It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!
We finally got the Christmas tree up yesterday – decorating is a bit minimal compared to other years, but it’s up!
My angel has been on our tree each year since our first Christmas together, 20 years ago.
The other decorations are newer…
Merry Christmas
and joy and peace to all!
Here’s a version of one of my favourite Christmas songs –
Psalms In The Stillness
I was sitting in the library today, listening to music… some days are weary, and I need to stop and find peace. This was one of the songs, De Profundis, based on Psalm 130. The title refers to the opening words – “Out of the depths”. On days that seem deep, with walls all around, it’s good to remember to look up…
Here’s the translation –
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice:
Let Thine ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications.
If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with Thee,
that thou mayest be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,
and in His word do I hope.
More than they that watch for the morning,
let Israel hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy,
and with Him is plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
To China, And Beyond
We celebrated our 20th anniversary last week – that’s china, if you’re working to the old calendar…
…went away for the weekend, to start the next twenty with fun, memories, and each other.
The boys were being looked after elsewhere, so we were able to do whatever we wanted – in our case, that meant going away overnight. We stayed at a B and B in Spring Hill called Annies Shandon Inn on Friday night..
It’s been owned by the same family for a few generations, and has a cosy, homelike atmosphere. It’s easy to walk into town, so we went off to the markets at South Bank, then ate “dinner” at the beach there.
What more could you need if you have a plate of churros, with cream and chocolate sauce?
We slept well, then went to Tamborine Mountain the next morning… picked up some lovely cheeses and gorgeous fudge, then went to Nerang, to the Folk Festival that was happening that weekend.
We love live music, but rarely get the chance to listen to any. That afternoon/evening we were able to listen to band after band – all having fun, while playing great music.
The Round Mountain Girls were cheerful, mostly fast..
..with a few deep sentiments shared.
Quatro were a young string quartet, the last group we saw, and wonderful.
Coolgrass were a bluegrass/parody band, with an important message for the younger generation…
I haven’t heard instruments played so brilliantly (especially banjo’n’fiddle!) for a long time. It was the perfect end to a wonderful weekend. We drove back home after, and slept in, with breakfast in bed, the next day..
Next stop – Silver!
Voices
We’ve watched The Voice – Kids the last couple of Sundays – I love to hear great voices, and get a bit teary at all the family hugs beforehand… where have all these kids with “old” voices come from, though? 9- or 11- or 13 – year-olds who sound at least 35…when did that happen? It’s worth checking it out just for the “wow” factor.
There’ve been other “old” singers online lately – everybody’s probably seen this one, but I’ll share it anyway. 🙂
Here’s a 7-year-old Norwegian girl (Angelina Jordan) singing Billie Holiday..
…and again, singing Nancy Sinatra (I gather Nancy’s version was a cover, as well – anyone know who sang the original?)
This is a clip from Britain’s Got Talent, and she’s an adult. She seems quite dotty, though – thought I’d finish with a cheery bit of talent!
Ernie And Blake
I have every intention of posting some book reviews 😀 but I’ve been wandering around some old clips. Enjoy! (although if you don’t know Blakes 7 and/or Benny Hill, this may not make much sense…)
Happy New Year!
Another year over – a new one just begun..
Let’s make it a good one!
(I used to love this show – my littlest bean loved it, and it still reminds me of him 😀 )
With Us
We’ve had this clip during church services the last couple of weeks – a reminder of what we’re celebrating tomorrow..
..and this is a reworking of an old favourite..
He has come for us, this Jesus –
He is the hope for all mankind..
