Well I think I’ve got it all done- I’ve got all the presents wrapped (Don’t think i’ve forgotten anyone) I’ve got all the shopping done,posted all the cards and even have most of the unit tidy…still more to do on that one sadly. I’ve even got most of the cooking done. Tomorrow night we’ll cook the turkey for Christmas day and I’ll make the couple of salads that  I will need to do  and that will be it.I took the offer of help up this year and so some of the salads and the ham will be arriving with the others.Oh and I’ll need to make the meringues for the Berry Tree which is a dish I’ve been making as the alternative dessert for the last 20 years. Its  consists of 3 layers of meringue going from largest to smallest with layers of whipped cream and berry yogurt with fresh berries in between. Its called a Berry Tree as it looks a bit like a Christmas tree.

Our youngest son Jacob will be arriving in time for Christmas Eve dinner (we’ll be having roast pork and John something vegetarian….its so hot here in Queensland that we have our hot meal on Christmas Eve and then cold meat and salads etc for Christmas day. We do have hot Chistmas pudding though). Our oldest son Ben and his wife Lina and her parents David & Bev will meet us at Church on Christmas morning and then will come back to our unit for Christmas lunch. We might even go and have a swim Christmas afternoon-its only a 5 minute walk down to the beach..a good way of walking off a few of those Kilojoules we’ll be consuming at lunch! We will miss Luke our middle son who is in Darwin and unable to come down to join us.

We finish work here at the Chamomile Massage Therapy Centre at 3pm tomorrow and then don’t reopen till 5th January. John and I will be taking 3 days to drive down to southern New South Wales where my nephew’s wedding will be held on New Years Eve. It will be good to have a happy occaison for the family to get together at after my mother’s tragic death in a car accident a month ago.

I guess this will be my last blog for this year.2009 has been a year filled with great joy and much sadness.

It’s also been a huge year for us. We started it in the air on our way to India from Dublin where we were teaching courses for the  Brandon Raynor School of Natural Therapies. From India to Melbourne then Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin.In April we decided to leave off being travelling teachers with the  school and settle down here in Maroochydore where we set up our own clinic again. We still teach the Raynor courses from here though-looking at 3 for next year.

In March we had my brother’s daughter Cassandra’s wedding to Peter then in June our own son Ben’s wedding to Lina. This was the last time that I saw Mum alive and it was a joyous occaison. Mum and Dad and my sister and sister-in-law had lunch together the day after the wedding before we all headed home in various directions. Just 2 weeks before Mum passed away I was able to give her the exciting news that her first great grandchild (our first grandchild) was on the way and she was thrilled to bits -as are we all. This baby is greatly wanted and will be much loved by the whole family.

John and I have worked hard over this year to get the new clinc established and have been very pleased to see how well it is going-especially as we started in the middle of the economic downturn!

In November we had the worry of Dad’s knee replacement surgery and just a short week later the terrible news that Mum had been killed in a car accident on her way home from visiting him in the hospital. I had to go down to be with my father and brother and sister at this awful time while John soldiered on up here trying to massage,take bookings and look after things until he needed to leave to attend the funeral. Needless to say I haven’t been totally up to speed since we got back and then we had to get cracking with all the end of year things that needed doing plus preparing for Christmas.

So all in year we’ve had a lot happen in 2009.

As we look to 2010 I wonder where it will take us. We know the baby will be arriving in June…definately something to look forward to! We hope that the business will grow and that we’ll be able to take on another therapist. Apart from that we have no idea what the coming year will hold. John and I have both already taken steps this year to get fitter and healthier…..so we can look forward to seeing more results in those areas. …I want to grow closer to my Lord next year-to become more like Him and to be less impatient and critical and unloving to those I interact with…

Do get excited or scared as you stand on the edge of the New Year? What are your hopes and dreams and plans for it?

I do know that the decisions we make and the actions we take will go a long way to influencing how the year will deal with us. I hope that you will be able to say at the end of 2010 that it was a year of growth and blessing and that you will be able to look back and see that you made the decisions that will make it a GREAT year in spite of the negative circumstances that you will no doubt encounter along the way.

So John and I wish you a blessed and merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year!

Kathie x

May the Spirit of Christmas bring you Peace,
The Gladness of Christmas give you hope
The Warmth of Christmas grant you Love
May your holiday season be as beautiful as a Winter Wonderland!
Merry Christmas !

Family members begin the celebration with a prayer and breaking of the Christmas wafer (opłatek – symbolising the bread eaten daily — our day-to-day common life) and wishing each other good fortune in the upcoming new year.

Breaking of the Christmas wafer – himalman

Kliknij na link powyżej, by podzielić się ze mną opłatkiem.

Christmas in Poland

Christmas in Poland is the most solemn festival (there are only Easter which may have the same importance). The tradition of this celebration – family and intimate – is very old. There are even traces of these traditions from the time of ancient Slavic tribes.We began the meal at sundown, with the appearance of the first star – yet guetté forward by the children.

It began by presenting their wishes to everyone sharing the symbolic bread (opłatek). This beautiful tradition is still alive in Poland. This evening is the best for the children – the fairy tale becomes reality when under the tree they find beautiful gifts they dreamed.Recall certain traditions, characteristic for the Polish Christmas. Some are saved only in the countryside, but there are many who also exist in the cities.

The tradition is the largest share of the symbolic bread (opłatek). The former “opłatek” was all colors and highly decorated. Today they are white with design hurry.

Another beautiful Polish tradition, it only invites people for Christmas – so that no one is alone and sad. We must not forget the Polish Christmas carols (kolędy).

These magnificent songs, known and sung by all, give a specific atmosphere at Christmas Polish. Even Frederic Chopin used the melody singing Christmas “Lulajże Jezuniu” in his Scherzo in B – minor.

The custom of visiting the homes of people with large colored star disappears already. But the tradition of preparing nurseries Kraków is always cultivated a large and competition for the most beautiful nursery is held annually in Krakow. Of course, there is also a crib in all the churches. Christmas and Easter are the largest culminations of the year culinary Poland.

For Christmas Eve / Wigilia /, the most important is the dinner which is a meager meal. But our ancestors came to make it a true feast despite this constraint and the meal “lean” Polish is well known throughout the world. In the houses of the nobility and the bourgeoisie meal was composed of twelve dishes – such as the number of apostles. This was mainly based dishes of fish, and in particular we had to prepare the famous carp or pike in his gray sauce. Sometimes there were so many dishes, which they greatly exceeded in number the traditional figure. But, we found the solution – every dish of fish were counted as a dish!On the Eve began with the traditional soup – most often the “barszcz (beet soup), mushroom soup or – more rarely – almond soup. Then we used, in addition to the fish, sauerkraut pea, meals made from dried mushrooms, dried fruit compotes and traditional desserts made from poppy (łamańce poppy or kutia) and cakes – (primarily cake Poppy).

The vigil supper concludes with family members giving gifts to one another. Christmas carols are also sung. Some families attend the traditional midnight mass (pasterka).

It is still believed that whatever happens on the Wigilia day has an impact on the following year. So, if a quarrel should arise, it foretells a quarrelsome and troublesome year. If, in the morning the first visiting person is a man, it means good luck, if a woman, one might expect misfortune. Everyone, however, is glad when a mailman comes by, for it means money and success in the future.

And now some traditional recipes.

