hilltop star

Hilltop Star was inspired by the Christmas star we put on our barn every year. I always loved turning at the last corner on the main road through Paradise to head south and out of town, because I knew I would be able to catch a glimpse of the star on our hill. When I was older, I would drive along 9300 South just so I could see more of the star earlier.

Our house on the hill painted by a SIL's sister
The star would go on the white barn to the right

Returning home for the holidays, after being overseas or moving away, always felt real as soon as I saw our hilltop star. For me, the star is a symbol of home and homecoming. Sailors navigated using stars, returning home safely by following the stars. If you're lost and can find the North Star, you always know which way you're headed. Wise men of old followed stars, especially a new star in the East, to home of the Christ child to worship and present him gifts. They knew, as I do, that this child was the Messiah and the only way home. Wise men and women today still follow stars and know that Christ is the true North star leading us back to our true home. 


My brother Chris and I decided to write a song together and we thought a song about our star would be fitting. We both wanted to express the sense of awe we got when looking up at the stars, and of homecoming. I think we did. The recording is from Chris's funeral in December 2003. The performance is a little shaky, but the sentiments we wanted to express are there. 


Happy Christmas.

thoughtful thursday: patience

…the work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments; trust in God, our Heavenly Father; serve Him with meekness and Christlike love; exercise faith and hope in the Savior; and never give up. --Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference April 2010

i've been thinking about and re-reading this talk a lot.

things that made me smile

a bit late this week, but better late...

* a meeting at church that confirmed i'm on the right path. it's a good feeling.

* figuring out how to plug in my front garden christmas lights. it took a bit of thinking and ingenuity, but i figured it out.

* standing up for myself in a conversation with someone who is having boundary issues. it's nice to know that i can be firm and clear when required.

* shakespeare. much ado about nothing. bearded spanish guitar players who also sing. brilliant dancing. and love recquited. "sigh no more my ladies..."

* baked and wired cupcakes. it's like eating cake, truly. these are not cupcakes, my friends. they are cakes in a cup. and yes, there is a difference.

* smart phone. yes, i finally caved and bought one. it's been fun to figure out. although, i'm now wishing i had bought the iphone...

* buying a 7 1/2 foot christmas tree. once the delivery guys set in the stand, and stood it up, there was less than 1/4 inch between it and the ceiling. perfect!

* hanging out with a cute friend who just makes me smile. love ya MW and i'm so gonna miss ya.

* christmas carols.

* a full moon.

* brrrr. it's cold out requiring coats, gloves, hats and boots. :)

* and so much more i can't think of it all....

i'm listening to christmas...

I'm listening to Christmas music a lot lately. It makes me sing. It makes me happy. It makes me smile. Here are some of my favorites this year:

A Steinway Christmas Album: Piano Music for the Season



available here

  I'm a sucker for good piano music and this is GREAT piano music. I love the arrangements. They're orchestral (yes! on a piano), and beautiful. This is great background music for Christmas dinner or reading. I just keep listening over and over. It has one of the best arrangements of Sleigh Ride I've ever heard and so here for your listening pleasure...

The Oak Ridge Boys: Christmas Cookies



available here

I'm also a sucker for a good musical storytelling and a low bass voice, and this album has it all. Great vocals with lots of personality and beautiful storytelling. Their song "Christmas Cookies" is sure to bring a smile, "Uncle Luther Made the Stuffing" will make you laugh, and "From Love to Love" will make you pause for a moment. I love the Oak Ridge Boys and this album justifies my love. (Wish I could find a preview song.)

The Colors of Christmas, John Rutter



available here

John Rutter is my choral idol. If I ever attended one of his concerts or got to sing under his direction, I would die a happy, completely fulfilled woman. The choral work by The Bach Choir on this album is gorgeous, lush and a gift for my ears. Full of traditional carols to contemporary favorites, it brings the spirit of the season in all its auditory glory. A few favorites: "Ding Dong! Merrily on High", "I Wonder as I Wander", "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "A New Year Carol". Gorgeousness abounds!


So, Merry Christmas and all that jazz! I'd love to hear what you've been listening to, so please share in the comments.



thoughtful thursday: pause to wonder

He who can no longer pause to wonder 
and stand rapt in awe
is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
--Albert Einstein

image via

lots more holiday photos

things that made me smile this week

* alone time.

* lots of time spent with friends at the theater, a birthday party, change of command and retirement ceremonies, church and online.

* books.

* my sister. i love her sooooo much!

* dinner with the top leadership in my reserve unit. i am so blessed to work with some really good people.

* christmas decor and lights are popping up all over the neighborhood.

* church in the afternoon at a new location. i liked the afternoon church this past sunday because at the end of my busy-ness i could get to church and not miss too much of it.

* the beginning of a much needed conversation.

* the sunset over the anacostia river on the way home from church. it was gloriously orange and reflected beautifully in the water.

* getting some sleep and having some goofy dreams about michelle obama being my new best friend and another about runaway reindeer a la ernest saves christmas. i woke up laughing.

* planning time to see friends and catch up.

* spending an evening with kevin kline. i so enjoy the theater.

* christmas music on my ipod while wrapping 700 lights on my dogwood tree only to discover that i had no way to plug them in... and then figuring out how to plug them in. big, big smile.

* actually doing something i pinned on pinterest.com.

* remembering christmas past and appreciating christmas present.

* making arrangements for the Messiah at the kennedy center. my favorite.

* writing my list of things that made me smile this week. it was a really fun week.

scenes from my neighborhood

little buddha in a garden

more fall roses

squirrel!

just around the corner from my house

neighborhood thanksgiving decor

just wanted to share the last vestiges of fall from my neighborhood.

christmas decor is up all over the place now. yay!

thoughtful thursday: forgiveness is not forgetting

Forgiving is not forgetting; it's actually remembering--remembering and not using your right to hit back. It's a second chance for a new beginning. And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you don't want to repeat what happened. --Desmond Tutu

I think this quote fits perfectly with what I wrote about yesterday.