“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”……It definitely is! Before you can even celebrate Thanksgiving, you’re preparing for Christmas. The gifts, the decorations, the cookies: all of it just puts you in the holiday spirit. People all over celebrate Christmas in different ways with their families. It’s a time for happiness and peace, and a time just to be together with the ones you love. For some, Christmas is one of the most special and anticipated days of the year. And being a fan of Christmas myself, I just love everything about it! So I’ve decided to write this blog for my other Christmas fans as well.

In this blog you will find Holiday themed questions, with responses from my viewers (and myself!), recipes, gift ideas, tips, recommendations and much more! This is the Ultimate Holiday Blog!

Christmas Questions

1. What do you love most about Christmas?

Irishclover7: I love the decorations and the music most. Both of those just scream Christmas for me. Course, I do love the food too. Its like a second Thanksgiving!

Natalieallan: The country being on shutdown, there’s nothing nicer when you live in the city to get a break from the constant traffic night and day. The shops are shut and you get to relax

Rychesgirl: Spending quality time with friends and family

Suzanne: When it’s over (lol) the kid’s excitement 

KittenQueercat: The holiday spirit, the give-away ceremonies, decorating my tree in a different theme each year, the cold weather, listening to my xmas mixtape(http://www.imeem.com/people/sww0PLJ/playlist/QhiayGcK/merry-xmas-music-playlist/), making presents, cookies, and, I’m not gonna lie, getting presents, the lights, the decorations, the ancient holiday of Yule… 

Kaisa:  Hard to say, maybe the Christmas spirit when everybody get together. Christmas holiday is a good thing too and the movies that come from tv

2. What is the Best or Worst Christmas gift you have ever gotten?

Irishclover7: Not sure about the worst Christmas gift. I guess when I was younger the worst Christmas gift would have been clothes, but now I ask for clothes for Christmas. The best Christmas gift, would probably have to be my electric scooter. I loved riding that thing!

Natalieallan: Best present = a kitten, worst present = a bible (donated it to the local Christian book store)

Rychesgirl: Best gift was a digital camera, worst gift was childish gifts from my Aunts. 

Suzanne: Nothing I can honestly remember 

KittenQueercat: The best present I have ever received is my laptop! Thanks, mom!  The worst would have to be one year where I got nothing but a blanket, but I’m not ungrateful.  It’s my favorite warm blanket ever with a deer on it and way better than coal…

Kaisa:  Once I got these ”dry leaves” that are supposed to smell good (it was from a friend). I had no idea what to do with them. After keeping them in my closet I threw them away. The best gift is probably the cellphone I got two years ago or then the theater tickets I got last year.

3. What are your favorite memories of Christmas?

Irishclover7: My favorite memories of Christmas is the part when I get up real early and look around at all the presents sitting around and the tree all lit up. Then I’d take down my stocking and open it, while Christmas music played in the background.

Natalieallan: Being little and the youngest in my family, I’d get spoiled rotten. My mother always chose the best presents and it would be fun. Don’t get spoiled so much now…

Rychesgirl: Having the whole family over for Dinner. We had a packed house that day. 

Suzanne: Waking up early Christmas morning when I was a little girl and all the presents

KittenQueercat: Being a little kid and waking up Christmas morning, decorating a Heaven and Hell themed tree one year with white lights and angels on the top and red lights and ozzy osbourne ornaments on the bottom, sharing my first christmas with a boyfriend I love, and the year I had tons of money and got everyone in my family alot of great presents!

Kaisa:  My first Christmas I remember was probably the best. I still believed in Santa Claus and his little helpers. When Santa came to the house (in Finland we celebrate Christmas in Christmas eve, the Santa comes in the afternoon, gives the gifts and goes to other house), I scared him so much that I ran to my room and went under the bed. I got many gifts and I was so happy

4. What Christmas songs or movies do you love the most?

Irishclover7: My favorite Christmas songs would have to be “O, Holy Night!”, and “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”. I love those songs. And my favorite movies would be all of the Rankin Bass, animation movies, (plus all the songs from those too!). I also like Elf with Will Ferrell, and the Santa Clause series with Tim Allen.

Argelmatta: Home Alone, definitely!!! and Skipping Xmas.

 Natalieallan: I love the home alone movies, they’re great. We tend to get a lot of crap like Mary Poppins here in the UK. Songs, I like all the rock n roll stuff like Slade and the Darkness. Wizard is good too.

Rychesgirl: Fave movie “The Santa Clause” 

Suzanne: A Christmas Story (classic love it), Frosty the snow man, I saw momma kissing Santa clause, and the chipmunk one (the hula hoop gets me every time) 

KittenQueercat: For songs, see the above mix.  My favorite christmas movie….hmm, that would have to be The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood starring a young Liza Minelli. 

Kaisa:  I almost hate Christmas songs these days because they get stuck in my head. But the one where they sing like silent night, holy night, …. you know? That’s pretty beautiful song. I like all Christmas, no favourite.

