Merry Christmas To all!

Wishing each and everyone a lovely celebration of the holiday season! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! 

"Christmas is a season of great joy: a time for remembering the past and hoping for the future. May the glorious message of peace and love fill you with joy during this wonderful season."

Merry Christmas!

 Christmas brings family and friends together. 

It helps us appreciate the love in our lives we often take for granted. 

May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home with many blessings.

May love, peace, happiness and contentment be with us all and may  our wishes come true!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

AND A FABULOUS NEW YEAR 2015!

Not Really a Surprised Christmas Present

I should wake-up early this morning but since I was so tired for the recent trips I did the past days, I was not able to wake-up early. I also attended a Christmas party last night and I was totally knocked down when I got home. Travelling is not easy and I guess, it is not for everyone. I am glad that I have a passion for this hobby and when given the chance and money to do it again, I will surely grab the opportunity.

Let me go back to the main topic here. After taking our breakfast this morning, I immediately got myself ready to go grocery shopping. Before that, we went first to an electronic shop to buy something. Good Santa heard my prayers and wish this holiday season. He finally bought me a new laptop. If I am a musician, I would probably order an ultrasound amps at Musicians Friend. This site is perfect for those who want to buy musical instruments. I have a great love about music but sad to say, I cannot really play a musical gadget.

After visiting the electronic shop, we proceeded to a grocery store nearby to shop all the items we need for Christmas Eve celebration. This time  will be a simple but wonderful  celebration of Christmas.  I am thankful  for  all the  blessings big and small for this year 2013. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Never Too Late to Send Christmas Cards

I heard over the radio today that it is 13 days more before Christmas day. It just reminded me that I need to still do some things before it comes. It seems that I am too busy with many things both online and offline that I haven't started writing wishes on Christmas cards yet. I believed it is still not too late to do it and send some Christmas cards to family and good friends.

Next year, I am planning to do my own Christmas cards. That is the reason why I am looking for design online so I can have some ideas on what to do. I am not really a good designer but sometimes if I have the appetite to do things like designing, I can always try to do it good. Before weekend comes, I hope I can already finish everything about writing Christmas cards.

Shopping for Christmas Decors

Christmas season is  coming soon! Are you slowly getting ready for it? I hope you are.  I  was reading a magazine this afternoon and found a title of one of its articles that says, "Christmas time is gift giving time!  It just reminded me to slowly get ready for my presents.  For now, it will be secret to whom I will be giving it. yay! Just kidding folks!

Christmas  decors in a Supermarket we went last time.

I am finally done shopping for Christmas decors. I bought the last thing I need for decorations when I went grocery shopping today.  I also bought some Christmas cards, gift wraps and ribbons. I don't need  to buy a lot of Christmas decors anymore because I already bought a lot last year.

I bought it after Christmas season and they were on sale. I was lucky buying  glass balls for our Christmas  tree in a very very cheap price. I truly saved a lot of money for that. Imagine getting it for  a $1.00 and its original  price ranges from  $5.00 to $10.00  per set.  It was truly a great deal.

Shopping tips  to all ladies out there, try to buy things that are off season. For sure you can have it in a  cheaper price. You will also need it again and again the next season  like what I did when I shopped for my Christmas decors.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I would  like  to greet everyone 

A  MERRY CHRISTMAS 

AND A BLISSFUL   NEW YEAR 2013!

MAY THE HOLIDAY SEASON FILL OUR HEARTS 

WITH PEACE, LOVE, CONTENTMENT AND TRUE HAPPINESS!

GOD BLESS US ALL!

 I also would like to share these  inspiring thoughts  sent by kyregma.com in my  inbox. Thanks for sharing this!

"Christmas is a time when families come together to celebrate. However, we easily forget the underlying reason for the holidays, which is the birth of Christ. It is important that we all take time to reflect on the birth of Christ because it is a moment in human history that changed the world. No other religion has a figure who is both fully human and fully divine. We should never forget that this is why we celebrate Christmas — redemption is born into the world. 