Soup Christmas to the beet (Barszcz wigilijny)

The recipe earliest date to the sixteenth century. There are two recipes from the classic “barszcz” – a lean Christmas and the other on the basis of meat broth for Easter. Both versions are prepared on the basis of pure natural beet.Cut beets into slices washed and peeled. Arrange in a jar and fill the jar with warm water (water should cover beets). One can ask above a slice of bread (which speeds up the process). Cover the jar with a gauze pad and let stand in a warm place. After four to five days to remove the foam that forms on the surface and put the liquid in bottles. The bottles can be kept closed for several months.”Barszcz” Christmas is prepared basis of vegetable broth without cabbage (celery, parsley, carrots, leeks, onions). Cook the vegetables with beet 4 peeled and cut into slices. Add a few grains of black pepper and a laurel leaf. Separately cook 50 – 80 g of dried mushrooms. Skip two broths to the colander and mix. Now we add a dose of yeast beets (1 1 / 2 l broth – 1 / 2 l leaven). Bring to a boil and stop. To get an even more beautiful color can add beet juice or flood. Then add salt, pepper (possibly a pinch of sugar or lemon juice). You can add garlic.Traditionally, it accompanies the “barszcz” by the “uszka” – “little ears” (recipe below). It takes 6 to 8 ears per person. Put small ears cooked in the vessel and pour on top of the hot soup.

“Ears” (uszka) for the beet soup

The dough: 150 g flour, 1 egg, 1 pinch salt. Knead the dough and flatten with the roll into a very thin layer. Cut squares (4 x 4 cm or smaller). Ask a little joke on each square, fold the square diagonally, paste the edges and then paste the two opposing angles of the triangle. Put in boiling salted water. When they come to the surface – they are ready.The stuffing: very finely chop the dried mushrooms cooked with broth has been added to the beet soup. Chop a small onion, brown in the pan. Mix all the ingredients with 1 tablespoon of bread crumbs and 1 egg. Add salt and pepper. The stuffing is ready.

Christmas soup with mushrooms

Put the casserole in 100 g of dried mushrooms and 2 litres of water warm and bring to a boil over low heat. When the mushrooms are cooked, add cabbage without vegetables (celery, carrot, parsley, onion), pepper, bay leaf and cook for 25 to 30 minutes. Pass soup colander, salt and add the cooked mushrooms and cut into strips. Add chunks of cooked lasagna before. You can add the cream.

Carp to the Polish in his gray sauce

It is a recipe for Christmas well known. There are several versions of this dish – one cited below is the most characteristic for the kitchen of former Poland. It is also a dish that requires work, but it’s worth being prepared for Christmas.Clean and cut into steaks a beautiful carp (weight approx. 1 kg). If the fish was alive, keep the blood in a bowl or on a paid juice 1 / 2 lemon.Place fish in a pan, pour on top of the broth prepared a little celery, cut into strips, 1 large onion, 1 cup red wine, 1 lemon zest, a few grains of pepper, 1 / 3 of a spoon Coffee ginger juice and 1 / 2 lemon. Place fish cooked on the hot plate, and keep warm. Skip broth to the colander for a sauce finely mixed, add the blood of carp (if it was), a glass of beer, 2 to 3 pieces of sugar, 1 tablespoon of jam prunes, 50 g Gingerbread based honey and grated dry, gd’amandes cut into 50 pieces, 50 of raisins and 1 tablespoon butter great. Cook the sauce over low heat 10 to 15 minutes, cool slightly, verify its taste and napper fish in the dish.

For those who find this recipe too complicated, another traditional dish – ie:

The pike in the water to the former

It is also a traditional dish and if it serves two meals pike fish should be served first.Clean and salt pike (weight approx. 1 kg). Prepare a vegetable broth (without cabbage), 1 large onion, a few grains of pepper and a bay leaf. Put the pike in the whole fish, and then the cold broth on top, bring to a boil. Bake 15 -20 minutes on low heat, covered. Keep warm.Melt in a pan 50 g of butter. 3 Add finely chopped hard-boiled eggs and 1 tablespoon of parsley. Do not fry, just heat.Ask the pike hot on a platter, pour the juice of 1 / 2 lemon and dispose above the preparation of butter, egg and parsley. According connoisseurs it is the most correct way to serve the pike to emphasize the distinct taste of this excellent fish.You can also prepare the traditional dish as simple as follows:

Carp panée as steaks

Clean carp, cut the steaks with salt and let stand 30 minutes. Pass each steaks in flour, beaten egg and bread crumbs. Fry over medium heat the butter. Put in the oven a few minutes to finish cooking. You can marry carp to the sauerkraut with mushrooms.

The sauerkraut with mushrooms

This dish is a good example of the traditional Polish cuisine.1 kg of sauerkraut (if it is too acidic, rinse through a sieve), 2 large glasses of water. Bake. Separately, cook 50-80g dried mushrooms in a small amount of water. The slice them and add broth with her in sauerkraut cooked. Add 1 large chopped onion and golden, and the roux prepared in a tablespoon of flour and 2 tablespoons of butter. Salt and pepper and cook a little while.

“Pierogi” sauerkraut

Or sauerkraut and mushroomsDOUGH: 350 g flour, 1 egg, approx. 1 / 2 glass of water, a pinch of saltPrepare the stuffing according to the recipe.Pour the flour on a board, make a hollow, add salt, egg, and a quantity of water to make a paste quickly not too hard. Spread rolls with the small parties, the board dusting of flour. Crop circles using a glass in order to put the most possible meadows. Ask the stuffing on each round with a spoon, fold each circle in half and glue the edges. Submit as on a floured board or a cloth. Use the leftover dough to make the next part of “pierogi.” Bake a few minutes in boiling salted water. Serve sprinkled with melted butter, possibly with an onion cut into cubes and browned.

STUFFING THE CHOUCROUTE: ok. 800 g of sauerkraut, 2 onions, oil, salt, pepperCook the cabbage in a small amount of water for 30 minutes. Peel and chop onions and brown. Drain sauerkraut carefully, chop them finely, add the browned onions, salt, pepper and mix.

STUFFING THE CHOUCROUTE AND MUSHROOMS: approx. 800 g of sauerkraut, 100 grams of dried mushrooms, 2 onions, oil, salt, pepperRinse mushrooms, soak for several hours, cook in water soaking, drain. Mince. Cook the cabbage in a small amount of water for 30 minutes. Peel and chop onions and brown. Drain sauerkraut carefully, chop them finely, add the browned onions, mushrooms, salt, pepper and mix.Now something for dessert.

The split poppy (Lamance z makiem)

It is a traditional dessert prepared based poppy decorated by long shortbread biscuits.Put a large glass poppy in a pan, add above 2 glasses of milk boiling and keep over low heat for 15 -20 minutes. Drain through a colander. Crush the seeds when moving the poppy three times by the meat chopper. Then add 2 / 3 glass of liquid honey, vanilla, 100 g raisins soaked in rum before or cognac and 100 gd’amandes peeled and chopped. If the preparation is too thick, add a little cream liquid. You can add a small glass of good cognac. Then refrigerate. Before serving have in a glass bowl and top with “broken”.The dough for broken (łamańce).Knead the dough using 130 grams of flour, 60 g of butter, 30 g powdered sugar and 1 egg yolk. Flatten roll. Cut 2 rectangles x 7 cm and cook in the oven.There is an alternative – the dough “lean” – 120 g flour, 120 grams of sugar and 1 egg. Prepare as above.

The rolled in poppy (Makowiec)

The brioche dough:300 grams of flour, 150 grams of sugar, 150 g of butter, 2 eggs (or 1 egg and 2 egg yolks), 1 / 2 cup of milk, 40 grams of baking yeast and a pinch of salt.Work the butter with sugar to obtain a homogeneous mass. Add eggs in a, salt and yeast baking diluted with milk. Finally, add the flour and knead the dough very carefully with her hand. Cover with a towel and let stand in a warm place for at least one hour. Flatten the dough then climb with the roll on a board sprinkled with flour by the shape of a rectangle. With the brush move a layer of egg white (so that the stuffing glue well) and have the stuffing to poppy regularly. Roll out the dough stick ends. Put butter in pan and let stand a little longer. Bake in oven 45 -50 minutes. After cooking you can glaze the log.The farce poppy:Put the casserole in 400 g of opium and pay above 1 litre of milk boiling. Keep on low heat for 30 minutes. Drain through the sieve. Crush the seeds when moving the poppy three – four times by the meat chopper.Melt in a pan 150 g of butter, 3 / 4 of full glass of honey, add vanilla, 100 gd’amandes or chopped nuts, 150 grams of raisins, 1 / 2 cup of orange peel fries sugar and chopped. Now add the poppy and cook a little mixing. Cool. Add 3 to 4 egg yolks beaten with a glass of white sugar and beaten in the remaining snow very firm. The taste will be further refined if we add a glass of rum or cognac. Place the stuffing still lukewarm on the dough.

