The Queen’s Magical Fabric

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Long, long ago—so long ago, in fact, that the queen of the whole world’s children actually were children—there was discovered a beautiful, magical piece of fabric.

This fabric was a perfect purple, blue and pink paisley, fuzzy, velor.

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It was also discovered that the mystical fabric had a perfectly divine purpose and would be just the thing for making three lovely dressing gowns for the queen’s three incredibly cool daughters.

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However, there was trouble in the kingdom that season and the queen became preoccupied with many, many mundane tasks. Therefore the 3 dressing gowns for the 3 princesses didn’t actually happen.

It turned out to be a good thing because as the princesses grew, one day they unanimously declared that the beautiful, perfect, purple, blue, and pink paisley fuzzy velor was in reality NOT beautiful. It was “dreadful, horrible, snakey” fabric.

Some say the word “hideous” was even gently tossed about that day.

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Well, it’s a good thing the queen didn’t make those dressing gowns for her incredibly cool daughters out of that incredibly NOT cool fabric or certainly all would have been lost, and despair would have swallowed up the kingdom. The horrid fabric was sent to the cold and damp dungeon, to never be heard of again.

Phew.

That was close.

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Several generations later, after much banishing, crown shifting and dragon slaying…

the queen was still in charge of the whole world, but the kingdom had new heirs to the thrown.

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By royal decree, the dreaded fabric was searched out and found. To the delight of all…

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it was miraculously beautiful once more.

Just perfect in fact…

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for a playful romp through the castle halls…

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a quiet chat in the upper chambers…

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or even a quick ride around the grounds.

The magical fabric was wholeheartedly embraced and invited to stay.

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He agreed.

At last, balance, harmony and good will were restored to the kingdom.

Next order of business…

Joy, love, rock and roll, and of course—

world peace.

News at 10.

Welcome…

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January, the month of new beginnings and cherished memories, beckons. Come, let winter weave her wondrous spell: cold, crisp, woolen-muffler days, long dark evenings of savory suppers, lively conversations, or solitary joys. Outside the temperature drops as the snow falls softly.  All of nature is at peace. We should be too. Draw hearthside. This is the month to dream, to look forward to the year ahead and the journey within.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

The Christmas Call

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For the mushy hearted missionary mom with a baby boy in far, far away Lithuania–Christmas day is a fabulous thing. Because Christmas, my lovelies, is one of the four days in two WHOLE years that I get to talk to my boy on the phone.

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So, at 12 noon, our time—which was 9 pm Lithuanian time—we called our Daney boy. Ohhhh…he sounded wonderful–just like he was sitting right next to me. He said he loved the pictures of the babies…

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and of course his BYU loot.

I had no idea that he took that football with him. What a crack up!

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He told us about the place that he lives now called Sialulia–pronounced Show-lay. It’s really quite beautiful–cobblestones and snow everywhere.

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He said he spends most of his days knocking on apartment doors. Most often, no one is home or they don’t open the door.

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He told us that he loves to entertain the kids at an orphanage by talking like Donald Duck. Imagine speaking Lithuanian and Duck at the same time. It makes his nose itch.

Makes my head hurt.

Lily and Beckham sang ABCs and Twinkle, Twinkle. Baby Chompy said, “Oh, wow!” right into the phone.

He read us the Christmas story in Luke–but in Lithuanian. It’s a very curious thing to hear your own child speaking a language that you didn’t teach him. He has worked so hard since last year at this time.

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The best part about this phone call was that this was the last Christmas day call and then in June….

ahhhhh, then my boy comes home. I’ll try to contain myself.

That day will be Christmas.

Cracker Barrel Holiday

 

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Ooohhh…I love this place! Incredible food, retro candy and toys and games that just can’t be found anymore. Here’s the good part…

If you are and avid “after Christmas Special” shopper–you won’t want to miss this!  After Christmas–Cracker Barrel puts all their Christmas everything–on sale for 70% off.  This is big news since the prices are already low enough to start with.

 

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This little blown glass snowman was 97 cents–before the sale.

I’m only letting you in on this well guarded secret because…

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people keep asking me where we get such pretty ornaments every year.

It’s getting to where–if I didn’t get it as a child, or make it myself…

then it’s a pretty good guess…

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that it came from Cracker Barrel. No, this is not a paid announcement. I just love this place.

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Some of these guys are even cute enough–or hairless enough–for the Bald Kid–which is saying something. His tastes in Christmas ornaments usually look something like…

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this.

Yeah, it’s Squidward…in a Santa hat and beard.

Definately NOT from Cracker Barrel.

I probably didn’t need to tell you that last bit. I’m just saying…

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So I’m doing you a big favor. Click here to see if there is a Cracker Barrel and all the Christmas stuff you’ll ever need for next year at 70% off–right by your house. If there is–go there. Go now.

You’ll thank me.