Micah 5:1-4 1 Thus says the Lord: But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. 2 Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. 3 He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; 4 he shall be peace."

Missing Home This Christmas

Jingle Bells! Jingle  Bells! Jingle All the Way! Oh yes, I already start to hear some  Christmas songs the past days. It just remind me of home and  I will miss it again this Christmas. The last time I celebrated  Christmas in my home country was in 2009.  That was really memorable!

The holiday season is almost coming. I believed some are slowly  wrapping  their  Christmas presents especially  for their loveones.  I am still browsing for an audio interface at Musicians friend.  I guess it is a perfect answer  to a former colleague who was asking about it. He is a singer and owns a musical band as well. I will show it to him as soon as I can.

I know for sure that I will also enjoy celebrating Christmas in my second home here in Europe. I  hope you too!

No White Christmas This Year!

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where the tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow..."
~Irving Berlin

Have a meaningful and memorable Christmas..
and a Happy New Year Too!
God bless us all!

in our garden last December 2010.

No white Christmas this year but whatever it is Christmas will always be Christmas.

Visit to the Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France

I had the chance to visit one of the beautiful Christmas market in Europe last December 2010. The market in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in France is also a worth to visit. This city is just located near the border of Germany.

The main Christmas market is located near the Strasbourg Cathedral but there are other areas in the city center where you can also find little markets. I guess the pictures I have below will explain a bit about the Christmas market in Strasbourg.

the market at the Cathedral square in Strasbourg.

some stalls at the market.

Merry Christmas!

Merry merry Christmas
and Happy and bountiful
New Year to all!

The merry family gatherings -
The old, the very young;
The strangely lovely way they
Harmonize in carols sung.
For Christmas is tradition time -
Traditions that recall
The precious memories down the years,
The sameness of them all.

Helen Lowrie Marshall

Advent Candles

This year is my first time to make Advent Candles. I used to buy some the past years. Last Sunday, I finally did it. Hubby was asking me that morning what am I doing with that wooden box and all those pine trees cut from our garden. I told him that I will make my Advent Candles. He was surprised that I finally had one after around thirty minutes of making it. I finally lit my first Advent candle last Sunday. Christmas is around the corner.

Have a lovely December to all! Happy holidays too!

my home-made Advent Candles. Anyone wants to order? Just kidding guys!

Great and Memorable Christmas Party

the new spice girls in action!!..wink!!

Happy Holidays! It was truly a great party and celebration last night. We were invited with some other old and new friends in a gathering. It was really an amazing one. The fun especially the karaoke, dancing, singing, kidding, laughing and the joy that you can see in everybody's face are simply overwhelming! Don't forget to mention the banquet of lots of food! This is always the best part of the party. Without food, it will never be as successful when the stomach is empty. I am happy to meet especially my old friends who are always trustful and loyal.

I guess I have to start mentioning the food here which is always the most interesting part. I really can't imagine the food that were prepared last night. I guess it was good for fifty people. Actually there were only around eleven people who attended the awesome party. Ritchel and hubby prepared a big Ham, roasted turkey (already sliced when served), mashed potato, its gravy, stuffing, the yummy crabs, sweet and sour shrimps (cooked by yours truly for the first time), punch juice, pumpkin pie, bread and butter, fruit salad and fresh fruits were also served. Danna prepared spaghetti, pancit and lumpia. Of course I also cooked my favorite recipes adobo, bola-bola with tomato sauce, cassava cake, potato salad, vegetable salad and the favorite of all, my specialty I guess menudo apritada..Oooppps, don't forget the rice. Wine and beer were also served. After drinking the girls kept on dancing with the hiphop music!! such an enjoyable moments!

A short prayer was led by yours truly before the eating started. I guess everyone was confused of what food to take first. Some tried a little bit of it so that they can have rooms in their stomach for all the food. There were really a lot of left-overs that everyone had to take home with them. It was really a great party that before it ended a group picture was taken. As usual camera timer was used again. The group picture turned out to be a perfect one! It was also funny because at least four cameras were set to timer that everyone don't know exactly where to look. At least, it was still a great shot!

