stephkoanie: christmas

Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Monday, January 14, 2013

holiday bells.

Over the Christmas break, I decided to try some new things and make some of the crafts that I had been intending to try for the longest time. I really enjoy decorating, and crafting. It is lots of fun! I made fun birthday banners for my housemates on their birthdays, and for my Christmas party I made holiday bells/hanging garlands/not sure what to call them, hehhh.

Oh Happy Day is quickly becoming my favourite blog for various DIYs. Many of my favourite ideas come from that blog, and many of the things I want to try, but am not sure if I will ever get the chance to (pop-up dinners around the city!!). There are very few things I don't *love* on that blog! Needless to say, this idea is from Oh Happy Day.

The original post is here. I made various sized bells and added gift bows that I bought from Wal-Mart. Super super simple, yet added such a colourful addition to my Christmassy kitchen decorations.

Here are Nicole and Jocelyn modelling for me! Beautiful!

Yes, I also used photobooth props from Oh Happy Day. I told you I love that blog.

It was a very craftful evening, and I assure you that everything was very easy and do-able! This is a very late Christmas craft, but it could be used to decorate for pretty much any kind of party. It's so colourful and fun!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

merry christmas!

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:9-12

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

eighteen.

Tuesday 18: Favourite childhood Christmas memory
I have always been a bit of a perfectionist, and I loove Christmas traditions. They are just so much fun, but you gotta do it right!!

Now, my family isn't very into parties, or planning elaborate things at all. So it has always been up to me to set things up. It was one of my favourite responsibilities to put out the cookies and milk for Santa and the carrots for the reindeer the night before Christmas. I would make sure all the stocking were hung straight and attached to the fireplace. Basically, I ran around the house making sure everything was just right.

And in the morning, before opening presents we would light a tealight to represent Jesus Christ. I don't think I understood what it meant, but I was taught at school that we were supposed to light it. And I liked lighting it because we never had candles at home. Even though it was just a tiny tealight, the light and warmth made me feel happy. It was a cute little tradition that we followed, and that I enforced.

Can you just imagine, a little me running around making sure all of Christmas happened just right? Ahah. Bits of that little me still exist. I love planning, and I love Christmas.

This picture has nothing to do with my post, but it's from when I was little, and that looks like a Christmas book. Close enough?

What a fun trip down memory lane.

Monday, December 17, 2012

seventeen.

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:26-38

The last few days of this plan have all come from Luke. Previously, an angel visited Zechariah with news that he and his wife (who are by now senior citizens) are to have a baby boy, named John, and that John will prepare the way for the Lord. Crazy news!

Continuing reading again in Luke, God sends the angel Gabriel to another with similar (but greater!) news. He tells Mary that she will give birth to a baby, who is to be named Jesus, and will be the son of God, and the King of an everlasting kingdom in heaven. Aahhhhh, wow!

Mary doesn’t understand how this is possible since she is a virgin, but the angel assures her that the Holy Spirit will be the one at work, and God can do what is not possible by man.

I think, in this moment Mary really shows her faith since she responds: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

I hope and pray that I can approach God’s will this way too. Be still and approach God with the confidence that He will work, and then trust and believe what he has planned.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

fifteen.

Saturday 15: Bake Christmas cookies
Mmmmmm, cookies!

I went to Metro today to buy Pillsbury holiday cookies, but apparently they don't exist! Sniff.

So naturally I made more of my favourite go-to chocolate chip cookies. Martha Stewart is a lifesaver! A rule in my world is to always have the ingredients for this recipe on hand. Always.

They seriously get devoured as soon as they are made though. So this picture is from an old batch, haha. Jocelyn and I had a ball one afternoon and took lots of pictures of the cookies, including one of me climbing the mountain of cookies. Did you see it on instagram?

Friday, December 14, 2012

fourteen.

Friday 14: Do sit-ups for the length of a Christmas song
I don't really want to share a picture of either pre or post workout me. But hey, I already shared a post-workout face from last week. Hah.

Here's the song I chose:

Anyway, I don't really realize how long a song is until I try to do sit-ups for the entire song. It gets kind of repetitive!

I just got back to Kingston today after a week at home.. just in time to do some more studying and prep for my last exam! Hoorah! Just as everyone else is leaving Kingston too... :(

One more week, let's do this!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

thirteen.