The gingerbread nuts

The dough prepared with honey was known already by the ancient Slavs. But the “discovery” of spices and yeast dough has turned into hard gingerbread today. The most famous were the gingerbread Torun Nuremberg and mussels cooked in beautifully carved. “Catherinettes” Torun were known already in 1640.Components: 500 grams of flour, 250 grams of sugar, 250 g of honey, 150 g walnuts, 4 to 5 eggs, 2 tablespoons of caramel liquid (10 g brown sugar on the stove, add 2 to 3 tablespoons water, bring to boiling), 1 teaspoon spices (cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg), 10 g of sodium bicarbonate, 50 – 100 g butter.Work the butter, add the egg yolks, one by one, sugar, liquid honey, baking soda, caramel, spices and half the flour. Mounting white snow and put in the preparation by adding the remaining flour and chopped nuts. Pour batter into the pan and bake in the oven. You can glaze gingerbread with chocolate or fill with jam or cream chocolate.

“KOMPOT” (DRINK THE CHRISTMAS BASED ON DRY)

For approx. 10 sharesComponents: 250 g dried fruit (prunes, apples, pears, apricots, raisins, figs), a few cloves, cinnamon1 / 2 cup sugar, 2 1 / 2 litres waterSoak fruit for a few hours. Add sugar, cloves, cinnamon and cook slowly. Serve chilled in a large bowl.Prepared according to the book “In the kitchen of old Poland” and “The Polish cuisine”And the site http://www.kuchnia.com.pl/

Yes, it’s true! My very own sister, Nancy, could smell Santa. She KNEW when he was coming and had been to our house!
It was Christmas 1972 when Nancy blew my socks off by revealing to me her secret that she could smell Santa Claus. I was a mere child in the 3rd grade and she was also a wee child in the 1st grade. I don’t remember our exact conversation, after all it was a long time ago, but it probably went something like this: She looked at me, dead serious and stated “I know what Santa smells like. I can smell him before he comes to our house.” “You can smell Santa? What does he smell like” I demanded to know this earth shattering, stunning announcement. She giggled and said that he smelled like the Christmas candy he left in our stockings. We always had ribbon candy in our stockings as well as an orange, whole nuts and other goodies. My reaction must have been a deer in the headlights look, with my mouth gaping open. I don’t even remember who told Mom and Dad or how they found out. I can just imagine the giggles they had to stifle when they heard this ground breaking news!!
We always opened gifts on Christmas Eve, after dinner was over and the dishes washed and put away. We went to bed, fairly early so that Santa could come! This particular Christmas Eve, we were one step ahead of good Old Saint Nick, I had Nancy to sniff him out! After Mom and Dad went to bed I snuck into her room. While sitting on her bed, we decided that we were going to stay up all night and see Santa in action, after all, that was every kids secret wish! It would be grand to tell our friends that we had seen Santa IN our house! Our plan was fairly simple. We’d be quiet as mice and when Nancy could smell him in the house, we’d sneak out to our living room where our Christmas Tree was and watch him put our gifts under the tree and fill our stockings. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? We were so excited it was hard to be quiet, but we had to be so we wouldn’t scare Santa or worse, wake up Mom and Dad!
We got to looking out the window to pass the time. The sky was clear and the stars were bright on that cold, Colorado winter night. I must have started to doze when Nancy sharply drew in her breath and grabbed my arm “LOOK! I see Ruldolph’s nose! Look, there it is, way up in the sky!” Her little arm was stretched toward the sky with her finger waving widly. What? She could smell Santa and on top of that, she could Ruldolphs red nose! Holy cow! What else could she do?? I strained my eyes to see this magic sight. I squinted and squinted harder. Oh my! She was right! There it was, shining brightly, way up in the sky, near the stars! If we could see Ruldolph’s nose that meant that he and the other reindeer were pulling Santa’s sleigh! Santa was on his way! We were so excited! Our hearts were racing and our tummies were full of butterflies! We were actually able to see part of the Christmas Magic coming to our little town. That red light would blink every so often as it ever so slowly, came towards town. Then, it was gone! Where did it go? Almost as soon as the red from Ruldolphs nose disappeared, Nancy whispered excitedly “I CAN SMELL SANTA!” Time seemed to stand still for a second. I turned to look at her and her eyes were opened wide in excitement as she bounced up and down on her bed.
“I can’t smell him!” I said, sniffing the air like a bloodhound.
“He’s here, I can smell him!” She was very serious and could hardly contain her excitement.
I kept trying to smell Santa and just could not. Then maybe, just maybe, no. I sniffed harder. Yes! I caught a faint whiff of Christmas Candy! “I smell him too!” I squeaked in excitement. Our little hearts pounded and the butterflies in our tummies were doing flip flops! I was so excited I thought my heart was going to jump right out of my chest. We sat there and looked at each other, waiting for the other to be the first to creep out to the living room and to our beautiful Christmas tree. Neither of us moved a muscle. Maybe we were scared? Maybe we were so excited we just couldn’t get our legs to work? Maybe we didn’t want to scare Santa?
The sweet smell of Christmas Candy was stronger now, and it was drifting in from the living room. Finally, we were able to creep quietly into the dark living room to catch Santa. Our eyes were accustomed to the dark and we glanced over every part of the living room with our eyes locked onto the Christmas Tree. No one was there! Oh no! We had scared Santa away! Our hearts sunk in disappointment. How could that be? We both very clearly, smelled Santa but he wasn’t here. Then we realized that there were new gifts under the tree! Our stockings were full as well! Oh my goodness! He had been here! Yes he had been in our house! He must have heard us and hurried up and left as we were coming into the living room! We turned tail and scampered back to our rooms, jumped into our beds and fell fast asleep. We didn’t even peek at the gifts he left under the tree, we were so excited that Santa had come! What a evening! We saw Ruldolphs red nose, smelled Santa Claus and almost saw him!
Many a Christmas after that one, we did our best to catch a glimpse of Santa. We never did get to see him, but we sure could smell him!
Yes, my little sister is flat amazing. One day I’ll tell you about her smelling the Easter Bunny as well!

This song from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was introduced to me by a friend of mine freshman year of college. I always feel like it has this special rocking out quality because it would be playing during parties in our little dorm room and get huge (positive) reactions from the crowd. Let’s give it another spin this holiday season, with a video of what appears to be some rich dude who synchronized his house lights (etc. and i mean ETC.) to the jam. This man is serious about his TSO.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo 12/24:

-Drew

In Denmark today is known as little Christmas eve, so happy little Christmas eve to you. I hope by now you’ve done all of your shopping and with the presents wrapped they are sitting under the tree. Waiting til Christmas morning when some fat git will take all the credit for your hard work. Ah the memories of Christmas morning, you sitting there with your parents opening the gifts one by one. Showing them exactly what you got for each present, with them pretending its all new to them. Good times.

Probably my favourite bit about Christmas day, is Christmas eve itself. A couple of years ago I decided to try to carve out a family tradition of watching The Muppets Christmas Carol with my family. The Muppets version of Christmas Carol being the best ever, of all time. Period. Full stop. No returns. The other viewing tradition in my house is talking about watching the classic cartoons ‘Father Christmas’ and ‘The Snowman’, but never actually watching them. That’s a lie, my sister and I watched them on Christmas morning last year. I’m sure I remember watching them as a kid though, I wonder why we stopped for so many years. Oh well.