This Christmas celebrated with friends was really full of memories which made it unique and truly wonderful. Thanks to old and new friends who had renewed a bonding in this gathering. There might be other gathering in the future but last night was just so incredible that everyone went home contented and happy. Most of all, thanks to our Great God who helped us made this gathering a successful one. His love and goodness are truly overflowing that we were blessed with good friends around.

This year was truly full of challenges and trials. Despite of it, God's blessings and graces are just so much that we had successfully overcome everything. We keep on hoping and praying that the next years to come will be a more successful one!~ God is truly great!!

p.s. feel free to visit my other sites for more photos!!

a pose in front of yummy food after eating!!

sorry forgot to open the food cover when taking pictures.. the table was so full that the other food were served in the kitchen...forget to take a photo of the food in the kitchen..

love that pumpkin pie and the punch fruit too!! how many glasses did I drunk?

checked attendance...and the present ones were....dadaaaannn!!....perfect and beautiful shot!!!

WW: Happy Holidays!

Christmas market in Neumarkt

We visited last Thursday the Christmas Market in Neumarkt. It is not really big compared to Nuremberg which is always visited by millions of people all over the world every year. I might planning to visit their this coming Monday. I guess it will end on the 24th so better go there because it is over. I also went a bit shopping with my husband. I got a great deal for a winter jacket. I just to wish you a happy holidays..and a more prosperous New year too!! enjoy your weekend guys!!

Ou Christmas tree

This is our Christmas tree which I put up last Nov. 28. It is not so big because we don't have that much space in our living room. I just have a lot of stuffs and collections that I don't have a room to put up a bigger Christmas tree. What is important for me is that I have a symbol for Christmas. right guys? have blessed Sunday to all!!

FOCUS ON GOD

When two persons who are greatly blest meet, what usually happens? They engage in a very lively exchange. This is what happens today in the Gospel. Elizabeth, even in her old age and barrenness, conceived. Mary, despite her young age and virginity, conceived as well. Both women were not only greatly blest; they were blest even beyond imagining. Today, the Gospel focuses on the meeting of these two unimaginable blest women and their exchange was so lively that Elizabeth's child even jumped in the womb while Mary rejoices unto her soul.

Mary's canticle,the Magnificat, highlights their rendezvous. The Magnificat, in turn, highlights what God has done. The canticle focuses on God's action on behalf of His People, Israel. God's action underscores His fidelity to His promise of mercy to Abraham and his children forever. How greatly blest we can really be if in every meeting we have with anyone highlights God's works in our life! Instead of talking about other people's lives, speak about God's action in our life. Discern with everyone we meet how God moves in our life. Focus on God's faithfulness to us rather than on the infidelity of others.

Christmas can be a whole year round celebration if we proclaim everyday with everyone how God comes and enters into our life. Christmas should not be reduced to a mere annual commemoration of the Lord's birth. It must be a daily experience when we focus not on our selves nor on others but on God. Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION: Christmas is primarily God's gift to us, not our gift to God.

Thank You, Jesus, for choosing to come to us and becoming part of our race. Help us to bring You to anyone we meet each day in our life. May our life always be a song of praise and thanksgiving to Your fidelity to us. May we ourselves be the proof of Your faithful love. Amen.

adapted from Kyregma

CHRISTMAS AND THE EUCHARIST

Let me suggest why people make so many happy visits during Christmas. God was the first to have made a visit on Christmas day. He visited us, His beloved creatures. His visit was such that He took upon Himself our fallen nature and appeared as one like us in all things, but sin.

However, God was not content with a passing visit. He stayed with us. Christmas is Jesus coming to us. The Eucharist is Jesus staying with us.