5. What are your favorite Christmas recipes, or cookie recipes?

Irishclover7: I love most all of it! I love to make decorated sugar cookies for Christmas, and I also love the Spinach Dip. And you cant forget the Farm Store egg nog, yum!

Natalieallan: Yule log, Christmas cake, and orange and cranberry muffins. I also like to cook venison and Christmas and making those chocolate coin things you hang on the tree is fun. I’m a big foodie so I tend to cook buffets rather than set meals. There’s nothing better than making your own mulled wine too.

Rychesgirl: Chocolate Chip Cookies, & Lasagna. I make a mean one. 

Suzanne: my mother’s peanut butter fudge or her spice bread yummy!! 

KittenQueercat: Gingerbread house and sugar cookies with hot chocolate.  White fudge with peppermint pieces.  

Kaisa: Often in Christmas we eat potatoes with this really good meat sauce (my mom’s own recipe) and then some salad, boiled eggs, this good cheese, carrot and rutabaga casserole. Nothing special really. Oh, of course we have those traditional cookies and mince pies.

Ah, Santa Clause. The big man with a white beard and a red suit, who rides through the night in his sleigh pulled by reindeer and delivers presents to all the good little boys and girls. What a man he is, to be able to pull all that off within 24 hours. Lucky for him he only works one night a year. His elves however work the whole year, making tons of gifts for the children.

The story of Santa Clause has been around for years, and each country has their own version. And though some people may not believe in Santa anymore, you can believe that there was a real Santa. Yes, he did exist. Maybe not in the way your story books describe him, but there was a man who delivered gifts, as I recall, a Saint Nicholas. Of course we know that the original Santa never wore a red suit, nor had elves and reindeer, but over the centuries, we’ve adapted our own version of Jolly ol’ Saint Nick. And while Santa is a popular product of our imagination, and our way of commercializing Christmas, we must remember what the holiday is really about: the birth of Jesus. And if you believe otherwise, then so be it. Yes, Santa, and presents, decorations, and lights, all symbolize Christmas today, but without Christ, there would be no CHRISTmas.

Santa and the Northpole

The history of Christmas

Christmas Around the World

Celebrate Christmas with Santa

Santa’s Village

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Christmas dinner it seems is one of the most anticipated things next to opening the presents on Christmas morning. Families gather round at a table to enjoy home cooked food of all sorts! And of course, what could be better than the desert?! Cookies, pies, puddings, oh my! And who wouldnt want to cozy up next to a warm fire with some hot cocoa or eggnog? Well as you’re getting for the holiday season, I’ve picked out a few recipes you might enjoy. Try em out !

~Sugar Cookie Recipe # 1~

Cookies:
3 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup soft butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
3 tbsp cream
1 tsp vanilla (can substitute almond extract)

Icing
1/3 cup Crisco (transfat-free) or a 1/3 cup of softened butter
1 pound of confectioners sugar
About 1/4 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Method

1 Sift dry ingredients (use a real sifter), cut in butter and add other ingredients. Blend thoroughly; chill for several hours.

2 Break off a piece of dough the size of an orange and pat it flat in your hand. Using a rolling pin, roll on dough on floured board (best to use a 2/1 ration of flour/sugar – 4 Tbsp flour mixed with 2 Tbsp sugar) or between wax paper. (It helps if you flour both sides of the dough.) Roll out to about a 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out and put on silpat-lined or ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 5-8 minutes at 400 F. Remove the cookies from the oven as soon as you see them turning color at the base of the cookie. Let cool completely.

3 Mix icing ingredients together until smooth. Separate into different bowls, add food coloring to achieve various colors. Spread on cookies with a butter knife, use cake decorating piping equipment to add decorative accents. If you want the sprinkle type decorating candies to stick, brush the cookie with clear Karo syrup and then sprinkle.

Makes 5 dozen cookies.

Adapted from the recipe for Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies, Huntsville Heritage Cookbook, 1967, The Junior League of Huntsville, AL, Lowry Printing, Inc.

~Sugar Cookie Recipe # 2~ 

Cookie:
1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Icing:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup milk
Food coloring

1. Cream butter for 2 minutes, add sugar and beat for an additional 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract, beat until light and fluffy. Combine dry ingredients and add to batter, stirring to blend.

2. Divide dough in half, form 2 balls. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough (about 1/2 of one dough ball at a time) on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8″ thickness. Dip cookie cutters into flour; cut out shapes. Place cookies on silpat lined or lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375°F for 7-8 minutes.

4 To make icing, combine sugar, almond extract and just enough milk (about 1/4 cup) to make the frosting the consistency of thin glue. Pour icing into shallow bowls wide enough for dipping cookies. Add food coloring.

5 To decorate, dip the topside of each cookie into the icing. Remove quickly and let icing drip of excess back into the icing bowl. Let dry. Pour additional colored frosting into pastry piping, or use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip of one corner nicked off. Gently squeeze frosting on to cookies in whatever patterns you choose.

Makes 2-3 dozen.