Thursday 13: Share from devotions
Today's Passage: Isaiah 60:1-5

I love the use of light and darkness throughout the Bible.

Verses 1 and 2 in this passage read: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you." The light to come is the glory of God revealed in us!

Today is such a sunny day, and it is absolutely beautiful! And to think, all of this is only a glimpse of what is to come.. The light and the glory of God that will be revealed one day.

Verse 4 says "Lift up your eyes all around, and see" See what? Verse 5 answers, "Then you shall see and be radiant".

So let's keep our eyes on Jesus, see his light, reveal his light, and we too shall be radiant! What a good reminder to look around and see God's glory being revealed, and to fix our eyes on Jesus, especially in this advent season.

"Into marvelous light I'm running, out of darkness, out of shame. By the cross you are the truth, You are the life, you are the way." -Marvelous Light (song)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

twelve.

Wednesday 12: Favourite Christmas song, why?
I have seriously started questioning myself.. why do I have to explain why my favourite song is my favourite song, but I didn't have to explain my favourite movie? Oh well. I will do my best to do what past me indicated.

Just as I am indecisive about movies, I am indecisive about songs too!

But I've been listening to Christmas music non-stop for a good few weeks now.. and my Christmas collection grows every year, but this year there is one song that keeps popping up in my head.

Go Tell It On The Mountain sung by NeedToBreathe here, but sung by anyone really! It's been on constant repeat in my head. Go tell what on the mountain? Go tell that Jesus Christ is born! I like the song, and the message.

Another song that I come out of exams singing is The Chipmunk Song, it's just too silly to not love.

Oh how I love Christmas music!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

eleven.

Tuesday 11: Share your favourite Christmas movie
The silly thing about designing your own advent challenge is that you can easily choose things that you can do, or you can challenge yourself. Well, I am super indecisive and so I picked some tasks as challenges to myself! You'd think that choosing a favourite Christmas movie would be easy, but it's more difficult than I'd like.

So how about I give you a list of Christmas movies I particularly enjoy?

A Charlie Brown Christmas: I used to not like this one, but it has grown on me through the years. It is quite charming!

Love Actually: Rom-com + British accents + Christmas, what's not to love?

Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Oh Christmas Specials.. too cute to not love! These two are my faves.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: I quite enjoy the Jim Carrey version as well as the animated one! It's a fun movie.

Monday, December 10, 2012

ten.

Monday 10: Share from devotions
Today's Passage: Isaiah 40:1-11

I had to actually look up the word comfort in the dictionary. My mind goes immediately to "giving rest" and "protection". But here's how my dictionary defined the word:

This passage is a passage about God's comfort for his people. It is a passage of salvation, or how God has freed us from the bondage of sin, and consoles us in anxious times. God comforts us in a world of darkness by providing the light in the world. Coool.

I am personally comforted by the fact that God is never changing. He is who he says He is. I can put my trust in Him, and know that I am in good hands. I hope this can be a comfort to you, too.

Saturday, December 08, 2012

seven.

Friday 7: Treat self to a Starbucks holiday drink
Wow, what a day. I started my day this morning bright and early. I woke up at 6, got out of bed at 7, and had a whirlwind of a day! I ate a protein-ful breakfast, did my devotions, wrote an exam, got my notes bound so I can start studying for my next exam, went to the gym, got my drink at Starbucks (as I promised!), had lunch, hung out with housemates, and bussed home to Ottawa! Whew.

I just went to the gym, so opted for an iced Caramel Brulee Latte drink, but I think I prefer the hot drink. Unless you like chewing sugar caramel crystals, they are much better dissolved in a hot drink.

And there's more! I realized once I got home that the adapter on my Mac's charger is broken. At least, I think it's the adapter since I am charging it now using my mom's iPad charger adapter. Fingers crossed!

It has actually been a crazy day, and we are heading to the Apple Store tomorrow to spend way more money than needed to replace my charger. Sadface.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

six.

Thursday 6: Share from devotions
Today's Passage: Malachi 4:1-3

I am so thankful! Today I got to do my devos in the caf (thanks Jamie!), enjoying the beautiful sunlight streaming in from the large windows all along one wall. It's amazing sometimes how when you're in a public space, you can feel both alone and completely surrounded.