I’ve changed my mind, the best bit about Christmas is the food, you’ve got to love a Christmas dinner. Specifically the roast potatoes and the gravy. So good. The stuffing is good too and the chicken, the veg is nice as well. You know what, the whole damn thing is brilliant.

Merry Christmas

Rob

Of course really, the best thing about Christmas for me is Boxing day, when I go to the Zoo every year. So good, yet surprisingly full considering the time of year.

Christmas Eve is one of the biggest attended worship services of the year for us. Easter Sunday is the other. Why is that? Who goes to church on Christmas Eve?

• If they’re in town, most of our regular attenders will be there.
• If they’re in town, a good number of members who rarely attend (once or twice a year, at Christmas or Easter) will be there.
• Visiting relatives will be there.
• Some first time worshipers will be there, too.

That last group is the one that really interests me. How did they find us? Why did they choose us? What are they looking for? Chances are they will slip in and slip out without meeting me, so I don’t often get answers to these questions.

The Christmas Eve culture is an interesting one. So many spend so much time and money on the commercial and consumer dimension of the celebration. So why all of a sudden devote time to worship? I am sure they like the music. Or they’ve been told “we’re going to church.” Or it’s something they’ve always done. I think it’s awesome when you see a whole family sitting together.

I used to feel a lot of pressure to communicate the gospel clearly to those whom I will only see on this night. That’s important, but I don’t feel that pressure anymore. I like to tell the story because I like to hear the story of my Savior coming to save me. And I think everyone else likes to hear that story, too.

Navajo Lutheran Mission thanks the Christ Lutheran Church in San Diego, CA support of Campbell’s Soup UPCs and General Mills Box Tops for Education

The Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ thanks the Christ Lutheran Church in San Diego, CA for remembering the mission’s Campbell’s Soup Project in its Christmas pdf

Keep saving the UPC code only, from Campbell Soup labels and General Mills Box Tops for Education.
We send them to Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ.
Drop them off in the box in the church office.

Christ Lutheran Church
4761 Cass Street
San Diego CA 92109

(858) 483-2300

email the church office

On its homepage, Christ Lutheran Church in San Diego, California makes it clear they welcome all – as Jesus would:

“All Are Welcome at the Table of Hope

Welcome to new visitors and old friends; to believers, questioners, and questioning believers.

Welcome to people of any shape, size, color, culture, gender, age, ability, sexuality, and family type.

We give thanks for the diversity of God’s family and our unity as God’s people.

This is a safe place for celebration, healing, rejoicing and renewal.”

The Navajo Lutheran The Navajo Lutheran Mission thanks Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ for supporting the NELM School

The Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ thanks Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ for supporting the Navajo Lutheran Mission School and mentioning the mission in its Nov. 2009 online newsletter:

“In Dec., we will be providing the school with donations of hats, scarves, underwear, and other necessities.”

email Rev. Dr. Pamela Challis | Senior Pastor

email Rev. Steve Hammer | Associate Pastor, Youth & Family Life

email Lynn Hockenberger | Pre School Director

email Todd Hoover | Worship Intern
Esperanza Lutheran Church, ELCA

2601 E. Thunderhill Place

Phoenix, Arizona

85048

1-480-759-1515   phone
1-480-759-1436   fax

Related Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) Links:

NELM on facebook

NELM on wordpress blog

NELM on Blogger

NELM on Zimbio

NELM on myspace

NELM on bliptv

NELM on youtube

NELM on photobucket

NELM on Twitter

Top Stories

In Memory:

The Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission remembers a longtime employee.

90-year-old Bernita Severson died on April 10, 2009 at the Peaceful Valley Care Home in Prescott, AZ .

She served for 22 years as the mission cook, education director. She fed countless Navajo children tens of thousands of meals.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Grand Canyon Synod on ELCA

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Augsburg Fortress Vacation Bible School Navajo Mission School Project

Augsburg Fortress One Mission Blog about NELM Navajo Mission School Project

Vacation Bible School Mission Project Offering

P.O. Box 71764

Chicago, IL

60694-1764

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Navajo Lutheran Mission named Johnson & Johnson 2008 Community HealthCare Program Awardee sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson family and The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

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The Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission thanks Lisa and Robert Gehl of Plainfield, IL, the owners of the website GiftCrazy.net because the company in Plainfield, IL donates 10% of all sales to the mission.
And they promote that fact heavily on their website

GiftCrazy.net specializes in finding unique gifts and seasonal items for home and office.
1-800-917-4345
1-815-577-2219

email Gift Crazy

email Lisa Gehl

email Robert Gehl

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NELM News Stories:
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The Lutheran magazine (March 1998 issue) story about NELM and volunteers from Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ that for 11 years has sent a team including youth to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission

The Lutheran magazine in Chicago, IL

1-800-638-3522 Ext. 2540 (editorial)

The Lutheran contact info

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Green Valley News & Sun story on the NELM visit by the 2009 team from Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, AZ

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Pittsburgh Tribune-Review preview story on April 9, 2009 on upcoming NELM visit by 2009 team from the Hope Lutheran Church of Forest Hills in Pittsburgh, PA

Pastor Susan Schwartz & team at NELM in July 2009

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AZCentral preview story on NELM visit by a 2009 team from the Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee, AZ

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Yuma Sun story on June 5, 2009 on NELM visit by a dozen volunteers from three churches in the Yuma, AZ and Blythe, CA areas: Calvary Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church

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In recent years, the Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bellbrook, Ohio sent four shipments of clothing and supplies to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ, and to the Hopi Reservation, Second Mesa, AZ.

Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church

email Pastor Steve Becker

email the Church office
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Reformation Lutheran Church of Media, Pennsylvania supports the Navajo Lutheran Mission and even lists the NELM in its Mission Statement

NELM part of Reformation Lutheran Church Mission Statement:

“Even our young members learn the lessons of Global Mission concern. Ten people went to the school at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ and made sure they opened on time.”

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Global Citizens Network page about Navajo Lutheran Mission:

Global Citizens Network

130 North Howell Street

Saint Paul, Minnesota

55104

1-651-644-0960 (office)

1-800-644-9292 (toll free)

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During the summer of 2009 a group of 20 members of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Nevada and the New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, UT did building and repair work at the Navajo Lutheran Mission

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Los Angeles Times PSA: Some proceeds from the 28th annual Apple Festival Bazaar in Oct. 2001 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamitos, CA went to the Lutheran Brotherhood Relief Fund for 9/11 survivors and the Navajo Lutheran Mission

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Bethel Lutheran Church of Cupertino, California church council reports on 2004 donation to NELM

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Preview info from 2008 on visit to the NELM by the Maricopa Lutheran Church aka Mountain View Lutheran Church in Maricopa, AZ

1-520-280-6102 (office)

Mountain View Lutheran Church

20987 N. John Wayne Pkwy.

B104-180

Maricopa, AZ

85239

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Visit by La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church of Scottsdale, AZ to the Navajo Lutheran Mission in June and April 2008

1-480-948-1234 (office)

La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church

6300 E. Bell Road

Scottsdale, AZ

85254

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Navajo Lutheran Mission on Facebook

Top Stories

Merry Christmas, blog reader. I hope the festive season brings you nothing but joy and happiness. Unless you hate me and the blog – which of course begs the question as to why you’re reading it anyway.

With regard to the Christmas lights issue which I raised last week, I don’t have any objection to people putting some bright decorations on the outside of the house. It’s just that some go way beyond the acceptable boundaries of taste and respectability.

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Utterly chav-tastic

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I was in B&Q the other day and a lady in front of me in the queue was buying a Christmas tree. The shop assistant said: “Are you going to put this up yourself?”

Before allowing her to answer, I said: “No, she’s going to put it in the lounge…” Neither the lady or the staff member was sharp enough to appreciate the humour.

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Go on. Speak. Me? How?