~Amazingly Good Eggnog~

Ingredients

• 4 cups milk
• 5 whole cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 cups light rum
• 4 cups light cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.
3. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

~Classic Gingerbread Cutouts~

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
•  
• 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 3 egg whites

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and eggs. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; beat into the molasses mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough.
3. Divide dough into 2 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. In a medium bowl, sift together confectioners’ sugar and cream of tartar. Blend in egg whites. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat for about 5 minutes, or until mixture is thick and stiff. Keep covered with a moist cloth until ready to frost cookies.

~Remarkable Fudge~

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk
• 4 cups white sugar

Directions

1. Line a 13×9 inch baking dish with foil and butter the foil.
2. In the top half of a double boiler combine the butter or margarine, evaporated milk and sugar. Cook on medium heat for 12 minutes or until it reaches a temperature of 236 degrees F (112 degrees C). Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips, vanilla and marshmallow creme. Stir until chocolate chips melt then mix in the chopped walnuts. Spread mixture into the prepared pan. Score into squares while still warm. Refrigerate until firm then cut along the scored lines.

~Candy Cane Fudge~

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) packages vanilla baking chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
• 1 dash red or green food coloring

Directions

1. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
2. Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
3. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

~Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts~

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 envelope dry vegetable soup mix
• 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped

Directions

•   In a medium bowl, mix together spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, dry vegetable soup mix, water chestnuts and green onions. Cover and chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours before serving.

~Creamy Hot Cocoa~

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Directions 

1. Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn’t scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

 Kaboose Christmas Crafts and Recipes

Christmas on MarthaStewart.com

Christmas Recipes 

 Now on to Christmas shopping! Probably everyone’s favorite part of the season, right? Well maybe not. For some its exciting and for others its just a drag. And many get it done early to avoid the Christmas rush. Many years Christmas shopping (like the day after Thanksgiving) has proven to be quite deadly. Sad to see that many will  trample over other people for a sale. Which is more important: your life, or that HD TV? But anywho! Lets not bring sadness into the holiday season. Lets enjoy the holidays and enjoy a very simple shopping trip as well. Use these links to help you find deals on your Christmas presents this year!

Guide to best day after Christmas sales online

Christmas shopping without the hassle!

Christmas Cards at Hallmark

Bronner’s Christmas Ornaments

 Now, another part of the holidays is the travel. People all over travel to their parent’s houses, or to their friend’s or sibling’s houses to celebrate Christmas. And you know, during the holidays hotels will be packed, and the roads will be full of traffic jams. Just wonderful isnt it? Thats when you turn up “Jingle Bells” really loud, and have a party right in your car! Kidding of course. If you didnt know, some fun places in America are all about Christmas, and even have Christmas themed names, like Santa Clause or yes, even, Christmas. You could skip the Christmas dinner with your family (although Im sure you wouldnt), or maybe even invite your family, to some of these unique holiday destinations. And when we say holiday, we really mean it! But book early, hotel rooms go fast!

Santa Claus Museum

Christmas City, Bethlehem PA

Fort Christmas, Christmas Florida

Holiday World, Santa Claus Indiana

Santa’s Lodge, Santa Claus Indiana

Smoky Mountain Winterfest

Jingle Bell Parks

 Top Ten Christmas Light Shows

 Sleigh Ride Locations

 ”Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches…”

Ah….dont you just love the smell of Christmas trees? I do! Its one of my favorite smells of the holidays. The fun of picking out your Christmas tree, taking it home, and decorating is, is what really brings back ol’ memories. Its something the whole family can be involved in. And I know little kids love to put the decorations on the tree, including the ones they’ve made themselves! Whether you go to your nearest Home Depot or Walmart, or to an actual tree farm, picking out your Christmas tree is a very special moment. Here are a few Christmas Tree links, to find your own Christmas tree this year, or to join the National Christmas Tree Association.

National Christmas Tree Association

Pick Your Own Christmas Tree

 Who doesnt love Christmas Carols?? I mean, you cant have a Christmas holiday without singing them, or turning the radio up real loud. It just wouldnt be Christmas without good ol’ Burl Ives, Elvis, Bing Crosby, and all the rest! So I’ve put the lyrics to some of my favorite Christmas Carols right here for ya! You can find more with the link below, or download them from Walmart, itunes, or Amazon.com.

~Carol of the Bells~

Hark! How the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
“Throw cares away.”
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air

Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O’er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas

On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To every home

(repeat from the beginning)

Ding, dong, ding, dong.

~Oh Holy Night~

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! 

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

~Here Comes Santa Claus~

Here comes Santa Claus!
Here comes Santa Claus!
Right down Santa Claus Lane!
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
are pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing, children singing;
All is merry and bright.
Hang your stockings and say your prayers,
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Here comes Santa Claus!
Here comes Santa Claus!
Right down Santa Claus Lane!
He’s got a bag that is filled with toys
for the boys and girls again.
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,
What a beautiful sight.
Jump in bed, cover up your head,
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

~Up On The Housetop~

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Clause
Down thru the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones
Christmas joys.

Chorus

Ho, ho, ho!
Who wouldn’t go!
Ho, ho, ho!
Who wouldn’t go!
Up on the housetop
Click, click, click
Down thru the chimney with
Good Saint Nick

First comes the stocking
Of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa
Fill it well
Give her a dolly
That laughs and cries
One that will open
And shut her eyes

Repeat Chorus

Next comes the stocking
Of little Will
Oh, just see what
A glorious fill
Here is a hammer
And lots of tacks
Also a ball
And a whip that cracks

Repeat Chorus

~Rocking Around the Christmas Tree~

Rocking around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop.

Rocking around the Christmas tree,
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie
And we’ll do some caroling.

You will get a sentimental
Feeling when you hear
Voices singing let’s be jolly,
Deck the halls with boughs of holly.

Rocking around the Christmas tree,
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way.

~Silver Bells~

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style.
In the air
There’s a feeling
of Christmas.

Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you’ll hear,

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing.
Soon it will be Christmas day.

Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
Home with their treasures.

Hear the snow crunch.
See the kids bunch.
This is Santa’s big scene.
And above all this bustle
You’ll hear,

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day.

~Buon Natale~

Buon Natale, means Merry Christmas to you
Buon Natale, to everyone
Happy New Year and lots of fun
Buon Natale may all your wishes come true
Buon Natale in Italy means
A Merry Christmas to you
Far away across the sea
In sunny Italy
There’s a quaint little town
Not a clock has been wound
For over a century
They don’t know the time or year
And no one seems to care
And this is the reason
The Christmas season
Is celebrated all year
Buon Natale, means Merry Christmas to you
Buon Natale, to everyone
Happy New Year and lots of fun
Buon Natale may all your wishes come true
Buon Natale in Italy means
A Merry Christmas to you

~Have a Holly Jolly Christmas~

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
Well
I don’t know if there’ll be snow
But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet

Ho ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Oh, by golly
Have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Oh, by golly
Have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

~Blue Christmas~

I’ll have a Blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same, if you’re not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start fallin’
And when those blue melodies start callin’
You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white,
But I’ll have a blue Christmas with out you.

Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same, if you’re not here with me
I’ll have a Blue Christmas that’s certain
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin’
You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white,
But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

~Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy~

Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new-born king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum

Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new-born king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
to lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
so to honour him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
when we come

Little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
And he smiled at me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
me and my drum

Peace on Earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we’ll see
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He’ll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Can it be

Christmas Songs and Lyrics

Let it snow! Let it Snow! Let it snow!  Snow is quite a wonderful sight to see during the Holidays. I myself have never seen snow, but I can imagine how wonderful it is. For those who live up north where it seems to be always snowing, they proabably feel differently than I do, and they’re probably wishing they lived down here in the South. But for some of us who cant get up north to see the white delight, we can surely have close-to-the-real-thing right in our own home or backyards! And Im not talking about that cheap snow, Im talking about cold, wet, instant snow! I found this online and I just love it. Its reusable, so all you have to do is re-wet it when you want to use it again. And it feels just like real snow. Your kids will deffinitely enjoy this! Use it in the house, outside, for crafts, or decorations, or for whatever else comes to mind. You can even create little packs of snow to give as gifts. And hey, with enough of it, you can even build your very own snowman.

Snow Wonder –Instant snow!

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is watch Christmas movies. And I have a lot of favorites! And Im sure you have plenty of favorites as well, that you like to share with your family. So I decided to make a list of the top ten Christmas movies I love, that I think you’d love too (if you havent already seen it!), and maybe you can find a movie to watch this year with your loved ones.

***

10. Charlie Brown Christmas – Who doesn’t love the classics? Charlie Brown is a big classic for any holiday, and Christmas especially. It’s a movie for the kids, and the adults, and it’s a nice little movie to warm your heart.

9. Christmas Vacation – Hilarious! Maybe not for children, but definitely one for teens and adults! Chevy Chase is so funny in this movie, and you’ll still be cracking up even after it’s over. In fact, I wonder if most families come close to these nut-cases during the holidays!

8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – A Rankin/ Bass classic. You just gotta love Fred Astaire in this one. Plus several of the songs are catchy. Although not the actual story of Santa Clause, I still love this movie.

7. Snow Dogs – Cuba Gooding did a great job in this one, as a dentist who goes to Alaska after his mother dies, and finds out his father is white. The dogs are cute, and so is the story. It’s a great family movie.

6. The Grinch – I prefer the one with Jim Carrey to the cartoon. You just can’t beat Jim’s hideous touch to the wonderful character. It’s more lively and colorful compared to the cartoon version, and you laugh! You can’t laugh to anything in the cartoon, which makes this movie a big Christmas hit in my book!

5. Snow 1 and 2 – This aired on ABC Family. It’s an ABC Family original I believe, and you can buy this on DVD at Amazon, and probably from ABC’s website. Both movies are wonderful!!!!! I absolutely love the idea in this movie, and it really does make the holidays even better. Great movie to watch!!

