Have you had enough Christmas yet?

For me, Christmas isn't over until New Year's Day.  That's when the decorations come down and the merry days end. 

On Friday I'm going up to NYC to see ABT's Nutcracker and catch a glimpse of this year's window displays before they come down. 

So for a few more days, I'm listening to whatever Christmas music I can stand.  I found a few new inspiring compilations this year that are worth two more days of listening.  One is Hey, it's Christmas! I've also enjoyed Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas.  Lastly, I adore the voice of the 10-year-old Jackie Evancho. 

beck

Reflecting on the Present(s)

I remember when I learned about Boxing Day. Or at least what I thought it meant based on the explanation provided by my Canadian roommate: on the day after Christmas you box up presents that you don't need or want to give to the less fortunate.  I thought it was a great idea and really quite generous.  I'm sure I can think of gifts I've received every year that I probably didn't need and could have given away without any drastic loss.  However, I'm a sentimental gift receiver; it is difficult for me to truly embrace the idea to give away something meant for me.  I know I have kept too many things for too long simply because someone gave them to me.  My clothes diet this year reflects a greater goal of mine to be able to live with less things--to live more simply with what I have.

Based on the wikipedia description of Boxing Day, I think I'm safe.  But I decided to reflect on the gifts I received this year and whether or not I could part with them.  After a few days of reflection, I decided it is uncouth to list the gifts you receive, so I've amended this post. 

I think it's confirmed that I would not give away my gifts.  Perhaps I'm just too selfish. Or perhaps instead of giving away gifts, I can simply choose to give donations like they did for Boxing Day in the past--which would also prevent the horrible faux-pas of re-gifting.  

beck

Sibling Bonding Time

I had the opportunity this year to spend Christmas with my brother, his wife and daughter, in Kentucky.  I drove the Flying D 9 hours to Lexington and 7 1/2 hours back. (The trip there was impeded by outgoing DC rush hour traffic.  The return trip was aided by the lack of highway patrol officers.)  It just so happened that my other older brother Steven was road tripping at the same time as me on both travel days--though he was travelling from Utah to Fresno. Between the bad service areas throughout our respective routes, we were able to spend a few hours talking on the phone.  Thank you, modern technology--for allowing me to have a travel buddy.

Steven's trip was a little longer than mine, so he's still on the road.  Safe travels, bud.

I had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you did too.  Pictures of my beautiful, adorable, nine-month-old niece coming soon.

beck

Under/By the Christmas Tree

I think I wrote last year about how one of my favorite Christmas traditions in my family is to sleep under the Christmas tree before Christmas Eve. I love falling asleep to the glow of the tree. I love the tree all lit up and ornamented--embellishing the evergreen and celebrating Christ.

I'm babysitting right now. Up until this week, the family was planning to go out of town for the holiday so they had not bought a Christmas tree. I was happy to find upon my arrival at their home tonight that they bought a 9 foot tree to decorate and display in their home.

It makes my heart so happy to sit next to the tree and read. Even with all the rest of the lights off, the tree gives off enough light to see the pages. It feels magical and exciting.

They'll probably come home and think I'm such a weirdo for sitting in the dark. Or maybe they'll completely understand why I'm doing it. And then we'll be kindred spirits from our love of illuminated Christmas trees.

beck

Adventures in Baking

I don't think this can be a proper sort of girl's blog unless I post something about baking, cooking, etc.

So here are some lessons I learned this week:

1. Salted butter does not fare well in sugar cookies. I might have made a couple dozen cookies a little salty.
2. It's a good idea to use a recipe when you're making something you haven't made in years. The apple pancakes could have been better if my memory was better OR if I had simply used a recipe.
3. Don't grab the handle on the frying pan containing said apple pancakes when it has just come out of the oven. My poor blistered ring and pinky fingers are suffering from this mistake.
4. If you have the option, use wheat flour. In my next attempt at gluten-free baking, I will try almond meal. But in the meantime, I'm going back to wheat. [I don't have any problem with consuming gluten; I am just experimenting]
5. Lastly, if you want to win a holiday dessert-making contest at work, put booze in it.  It will surely win the prize. Our cake decorated as a suitcase didn't even get an honorable mention.

beck

I Heard the Bells

This piece inspires me, so I had to share it. It is from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's 2008 Christmas Concert.



And this interview is extremely pleasing because it features both featured performers from the concert: Edward Herrman and Brian Stokes Mitchell. I love it when Brian Stokes MItchell says "Music is one of those very few things, that I can think of, that go right to your soul. There are a lot of other things, stories sometimes, they have to go through your brain first. Music just goes right to your heart, right to your soul. I think there's the immediacy of music that touches people in a way like nothing else can." Yes, Brian, I think you're right



beck

This is going to sound dramatic

I need you to tell me everything is going to be alright.  Tell me that trials can be endured. That overwhelming feelings of sorrow from hardships can be deflated by joy and love.  The future looks bright and full of promise.  Tell me something good.

Sometimes I am an emotional girl.  I think it has something to do with how us girls are made--and I like to blame hormones.   I can't help but think of these lyrics from Bjork's song Joga:

Emotional landscapes,
They puzzle me,
Then the riddle gets solved,
And you push me up to this

State of emergency,
How beautiful to be,
State of emergency,Is where I want to be.

I warned you, didn't I? And now I will try to sleep.

beck

P.S. Maggie, Joga reminds me of a bonding moment we had in your car.  You are in my blog posts this week!

Spiritual and Religious Art

During my last few semesters at BYU I interned at the Springville Museum of Art (SMoA).  The museum comes to mind during the Christmas season because this is when it holds its Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah show.

This show holds a special place in my heart, because it was how I was introduced to one of my favorite artists of all time: J. Kirk Richards.  Without a doubt I can say that he's my favorite religious artist.  I'd say that Brian Thomas Kershisnik comes as a close second.  Both usually submit a piece for the show, though, I don't remember paying attention to Kershisnik's work until I saw Nativity at the BYU Museum of Art.  Nativity was featured in an exhibit called "Beholding Salvation: Images of Christ."  It was displayed as one of the first pieces the viewer saw upon entering.  Its enormous size of 88" X 204" also made it very hard to miss.

Here are a few links to some pieces I enjoy and/or love.  I would include images in the post, but Kershisnik's copyright notice scared me.

J. Kirk Richards. Gethsemane
Brian Thomas Kershisnik. Descent from the Cross.  (Winner of the Director's Award at this year's SMoA Spiritual and Religious Show)

Brian Thomas Kershisnik. Nativity. 2006. 

Brian Thomas Kershisnik. They Dance. 2006

beck

Friends are sleeping.

It's 3:45 am in California and I am still awake while the rest of the house is sound asleep.  My plane leaves from Fresno in just a few short hours.  After a week of vacation, I'm headed back to work and life in DC.   

Like each trip home this year, as I'm leaving, I'm not sure when I'll return to Fresno.  But this time, I'm okay with that.  Fresno is not a vacation spot for me and this trip has been anything but relaxing.  Even sleeping has been a challenge for me this week--hence the 3:45 am blog post.  Don't worry: I already know I'll see my family again for our trip to Utah.

beck