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Although I’m not working at Pussycats on Christmas Eve, I will be there quite a bit over the festive season:

Sat 26th Boxing Day Fun

Sun 27th Costas’ Birthday Bash

This should be lively as Monday is a Bank Holiday and therefore most people will be out on the lash as they won’t be working the next day.

Thu 31st New Year’s Eve 2009 into 2010

Fri 1st Jan New Year’s Day

Sat 2nd Jan as normal

See the latest photos in the gallery at the world famous dj wanker website and see the official club pictures here.

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Is that a pearl necklace?

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Get into the festive spirit with these Christmas videos

From 1984, one of my all time favourite records – The Power of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I still have the 7″ vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. It was £1.50 well spent.

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Three years later, this wonderful collaboration made number two in the charts. The late, great Kirsty MacColl joined The Pogues in producing the spine-tingling Fairytale of New York. “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot, Happy Christmas your arse I pray God it’s our last.”

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I’ll be surprised if I get one present this Christmas but I’m cool with that. I never know what to ask people to buy me and, in all honesty, I prefer to give than receive. In terms of presents, that is.

So what would be a nice treat from Santa??

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Santa opens his sack once a year

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I didn’t have a football match to report on last Saturday so just chilled out in the afternoon at my weekend retreat in Telford. The landlord was in charge of the remote control so we got a random selection of programmes…

* Have I Got News For You – very funny
* Chuckle Vision – what the f***?
* Friday Night with Jonathan Ross – excellent
* Live At The Apollo – decent
* EastEnders – wrist slashing rubbish
* An Audience With Freddie Starr – retro classic

I would’ve had Sky Sports Soccer Saturday on if the choice had been mine but the landlord doesn’t like football.

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Just found out that an Elvis impersonator used to live in the house. That’s true actually. I’m sure I saw his ghost in the living room one night. I was all shook up.

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There's no ghost, just your suspicious mind

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The Facebook Bit.

Status update of the week:

“Cnt wait 4 new year new start new me fuck the dickheads who ave hurt me this yr bt u aint keepin dwn i stand up n im proud ov wat i ave n got my dawta my fam n gd mates men cum n go my Princess fam n mates r 4 lyf”

People who read the blog who are unfamiliar with Facebook (there can’t be many) have asked if these status updates are genuine. Sadly, I have to admit, they are 100% genuine.

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Da kidz spk lyk dis. Init.

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I’ve changed the names on this status update because *Peggy* reads the blog and is a bit touchy… only joking *Peggy* you old goat!

Sat in McDonalds with Leah. Woman sits down next to us with her food alone. She had a large Big Mac meal, double cheeseburger, nine chicken nuggets and some of those cheese melt things!! She was about a size 12, so god knows where she stores it! Leah says in her very non subtle, non quiet voice ‘look how much food that lady has to herself and she hasn’t even got any kids with her, that’s greedy isn’t it mummy?’

Someone replied:

You should have said ‘Yes, Leah, she’s a greedy fat twat.’

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One of my FB friends went on a bit of a frenzy and joined loads of groups and fan pages on the same day – why she did this I really don’t know and I really don’t care. Although I care enough to share the information with you, obviously. She joined…

* “Why do I bother with you?”
* “Ignoring me? Two can play that game.”
* “Even though I hate you, I’d still shag you.”
* “Just because I like your status it doesn’t mean I like you.”

The nonsense continued…

* “Stop fucking around and just tell me how you feel.”
* “Tell me why you’re upset? I can’t – the reason is you.”
* “When I push you away, don’t leave – it’s times like that I need you to stay.”
* “I can switch from happy to psycho in less than two minutes … don’t go there.”

I really hope she’s not reading the blog – or if she is, she doesn’t realise I’m laughing at her. Oh, here’s some more she joined…

* “I love knowing you bitch about me then watching you be nice to my face.”
* “It still takes me ages to get to sleep on Christmas Eve.”
* “I’ve just got over liking you and then you text me and I’m back to square one.”

And then there was one more…

* “N Dubz are better than Linkin Park.”

Confirmation if confirmation was required… she’s mental.

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I did get an invite to join one group which seemed appropriate to me…

“I look at the menu for ages then just order what I always have.”

…but in the end I didn’t bother.

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It wasn't a kiss I wanted her to blow

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This is what we pay our taxes for.

Leicester Mercury:

“A hairdresser was caught smoking in the doorway of his salon when a council environmental health officer drove past. Matthew Charles Bates, of Michael Charles Hair Salon in Cross Street, Blaby, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £320 costs after the on-duty officer, waiting at traffic lights, looked out of her car and saw him having a cigarette in the doorway of his business.”

This salon is near where I live and the pavement by the business doesn’t attract many pedestrians as it’s not in a busy area. I doubt anyone was actually troubled by this guy having a fag outside. He’s now £420 worse off. I’ve even been into the salon and given the bloke a pack of fags and bottle of wine. I don’t know him but just wanted to show some support.

It’s typical of our over-zealous nanny state with people in jobs for the sake of being in a job and spreading misery. From what I can gather, the environmental officer was an officious jobsworth cock of the highest order. I hope she has a grim Christmas.

Health and Safety, my arse.

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Here’s another, erm, festive-ish video worth checking out… it’s Avid Merrion’s Proper Crimbo from 2003.

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Miley Cyrus was on the telly with Alan Carr last week. She’s still a spoilt, showbiz brat – not quite in the Jordan and Katona oxygen thief envelope but give it time.

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Not as good as her dad

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Tiger Woods is taking time off golf to work on his marriage. He’s been asked to appear in a pantomime – but they’ve had to rename the show.

“Woods in the Babes.”

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Why are con men called con men? They’re usually quite good so surely they should be called pro men.

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Michael Jackson fans.

Ensure you win the BBC3 show ‘Move Like Michael Jackson’ by lying very still in a box.

I suppose given the standard rate of decomposition, now is the perfect time for a Thriller comeback tour.

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I'm a bad-ass dead motherfucker cha'mone

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Have you noticed how contestants on reality shows like X Factor and Big Brother talk about going on ‘a journey’? Let’s hope that journey takes them back to where they belong – stacking shelves alongside the other non-entities in Asda.

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Top Tips from Viz magazine:

“Cat and dog owners – your pets have no concept of Christmas. Don’t buy them a card or present. It’s just silly.”

While the Top Tips page from Viz is deliberate sarcasm, there is actually more than a jot of truth in that.

I don’t put “Merry Christmas to Johnny, Clare, the kids and Rover the dog” in my Christmas card to you – so don’t put a fucking paw print in mine.

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Separated at birth – The footballer Theo Walcott and Marvin from JLS

Theo ?

Marvin ?

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And finally…

Remember this – a dog is not just for Christmas… with any luck there’ll be some left over for Boxing Day.

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Cheers for now,
Geoff / DJ Wanker

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www.djwanker.com
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www.twitter.com/djwanker

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Join us on Thursday evening, December 24th at 6 pm for our Annual Christmas Eve service. It will be a wonderful service of carols, scripture readings, candle lighting. It will feature musicians from our congregation and our ministry partner church, Full Gospel Korean. You won’t want to miss it!

December 24th, 6 pm
New Community of Faith
6350 Rainbow Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129

Dear Santa,

How’s it going? I know this letter is a little late, but I have been kinda busy with my new business and all.  It has been an exciting year, with getting laid off and then starting Dinner Bella, but there is lots of positive buzz and I am very optimistic about 2010.  You know me, forever the optimist!