4. The Polar Express – I was a little hesitant before watching this movie. It didn’t seem to interest me very much. Then I watched it and was a little confused. But after watching it again, I actually found that I love it! The message it sends is perfect for those little non-believers, and it does make you want to believe again. And if you pay attention, you’ll notice that Tom Hanks plays a majority of the characters.

3. The Christmas Story – A CLASSIC!!! How can you compare to the leg lamp, or the tongue stuck to the pole routine? If this movie doesn’t make you bust out laughing then nothing can! You can’t get anymore Christmas that this folks.

2. Elf – I am a big, big, big, fan of Will Ferrell. He’s hilarious in most everything he does. And this movie was a chance to see a more playful and less vulgar side of Will. Its perfect for kids and families all over, and it does give you several laughs. It’s a great movie to watch.

1. The Year without a Santa Claus – Now to my all time favorite! I love Rankin/ Bass movies, but this one tops the charts. I love every song in this movie and every time I watch it, I sing along. Plus I just love the Miser Brothers!! (I’m more partial to Snow Miser myself). It’s just a cute little movie. And kids will love it too.

Uh oh!!! I almost forgot one! I dont know how I missed these movies, because I love these more than any of them combined! The Santa Clause series! Never, has Tim Allen ever done a more superb job in a movie. These three movies are fantastic, funny, charming, delightful, and magical!! A must must see for everyone!!

Top 25 Christmas Movies of all Time

Lets not forget the children this holiday season! Find Jokes, Coloring pages, e-cards, and more with the links below. Plus, learn how to say “Merry Christmas” in 123 languages around the world.

All things Christmas!

Christmas Coloring Pages

Christmas Jokes

Merry Christmas in 123 languages 

And make your child’s holiday even more memorable with a letter or phone call straight from santa himself!  Find different packages and different rates using the website below.

Get a letter or phone call from Santa

Well thanks for checking out my Ultimate Holiday Blog! If you want to comment or add more links, please feel free to do so below! Thanks bunches! Dont forget to bookmark this blog post, forward it, or tweet it!

I’m making 3 turkey’s this week.  One for Ethan’s Pilgrim Dinner at school & two for Thursday.  I like the idea of a 20lb bird but not the dryness & lack of flavor that usually accompanies a bird that size.  Instead of the big bird, we’re having a med. bird & a turkey breast, just in case the 13 people I’m feeding are really ravenous.

The Party Coordinator (I think they used to be called Room Mother’s) emailed me today to check on the turkey.  Apparently in years past the turkey has arrived late or undercooked so she was trying to warn me of those pitfalls.  Which is exactly why I volunteered to take on the turkey.  It’s amazing how many people are freaked about cooking a turkey.  It’s EASY!  Get yourself a roasting pan.  Spray the turkey with olive oil.  Insert an orange, roast breast side down & voila! a perfect Thanksgiving Turkey.

Now to tackle Bathroom #1 for our Thanksgiving Guests…

K~

My husband and I were finishing our lunch at Ruby Tuesday today (And is my imagination or does Ruby Tuesday change its menu, like, every three months?) when I noticed that, as usual, I’d left a good part of my salad-bar meal on the table. “I am such a messy eater,” I said, aggrieved, in that way we wives have of begging our husbands to please please please disagree with us, and my husband began to point out, as he usually does, that at least I didn’t leave a good part of my meal in my lap instead, when suddenly he leaned over the table toward me and my leftover mess and said, “Take a picture of that and then I’ll tell you why.” So because I never always do what my husband requests, I snapped a photo and turned the camera over to him. He zipped through the review menu, found the photo I’d just taken — this one — and gave the camera back to me, saying, “You need to post this on your blog and say, ‘In a California restaurant, this would be a $40 meal’.” So, I did. And the funny thing is that he’s probably right.

And in more food news, I thought I was being smart by doing my Thanksgiving grocery shopping today — surely the crowds wouldn’t start this early, right? Wrong, of course. Most crowded were the paper-goods aisles as people stood and debated the merits of foam over plastic plates and the dairy section, where people mostly just stood. In my way. So if you haven’t done your shopping yet, you may want to consider one of those 2 a.m. expeditions. I’m just saying.

Since Leia’s Farmor and Farfar were on their way here this past weekend, we decided to invite them to an early Thanksgiving dinner at our house on Saturday.  Family friend Aina also joined us and we had a nice day!  It was nice to have company and enjoy the holiday with others, even if it isn’t a Swedish holiday. And even though we weren’t in the US, the turkey tasted just the same, as well as the stuffing and even the pumpkin pies. What a looong day of baking and cooking though. It is very tiring. :/ Two pumpkin pies, baking at least 1 hour each and then the turkey breasts took a bit over 2 hours.. and that is just the start of a Thanksgiving dinner.. :/ ))

Leia loves her puzzles, and she spends a lot of time doing them. And she is really, really good at them too. It is fun watching her do them. She likes to test us, too. She will put a piece in a spot and look at me and she’ll smile and say “neejj” and take it and put it in the right spot. She is testing me to see if I will say that it is okay.

