8:37 - 3:38

This was the day....or should I say "night."  The shortest day of the year, clocking in at 8:34 a.m. and checking out at 3:37 with the official length of 7 hours, 1 minute and 15 seconds.  Of course it begins to get dark earlier than 3:37, especially on a rainy day like today.

In our special Christmas sacrament meeting one of the members with a marvelous bass voice sang "In the Bleak Midwinter" (in Danish of course)....and it is in the hymnbook!  It is such a lovely song, one which I came to love after hearing Sissel, a singer from Norway sing it with the Tabernacle Choir.  If you would like to hear it, go to this site:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6yevmluq2M

It seems particularly meaningful here where it is dark and cold.  But I would never use the word "bleak."  I think I would say it is cozy.  It will be more than a few days before the days actually get longer by any recognizable difference.

The music in our little branch sacrament meeting was exceptional and the testimonies and talks were so beautiful.  There was a beautiful spirit there and I felt a wave of emotion sweep over me.  I love this little branch and I love the members, their enthusiasm and joy at being together to worship, and the way they welcome everyone into their fold.  In a little branch, you have more opportunities to get to know the few others there, and it has been choice to be one who feels their acceptance and love.

After our meetings everyone in the branch (about 40) were invited to Sebastian and Christine's home for an afternoon meal.  It was potluck and it was a marvelous marvelous meal.  Sebiastian and Christine have been entertaining all week...we were there Wednesday evening with other missionaries, and they had their extended family there last night (about 50 people), and oh by the way, did I mention that Christine is expecting their second child in early Febraury?

See all those little signs?  Everything was homemade....and exceptional!  Do you see the salad in the 9  13 pan in front....with tomatoes all over it?  That is my salad....which for a salad was pretty good....see the recipe below.

 

You can't even see the homemade frikadeller and sausage.

Christine's mother said that Sebastian and Christine are two peas in a pod....they both love to fix food and serve it with flair....it is their hobby.  Well, I am only too happy to aid and abet that hobby.  They are really such good people who love our little branch with all their hearts.

We spent a quiet evening at home....going up to visit with the Thornes for a little while and then returning to our cozy apartment.  I have been playing quiet Christmas music and have had some candles burning.

I love this season!


Seven Layer Green Salad

In 9 X 13 pan, layer:

2 heads iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 pound frozen peas
1 large thinly sliced red onion
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1 cup thinly sliced celery
Salad Dressing
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 hard boiled eggs,sliced

Cover and refrigerate at least 4 to 5 hours, then top with:

8 slices of cooked and chopped bacon
4 tomatoes, chopped and seeded

(all of these items and amounts are negotiable depending on what you like)

Dressing:
1 1/2 Cups Mayonnaise
1/2 Cup sour cream
2 tsp. sugar
3 to 4 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix