Talk Thursday // "In the Schrute family..."

It's no secret that this blogger loves her some traditions. It's kind of amazing that I'm not Catholic or Jewish or something because I love traditions and ritual. It makes me feel connected to things that are bigger than just me.

That being said, we Lewis' have some Christmas traditions. Christmas itself is pretty freaking awesome, you know, the birth of Jesus and all. But these Lewis family traditions make it so much more anticipatory! (Is that even a word?!) When/if I ever get married, I'm not sure how much I'll be willing to flex on giving some of these traditions up or "renovating" them. Maybe it's good I don't want to get married - I'm far too selfish. =)

But in Hephzibah list-style of awesomeness, here's some of the Lewis' family traditions that I am looking forward to (again) this year:

* Christmas Eve light-looking

* An entire bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider in my stocking

* Making & eating sausage balls

* Watching "White Christmas", "The Christmas Box" & "Little Women"

* Going to a Christmas movie

* Listening to Harry Connick Jr's "When My Heart Finds Christmas", Steven Curtis Chapman's "Music of Christmas", Avalon's "Joy" & CeCe Winans Christmas albums on repeat until I can't yuletide no mo'!

* Hopefully a potato famine story from my dad

* Getting worked up when I see the 3 Wise Men in a Nativity Scene =)

And our newest tradition that I hope only has to be intermittant:

* Skyping with the Sister & BIL, which for long periods of time is slightly awkward, but always awesome.

I love Christmas. Mostly because I love Jesus, but also because I appreciate the fact that its a time for us all to stop what we're doing and be together, even if "together" means Skype. It's a time to be with people who know you and love you and want to share in traditions together.

So, what are some of your traditions?

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Febarple

Febarple: noun. A holiday designed for Lent-esque purposes, specifically in abstaining from beverage-related addiction consumption February 15-April 15 each year. 

Yes, friends, it's that time of the year. For those of you that don't know, each year (this is year #3) I celebrate a little known holiday called Febarple (defined above). The first year involved a bet - dinner for the winner (and I ain't gonna turn down no free dinner!) Since then I've simply been doing it for myself. I like to prove that I can do it. 

I love Dr. Pepper. You could seriously put it in an IV and I'd be golden. If I could, my pantry would look like this....

As I've mentioned before, I love traditions. This is a tradition I do, even though I do it by myself now. 

But these next two months will be tough because I RARELY go one day without my sweet elixir. I'm sure my dreams will consist of several variations on this:

Pray. 

**** UPDATE ****

Due to mass volumes (ie. 2) comments that my definition of Febarple should be expanded, I have done so above. If any of you care to join me in the tradition of Febarple of your own beverage addiction, let me know. It'll be a team-building thing! =)

I choose DP... what about you?

Put on Your Yamaka, It's Time to Celebrate Hanukkah

I want to be a Jew. I have "Jew-envy."

Well, kind of. I want to keep Jesus AND get all the awesome traditions that come with practicing Judaism. You all know how I love traditions.

Since I'm not a Jew but want to be, I semi-practice Hanukkah. Do I understand it all? No. Do I practice it properly? No. Is it too much of a stretch to believe that the same God that became a baby also was capable of causing oil to last for 7 nights? No.

Therefore, I tip my hat to all of you Hanukkah participants. It is a beautiful celebration of an awesome God. And if there are any nice Jewish families in the greater Seattle metropolitan area that would like to invite some goyim to the festivities, I accept!!! (I have my own menorah, know the "Dreidel"song and everything...)

Happy Hanukkah, החברים שלי !!

NCCUtDAT

There are many principles that I live by. Some make sense, like looking both ways before crossing the street or that personal hygiene is important. Others don't make as much sense - i.e. refusing to sing "Happy Birthday" or kissing the steering wheel when going through a yellow light ( ;) ).

Not Celebrating Christmas Until the Day After Thanksgiving (or NCCUtDAT, if you will) is one I follow to the inth degree. Christmas lights, holiday songs, fake Christmas smiles from the Wal-Mart employees, eating gingerbread men... if I am within the vacinity of these things before the day after Thanksgiving, I am not a pleasant person.

With that being said, it is now the day after Thanksgiving.

This means I will listen to Steven Curtis Chapman's "The Music of Christmas", Avalon's "Joy" and Harry Connick Jr's "When My Heart Finds Christmas" albums for the next 5 weeks. I have downloaded my annual Christmas ringtone ("ChristmasEve Sarajevo 224/Carol of the Bells" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, for those of you that care). I will string up Christmas lights around my bedroom window and I can begin buying Christmas gifts online while effectively avoiding all contact with shopping malls.

Maybe I'm a dork. And maybe I should really love doing Christmas-y things all year long because Jesus is cool.

But it really just comes down to principles.

Do you have Christmas principles?




And Jonah 3 wrap-up on SereYodh =)

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Halloween Tradition

Today is Halloween. If you know me, you know I'm not a big fan. This could be blamed on my Southern Baptist upbringing or my aversion to masks or that I'm just not that creative.* But, for the last couple years I've had a "Halloween tradition". It started in college when I did workstudy for Dr. Fuhrman. It's not everyone's Halloween cup o' scary, but I like it. Sure, I still go to parties and enjoy candy like a fat kid enjoys....candy. Wow....

And we could blame this tradition on my Southern Baptist upbringing, Dr. Fuhrman, or the fact that I'm just not that creative.* Whatever the reason, my little Halloween tradition makes my little heart get excited for this holiday.

I watch Luther.

Before you get "all-up-on's" because I'm a dork, understand the history. Martin Luther, depicted in the movie by Joseph Finnes, posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenburg Castle Church on October 31, 1517. This led to the beginning of the Reformation, the Protestant movement and ultimately to the secession from the Catholic church.

It has action, theology, and a little romance. That's like the trifecta of awesome. Plus, church history and a bunch of German words. Does it get much better than that? I submit: no.

So, if you don't have any super exciting plans for Halloween tonight, you too can be as cool as me and enjoy a nice night with Martin Luther and all his Reformational buddies, watching them tear down the walls between the people and the clergy and opening up the Bible to a hungry people. (I really do sound like a nerd...)

* By the way, I'm actually stoked tonight about my costume because I got creative. It's a-ma-za-zing. Pictures tomorrow. =)

Happy Halloween!

"I feel the need...the need for speed!"

"Maverick, your ego's writing checks your body can't cash."

Every year, I watch Top Gun on Labor Day. In college, I think we lived for the volleyball scene. And you ALL know what scene I'm talking about. =)

This year was no different. We watched, we laughed, we even cried a little. Nothing better than a classically cheesy, dog-fight crazy, film of cinema awesome to make your day off great.

Tell me... do you have any Labor Day traditions? How did you celebrate your day off? Did you get the day off? Did you loose the "lovin' feelin'...woah..."?