The Bible is one big, very long and true story ... But, so often we take it in pieces - just one book or chapter or verse at a time. And sometimes that means we miss the big picture. -SheReadsTruth Advent Reading Plan

This was a good reminder of just how important it is to read the Old Testament. It is all building up towards revealing Jesus Christ and is all a part of the story. It was neat to read yet another promise from God. A promise of Good News for the believers, and a promise of fire for the non-believers. I see this as a testament of the goodness of God, and the urgency with which we should spread the gospel to grow God's kingdom.

This is a tough part of the gospel, truthfully. That God will separate the unsaved from the saved, the unrighteous from the righteous. But like my pastor said, if it's truth, then it is preferable to scare into Heaven, than love into Hell. I wrestle with presenting this aspect all the time, but here it is!

It has been such a struggle for me to publicly do my devotions (blogging about them), but I am so glad that I can share some of them with you. I want to live an authentic Christian life, and part of that is to not hide behind closed doors (Matthew 5:15).

Thanks so much for bearing with me! <3

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

five.

Wednesday 5: Go to the library
Today's task is definitely an attempt to motivate myself to study.. My first exam is on Friday. It's study study study time!

You know, it's kind of awkward to take pictures at the library..

I got my notes bound at the Print and Copy Centre (P&CC), and it so completes me. I love them.

Study snacks are mandatory!! Thanks Angie!

Let me tell you a secret, these pictures are from yesterday. But I'm at the library today too, studying the same thing, eating crackers again. So it's about the same, right? :)

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

four.

Tuesday 4: Take a picture of your ~~city~~ house dressed up for Christmas
Here, I will share with you pictures of my house all jazzed up for Christmas. Lights, lights, lights!! I also have a story to share with you. My morning was quite the adventure..

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

sincerely, the sparkly jellies on the window

Please indulge me in this one thing.. I wanted to take an artsy pic! Good?

Is this better? Oooh, blurry lights.

What if I give you a better focal point?

Okay, last one. I like lights.

Here's a more realistic look at how the lights are draped in our kitchen.

Go ahead, oohs and aahs are welcome!

Okay, but seriously. This morning I went to do my last grocery run of 2012 (or so I hope). I will only be in Kingston for about 2 more weeks, so I don't forsee needing any more groceries.. but I digress! On my way home from Loblaws, I noticed that I didn't have my phone on me. Hmm, on one hand, that is certainly odd. But on the other hand, I tend to misplace things very often. Freakout level: 3/10

When I got home, I scoured tables, bags, pockets, countertops and all possible places that I would leave my phone! It was nowhere to be found! So I asked Jocelyn to call it, thinking we'd hear it ring.. Freakout level: 5.5/10.

Luckily, some kind soul had picked it up for me! Apparently I left it on the bus this morning... well, that's embarrassing. I promptly ran a few blocks over (thank goodness for university neighbourhoods and everyone living within a close perimeter) and picked up my phone. Close call! Literally.

It was the shortest freakout I have ever really had. But I think it was pretty reflective of my stress-less few weeks past. I am oddly not stressed out, and way too joyful to be in the midst of exam period. The more I think about it, the more thankful I am.

In the past while I have been reading my bible with an eager heart, and learning more about God's promises to us. He is at once, a scary and powerful God, but also a loving and comforting God. I have often heard that the more time you spend with God, the more you'll appreciate Him and the more you'll want to know Him. I wish I had a verse to back that up, but I don't actually know verses too well. It's something I am working on.. but I think moments like these are such a reflection of this. I don't worry about the little things in life, because I have a mighty God who will provide for me. My generation has a tendency to hold onto cell phones as a lifeline, but I have a better lifeline: God.

Monday, December 03, 2012

three.

Monday 3: Share from devotions
Today's Passage: Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:2-7

God uses prophecies in the Old Testament to make us promises. God promised that he would give us a leader to lead us from darkness to light, and he did. He gave us Jesus, and so Jesus Christ is the proof of God's devotion to us and proof that he will follow through with his promises. This gives me great hope and assurance!

I don't know much of the Old Testament, and so far this reading plan has been starting from Old Testament promises that God made to his people, and I've been really enjoying reading and learning about them!

Sunday, December 02, 2012

two.