I was trying to think of what I’d really like for Christmas.  My parents have already gotten me a subscription to Cooking Light, so we are all set there.   For the most part, I have everything I need, so here are 12 things I really want.  You can sing to the tune of 12 days of Christmas if you want…

• 12 full time clients
• 11 family gatherings without drama
• 10 people that tell me I’ve lost weight
• 9 anonymous checks arrive in the mail so that i can get a commercial kitchen
• 8 months of weed free flower beds
• 7 lifetimes of healthy family and friends
• 6 people who tell me I look like Giada De Laurentiis
• 5 Chicken Empanadas
• 4 million hungry people eating
• 3 minions to do my social networking
• 2 weeks in Italy
• And 1 date with Bobby Deen…

So, Gretchen Park and I came up with my list while having lunch at the Empanada Stop.  You know the place?  At the Rochester Public Market.  Anyway, we thought that instead of cookies, we could give you empanadas.  But I just didn’t think they would last until Christmas Eve.  And since Maria told me they don’t ship, we had to think of something else.  So here is a recipe for some easy and tasty beef empanadas.  Have Mrs Claus make them for you when things settle down a little.  Hey- they are not Juan and Maria’s, but they still rock the house.  Maybe you can swoop down and get some of their homemade spicy ketchup…it would be worth the trip!

One last thing.  I was serious about just one date with Bobby Deen.  Once he sees how cute I am, I can take it from there!

Mangia,

Nina

Easy Empanadas

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 garlic clove

1 teaspoon salt

1 (15 ounce) can fresh cut corn, drained

1/2 cup chopped onion

8 ounces grated cheddar cheese

1 cup salsa

2 (16 ounce) cans large refrigerated biscuits (I use buttermilk, and you may only use 1 and 1/2 cans depending on how full you make them)

Directions

1  Brown the ground beef in a frying pan adding the salt and pepper just before done.

2  Let the beef cool.

3  In a large bowl mix the corn, onions, cheese, and salsa, then add the cooled beef mixing carefully so not to break up all the cheese.

4  Roll the biscuits out flat to about 2-1/2 times their size.

5  Place approx 1/3 cup filling on one side of the center of the circle lengthwise.

6  Fold the dough over the filling like a turn over and crimp the edges like a pie crust. Be careful not to tear the dough, and to seal the edges completely or your filling will come out! depending on how much filling is used will determine how many biscuits you will use.

7  Place on slightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 till lightly browned.

Enjoy!!!

M. Nina Piccini is the owner of Dinner Bella, Personal Chef Service, in Rochester, NY.

website: http://www.dinnerbella.com

Sitting at home listening to Lindsey help the boys wrap some presents – I’ve always loved the week leading up to Christmas. Everyone and everything seems a bit more alive – that much was obvious on Sunday morning during our worship gathering. Great set list from the band and y’all helped to create a great vibe with your singing, your listening, the raw emotion you brought to communion and the intentional way you connected with the people around you. I love being your pastor and I love what God is doing in and through you.

I also wanted to make sure I thank Katie Homeyer again for the set design. I love watching people do what they love to do and just wait until you see what she has planned for our different teaching series in 2010!

Our history as a church does not contain a lot of stories of radical generosity but over the past six weeks you have invested $40K in the kingdom work that is going on in and through our church. So far, we’ve raised almost $8K for Advent Conspiracy and I can’t wait to see how that money is going to be used to make a deep and lasting impact for God’s glory and the good of his world.

OK, now about this Thursday. Man, there aren’t words to describe how thrilled I am about what’s going down in our gathering on Christmas Eve (5pm, Westminster Christian Academy). Here are a few things I want you to look for when you show up (early!) for an incredible hour together:

• You’ll notice a lot of unfamiliar faces. We’ve invited Faith Presbyterian Church here in Watkinsville to worship with us so that means we’ll have more than 300 people in the gym – an exciting prospect if we understand that we’re not just using the time to slow the stampede heading towards the presents under the tree.
• You’ll see faces you didn’t expect to see. We have a ton of UGA students who don’t live in Athens but are making the trek from their homes just to be in the room when we have the gathering on Thursday. I can’t even wrap my mind around how crazy and wonderful it is to watch Jesus take hold and animate the lives of students.
• Y0u’ll notice some changes. With so many people in the room, we’re doing stuff like communion a bit different than we normally do it.
• You’ll hear me talk about Jesus. That’s not new but because you’re bringing friends and family with you, I promise you that Jesus will be front and center throughout the gathering.

OK, so seriously – this could be one of those nights we’re talking about months and years from now. I know some of you are going to be out of town (even out of the country!) but if you’re around, I hope you’ll come and engage God as we thank him for sending Jesus to live and die for us.

One last thing – would you pray for a few things:

• A movement of the Holy Spirit that shows us Jesus and compels us to press deeply into him;
• Conversions and renewal – my prayer for the gathering is that it will be a catalyst for a great Christmas where Jesus is seen and savored as the best present in the universe.
• The room to be filled with the love of Jesus. And then show up ready to serve and shake hands and hug necks and help our visiting friends feel at home.
• My voice. As of 5:18pm on Tuesday, I don’t have one. I don’t feel bad…just can’t talk. So ask God to work things out in a way that me, you and all of our friends get more of Jesus when it’s all said and done.

Cleveland Plus offers up some delectable offerings for those travelers looking to eat out over the Christmas holiday–from traditional eggs and pancakes to eggnog brûlée at the Ritz.

Lights on Public Square (photo: Scott Meivogel)

December 24, 2010: Christmas Eve

1890 Lounge at the Hyatt Regency
Drink in your choice of holiday spirits in a luxurious cosmopolitan atmosphere. Open 12pm-1am. For guests staying in the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, in-ioom dining is available from 6am-11pm.

Amelia’s at Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel
Fight post-flight hunger with a warm plate of Ohio City Black Pepper Fettuccine or start off your “island vacation” a few hours early with a Hawaiian burger.  Open for breakfast 6am-11am; lunch 11am-4pm; dinner 3pm-10pm

Bistro on Lincoln Park
Head to Tremont for a unique blend of French, Italian and Spanish flavors served up in a relaxed environment. Experience this seasonal menu of delicious food for lunch, 10am-2 pm.

Blake’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar
In addition to their regular menu, Blake’s Seafood Restaurant and Bar will feature a Surf & Turf special for $14.99. This feature includes a top sirloin steak with choice of Maryland crab cake or sautéed scampi shrimp (lobster tail for an additional $5) and a choice of a classic Caesar or wedge salad and a side dish. Open 4pm-9pm.

Bob Evans – All Locations
When the holidays have you yearning for home, grab a stack of blueberry hotcakes or a hearty knife & fork sandwich to warm your soul and lift your spirits. All Northeast Ohio Bob Evans locations are open 6am-3 pm on Christmas Eve.

Buca di Beppo Strongsville & Westlake
Enjoy Buca di Beppo’s delicious Italian-style, family-size portions meant to be shared among generations young and old.  Open 11am-10pm.

Bucci’s Brick Oven
Enjoy an Italian panini or a traditional margherita pizza baked in a wood-burning brick oven. A warm and cozy atmosphere and hearty portions lend themselves to an old-world authenticity at Bucci’s various locations throughout Cleveland Plus. Open for lunch until 2:30pm; available for carryout until 3:30pm.

Bucci’s Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport
Be one of the first to try the new menu, premiering on Dec. 23 at Bucci’s Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport. Experience superior service and choose from a variety of delicious menu items such as steaks, seafood, pasta and Italian specialties. Open 6am-7pm (last seating).

Creekside Restaurant
Nestled in treetops overlooking Chippewa Creek, visitors can take in the beautiful view of Northeast Ohio’s winter wonderland while enjoying a delicious fresh meal at Creekside Restaurant in Brecksvile. Open Christmas Eve 11am- 4pm.

Emerald Necklace Inn
Gather the family to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea lunch or high tea at the Emerald Necklace Inn, a bed and breakfast located in Fairview Park. Please call 440.333.9100 for tea times and reservations.

Fat Fish Blue
Louisiana-Creole cuisine and traditional American dishes reflecting the roots, diversity and broad popularity of blues music, is the staple of this toe-tapping downtown Cleveland favorite. Seating until 7pm. 

