It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas - indeed it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Looking back at everything that has transpired this year, I can say that it has been a very meaningful and grace-filled year -- and that is more than enough reason to celebrate Christmas with a grateful heart. Despite the many shortcomings, challenges and misunderstandings that came along the way, my heart is still grateful that we were able to still find ourselves together and stronger in our convictions and faith.

Our hearts are also grateful for the friends whom we travelled with this year. The adventures, shared experiences, and that sense of being in a family will always be treasured in our hearts -these will forever be beautiful memories in the many years to come. And my heart is filled with joy and gladness because we are so blessed to be surrounded with good friends. 

For our family back in our home country, we also wish them well. There may be tough times but with His faithfulness, we are able to surpass the hurdles. Indeed God makes things possible - He always makes a way for us despite of and inspite of.

So I hope that we continue to have a grateful heart, and to give love to others who need it.

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with your loved ones, family and friends.

May you have a blessed Christmas.

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Getting Windows Spotless

Cleaning windows can be a lucrative business if you know how to perform the job the right way. When you're cleaning windows for homeowners or businesses, you need to use the proper supplies that won't leave streaks behind and that will get the glass as clean as possible. Before you begin cleaning for the customer, you need to make sure your equipment is clean so that it won't leave dirt and debris on the windows. You also need to make sure you have all of the solutions that will be sprayed on the windows before you begin the job. 

A window cleaning Hinsdale IL company will usually have a few different types of cleaning solutions to use on windows. You should have one that is specifically used on glass and one that can be used to clean window frames along with the metal that is often around windows if you're cleaning storm windows. A squeegee is a good tool to have so that you can remove as much water as possible from the glass after it's been cleaned. Microfiber cloths are good to have on hand as well as these usually trap lint and dirt. Avoid using products that will scratch the surface of the glass, such as abrasive chemicals and cloths. Avoid using paper towels to clean windows because they can be harsh on the surface. 

The first thing that you want to do is prepare the solution that you'll use for cleaning in a bucket. Dip the cloth or towel that you're going to use in the solution. Spray bottles might be convenient, but they often leave spots and streaks on the windows. Wring the water out of the cloth before cleaning the glass. Don't let the cloth drip because this can leave streaks behind as well. Start cleaning the windows from the top so that all of the dirt reaches the bottom of the glass instead of moving the dirt from the bottom to the top and covering it once again. Rinse completely with clean water before using a squeegee to remove excess water. 

               

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Add A Colonial Touch To Your Dining Room

A colonial decorating style is perfectly suited to any dining room. It adds a formal elegance to the space while reflecting on historically beautiful features. Creating this look inside of your own home is easy when you use the following tips.

Architectural Features with Colonial Touches

You will instantly add a colonial feel to your dining room by adding architectural details such as dentil molding around the ceiling, wainscoting, and solid wood doors. Use hardware in pewter or brushed nickel finishes. Paint the main portion of the walls in a traditionally colonial color like bright green, wedge wood blue, or a dark cranberry. Finish it off with random width flooring in dark wood tones.

Layer Fabrics for a Vintage Look

During the colonial days, people relied on fabrics to keep rooms warm. Hang heavy velvet valances and drapes over lace curtains on the windows. A vintage tablecloth with a lace one over top of it will coordinate nicely. Area rugs should be used freely. Place a large one under the table with smaller ones in the doorways. A runner is the perfect accent in front of the buffet. Adorn any extra seating with tapestry or needlepoint throw pillows.

Choose Traditional Pieces of Furniture

A true colonial dining room will feature a long formal wood table and chairs as its focal point. Pieces should be heavy and ornate with plenty of detail. A matching hutch is the ideal place to showcase vintage dinnerware, pewter objects, and pottery. If there is room, be sure to include a matching buffet. Use this area to display home decor items when not serving food on it.

Once you add architectural details to the room, layered fabrics, and traditional pieces of furniture, you will have an elegant, colonial-style dining room that is perfect for entertaining friends and family. It will have just enough elegance to keep the room formal while remaining casual enough that everyone will feel comfortable spending time in this space.

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Simbang Gabi in Stuttgart

Christmas is just around the corner. Five more days to be exact. In my home country the Philippines, Christmas has already begun when we entered the "-ber" months. But being away from our home country, we try to make things feel more at home by practicing our Filipino traditions. One thing that we always look forward to is the Simbang Gabi - the nine day mass novena in preparation for the birth of Jesus. In this nine day evening masses, we endure the cold as we warmly await His birth. 

St. Maria Church at night...

We started our Simbang Gabi this year last Saturday, December 15. As accustomed, we celebrated the masses at St. Maria Church, an old church located at the Gerberviertel. We are now on our 6th evening. Three more nights and it will be Christmas Day.

The Parol (Filipino Christmas lantern) adds to the Christmas spirit in the church.

The eucharistic celebrations are prepared and organized by the different Catholic groups comprising the Philippinische Muttersprachliche Gemeinschaft, making sure that on each evening, there is music, smooth flow and warm Filipino finger foods and kakanin. 

I pray that despite the cold, we will all remain healthy and keep coming with our warm spirits so that our "pakiusap" to Him after completing the nine evening masses will be answered and granted.

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