MANGER DANGER!



      manger scenes are becoming my obsession. so far, i own nine of them; they are from china, jerusalem, and cancun; one spins in circles; one is for the mantle; they are on and under the Christmas tree; i even claim neighbor joe's manger scene in his front yard! my husband believes it is harmless; but, nevertheless, it is an addiction.
 

      in my final, somewhat lengthy, December 2012 post, I CAN'T SLEEP!  i share a "tale of two manger scenes," where my grandson surprised me over the holidays by regularly and secretly entering our bedroom to play with my hidden, special manger scene (he totally ignored his little people manger scene i specially purchased). playtime MANGER DANGER created toppled or hidden wise men, sheep in palm trees, cows atop the stable, and a misplaced shepherd. interestingly, Baby Jesus stayed put.

      his experiences in our darkened, shadowy bedroom beg me to ask the penetrating question:

how many past opportunities to make positive, *synthetic happiness* have i avoided because i was afraid to enter the dark unknown?

*the right sidebar contains definitions of synthetic happiness & natural happiness*

      my compelling adventure to heritage "synthetic happiness" seemed to draw me in; it was toppled and disheveled, yet meaningful and worthwhile. memories were out of place, missing, and scattered. entering a dark and shadowy room was scary. the FOREVER-Substance-behind-the-shadows (Who has no beginning and no end) was there; and He created safe, deep happiness.

      there is a secret i failed to share... it is an interesting element of my grandson's play time. he felt quite relaxed and comfortable in our bedroom. in fact, many times, after playing safely alone with that manger scene, his diaper became... rather smelly...
 
      ...to discover positive, meaningful, intriguing happiness in spite of sad or undesired events, it might be beneficial to figuratively participate in childish activities like stomping in mud puddles, kissing slimy frogs, chewing strangers' disgusting gum AND, with the relaxed and comfortable company of the FOREVER-Substance-behind-the-shadows, privately take care of [stinky] business!

Feel FREE to click the following link to open:  *A Synthetic Happiness presentation by Dan Gilbert *
&
My blogging to heritage-related-happiness opens at: * Boologging Begins *

My entire family loved this apple salad recipe at Christmas time. Apples (and their skins) have pectin which encourages digestion. I prefer organic apples.

Hyvee's Apple Salad (t=teaspoon, T=tablespoon)

1 med. apple sliced & chopped (honey crisp is recommended, but I prefer Granny Smith)
3/4 t lemon juice
2 T chopped walnuts
2 T honey
1 t flax seed
1/8 t ground cinnamon (this ingredient helps sugars digest & creates an apple crisp taste)
1 T salted sunflower seeds (optional)
1 T dried cranberries (optional)

In a small bowl, combine the apple and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Chill until serving. Yield: 2 servings.

Enjoy!
* 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 *