Great Lakes Brewing Company
Celebrate the season at the brewery home to the one of most beloved Christmas ales in the region. The menu offers a variety of locally-produced food choices aimed at complimenting any of the award-winning Great Lakes beers on tap. Open 11:30am-6pm (last seating at 4pm; last call at 5:30pm; gift shop open until 6pm).

Grumpy’s Cafe
From Veggie Benedict (poached eggs on an English muffin with tomato, avocado and hollandaise sauce) to the West 14^th Special (corned beef hash with two eggs and toast), the brunch menu at Grumpy’s can’t be beat. And don’t forget the cafe is BYOB as well, so pack up your Great Lakes Christmas Ale and head into Tremont. Open 7am-3pm.

Houlihan’s
Can’t make it to Mom’s this Christmas Eve? Head to Houlihan’s located in Tower City Center downtown for unique entrees, perfectly prepared from scratch. Open 11am-7 pm.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
Enjoy a three-course Sea & Shore menu at $39.99 or dine before 6pm and enjoy a two-course menu for $19.99. Hyde Park offers fine cuts of meat, fresh seafood and a winter list to boot. Check out their locations in Beachwood, Akron and Westlake this Christmas Eve.

Jekyll’s Kitchen
For starters try the flash-fried baby shrimp, Thai chili sauce, roasted chopped peanuts and Asian noodle salad and see where the night leads. Open 4:30-10pm.

La Dolce Vita
Why cook all day long when you can enjoy the sweeter side of life? Holiday visitors can create a memorable moment with the ones they love at La Dolce Vita in Little Italy. Guests can enjoy this Italian restaurant where time to relax is just as important as the freshness of the meal. Open 5-11pm on Christmas Eve.

Maggiano’s Little Italy
Specializing in Italian-American cuisine and made-from-scratch daily menu items, Maggiano’s is a wonderful choice for holiday celebrations. Menu items include pastas, salads, prime steaks, fresh seafood, regular chef specials and specialty desserts. Open 11:30am-10pm on Christmas Eve.

Melt Bar and Grilled
Experience a grilled cheese sandwich like you never have before. With gourmet sandwich options that pay tribute to their Cleveland roots, such as the “Municipal Stadium Magic,” “Parma, Ohio” and “The Lake Erie Monster,” this dining experience is a great option for out-of-towners and locals alike. Conveniently open Christmas Eve from 11am-4pm.

The Metropolitan Café 
In addition to their regular menu, The Metropolitan Cafe will be offering a three-course menu featuring a wedge salad, choice of entrée (Lake Erie Walleye, Lobster Mascarpone Ravioli, Crab Cakes or Slow-Roasted Grilled Half Chicken) and red velvet cake for dessert this Christmas Eve. This Warehouse District restaurant is open 11:30am-10pm. 

Moxie
Moxie’s imaginative, yet simple, menus are developed by nationally-acclaimed Executive Chefs Jonathan Bennett and Peter Vauthy, both known for using the freshest and best ingredients. Head to this award-winning Beachwood restaurant from 5-9pm on Christmas Eve.

MUSE at the Ritz-Carlton
Head to MUSE at the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland for a special four-course menu featuring a wide variety of holiday entrée choices complimented by a festive dessert of eggnog brûlée or a dark chocolate petit bûche de Noël. For reservations please call 216.902.5255. Christmas Eve menu starts at $65 per person. Open 5:30-9pm (last seating at 8:30pm).

Nighttown
Since 1965, Cleveland Heights’ Nighttown has been known for its unique atmosphere, cool vibe, great food, fabulous music, intimacy and warmth. Treat your holiday guests to pianist George Diehl on Christmas Eve. Open 11:30am-midnight.

Pimentos at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Cleveland City Center
Pimentos, located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Cleveland City Center, offers a fabulous breakfast buffet and Italian themed lunch buffet on Christmas Eve. Open 6:30am-1pm.

Quaker Steak & Lube – Vermilion
Dive into any one of their award-winning sauces and wings to heat-up your holiday. Join Quaker Steak & Lube in Vermilion for live entertainment featuring The Jess Harris Project around 6/7pm. Open 11am-9 pm.

Quaker Steak & Lube – Sheffield
Stop by for the Quick Lube luncheon buffet at Quaker Steak & Lube in Sheffield for meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, Louisiana lickers/ranch wings and golden garlic boneless for only $7.99.  Full menu also available. Open 11am-11pm.

Red, The Steakhouse
Recognized by Playboy, Esquire and Gourmet Magazine, Red, The Steakhouse provides a steakhouse experience guests are not likely to find anywhere else. Exceptional food (everything fresh, everything from scratch) is served in a sleek, yet intimate, setting.  Head there on Christmas Eve 5-9pm.

SASA
Known in Japan as a restaurant and bar that serves savory tapas style dishes, izakaya is a cross between a sit down dinner and a night at the pub. It’s a warm exchange of friendship, food and drink.  SASA, located in Shaker Square, introduces izakaya to Cleveland. Open Christmas Eve from 5-10 pm.

Stadium 3 Bar & Grill at the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside
Stadium 3 Bar & Grille features an upscale, yet casual environment in which you can indulge in American-style cuisine.  Located in the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland in downtown Cleveland, Stadium 3 Restaurant is open 6:30-11pm on Christmas Eve. The Stadium 3 Bar is open from 11am–8 pm serving from the bar menu.

Table 45
Treat your tastebuds to a special little something with a delicious Christmas menu including smoked salmon napoleon, blackened filet mignon with roasted garlic spatetzle or pan seared Mahi Mahi with coconut black rice risotto. Polish it all off with sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Enjoy this dinner for $55 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Open 3pm-12am. 

December 25, 2010: Christmas Day

Amelia’s at Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel
Fight post-flight hunger with a warm plate of Ohio City Black Pepper Fettuccine or start off your island vacation a few hours early with a Hawaiian Burger.  Open for breakfast 6-11am; lunch 11am-4pm; dinner 4-11pm.

Bar Cento
Inspired by the Romans and their love affair with neighborly, warm cafés and restaurants comes Bar Cento. This cool little spot in Ohio City offers up a menu with eclectic pizzas and other small plate offerings. After, guests should head over to McNulty’s Bier Markt (which is attached) featuring a rotating selection of draft beers and 80 bottled beers, many of them Belgian or Belgian-style.

Emerald Necklace Inn
Gather the family to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea lunch or high tea at the Emerald Necklace Inn, a bed and breakfast located in Fairview Park. Please call 440.333.9100 for tea times and reservations.

La Dolce Vita
Why cook all day long when you can enjoy the sweeter side of life? Holiday visitors can create a memorable moment with the ones they love at La Dolce Vita in Little Italy. Guests can enjoy this Italian restaurant where time to relax is just as important as the freshness of the meal. Open 5-11pm.

Quaker Steak & Lube – Vermilion
Dive into any one of their award-winning sauces and wings to heat-up your holiday. Join Quaker Steak & Lube in Vermilion for karaoke in the late evening. Opens at 4pm on Dec. 25.

Quaker Steak & Lube – Sheffield
Stop by for the Quick Lube luncheon buffet at Quaker Steak & Lube in Sheffield for meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, Louisiana lickers/ranch wings and golden garlic boneless for only $7.99.  Full menu also available. Restaurant opens at 5pm on Christmas.

SASA
Known in Japan as a restaurant and bar that serves savory tapas style dishes, izakaya is a cross between a sit down dinner and a night at the pub. It’s a warm exchange of friendship, food and drink.  SASA in Shaker Square introduces izakaya to Cleveland. Open Christmas from 5-10 pm.

Stadium 3 Bar & Grill at the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside
Stadium 3 Bar, located in the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside, will open from 4- 8pm on Christmas serving from the bar menu.

