christmas knits

This Christmas was so blessed by family, gifts and food that it may have been -- as our little cousin Ingrid said -- my favorite Christmas ever! Ing has only had 5 Christmases so it may literally be true in her case, but I find as the years pass it gets harder to get into the spirit. We didn't decorate, we worried about money and skipped church. But Christmas morning, after watching the Concordia Choir Christmas Concert on TV and reading the gospels, Sweet P climbed back into bed and read me John 1:14, NRSV:

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

I know that faith is a process, but I often feel behind the class. Although, as Sweet P weeped while he read me those words I was overcome with thankfulness and awe -- maybe those are the touchstones of my faith journey.

Maybe.

I only knit for my mom and dad this year. Much easier than for the whole growing family and I was pleased with the results.

 Socks for dad.

Neck wrap for mom.

apple butter

During the 5th biggest winter storm in the Twin Cities Metro area -- 17 inches collapsed the Metrodome -- a friend and I decided the best thing to do was hunker down and make apple butter.

Apple butter requires 3-4 hours of "constant stirring". We laughed in the face of "constant stirring", but as the apple butter started to congeal at the bottom of the pan, threatening to burn, "constant stirring" won out. 3-4 hours.

The apple butter turned out a little thin -- see afore mentioned 3-4 hours of "constant stirring"-- but very tasty and beautifully jarred. I'll meet "constant stirring" again one day and we'll see who wins a rematch.

super-powered revenge christmas #1

JOKING ENVELOPE  presents BILL CORBETT’S
“SUPER-POWERED REVENGE CHRISTMAS #1”

Joseph Scrimshaw's production company, Joking Envelope, presents Bill Corbett’s new holiday show, “Super-Powered Revenge Christmas #1”.  In a dive bar on Christmas Eve, a disgruntled comic book writer fights with his collaborator (and ex-girlfriend) about his grand vision: a giant comic book reboot of Christmas. Thrill to tales of a brooding Santa! Shudder at the untold might of George Bailey! Question the relevance of Frostina the Snow-woman! Playwright and comedian, Bill Corbett (of Rifftrax and Mystery Science Theater 3000 fame) tackles the age old question that plagues both comic books and the holidays: "Does this all make sense?  I mean, really?" This December, it's on like ret-con.

Written and directed by Bill Corbett
Starring Emily Gunyou Halaas*, Mo Perry, Joseph Scrimshaw, Matt Erkel and John Middleton
(*member of Actors’ Equity Association)

The Minneapolis Theater Garage
711 W Franklin Ave in South Minneapolis

Three weekends only!
Thurs, Dec 2 @ 7:30 PM (preview); Fri, Dec 3 @ 7:30 PM (preview)
Sat, Dec 4 @ 7:30  PM (opening w/ free reception)
Mon, Dec 6 @ 7:30 PM (Pay-What-You-Can Night)
Thurs, Dec 9 @ 7:30  PM ; Fri, Dec 10 @ 7:30 PM; Sat, Dec 11 @ 7:30 PM
Thurs, Dec 16 @ 7:30 PM; Fri, Dec 17 @ 7:30 PM; Sat, Dec 18 @ 7:30 PM (Closing)

HOW MUCH:
$20 regular admission
$2 off for Fringe Button holders/students/seniors
$5 off if you bring a 2010 CONvergence badge or any CONvergence merchandise
$15 tix for previews on Dec 2 and Dec 3.
For more and info and reservations call 612-280-9210
Or buy tickets online at http://jokingenvelope.com/live

Super-Powered Revenge Christmas #1 will be Joking Envelope's prime time event at the Theatre Garage in December, but they will also be hosting other shows and events including an opening night party, the popular musical group The Dregs, a Rockstar Storytellers show and Green T Productions’ Pinocchio-Chan. Super Powered Revenge Christmas #1 is sponsored by Convergence Events, Inc. For more information on the organization visit http://www.convergenceevents.org

PREVIOUS PRAISE FOR JOKING ENVELOPE:
“The Cirque Du Soleil of local comedy” --The Onion
“Rife with sidesplitting moments…complexly written characters…Joking
Envelope is off to an exceptional start” –The Examiner