Right now I am “watching” Gladiator. It is such a fantastic movie. I had to study it and write a paper about it for my Mythology class for university. Quite possibly one the best classes I had.

I am trying to finish up a book I am reading for my Swedish class, Den vedervärdige mannen från Säffle (The “horrible” man from Säffle). I have to read it and write a big paper about it, about the language differences from the time it was written and now…… *joy* And I have so much other stuff to do as well. I have the National test coming up and I have a test that I missed in the beginning of the month that I need to take. And I have to come up with a small thesis about literature and write a big paper about it…. Yeah.. really sounds like a 100 point class (400 points is full time). There was really no choice but to continue after the New Year. All the work I have to do with the class and that I have NO motivation at all. I haven’t learned anything new; I know all the Swedish that I am going to know – at least from taking Swedish classes. I know all the grammar, it is just to learn new vocab, which I can’t do in a Swedish class, as strange as that might sound.

But last week I finished my English class. I turned in my last 4 papers (out of 12 total). Very happy to have that overwith! And I will be having a “fika” with my teacher this week, so I am very much looking forward to that!

Not that much going on.. Fredrik didn’t work today or tomorrow. But this is his last work week of being on 50% time. Next week Leia will start daycare Mon-Thursday, and Fredrik will be home on Fridays (80% time). And then in January, he goes back to 100% time, and it will just be Leia and I on Fridays. We are going to miss Pappa like crazy. He will have about 3 weeks off for Christmas, so at least we get to have all that time with him before he has to start working properly again.

I am anxiously awaiting my new glasses. If we don’t get a call by tomorrow, then we can call them and ask about them. I really need them, everything is becoming blurry and it is getting difficult to read any text.

Not that much else going on. :/ We went and bought two huge containers today to store more of Leia’s clothes that she is quickly outgrowing. We have about 3 already. I’m hoping to get to go through her clothes and put away things she has outgrown. We are going to try to sell her crib and changing table so that we can get her a bigger bed. Fredrik went to the dump today with lots of odd things. Tomorrow I will finish up the book if I don’t get to tonight, and then MAKE myself write the entire paper tomorrow. I am *extremely* nervous about the National test.. :/ They can be pretty intense. :/ But if I pass this class then I will be allowed to apply at Swedish universities and apply for any program that they offer. (If I wish to do so.) Obviously, passing this class means that my Swedish is good enough for university level.

Blah blah blah.. I need to read some more! I almost know who the murderer is!

Are you thankful for your family?  I don’t necessarily mean all your aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, mom and dad.  I mean specifically your nuclear family; your spouse and your kids. 

Now I’m sure for many of you your first reaction is ,”Of course”.  And I don’t doubt you.  But what about your family makes you thankful?  To answer that question, most of us usually have to pause and really ponder the list.

I’ve asked families in the past to list for me ten things they are thankful for in regards to their family.  Most people think this will be an easy assignment…until they get to number five or six.   Coming up with a whole list of ten things makes us really have to stop and ponder.  It’s even harder if  the assignment is changed to require ten things you’re thankful for regarding each individual in your family. 

Why?  Because it is so easy to focus on what we’re not content with in our family.  My house isn’t big enough.  My daughter is exceptionally dramatic these days.  When my son isn’t being whiny, he’s challenging the rules of the house.  My husband is working too much these days.  Coming up with a list of ten things I’m not thankful for is pretty easy.

But research shows that our attitude toward a person or a situation is largely influenced by our positive or negative energy put toward it.  In fact, the chemicals released in the body when we’re thinking negative thoughts are different than the ones released when we think positive.  That’s right.  There is actually a physiological effect in our body that occurs depending on our attitude toward something.  If our thoughts and attitudes can have physical effects on our bodies, it’s no wonder that they can in turn effect how we treat the ones we love and the things that we have.

I was really struck by remembering this today.  I looked around my house.  It’s a mess and I’m not very motivate to clean it up.  But for the past year I have also been very discontent with my house.  In fact, I have said out loud that I hate my house.  And I think my negative attitude that I keep toward my house has translated into a half-hearted way of taking care of it.  If I can see the effect of my attitude on my house, what would it look like if I had a negative attitude toward my husband?  My kids?

And this is why I’m encouraging myself and you to purposely, intentionally, make a list of at least ten things that you are thankful for. I know that some of you may have a hard time even getting started.  You’re thankful for your family in theory, but family is stressful right now.  Maybe your marriage is rocky or your kids seem challenging.  But even if it takes you all day, try to come up with at least ten ways to be thankful for your family.

