Cat in a Bag

What can you say about cute? These cats are a joy everyday! 

 Always crawling onto things or into things, all curious and innocent. 

We do love them.

Winter Wonderland

Snow(Monday) on snow (Wednesday)... and my first day out because I was sick with a cold!

 I was so happy to walk in this wonderland!

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,

Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Celebrating the Emperor's birthday

The Japanese always have nice receptions! Maybe I think this because I love sushi and tempura, but tonight as I listened to the Japanese national anthem and heard the tempura sizzling in the background I thought how lucky I am to be here for special event!!  I do so appreciate their humble and gracious culture! Thanks Japan for a very nice evening and happy birthday to your Emperor.  

His birthday is Dec 23 and he will be 79.

This is my friend Eri and she is in her winter Kimono.  She told me the flower is one they see in the winter.  The ladies tend to hesitate to wear the Japanese traditional costume because it takes so long to get on and is not comfortable, but it is so beautiful we love to see it!

Oh and I can't forget to mention the plum wine... it is a dessert sweet wine and so so good (mom you would love it! I'll have to bring you some!)  Below new friends from UK and Pakistan.

First Snow

This year I haven't actually thought too much about the snow coming.  Kinda hoping it held off until after we got moved and that would be OK with me.  So it sure did surprise me today when the white stuff started falling.   But what a pleasant surprise.  It's just kinda magical.  All the dark gray, dead and dirty things begin to come alive and are white and beautiful again.  I've never watched a big city from above while it snowed and it was quite fun.  Cars crawled.  People walked with umbrellas.  Nothing seemed to stop, just slow down a little.  The snowflakes got big and heavy.  I opened the window and they seemed to just float in the air, not really be falling.  Maybe that's what happens at 11 stories high.  At one point I felt I was in the cloud of snow itself.  The first snow of the year is always exciting and special.  Now I wonder how long it will stay here on the ground with us.  For now, as always, it is bringing good cheer for me.

When the kids came home they talked of how the traffic was indeed worse than usual, and some still driving too fast.  Hills so slick they had to turn around and go another way.  You can see my last picture here the cars dangerously sliding.  Seth saw quite of few fender benders.  He said people driving too fast in the slush and on being able to stop in time.  Thankfully they all made it home safely.

Your a Mean One

One of our top 5 Christmas movies (and it is really hard to narrow these down!) would have to be How the Grinch Stole Christmas! This year our church rewrote the ending Dr Suess style to be, well a little more accurate in explaining the Grinch's transformation! And John had the privilege of playing the Grinch. He was a great grinchy ole grinch! His expressions were excellent and on cue! His lines projected so very well! And we all just had a really fun time! And, Yes I made the costume.  Which is is quite amazing how I found the little pieces of Grinchy fur, but that is another story.

So for now though here is our version of how this Christmas classic ends...  Big Thanks to Mr Marcus Wolf the Children's pastor who put this all together!
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So he  hurried back down where the Whos sang their song

“Don’t you all understand? All your Christmas is gone.”

“But there’s songs in your mouths and there’s smiles on your faces.

I thought you’d be blubbering Who basket cases.”

Then he took off his hat to remove his disguise

“Why, you’re not Santy Claus,” Cindy Lou said surprised.

“But you’re welcome to join us.  You’re not even late.   

It’s Christmas, and even a Grinch celebrates.

It’s true there’s no eggnog, no holly, no wreath. 

No star on the tree and no presents beneath.

But it’s not Christmas stockings and cookies that please us

We’re singing because it’s the birthday of Jesus

“Where’s Jesus? “  the Grinch looked around for the kid

Who could cause all the village to sing like they did.

And the Whos would have shown him a picture or two 

But the old Grinch had stolen their manger scenes too.

“Jesus is God,” said a Who near the table.

“But he came as a baby.  He was born in a stable.”

“Let’s sing it,” one said, “That would be atmospheric.”

“Just listen along to the music and lyrics.”

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Wing your flight o’er the Earth

Ye who sang Creation’s story

Now proclaim the Messiah’s birth

Come and Worship

Come and Worship

Come and Worship

Worship Christ the Newborn King

Shepherds in the  Fields abiding

Watching over the flocks by night

God with man is Now residing

Yonder shines the infant light

Chorus

Saints before the altar bending

Watching long in hope and fear

Suddenly the Lord  descending

In his temple shall appear

Chorus 2x

And then the true meaning of Christmas came through,
The Grinch heard of the Savior of all from the Whos.
And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say
That the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day!

The new life inside caused the Grinch to repent

And back to the top of Mount Crumpet he went

He rode into Whoville. He brought back their toys.
He brought back their floof to the Who girls and boys.

He brought back their snoof and their tringlers and fuzzles,
Brought back their pantookas, their dafflers and wuzzles.
He brought everything back, all the food for the feast!
And he, he himself, the Grinch carved the roast beast!

Welcome Christmas. Bring your cheer,
Cheer to all Whos, far and near.
Christmas Day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to grasp.

Welcome Christmas while we stand
Heart to heart and hand in hand.

Christmas joy will always rise
As long as we have Jesus Christ.

International Women's Club of Kyiv Annual Charity Bazaar

We went to the IWCK Bazaar today!   We were entertained by local performers and dancers while we shopped all the many booths from all over the world.  My wares are from Czech Republic, Pakistan, Korea, Hungary, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Japan, and Ukraine!  We had authentic Hungarian Goulash for lunch.  Clara met up with a friend and Seth enjoyed volunteering at the children's corner with his friends.  We had a wonderful time and I am already looking forward to going and maybe even helping with this bazaar next year.  All proceeds go to local charities!  Thanks IWCK for a great time!