Tis the season . . .

 

Blessed are the children who have parents and grandparents who can relate

the stories of their own pasts, connecting the younger with the older

memories, lighting a taper in the imagination that never goes out. 

 

Santa Claus was real to me when I was a child, just as he is today.  Santa Claus was a kind and caring person who always knew the best present to give. It might not have always been what we asked for, but it was always a gift wrapped and given in love.  I remember the year my parents finally sat me down and had "the talk" with me. I was 10, and had really begun to have my doubts about whether Santa really existed or not. They confirmed that Santa was and would always exist as long as there was love to share and a child somewhere to share it with, and the willingness to give of yourself an unexpected gift from your heart to others each holiday season.  

 

Some of my fondest Christmas feelings, thoughts and memories are of going to the candle-light service at church with my father on Christmas Eve.  Hearing and singing the special carols, the feeling of excitement that was so tangible in the church, the candlelight, the choir. The recitation of the Christmas Story in the bible.  We can listen to music all year long and sit in candlelight, but its never as wonderful or magical as it is on Christmas Eve. I truly cherish in my heart these special moments that were for just my father and I.  My mother would be busy doing things at home and my brother and sister too young to go with us, so it would just be my dad and me.  Precious memories. 

Naughty or Nice?  The birds know. All year long the birds keep a watch over all the children of the world. We all know that the animals can talk to Santa Claus, so the birds often fly to the North Pole and report their findings.  Birds can be sitting high in a tree and watching you play in the garden, or they can peek in your window to see if you went to bed on time, or if you did the chores you were supposed to do, if you were fighting with your siblings, etc. Santa's little messengers, always on the watch. 

 

Bird Feeder Pine Cones - Get some suet or lard, raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds and grated bits of dry cheese. You will also need some dry pine cones and string.

1. Make your bird mix. Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature, but don't melt it. Then cut it up into small pieces and put it in the mixing bowl.

2. Add the other ingredients to the bowl. Mix them together with your fingertips until the fat holds the squidgy mess together.

3. Now group your cones together and loop the string around the top of them. Then pack the sticky bird mix around the cones with your hands, creating a ball shape.

4.Put your cones in the fridge to set for an hour or so. After that, they'll be ready to hang up and are bound to bring the birds flocking.  

 

Christmas Lights Outings - On one eveningin the week before Christmas, when my children were growing up, we used to take a drive through the neighborhood looking at all of the light displays on the homes and businesses where we lived.  We would play Christmas Carols on the tape deck in the car and return home to hot chocolate and special snacks. 

 

Start a collection of Christmas Books to hand down over the years.  Books with Christmas themes, illulstrations, stories, poems, recipes, etc. old and new, will be treasured through the years. You can search new and used bookshops, garage sales, tag sales, etc. Older books are often scarce but occasionally you can find one.  Bringing out these books every December to enjoy with the family can become a lovely tradition that will be forever loved. 

  

(source) 

Start a Christmas Journal.  Fill it with special memories, gifts, photographs, etc.  Another idea is when someone you love becomes a new mother, buy her a large, bound blank journal and write several family recipes in it and encourage her to keep adding her child's favourite recipes to the book, favourite cookies, meals, tc.  Then the first year that the child has married, left home, moved away, etc. she can wrap this book up and give it to them.  Tell her to add family holiday traditions, memories, etc.  The journal will end up becoming a gift of love that has no price tag, and is a way of showing their child how much they are and have been loved throughout the years.  

 

Start some new Christmas Traditions for the family.  There are lots of library books that describe holiday traditions from around the world.  It's a wonderful learning tool to teach children about their own ethnic traditions as well as those traditions from other cultures.  It could be as simple as baking something which is a Christmas treat from another country, or celebrating a Christmas Custom which is a part of their ethnic heritage.  Many December celebrations from around the world are concerned with bringing light into a darkened world.  Have fun and share your knowledge with a child. 

Make popcorn balls! 

  

A Family Feast.  Jello Popcorn Balls. 

 

Divine Lifestyle, Brown Sugar and Vanilla Popcorn Balls.  

  

Tornadough Alley.  Marshmallow Popcorn Balls.   

 

Ready Set Eat, Holiday Kernel Popcorn Balls.

 

 

Bake up some cookie trays to share with friends and neighbours.  When the kids were growing up I would spend the weeks prior to Christmas baking up goodies and freezing them in large tupperware containers in the freezer.  We would pick up some cheap Christmas plates and trays at the dollar store and then on Christmas Eve, we would divide the baked goodies between the plates, wrap them up in cellophane and tie them with a bow and then deliver them to their intended recipients.  I did not have a lot of money to spend giving store bought gifts, but these trays of baking were always well received and the children learned a bit about the nice feelings that come with giving to others.   

 

Gather together a few friends and go carolling.  You can go in the car and just carol for people you know, or you can just wander around the neighbourhood and carol for your local community.  Often old people's homes enjoy it if you come in and carol for their residents. Are there any shut-ins that you know of that could use a bit of Festive Cheer?   Its a wonderful way to share some love!  I have never had anyone slam the door in my face.  

  

Hunker down and watch some Christmas movies.  Make a big bowl of popcorn, put on the fire and the Christmas lights.  Make some hot cocoa and just wallow in some wonderfully festive films.  I have my favourites and I know you do too!  

  

Long ago, at Christmas time, how thrilled we all would be

When our dad would say to us, "Lets go and find our tree."

What fun we'd have looking for a very special kind;

It must be the finest tree that we could possibly find.

They were all so lovely, throughout the woodland scene,

But at least we'd come upon a beautiful evergreen.

We'd start for home, so gaily, carrying our chosen tree.

We could hardly wait until our mom, back home, could see.

The lovely tree went on a stand after we were tucked in bed,

And all the dreams of Christmas would fill each sleepy head.

An, then, on Christmas morning, what a glorious, lovely sight!

It seemed a group of fairies had worked there through the night.

For all the lovely branches were full of so many thigs;

Glowing candles and tinsel, popcorn and peppermint canes.

We still have a Christmas that is beautiful in every way,

But memories of those long ago, are in our hearts to stay

~Doris Connell  

A thought to carry with you  . . .  

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *Old woman, old woman, old woman up high

She's plucking her geese, see the white feathers fly.

•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。 

 

Cooking in the Kitchen today, Oven Braised Beef Stew.  Some comfort food.

Have a lovely Wednesday. I have my annual Pap Smear test to look forward to today. UGH. One of life's necessary evils.  Don't forget! 

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And I do too!