To show that I am really trying to practice what I preach, here are my lists.  I’d love to see your lists, too if you are willing to share them.  Put them in the comment section below or feel free to e-mail them to me at tara@xylemfamily.org. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

My Husband:

1. I am thankful that my husband loves being a father and intentionally is a part of their lives.
2. I am thankful that my husband loves me and goes out of his way to show me that is true.
3. I am thankful that my husband truly believes we are a parenting team and is an equal participant in raising our kids.
4. I am thankful my husband loves to cook and is a fabulous cook and as a result my family gets awesome meals on a regular basis.  I’m particularly thankful for this because I HATE cooking and am not very good at it. 
5. I am thankful that my husband believes that me staying home to be available for our children is important and never has thought twice about the sacrifices we have had to make in order to make that happen.
6. I am thankful that my husband enjoys hanging out with me and actually has fun with me.
7. I am thankful that my husband and I have the same sense of humor.  Without him, I don’t know who I would laugh with.
8. I am thankful that my husband not only has a job but loves his job.
9. I am thankful that my husband works hard at his job and is ambitious about continuing to grow within his company so that our family can live even beyond comfortably.
10. I am thankful that my husband gets up in the middle of the night with our baby to bring her to me so that it’s easier for me to go back to sleep and that he takes her away in the morning when he can so I can get few extra minutes of sleep.

All of my kids:

1. I am thankful that my kids are healthy.
2. I am thankful that my kids have not had significant harm physically, emotionally or spiritually.
3. I am thankful that my kids love to smile and laugh.
4. I am thankful that my kids love each other.
5. I am thankful that my kids enjoy being with other people.
6. I am thankful that people enjoy being with my kids.
7. I am thankful that my kids have sweet hearts that allow them to care for others.
8. I am thankful that my kids are bonded to me and my husband in a healthy way.
9. I am thankful that each one of my kids add something unique to our family.
10. I am thankful that my kids love me as much as I love them.

Tomorrow is the last day of classes before Thanksgiving break.  Normally, Thanksgiving break feels like a complete release for me.  There’s something about the weekend that always feels like a comfortably uncomfortable travel with good food and company.  However, this year I think it will be filled with uncomfortable…ness and good food and …I’m-not-so-sure-company.  

Tom and I are visiting at his sister-in-law’s for the beginning of Thanksgiving Day, which is nearby us.  From there, I think we might go to New London where his dad’s family is… and after that, to Providence, where my sister and brother-in-law will be (and my brother-in-law’s family).  

The day will be filled with tons of people I do not know or feel exceptionally comfortable with (especially not comfortable enough to eat 5,000 calories in front of, haha).  I used to have such a terrible phobia of eating in front of people that I would literally be starving and ready to pass out, only to refuse any & all food because I was worried about eating in front of them.

It’s not so bad now… but I definitely don’t put much on my plate because of these nervous feelings that creep up on me.

Plus, I might meet Tom’s father’s family.  I have no idea what to expect of them.  It doesn’t sound like Tom is very close with them… and they don’t sound particularly nice or welcoming.  I could be wrong.  I hope I’m wrong.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Margaret and Richard, so I’m half looking forward to that.  At least this time I see them, I’ll have more to brag about.  Last time I saw them I think I wasn’t in school and it was absolutely terrible sounding on my behalf.  

I’m getting really worried about finding an internship for next summer.  I’ve really got to get my resume done ASAP and start applying for internships if I want a shot at a spot in NYC.  I’m really going to have to start using any and all ties I have slightly made with people… maybe something will come up when I talk to people at Alumni night.  

I know I’m capable of getting something great.  There’s just this tiny voice in the back of my head telling me I’m not good enough– but usually I can drown it out with my loud, shining confidence.  Ha.  

This week I want to do a lot of running!  (At least… while I’ve got some time!)  Now that it’s getting colder, I know I’ll have to join a gym soon so that I can keep training.  I want to do the half marathon with Tom and Erin in the spring.  In order to do that, I’ll have to start making goals.  I know that my first major goal is to be able to run 8 miles in 75 minutes by the end of Winter break, which is at the end of January.  I should be able to get a lot of running time in over break.  If I don’t do the bulk of my training during winter break- I’ll be on an awful training track for the half marathon.  13 miles?  I can do it.  Granted… it’s 10 more miles than I’m used to running… but still.  I really want to do it.  I know if I put my mind to it, I can do it.

*Sigh*

You know what I was thinking about lately that I really think is true?
I think that having things like Twitter actually help reduce my stress.  I know it sounds silly– but I was looking through some old posts lately and all of the things I went through — all the rough things — were completely half-relieved by the tweeting I did.  I found that I’m constantly tweeting about ‘what i need to do’ and I truthfully think it helps.

After all, I know I’ve been better at dealing with stress this year than ever before.
/

_A_Town

I see problems down the line
I know that I’m right.
There was a dirt upon your hands
doing the same mistake twice
making the same mistake twice -Jose Gonzalez, Down the line

The cheerful holiday ad, music & commercials are all around us. You can’t help but feeling the impending joyful, fun time, and yet also the chilly air on your face, with a piercing “cooling” effect in your fiber.

