December Daily- Be Still:

Whew! The first week of December just flew by! We had a whirlwind of activity. On December 3rd, we drove up to Kennedy Space Center, to view the launch of NASA's latest endevor: Orion. If you haven't heard, America has kicked it up in the space exploration department, and is testing Orion to go back to the moon, and beyond. It was so exciting- and so disappointing. The launch failed, as we sat in the bleachers waiting. And waiting. And waiting. We got to KSC at 2:45 AM. Yes, thats right. I said AM. We were on the bleachers by 3:00 AM. And the launch was scheduled for 7:05. So we sat. It was a bit windy and chilly, but all was a go. Until there was a boat in the "danger zone". So they delayed. And then the countdown began again. But then the winds were too high, from the wrong direction. And then, a valve failure. And then, the window of opportunity was gone before we knew it. So at 9:45 AM, we walked back in the Saturn 5 building (along with 16,000 other people) to await a bus to take us back to the Visitors Center and parking area. Then we drove the 3 hours back home. Only to rinse-repeat the very next morning. We got home at 4:00 PM, and got up again at 1:00 to leave to go back. To sit on the bleachers until 7:05. Then the launch actually happened without a hitch. Actually, it was a little anti-climatic. It was not as spectacular as the other launch we saw earlier this year. But it was amazing to be there for this historic day. I am so glad we went.

So, you may ask, "Why did you go?" 

Good question.

Faith celebrated her 14th birthday on Friday, December 5th. And it was the only thing she really wanted for her birthday. And you see, she wants to be an astronaut and someday go to the ISS. And Josiah wants to design and build rockets to take us there. So I have to go. I want to go. I am so blessed to be able to go.

And I lost so much of my life a few years back when the sorrow overtook me, that it is my joy to be able to go. 

I am so thrilled to introduce our First Guest Post written by my new friend, Jessica Fisher. We don't really know each other, but we have kindred hearts because we both love to do art journaling in our Bibles. I hope someday to get to know her better and share more of her writing with you. She is real, and I can so relate to this post. I too want a "Hallmark-worthy Christmas". I too want the tinsel and glitter, without the mess to accompany it. And I too see my picture perfect moments dissolving into thin air while the Christmas wishes go up in a ball of flames. (Figuratively, of course.) I know you can relate, too. 

Jessica lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband and her adorable tinsel-crazed toddler. As a stay-at-home mom, she finds time to write between dishes, laundry and endless rounds of Hungry, Hungry Hippos (her son‘s favorite game). You can read more from her at www.jlaurel

Merry Christmas Expectations

I get in my own way at Christmas time. I do. I have huge expectations. Perfect gifts. Martha Stewart-inspired decor. I imagine a joyous scene--a cozy family, clad in freshly pressed Christmas pajamas, patiently decorating the tree then reminiscing over steaming cups of hot cocoa. It’s one big Hallmark commercial…in my mind.

Well, here we are in December again, and I have several treats for you this month. 

First of all, I have some guest posts for you sprinkled throughout this month. They are memories of Christmases past, Christmas presents, and Christmases yet to be. If you like to write, and would like to write a guest post for this blog, be sure to email me soon. I would love to feature your memories and thoughts here.

Our first guest post will be tomorrow. It is from a wonderful writer, Jessica Fisher. I met her online through a Facebook group I am in, called Journaling Bible Community . 

This is my favorite group on Facebook, because of the encouragment and heart-to-heart connections over art, journaling, and God's Word. 

Jessica is a young wife and mother of a rambunctious toddler, and I think you will be blessed by her post tomorrow.

Just a quickie today, because I have so much to tell you all, but I have to take the time to write it all out in bite sized portions. However, my life is so full, up to the brim with wonder and amazement that I am so excited to share. But for now, I made the most delicious banana yummies the other day and I wanted to share the recipe with you so that the next time you have browning bananas that your kiddos won't eat, and you are tired of the wonderful, but same old banana bread, these bars will knock your socks off. And DO NOT make them without the frosting. They are just plain 'ole banana something without it. And I am telling you, you do not want to miss out on the most delicious frosting/glaze. It is wonderful. Like, take a bath in it wonderful. And fairly simple, too. One thing that I did differently, though. I did the brown butter just like she said, and then added the powdered sugar to the pan. I did not carefully measure the sugar. I just dumped in a couple of scoops, and then had to add a bit more milk than she did. And I used vanilla bean paste. If you don't have any, run now to the store to get some. It is amazing. I think HomeGoods usually has it for fairly cheap. That is where I got mine. And I also used vanilla bean powder, which is an item that is new to my skill set. I got it at Shoppe 561. Don't know about 561?? Well, it is my new favorite place to shop for unique hand crafted items by local artisans. And the proceeds go to Hope House, a place for victims of sex trafficking. So a win-win! Shoppe 561 is on the corner of Belvedere and Dixie, for you locals. Check out their website: http://www.shoppe561.com/

Back to the banana bars. I got the recipe off Pinterest, but to save you the trouble of finding it, I thought I would just link it up. So here you go:

http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/10/banana-bread-bars-with-vanilla-bean-browned-butter-glaze.html

Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did. In fact, my husband who is not a banana fan, said they were delicious. That the glaze was so delicious and just the right amount to make the banana flavor not the dominant but the browned butter balanced it all out. So coming from him, thats a compliment. I tried another banana recipe that he loved too. I will have to share that sometime. But for now, enjoy!

As some of you know, I like to write a "December Daily" devotional on my blog/website. I wish I could say that I blog every day in December, but usually it ends up being more like 2-3 times a week. 

But this year, I am planning ahead. Ok, not that much ahead, but hey, its a start!! 

And that is where you come in. I would like to have some guest posts mixed in throughout the month. So if you have ever written anything, or dreamed of being a writer, here is your chance!!

I truly believe everyone has a story to tell, and it is time to tell yours.

You may be thinking: what in the world can I write about? Well, I am glad you thought that! Here are some "guidelines".