Category Archives: Holiday

The Joy Jar 2018

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The joy jar tradition continues! The Mason jar in the kitchen is filled with slips of paper. Each slip is dated and has a note about something that gave us joy on that particular day. We read these out loud on New Year’s Eve. Here are some of the highlights from 2018:

  • I am the sudden and proud owner of a ukulele!
  • Watching Aria ice skate for the first time.
  • “I love you so much too, Daddy.”
  • Our new home is stunning, and we love it.
  • Watching Aria coach the AAA guy as he fixes Lisa’s tire.
  • “I like the music you make, Daddy.”
  • Seeing how Aria has developed her imagination.
  • Making up a story at Aria’s request about a cat and unicorn that love each other.
  • Hawaii…so wonderful to be back.
  • “Daddy! Dance with me!”
  • Lisa playing the new piano.
  • “The fireplace feels like a big warm monster hugging me.”  —  Aria, age 4

The main theme was once again family. We saved our favorite notes and put them in a time capsule with the others from years past. The new year always has its challenges and opportunities, so a new joy jar is ready to go for 2019 as a reminder of all that’s good during the next 365 days. Happy New Year!

Here’s one more glance at 2018 with a few joyful pictures:

Christmas 2018

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From the Gospel of Luke (and the lips of Linus from Peanuts):

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Wishing my readers a joyous and merry Christmas.

2018 “Uketide” Tunes – Part VIII

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It was a holly jolly time in the last outing. Now…the grand finale. In 1949 Honolulu-born Robert Alex Anderson wrote a hapa haole song made famous by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1950. Our family loves Hawaii, and it’s only appropriate to close down the ukulele concert with Mele Kalikimaka:

The idea for doing the song with a kazoo comes from Cynthia Lin. Thanks so much for watching the 2018 “Uketide” Tunes videos. I look forward to doing this again next December after having a full year of lessons behind me. Happy holidays!