Christmas with Jane - 2

"These kind of things are very well at Christmas, when one is sitting round the fire."

– Mrs. Elton, Emma

There are so many things that I find "very well at Christmas." Many are great the rest of the year, but there is just something about them at Christmas that brings back the years when Christmas was so magical--full of home and heart. So when I put them into my life now as an adult, I bring back a little of that magic no matter what my situation is in life.

Food
So, I love food. A lot. A whole lot. And most of my caution goes to the wind during the last 5-6 weeks of the year when I enjoy the many different possible foods there are to eat. We're going out to eat? No problem. You tried a new cookie recipe? I think I could taste-test a couple. Meats and cheeses with all kinds of crackers? If you insist. You want to give me my own gallon of eggnog? I'll try to make it last more than a couple of days.

This year while I will still probably throw that caution back to the wind again, I will be trying to instill a sense of exercise that somehow likes to connect itself to that caution. I have a race on New Year's Day, and I want to consider myself "in training." So while I can still (hopefully) enjoy the many tasty things of the season, I'll still try to go running at least once a week. Or at least stand up while eating in order to burn some of the calories that I'm consuming.

Games

"Do people play games at Christmas?" - Scrooge

"I love games!" - Ghost of Christmas Present

Muppet Christmas Carol

I love games, too. The right kind with the right people. My family is a game family. They are a year-long thing. But come any get-together time (frequently the Christmas season) and we are constantly playing games. The ones that last a couple of hours as well as the ones that last days. I love them. It's the best setting for our very-varied personalities to come together in laughter, teamwork, friendly competition, fun, and battle of wits...or wit. I love games. Even if I have to play 3 or 4 hands on my own, I must be sure to include some games this Christmas.

Movies
I am a movie fan. A little particular about certain kinds, but still a fan. Some that I love are the Christmas movies I watched with my family. As I create my own family, I am trying to increase my Christmas movie stock. I'm still quite shy of what the original family had, but I can fill the spaces with offerings through Netflix and local libraries. (Yay!)

I also am glad that there is something in my Janeite-ness that leads to Period Dramas feeling Christmasy. Why? Not too sure, but I have a guess it's because some of those Period Dramas leave me feeling the way I do during the Christmas season. The love stories of Our Mutual Friend. The smile from North and South's train scene. The sweetness of friendship from Anne of Green Gables. Many things. It's a good thing my family (of one) has no problem whatsoever of watching Period Dramas at Christmas...and all year long.

Music
Nothing sings Christmas like music. (Ha ha. Me and my wit.) I love many kinds of music. And over the years I have gotten less adverse to listening to Christmas music during non-Christmas parts of the year. But to listen to Christmas music during the Christmas season--oh, it is bliss! Snuggling up in blankets and drinking my family's much-loved hot chocolate is all the more cheery as I hear John Denver singing with the Muppets, Hilary Weeks creating the beautiful atmosphere, or Josh bringing back a bit more of the wonder of Christmas. The leafless trees reflect a bit more of their unique beauty as I listen to Linda Ronstadt wonder as she wanders, or Bing hope as I do for that White Christmas we knew of long ago. And the true meaning stays close inside as I hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir proclaim the joy that is the whole reason we celebrate!

Family
Well, I've already mentioned that I'll get to be with mine this Christmas. I'll try to contain myself a little bit so you don't think I'm as much of a spazz as I really am.

Much more that I could write that I love. And each one had something in common--they are things I love to do throughout the year, too! So if we want to give in to that wish of making every day like Christmas (which is a wise thing to do), then we shall ignore stuffy Mrs. Elton's view that some things are only for Christmas and enjoy them any ol' time we want.

If I happen to double or triple the amount of them at Christmas, well, so be it.

Christmas with Jane - 1

"Yes, she will remain there till Christmas."

– Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride & Prejudice

The "she" in the case of this Christmas refers to me.

Yes, I am remaining in one place until Christmas.

Where do I remain? Well, in my current residence.

But wait--that must mean that I am leaving for some place come Christmas? Indeed. You are right.

For the first time in 4 years, I am going home for Christmas! Though it will be slightly different than other Christmases. Considering

1. We will be without 5 of the original kids. (And their families.)
2. We will not be in a home I have lived in. (We won't even be in a home.)
3. We (both my parents + younger brother and I) will be traveling for hours to get home.

But I do not care. I am all in happy anxiety to return to my family for Christmas. So I can bear to "remain [here] till Christmas." Or Christmas Eve. For on that morn I am off for an entire week with my family in the place that saw 8 (combined) years of my life. As that's almost 1/3 of my life-span, I would consider it significant.