Sunday 2: Make a handmade Christmas card
I decided to go handmade with my cards this year.. it's a lot more effort but a lot more fun! Here is one of many. More work to come!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. -Philippians 4:4

Saturday, December 01, 2012

one.

December 1st! Huzzah, we made it! Though traditionally, advent starts on Sunday, I will be starting my Christmas blog ADVENTure today! It'll just be easier to keep track that way..

Today I will share with you my plan for this coming season, and explain what I am doing and why I am doing this!

advent |ˈadˌvent| noun. the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
In Christian theology, this means the coming or second coming of Jesus Christ. So I personally want to take this time to be thankful for Jesus' birth, and anticipate his return. This year, with my Christmas blog adventure, I want to share more of what I am learning in my own time in my daily devotions. So, in addition to doing fun awesome Christmassy activities, I will be sharing the meaning and the joy that I find behind this holiday. I will share with you every monday and thursday (idea from naptime diaries). If you want to follow along, I will actually be starting the Advent reading plan provided by #SheReadsTruth.

Saturday 1: What is the significance of Christmas to you?
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I think a better question would be to ask, what is Jesus' significance? Well, I proudly proclaim that Jesus Christ is my saviour because He came holy perfect and sinless, to die for my sins. He took on the wrath of God that I deserve, and died a perfect death on the cross. So his birth is significant because it marks that God has provided his people hope for a future and an eternity with Him.

Stay tuned! I will have a post a day, updating you on what I am doing this advent season. I can't wait to share this time with all of you!! :)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

merry christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

It's finally here! I will (probably) be spending the day on the beach... in Mexico!! Yeah, baby. I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves too, wherever you are in the world. Whether it be curled up by the fire, or out in the snow, or hanging out with friends and family. Enjoy the day, it's yours!

Don't forget to take a moment to thank the Lord for his precious gift, his one and only son, Jesus Christ. What a marvellous and wonderful gift.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

a few days until christmas!

It's the last few days until Christmas, wooo!

I've had just the greatest time getting ready for Christmas. I thought I would be less busy once I got home after exams, but somehow I managed to be busier. I'm going on a trip with my family for Christmas this year, I will share pictures when I get back!

I am not going to blog about the last few days up to Christmas, but I can promise you that I will be spending some good quality time with my family, for sure!

See you soon, and have a great Christmas!

5 days until christmas!

Christmas party was a success!! In a nutshell, it was lots of food, laughter, and fun. We did a gift exchange, and gift stealing was permitted, but none happened. I'm a little disappointed, but it was kind of nice that it worked out in such a way that everyone got good gifts! Clearly, my friends are good at choosing gifts! Hurrah! (I ended up with snowmen salt and pepper shakers, and Laura Secord chocolate. Cute, and yum!)

I would like to share with you the recipe I used for the honey-sriracha chicken wings I made though! They were a hit (yay!) I modified the recipe for the sauce from other recipes I had seen online, and mostly took out a lot of spices that I do not have at home, simplifying it to three ingredients: 1 cup salted butter, 1/2 cup of honey, and 2/3 cup of sriracha. Trust me, it is delicious, and just the right amount of sweet, salt and spice. I love anything with sriracha!! It's my new (and old) best friend. It makes food just that much more exciting!

Funny thing, I only took pictures of the raw chicken, not the cooked ones. I always have that problem, that the food is so good that it is more important to put it in some bellies, than to take a picture! You will just have to use your imagination! The flour serves two purposes, as far as I know. It keeps the chicken meat juicy, and it permits the sauces to cling to the chicken.

Ingredients:
-A lot of Chicken Wings (I think I had ~40)
-Some Flour (enough to coat the wings)
-2/3 cup Sriracha
-1/2 cup Honey
-1 cup Salted Butter

Directions:

Chicken:
1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
2. Wash the wings, and cover with flour before setting on a lined cookie sheet.
3. Bake the wings for 20 minutes, or until cooked.

Sauce:
1. Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium-low heat.
2. Add the honey and sriracha, stir until incorporated.

You can then cover your chicken wings in the delicious sauce, or I served it as a dipping sauce. The problem with the dipping sauce method is that if not used immediately, the sauce will separate. So enjoy promptly!!

Pages

Monday, January 14, 2013

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Monday, December 17, 2012

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Friday, December 14, 2012

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Monday, December 10, 2012

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Monday, December 03, 2012

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011