Table 45
Treat your tastebuds to a special little something with a delicious Christmas menu including smoked salmon napoleon, blackened filet mignon with roasted garlic spatetzle or pan seared Mahi Mahi with coconut black rice risotto. Polish it all off with sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Enjoy this dinner for $55 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Open 3pm-12am. 

Where can I stay overnight?

Hampton Inn – Tiedman Road
Enjoy a Holiday Family Getaway Package from the Hampton Inn on Tiedeman Road in Cleveland. This holiday package features one night in double queen or king room, dinner for two at the New Orleans ShowBoat Restaurant and Steak House adjacent to the hotel, free supervised childcare and pool party and a free hot breakfast buffet in the morning.  To learn more, call 216.929.8400.

Emerald Necklace Inn
Enjoy a quaint, yet romantic, holiday at the Victorian-style Emerald Necklace Inn Bed and Breakfast. The Inn sits at the threshold of the Cleveland Metroparks with easy access to a multitude of outdoor activities. A two-night stay is only $199, with an afternoon tea one day and breakfast the other.

Red Roof Inn – Westlake
Winter Warm-Up rates starting at $49.99 through January 31, 2010! Also, when you stay two consecutive nights between now and December 30, the Red Roof Inn will issue a voucher good for one free night at any Red Roof Inn between Jan 10 – March 31.

 –Answered by April Prior, Marketing Assistant, and Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Communications Manager

Here comes Santa Claus!

Santa Claus will be really busy come Christmas Eve, so leave out a plate of sweet treats to help him fuel up for his long journey. Even though he has a soft spot for milk and cookies, he loves munching on a variety of snacks, so check out some ideas that I’ve gathered and make Santa’s night warm and happy!

FOR SANTA:
1. Leave some extra strong peppermints to keep him warm on the frosty nights.

2. Cookies with a glass of milk.

3. A mug of cocoa and a candy cane as garnish will keep Santa’s breath fresh all night!

4. Chocolates! Leave an assortment to be sure you have his favorite!

5. A thank you letter would be nice!

6. Santa will love some Jingle Balls! Mix ¾ cup peanut butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ cup softened butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.  Melt 1 package chocolate chips and 1 ½ tablespoons of paraffin wax (yes, it’s edible) over low heat.  Take chilled peanut butter mixture and roll into balls about the size of a quarter. Using toothpicks, dip and coat the balls in chocolate. Place them on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

7. Santa also loves fruits, veggies and sandwiches. Make him something healthy to snack on, like turkey on whole wheat bread, and cut up some carrots and celery sticks. You can also leave him an apple or banana to munch on-the-go.

FOR THE REINDEER:
1. Leave out some Magic Reindeer Food. Combine 1 cup dry oatmeal and ¼ cup glitter.  On Christmas Eve sprinkle all over your lawn. The glitter will shine in the moonlight and lead Santa to your house. The smell of the oats will guide the reindeer directly to your house, plus Rudolph and his buddies can enjoy a snack while Santa is putting presents under the tree!

2. Make sure and leave some carrots out for the reindeer too.  The carrots help keep the reindeer’s eyesight good so that they can see where they are going!

Christmas is a time of traditions. Ask anyone who celebrates Christmas and they will tell you exactly how they celebrate each and every year.

I recently got asked the question of how people celebrate Christmas in England for a friend who was doing a school project. It brought back a lot of memories and traditions that I have always observed during Christmas.

In 2005 when I moved to the USA, those yearly December traditions started to become December memories. I now lived in a foreign country where people did ‘Christmas’ differently from the homeland. Now I was married and my wife Raquel had very different Christmas traditions than I did and also I was in ‘my’ home, not my parents home, which changed the feel of the season.

Some people maybe horrified by the thought of not following their traditions at Christmas. Some believe Christmas is not Christmas unless they put their tree up the day after Thanksgiving while another has to put their tree up the week before Christmas Day. However, I have found that doing something different at Christmas is a wonderful experience. The first time I spent Christmas with my in-laws was a totally different experience. It involved celebrating on Christmas Eve and staying up into the early hours of Christmas Day eating, laughing and opening presents. It felt strange, but it was still a great Christmas experience.

People often live and die by their traditions. Whether it is at Christmas or how we do church! I like some traditions, but I have realized that traditions while give us a ‘nice’ feeling on the inside, can in fact stop us from experiencing a whole new world. I challenge you this year to maybe do one thing different from what you do every year. I am not saying get rid of your traditions, but do not let them stop you from discovering new things!

The congregations of Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Cook St Pentecostal Tabernacle, First Baptist Church and Woodford Baptist Church are joining together for a special Christmas Eve service.  Come and join us Dec. 24 at 6:00 pm at Bethany Church of the Nazarene (34 Trowbridge St W Meaford).  Everyone is welcome.  Merry Christmas!

Will you join Resurrection Online this year for Candlelight Christmas Eve?

I hope that you have a chance to worship at at a physical location this Christmas Eve, however if you would like an opportunity to worship without leading or if you are unable to physically be present for whatever reason I invite you to join us online for worship this week.

• December 23 at 6:00 PM CST
• December 24 at 5:00 PM CST
• December 24 at 5:00 PM CST

Will you join us at http://live.cor.org?

This Thursday we are having a Revolutionary Christmas Eve Service. We will be wrapping up our series The Gospel and looking at how to handle storms in life and how Jesus fits into that.

Many of us are limping into the end of 2009 and just hoping that 2010 will be a little bit better.

The question we’ll be looking at is “Does Jesus promise us storms or not? As a follower of Jesus, are exempted from storms or should we expect them? And, what does Christmas have to do with the answers?”

It is going to be a special night.

Don’t forget, if you want to use our e-invite, go here.

*The service on Thursday starts at 6 pm and we will not have church on December 26th.*

This Christmas seems to be drawing near at a very quick pace. I know there is no snow, and that seems to have made it feel less like winter, but as I have now written my final shopping list I feel a bit of pressure to get things done.

Christmas Eve for my family has always been the night to celebrate. Full of fish, fish, and hey, why not more fish.We sit down to a dinner that passes the evening away, and then we head to the tree and the presents beneath it.

Dinner itself  is in the downstairs area of my parents’ home, where 18 of us gather at the table and enjoy everything from crab salad, to shrimp, to spaghetti with octopus and squid. The kids have their spaghetti with plain old tomato sauce, though the older boys like the traditional version. We have never had meat on Christmas Eve, and God forbid I had ever sneaked a piece. My guilty Catholic upbringing has stricken the fear of God right through me. ( Nice job Ma!)

Not having meat on Christmas Eve is a common custom in cultures with strong Catholic roots.  Afterall, the consumption of meat was forbidden on high holidays and days of obligation.  Our meatless celebration is followed of course by dessert comprised of cookies and cakes.  Lots of fried cookies and cakes. Obviously deep-frying is all right with God.

By this time, the kids are BUSTING at the seams to get to their gifts. But, tradition reigns at the DiIorio house.  All the kids sit and eat, they take part in discussion, and we get them involved more and more in the clean up and the set up of the table. By the way, the grandkids range from ages ten to nineteen.

As my parents get older a lot of the cooking and preparation has fallen onto us, and we divide  it up between us, but my mom stands firm on doing most of the fish her way in her house. No one would argue with that.

And finally, up the stairs to the tree, ( it’s been up since mid November), and the toys and gifts are then opened. This takes about ten… maybe…eight minutes.

Then a small drink for all, some more talk, some more food, and the night draws to a close.

My parents are happy and will be in bed for Santa before we can blink an eye, and I will usually head off to Midnight Mass.  As I am grateful to have all my family, as well as my new family – Shiraz and his kids – around me this Christmas, I know it becomes more important each year to remember how dear and special these moments are. With each year things will change, as seats may be filled with new members to our family or may sit empty with members departed.

So, I take a moment to wish all of my friends and earthlings a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love, joy and prosperity.

And in my own words;

Buon Natale, e un altro 100 anni di gioia!