Decked in White

We could have had a white little Christmas as forecasted, but snow fell a lil later...

It still felt Christmasy this morning when I saw everything outside under a white-washed blanket. =)

So, it didn't snow on Christmas day after all, and unlike previous years, we merely had a quiet celebration at home. Do you know? Christmas is NOT a holiday in Japan!! ( Sniff... ) The Bear had tons of work in his office, and so I slogged my ass off in the kitchen yesterday to prepare a spread for our dinner table.

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With dessert being a cake adorned in white. ;)

No more over-rated cakes from hotels and bakeries, I was resoluted to give it a go with my first round pan. Yes, I've baked a cake for Christmas, after having given my oven a break for over 3 months!

We fell in love with the texture of the cake, soft, moist and absolutely spongy!! The only flaw was the lack of fresh cream to give it a pretty finish ( which also means a healthy cut of fats ). Greedy Bear helped himself with a quarter of it right after our sumptuous Christmas feast! I'm pretty excited about using the recipe again for other baking opportunities. =D Check out where I've dug the sponge cake recipe from!

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Still having a good time? I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas. Happy Holidays!!

I wish...

WuaahHHH!

The God-Blessed Box has been neglected for as long as anybody could remember! ( Clearing cobwebs frantically* )

Let me explain : My folks have travelled all the way from Singapore to Japan to visit us!! The past weeks have been incredibly busy, but warm, probably owing to the companionship of my family. =)

I wish I could have visited my blogger friends, check out the Christmas spirit around the world, and count down to Christmas faithfully with the windows of an Advent Calendar. Nothing comes close enough and TALA, it's Christmas Eve today!

But wait, I think I've got more than what I've wished for ...


* My family came and left in good health, and enjoyed their very first Winter experience.

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* I did a sneak check on my blogger pals, most looked Christmasy with lots of good cheer!

* This Christmas marks my very 4th year in Japan! And this heart of mine is slowly accepting the much dreaded foreign lifestyle.

* I'm remembered by friends from miles away. =) I'm loved, and cared for by my loved ones.



And much MORE though I shan't rattle on what's on my blessing-list, but I really must acknowledge this before I go.


I'm loved by Jesus, who came and and be born as a helpless babe, to give me a hope and a belief. That I celebrate Christmas for an intimate reason, with joy and a festive spirit. Thank you Lord, for who You are and why You came. We dedicate this Christmas again to You, for You are the reason to celebrate.

Have a truly Merry Christmas, everyone: and God bless...

He knows my mind

I have a habit of playing a CD while preparing dinner. As I listened to one of the CDs that I used to have in my good old Lancer last night, something struck me when it was playing ' Somewhere over the rainbow '.

I paused and thought carefully, we've yet seen a rainbow this year!

I have this thing for rainbow and other wonders in the sky. We sighted rainbow a few times last year during our spins ( a tug ), but not once in 2008.







And this morning, as I sent the Bear off at the carpark, there it was in the middle of a sleet!






The moment we saw it, a gush of joy washed over me and all at once, I felt my entire spirits lifted up!

I'm lost for words to describe my joy, all I know is, I feel my Lord so near and I'm totally comforted.

He knows my mind. Somehow, I'm once again assured, everything is in good hands...


"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." - Psalm 40:1-3

Time

2008 is unbelievably fast! It's December!



What I need most now while the year is winding up, is time. TIME!! and it's slipping away before my very eyes!

I need time.

Time to resume the proper sleeping pattern. Time to tidy up the heavy compartment in my heart. Time to clear up the place, heck the Christmas tree this year. Time to visit my fav blogs, time to blog a little lest I forget what I should never. Time to search for the likeable Christmas recipe. Time to get used to the new car, and better be soon! Time to decide my next trip to Singapore, tickets and etc. Time to prepare for much up coming events...

But what I really need most now, is some quiet time. Time of peace, in the Lord. Time to cry and spill my heart empty, and make room for what's meant well for me. Time for reflection, prayer and thanksgiving.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Maybe, it's time to grow up. Time to move along.

Time to stop mulling over things, and realize that it's now that matters, before I miss out moments that are meant to be special.

I have no time to lose! Tons of work to do, cos my folks are visiting me next week!!

And I must take time now to thank whoever that dropped a line of comfort earlier, it surely made things better. Wishing all a splendid December.

The last drive with Lancer GSR

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These are the special times.