great joy)

Delicate Balance

Only one of the many reasons Sandra McCracken is my favorite artist.

An excerpt from a recent interview:

"As an artist, I think it’s appropriate to ask challenging questions or to open the door for people to ask their own challenging questions without feeling like you have to answer them or tie it all up neatly in a bow. I’m very conscious of the idea that there is a thread of hope that runs even in the darkest fabrics. I want to put that in there because in our season in life - where we are as a culture and in the world - I think cynicism can take over so easily. As a follower of Jesus, even, I try to weave that thread of hope into these songs and words. Hope is like a muscle we exercise; we choose to believe in these moments that these things will be made right. This is what we hope for. It’s like a new freedom to allow your heart to be broken because if you didn’t have hope, that would just be a bottomless pit. Those two things have a delicate balance, where we find ourselves living somewhere between the brokenness and the hope."

I highly recommend reading the whole interview
Part 1
Part 2

Lovely - a bake shop

There are some places that just have the right atmosphere.

I have found the most wonderful coffee shop in the world. I would bike by it every day on my way into work and it just looked so inviting.

It has become/will become my Saturday afternoon routine to go and sit and watch and enjoy and drink and relax and read/study Isaiah.

It is so vintage wonderful! It’s the kind of place that you walk into and think to yourself, if I were to design a bakery/coffee shop, this is what I would want it to look/feel/be like.

And it's not just a girly cafe. They play great music (think 80's meets indie and good). All of the tables have mismatching chairs. They sell vintage aprons. They have a bar to sit at. Bottomless coffee. Did I mention that they serve Intelligentsia?

I am so thankful for such a perfect place so close to home.

So... Come to Chicago and visit me?

Rainy Day Reflections

What I am Learning about Myself…

I don’t like not being great at things.

A simple statement. Maybe even sounds like a good thing, but it can play out in a myriad of ways that are not so good.

Let me explain... I don’t do things that I want to do or should do because I can’t do them with the excellence I think they demand.

So...

I am scared to post blogs because I don’t feel I have the time, creativity, artistic flair to make it worthwhile.

I am a culprit of not returning friend’s phone calls because it’s just been so long since catching up and the 20 minutes I have won’t be enough.

I don’t write that e mail/send that note because just a paragraph won’t be enough.

I don’t start that art project because the outcome be anything to write home about- instead of just enjoying the process and joy of creating.

I place all of these standards and expectations on myself that I can’t possibly fulfill. But I fail to realize that no one is asking me to! No one is placing those expectations on my shoulders accept for myself.

Pretty elementary, I know. But realizing things about yourself for the first time or in a new way or on a different level than you had before- profound.

That’s the beginning of change.

Berryblossom White Tea Soy Misto

In the afternoon, when I am freezing at my job, this is my favorite thing to make!

Step 1: Find favorite mug
Step 2: Two bags Berryblossom White Tea (Tazo)
Step 3: Fill mug 2/3 full with boiling water- let steep 3 minutes
Step 4: Add vanilla soy
Step 5: Enjoy!!

**It’s even better at Starbucks because they steam their soy. But when confined to the office, this is still wonderful!

Home Sweet Home

Reasons Why I LOVE Where I Live:

1.When I leave for work at 7:00 (ish), people actually say good morning and smile

2. Trees and grass

3. The cutest Starbucks of all is 1 block from my front door

4. Bike lanes!!

5. My roommates- Mal and Val

6. Our front porch (and back yard)

7. Weekend farmer’s market

8. People set up hammocks, nap and read in the grass on Logan Square Blvd.

9. Close to many (not quite all) of the people I love

10. Trees and grass—(did I mention that already?)

11. I actually know one of my neighbors

12. I can leave my window open at night and not hear a single siren or drunk person shouting

13. “Family” dinners

14. Although I really am not all sure about what is next, I do know that for this season, this is exactly where the Lord wants me and where I need to be.