"It's the Spirit of the Season"

This blog's Spirit of the Season is going to be

Christmas with Jane Austen!!!

I know you're excited. I can just feel it. I'm excited, too! It's going to be plenty fun. To get us going, I've put up a new poll. Well, it's was a stretch to be Austen, but it does get us into the Christmas spirit.

You all are going to have to help me on this one, though, because I know I've forgotten plenty of Period Dramas on Film that have Christmas scenes in them. So please remind me of which one's I've forgotten. And don't forget to vote for your favorite of the options I've provided. I certainly know which one is mine--and I can't wait to watch it (2 or 3 times) in the next couple of weeks!

A Happy Unanimous

The results are (or, well, have been for a while) in! And the unanimous winner of we 3 voters who voted on some book series that I loved at some age or another for some reason or another is....

Harry Potter!

Yay! (Think Potter Puppet Pals, there.)

As I just finished reading that series for my second time (first time in audio), I whole-heartedly agree. It's amazing and well worth loving!

And here are the full results for documented purposes:

Little House (by Wilder) 2 (66%)
Anne of Green Gables (by Montgomery) 2 (66%)
Emily (by Montgomery) 2 (66%)
Murry Family (by L'Engle) 1 (33%)
Baby-Sitters Club (by Martin) 0 (0%)
Baby-Sitters Little Sister (by Martin) 0 (0%)
Tennis Shoes (by Heimerdinger) 1 (33%)
Sleepover Friends (by Saunders) 0 (0%)
The Bee Theres (by Littke) 0 (0%)
Nancy Drew (by Keene) 2 (66%)
Chronicles of Narnia (by Lewis) 0 (0%)
Rocky Ridge Years (by MacBride) 0 (0%)
Hannah Swensen (by Fluke) 1 (33%)
Sarah, Plain and Tall (by MacLachlan) 1 (33%)
Artemis Fowl (by Colfer) 0 (0%)
Harry Potter (by Rowling) 3 (100%)
Books of Bayern (by Hale) 0 (0%)
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman (by Aidan) 1 (33%)
Twilight (by Meyer) 1 (33%)

A Thought

I believe that to me the misspelling of the name of Jane Austen is slightly more irksome than the misspelling of mine own. Slightly. Perhaps on the dependance upon varying situations and depths of the knowing of and acquaintance with the perpetrator.

"There's so much to be thankful for"

[from my online personal journal today]

I'm alive! Never fear. I am around on this Thanksgiving Day. And very grateful to be so, too. S much gratitude that I could share--in this trip as well as in life overall. But I must be off to make a relish/vegetable tray (I love making these!). And then we're setting off for Jacksonville for the big feast. And sometime today I will call me Mum and remember my family memories and traditions as we talk about her better-than-anyone's dressing (aka stuffing--just not in our home), her millions of pies, her amazing mashed potatoes, THE rolls, and John Denver & the Muppets.

I miss my family. The one I grew up in and the one I am still preparing to have. But I'm grateful for eternal sealings that will keep us together through eternity if we our faithful in keeping the commandments and our covenants. I cannot be with them physically on this very family favorite holiday of mine, but I will always be with them spiritually and emotionally. They are "written upon the fleshy tables of [my] heart." I've often thought that an oddly-phrased phrase, but it is quite true. They are permanently in my heart. And we will always be together.

Those two things are always what I'm most grateful for: my eternal family and the glorious Gospel of my Brother, Savior, and Friend Jesus Christ who made that eternal connection possible. May each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and be thankful every minute of every day throughout every year for that which truly matters most.

It's Good to be the Librarian

Check out the recent post from ClosedStacks. I love hearing/reading about things like this! Especially such awesome compliments like this:

Q: Why do you think you’ve come across so many interesting librarians? What is it about the profession? Does the ‘meek librarian’ stereotype figure in to this discovery at all?

A: Librarians are curious, open to the world, and constantly learning. That can’t help but make a person interesting! Meek? I think modest is a better word. They aren’t egoists. They’re very happy getting lost in their work and being of service.

Though I'm not quite sure what to think on this:

Q: Did anything you came across in your research especially surprise/concern/inspire you?

A: Their wit and sense of humor! I had no idea librarians could be so funny!

:-) Ha ha. I will put a personal note for my part--if I'm funny, it's because I get great stories to tell from working in a library. That's all.

But I'm so happy others think we are funny, curious, open, modest, and interesting. Always makes me feel good about my choice of profession instead of feeling like I "took the easy road," "do nothing," or "don't matter and [am] not needed." (All things I've been told--more than once.)