january ad swaps

ATTENTION ALL BLOG FRIENDS!

Yes you!

This is an official request for new or old ad-swappers for the month of January. Ya know, the thing where you post streetlights to stars' ad on your blog and I post yours on mine. You know the drill.

Anyway, I'm really excited about some new sponsorship posts and series coming up and I've love for you to be a part of all of it. Part of the reason why I blog is to create relationships with people I wouldn't otherwise meet, and I see this as a great opportunity to do just that.

If you're interested or have more questions or just want to say hi, shoot me a message over at streetlightstostars{at}gmail{dot}com

Thanks! Can't wait to hear from you!

new {old} music

Do you know Chris Koza? He’s a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter that’s toured the country as both a solo artist and with his band, Rogue Valley. Read more about him here.

Recently, Chris has been performing his Song of the Earth Mass, an arrangement that reworks the Lutheran liturgy into something new and yet classically beautiful. I've been listening to these six tracks over and over the past few days and still can't get enough!

And guess what! There’s a free, live version to listen to here. Check it out, you won’t be sorry. It’s the perfect tune to awaken the experience of this faith-filled season and refocusing of our hearts.

And don’t forget to give a shout out to Chris Koza and Mercy Seat Church on twitter if you like what you hear: @ChrisKoza , @Mercy_Seat_NE . 

gift catalog

As we’re gearing up for all that gift buying, I just wanted to give a little shout out to my dear friends in Honduras. If you remember, I spent last year working there at a kid’s home. Give Hope 2 Kids has put out a gift catalog as a way to get the word out about what their upcoming needs are.

This is an awesome way to spend some of that dough that’s burning a hole in your pocket or give a gift in honor of a friend or family member. 

Supporting this ministry has been an honor for me because I know that those kids are in a safe and loving environment where they find family and better opportunities to grow into successful and fulfilled adults. It gets me so excited!! Take a look through the catalog and see what you think!

Check it out here

Read more about Give Hope 2 Kids ministry here

happy santa lucia day

Happy Santa Lucia Day! I've been convinced this is the best holiday by far by my Scandinavian roommates. Per tradition, Elise brought in fresh banana bread and coffee to each of our rooms on a plate with a candle lit {I might add, this was/is one of our advent candles from the living room which just adds a little hilarity.}

The tradition comes from early Christian times, I'm told, but per the Wikipedia page, there are several variations of the story. My roommate has done this since she was a little girl, with her mom they'd get up before dawn and serve coffee and treats to the rest of their family before they got out of bed. 

In short, it's a day to recognize the early church, service to one another, and light overcoming darkness.

Have any of you grown up with this tradition? It was totally new to me but old hat to some of my friends. At any rate, if it entails coffee before my feet hit the ground in the morning, I'm game.

get together

I know it's Wednesday night but I'm still dreaming about last weekend. One of our dear friends Kayla came to visit after her recent semester in South Africa. Since it was also her birthday, there was much to celebrate with old and new friends, some great food and a lot of memory-making adventures.

We went out to brunch on Sunday morning at one of our favorite spots with one of our favorite servers {cough*JT*cough}. Before we left Kayla asked if it was turning into a blizzard outside. I, naturally, scoffed and denied it. When we went to go fetch our car and drive home there was too much snow on the ground to make it there. So we park the car and have to walk back, in the blizzard, to our favorite brunch place with out favorite server and and ask if he would use his manly man skills to rescue the three, wet, drowned rat looking ladies. {see below photo} He obliged and a couple hours later we were back in our cozy house with a bowl of popcorn and a good tv series. 

Good company makes it all worthwhile. 

photo credit goes to kayla and several other bystanders. we love you. glad you came.

christmas tree hunting

Tuesday night, the roommates and I, we took a little outing to pick out our Christmas tree. 

{Because I decided I’d be totally for winter this year instead of against it. 

We’ve got a rocky friendship but we’re working on it.} 

This tree is great. And perfect for getting anyone in the mood to celebrate this quiet peaceful season when everything outside seems to go to sleep for awhile.

I love thinking about the distinctive images of wintertime -- that cozy spot on the old leather chair, the warm fire, the steamy drinks, the treats, the sharing of stories, the fulfillment of traditions and the reminder that we are one, with the togetherness of holding each other close under the frozen blanket of the season. A fellowship created by and for one another.

Yes. That might just be the sweet spot of the season. 

What’s your favorite thing about this time of year?