While God was the first to have made a visit on Christmas, Mary was the first to have welcomed Him. And with God in her womb, Mary went in haste to make her Christmas visit. The Gospel today paints for us that beautiful visit of the Blessed Mother to her cousin, Elizabeth. She, too, was not satisfied with a momentary visit. She stayed with Elizabeth about three months, attending to her cousin’s maternity needs, before she went home. Mary, with Jesus in her womb, is like Jesus in the Eucharist. She came, she stayed, and she served.

The same thing should happen as we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Our visits should be visits that bring Jesus to the people we visit. Then our visits become Eucharistic as we linger to attend to the needs of the people we go to. When this happens, we ourselves become Eucharistic. If Christmas is Jesus coming to us while the Eucharist is Jesus staying with us, Christmas is receiving Jesus while the Eucharist is becoming like Jesus to others. It is not a choice between the two; rather one should flow to the other. Christmas has its fullest meaning in the Eucharist.

Welcoming Jesus in Bethlehem must necessarily lead us to bringing Jesus everywhere.

God has visited us. We surely owe Him a visit. The church is His house; we can always find Him there. But His favorite address is the least of our brethren; we always have them with us.

God stays with us. He truly is Emmanuel, God-With-Us. The Eucharist is His real presence. But we, who receive Him in the Eucharist, are likewise His Body.

We are His presence, too.

Christmas is Jesus being born to us. The Eucharist is us becoming Jesus to others. Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION: Christmas is Jesus coming to us while the Eucharist is Jesus staying with us.

Jesus, You are truly Emmanuel, “God-with-us”. While we remember annually Your birth on Christmas Day, we celebrate Your presence in our midst up until today through the Holy Eucharist. As we receive You in the Holy Eucharist, transform us and make us Your loving presence to others who either visit us or are visited by us. We pray, maranatha, come, Lord Jesus! We pray, make us become more and more like You. Amen.

Jesus Will Rule in Our Hearts!!!

picture I took inside the St. Johannes Church in Neumarkt

A Belen, the Holy family statues in Neumarkter Christmas market

May He rule from sea to sea....Psalm 72:8

Each December, Santa reappears, and children wish that Santa ruled "from sea to sea". Each Advent however, those of us who are older and hope for more than the fulfillment of our Christmas wish-list renew our longing for Christ, the Son of God, the King of Justice, the Hope of all Humanity. Eagerly we wait for the day when "there will will be no harm or ruin," when Jesus will rule in our hearts, in laws, in customs, in education, in politics and most of all in our families.

The One who can truly bring the peace and love of the Christmas season doesn't have a North Pole address. He is much closer and more faithful than Santa Claus, who only appears once a year. He is found where we least expect him, every time we need him- in the mangers of our lives.

But don't let His poverty and hiddenness fool you. "He shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him......The lives of the poor he shall save." (Psalm 72:12-13)

Good Morning December!!Guten Morgen Bayern!!!

Good morning everyone!! Today is the first day of December and it's Christmas season again. Anyway Christmas can also be everyday. It's just depends on how you take a look at it. How I wish I am in the Philippines to celebrate Christmas, but I am here in the cold and snowy place, Germany.

I woke up late today. Took my breakfast which is usually a cup of tea and sandwich toast with butter and my favorite kind of Himbeere marmelade. Wait a moment!! Sometimes I have to look at my translator Deutsch-Englisch (German-English) and vice versa to look for some German words in English translation. Since I already learned German language, sometimes I already forgot the equivalent in English. Or maybe I am already getting old???.. Ok.. I got it now!! Himbeere in English is raspberry.

Every time I wake up in the morning, I usually open my window and take a look at the weather outside. Well, today is a very typical winter weather here in Bayern or Bavaria. It is gray, wet and foggy outside.Drops of rain are falling outside as the weather forecast this weekend is rainy and snowy in some areas of Bavaria, with a temperature of 2 degrees C during the day and -4 degrees in the night.

I just wish that this month will be a joyous and memorable one for everyone, to my family and friends and most especially to all birthday celebrants. Let me wish you in advance!!!....MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A MORE BOUNTIFUL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!