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December 1st has been traditionally the time we put up Christmas decorations.  Or, at least my wife put them up!

Today was 9 degrees Celcius outside.  Warm enough to bask in the sun, and get the summer tan started early.  Warm enough to put up Christmas lights before the -40 degree weather hits.

Which reminds me!  This year is unusual.  Here we are into December and the weather is gorgeous.  No snow.  No lingering frost.  No icy roads.  Great conversation starter!

Back to the decorations! 

We have a crown lit be LED lights that goes on over the Christmas season.  Living on King Drive, the tradition is to light each house with a crown.  The tradition started in the ’60’s when these homes were built.  Most of the block still continues the time honored ideal.

Our crown looks a little sick.  We switched over to LED lights and they don’t space as well as those energy gobbling C7/C9 lights.  Nevertheless, when the dusk falls there is light on the rooftop.

We also place garlands around the pillars on the front of the house.  This year we have added lights.  Next year, who knows?  Maybe fireworks!

Done for another year.  Now all we have to do is pay the power bill!

Advent #1 – Waiting.

Today I tried something a little different.  I used a story to illustrate waiting — basically creating a fictional blog site to illustrate the four characters of the Bible who were waiting as Jesus was about to be born.  They are all illustrated in Luke 1 – 2.  You can find the blog at www.revronbaker.wordpress.com.  Check it out to follow the story line!

So, life is interesting — a cliche that really says nothing.

Imagine eating new food.  Life is interesting.

Imagine escaping from police.  Life is interesting.

Imagine expressing your religion in a country where your religion is not accepted.  Life is interesting.

Yesterday we tried to impress upon our youth these very scenarios.  You see, a young lady who has been working with our youth is going to a country where all of these things may happen.  We role played the possibilities.  There was running and storytelling and vomiting (OK, someone just spit the food on the floor). 

The statement, “life is interesting,” just didn’t seem acceptable once we were done.  Maybe scary, maybe unexpected, maybe fearful.  But just “interesting?”  I think not!

Mike has been a friend for decades.  When his wife passed away recently, I performed the funeral.  He has dropped his van at our house while he takes the bus to family or friends (the depot is a block or so away).

This winter he will winter with his daughter, and probably remain there permanently (there is slight possibility he would come back to Eatonia to live, but only very, very slight).  This weekend he packs up to leave.

We decided to have tea with him this morning.  The time around the table in the Tea and Tassel Tea room on First in Eatonia was  treat.  We blessed Mike as we prayed for him.  We discussed some of his life jobs and even the fantastic deal he got in buying his house decades ago.  Now the house if for sale, and I am saddened that he is going.  May God indeed pour his fullest blessings on him.

Oh, and if you are ever in Eatonia, consider tea at the Tea and Tassel!  Here are some of the things you can look forward to:

Tea & Tassel on First

Eatonia, Saskatchewan

111 1st Avenue West

Phone: (306) 967-2822

Hours:

Open February through December 23, Wednesday through Sunday 10am to 5pm.

Reservations recommended

* Victorian style.
* Located in a gift shop.
* A good cuppa any time.
* Loose leaf teas and teabags prepared in a teapot.
* Iced teas, caffeine-free selections.
* Vegetarian menu choices.
* Take-out available.
* Smoke-free.
* Private parties for adults and children.
* Outdoor seating.
* Credit cards accepted.

Please call if you would like to make reservations.