Cantata week

Last Wednesday started with a beautiful sunrise, and I took this picture through my kitchen window.

  

By evening, it looked like this.  

We had been at our midweek Advent service at church and were surprised at the snow on the ground when we came outside afterward.  I heard that windy, snowy weather was coming through the next day, and I started praying!!  We NEEDED to have our last cantata rehearsal on Thursday evening.  

And it WAS windy on Thursday.  I took this picture in the morning.  

As I worked on music prep and practice throughout the day I prayed again and again that the storm would blow itself out of here.  I even prayed that the sun would shine. God heard my cries.  The wind did become less and the sun did come out, and the snow stopped without amounting to much.  And we DID have our rehearsal in the evening.  

What a great group I have!  Most of them attend our church, but we had at least five who do not.  So much cooperation, commitment, humor, and support!   I felt really, really good when I went home that night. 

On Friday I made oven bbq chicken, mac and cheese, and brown butter broccoli for us and for Anthony and Lori's family.  Of course I had to do a taste test.  I don't typically take pictures of the food I'm eating, but my sister-in-law had posted a picture of cookies with the caption, "When you need to warm up your house, this is a good way to do it!"  So I commented, "This is another way, lol!" 

That was some really good mac and cheese, by the way.  I am lactose intolerant, but I keep Lactaid close by.  

I picked Hunter up from school and took him with me to get some groceries.  He really wanted to come to my house because I had told him that we would be putting up our tree.  So Anthony met me after I was finished at the store so he could get their dinner from me.  

WHY did I not take any picture of Hunter putting ornaments on the tree??  UGH!!  He was enjoying himself immensely.  When Lori came to pick him up she said quietly, "You know you're going to have to space those things out."  Of course!  He was putting most of the things all on one side of the tree, but I wasn't going to squash his joy.  

On Saturday I finished the tree and all the other decorating too.  I came across this origami box that Austin had made last year, and it occurred to me that it would make a perfect candy dish!

I actually got a new tree this year, a Black Friday special on Amazon.  The lights come with a remote, and we can choose colored lights or white lights, and all varieties of blinking.  

Sunday morning was a busy service for me.  In the afternoon I might have gotten a 15-minute nap.  Our cantata was at 4:00, followed by a potluck supper.  

Here are some pictures taken from the video.  I'll try to make some video clips.

We started with a prelude of four songs by our instrumental ensemble.

The cantata was one I had led six years ago at the Fillmore church.  Some of my current choir members had also been in that choir.  "Come, Let Us Adore" is the title of the cantata, and six of the songs are from Chris Tomlin's Christmas album titled "Adore."  Absolutely beautiful, worshipful songs!

When the cantata was over they presented me with a huge gift.  I'll show that to you later.  

 Anthony, Lori, the boys, and Lori's mom came.  That meant so much to me.  As soon as the service was over, Austin came up to me and said, "May I please play your piano?"  I told him he certainly could.  He made quite an impression!

We had a great time eating and talking. And again, I didn't get a picture of Hunter.  It's good he doesn't read my blog or keep track of my picture-taking, haha!

So here is my GORGEOUS GIFT!!!

Those ornaments have music scores on them!

I will treasure this for years to come!!!

Monday evening Dick and I finally got our icicle lights up on our front porch.  We were going to do the greens and bows this evening, but it's raining. I also want to figure out a way to put light on the wreath. 

Meanwhile, in Florida a new granddog has joined the family.  

But I just looked back, and I don't think I told you that Lisa and George had to put Nilla Bean down during Thanksgiving break when Sophie was home.  She was 14 years old and her health was really declining and she was in pain.  I knew that was a possibility when I took this picture of her in October as I was leaving their house. 

It was sad for all of them, but for Stella it was saddest.  They even had Stella there when Nilla Bean was put down to help her somehow comprehend it.  But she has been SO SAD.  No interest in going for walks.  When they take her outside she looks back at the house, then she keeps sniffing the ground for Nilla Bean's scent.  She even lost interest in eating.  Last week Lisa went away for three hours, and the camera showed that Stella stood at the door the entire three hours.  

Now the good news!  They contacted a shelter and found a male puppy named Prince whose owner has died, and he has been mourning.  Lisa and George were picked for adopting him!  He is a big boy!! So different for Lisa and George!  Here are Stella and Prince.  She is already a happy girl!

George has a boy!  Does he look a little bit happy too??

I'm so happy for them all!  

Time for bed.  Good night!