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I wanted to wish all of you a Merry, Merry Christmas! I hope it is amazing for you and all those you hold dear. I will be taking the rest of the week off to spend time with family and enjoy the holiday. 🙂 No new recipes until the first of the year. I will however be back next week with the annual posting of My Personal Favorite Recipe Posts of 2013, followed by a post listing the Top Ten Most Popular Recipes from 2013. Before I sign off for the holiday, I wanted to share a little bit of Christmas joy with you.
Last week my little family traveled to downtown Salt Lake City (just a 40 minute drive) to see the beautiful lights at Temple Square, and to soak up a bit of Christmas Joy. It seems there is always so much hustle and bustle this time of year, the true reason for the holiday is often lost in the shuffle. I was eager to have my family spend some time thinking and pondering on the birth of Christ, and the amazing man that he was and is.
I have to admit, our trip to Temple Square was the best hour and a half I have spent all month. Isn’t the temple stunning!
In the last decade or so the LDS Church has built a gorgeous reflecting pool in front of it. Beautiful!
Magical. 🙂
The lights were of course a delight to see…
as always.
My kidlets…
Inside one of the visitors centers there is a really cool replica of Jerusalem at the time of Christ.
Outside is a beautiful manger scene where the story of Christs birth is told.
It’s a magical place, that did my heart a lot of good.
I know I don’t mention my faith very often on this little food blog of mine, but my membership in the LDS Church, and my testimony of Christ and His amazing gospel are two of my most prized possessions. At this time of year I am especially grateful for the life of Christ and particularly his message of kindness, charity and love. This scripture is one of my favorites…
“And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Leaving you today with this short 3 minute Christmas video from The Mormon Channel on brotherly kindness. If you watch it, and would like to see more inspirational videos, several more options will appear in the video screen for you to choose from, or visit The Mormon Channel by clicking HERE. For more information on the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, click HERE.
Happy Holidays, everyone!!!!! May it be merry and bright. 🙂
Merry Christmas Jamie! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes that have blessed my family and me!
?? Heidi in Idaho Falls
Haha, I put a little heart picture before my name and it posted as question marks. Anyway, Love Heidi, not ?? Heidi 😉
Jamie, thank you for the beautiful message. I am a Catholic and enjoy Christmas and the wonderful meaning that Christ came to earth to save us and of course, love us all! Merry Christmas to you and your entire family.
Merry Christmas to your whole family. May you be abundantly blessed throughout the coming new year. God Bless!
Such a inspiring post! and beautiful photos!
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! =)
Just wanted to tell you Jamie, every time I cook it is one of your recipes. It has become a staple in our home. I searched the other day for spiced wassail on Google and it ended up I like that recipe the best not even knowing it was from your site. That nativity scene you posted today is on my screen saver already. I feel like your kindred soul thanks for all you do! Merry Christmas from the northeastern corner of Utah vernal.
What a joyful, uplifting post. We were at Temple Square last week too. Thanks for all your work on this site. Your recipes are wonderful – just made your creamy pumpkin pie again yesterday! Have a very Merry Christmas with your family.
Thank you for your beautiful post today. Merry Christmas to you and your family also!
Have a wonderful time with your family. Merry Christmas and thank you for a year of great recipes!
Thank you for remembering The reason for the season. May the LORD bless and keep you and your family in perfect peace. Blessings, michelle