Besides feeling the cold in the air, what else did you notice today? Make a mental note. What are your six senses picking up? Therefore, what is your sixth sense, aka intuition attempting to tell you?

~ May today inspires you to use your own sixth sense ~

Using Your Sixth Sense Intuition in the Cold

Photo Credit: DerNetteAlex

We had our first ever family pictures taken this weekend, and I LOVE THEM!

Right now, I am waiting for the CD to come in the mail.  I should have it tomorrow….right now, all the pics I have are stamped “PROOF” across the middle.

I can’t wait to show you!

Here’s a sneak peek…

Cranberry Eggnog Tart – Gourmet -Mikkel Vang

Easy as pie? Oh, I don’t know. I’ve had my issues with double crusts pies on occasion, but one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories involves pie pastry and my sister. A bittersweet memory it is; we lost my sister to cancer just over two years ago. The favorite memory took place almost exactly seven years ago.

Thanksgiving was to be held at my house that year – an almost new house that my husband and I had only been ensconced in for a few months. I was all a twitter with finding tablecloths and choosing side dishes and cleaning the house from top to bottom. I knew everyone would be checking out every nook and cranny. Then my sister and her husband arrived from Florida, and she took over.

It would be the first time that many of our relatives and friends would see our new house. Even Dad (85-years-old then) hadn’t visited yet. As can happen during the holidays, I was inundated with details and in danger of missing the big picture.

She arrived in the midst of my flurry and immediately took over. She, the older sister, was accustomed to being the boss of me, and I, the baby of the family, was familiar with following orders. Decisive and efficient as a guillotine, she quickly prioritized, and we set about the business of preparing Thanksgiving dinner for a sizable crowd.

The day before Thanksgiving, she decided we should make pies, and make pies we did. She also decided that I was going to learn the art of making pie crusts. She was so good at it.

She stood on one side of the island in my kitchen, and I stood on the other. I watched as her fingers worked the edges into beautiful waves, curving up and down, up and down. I told her she was an artist, and I would never be that good at it.

“Oh no, you’re going to learn. You won’t believe how easy it is.”

I had made a few pie crusts but had never perfected it and had avoided it when possible.

We spent that entire morning making pecan, pumpkin, apple, and vinegar pies. Yes, vinegar pies. Something I do not recommend, but vinegar pie is one of my husband’s favorite pies. I never made it for him, but she made it for him almost every time she visited.

I made pie crusts for at least six pies that day. She said, “See, I told  you. Not that big of a deal.”

Then she made me promise that I would continue to make them, and I did. I don’t think she really believed I would keep the promise, but I know she was pleased when I did.

Because of her, I didn’t miss the big picture that Thanksgiving. Standing in my kitchen, making pies with her, laughing and teasing and gossiping, well, that was my favorite part of the big picture. That’s what I remember about that Thanksgiving seven years ago. Everything else is a blur. When all is said and done, it’s the small moments that live large and long.

Make your own Thanksgiving memories and pies. Get the recipes for these pies and tarts and more at Epicurious.

Bourbon-Pecan Tart – Bon Appétit – Elinor Carucci

Dark Chocolate and Orange Tart with Toasted Almonds – Bon Appétit – Noel Barnhurst

Périgord Walnut Tart – Gourmet – Anna Bauer

Caramel Pumpkin Pie – Gourmet – Roland Bello

Maple Pecan Pie in Wheat-Flavored Crust – Bon Appétit – Noel Barnhurst

This year, in addition to the many other things I have to be thankful for, I am thankful for all the wonderful friends I have made online. So as a special thank you to all of you, we are offering 10% off for the rest of the holiday season!
From now until the end of the year, we will take 10% off any order you make online, either from our web site, our Bonanzle booth, or just dropping me a note.
In addition, we will enter your name in a drawing for a FREE GIFT!! Drawing will be held on New Year’s Day.
We are still deciding what the prize will be, but it will definitely be Fenton.
Thanks again, and I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving week!!

martha stewart

Thanksgiving is this week. Holy cow. I felt like I was just writing about Halloween (oh wait, I was…damn I’ve been slacking on my posts, sorry guys!). As you can probably tell from my recent lack of posts, I haven’t really had a lot of extra time on my hands, but with the holiday season ahead of us, I’ll try to not disappoint!

I always love having a cornucopia in a Thanksgiving decor scheme. It’s just so traditional. It’s derived from Greek mythology in which a magical goat’s horn filled itself with whatever food and drink its owner requested. It has since become a universal symbol of bounty, which, in turn, is celebrated at America’s Thanksgiving.

You can make your own “horn of plenty” at home and fill it with your heart’s desire. Here’s how:

What you need:

2-foot-long wicker cornucopia (available at crafts stores or floral shops)
2 yards of burlap
Scissors
Hot-glue gun
Three 200-gram packages of raffia
Spool of jute string
Large binder clip

1. Pull the burlap around the wicker cornucopia frame, and tuck it inside. Trim any extra burlap with scissors, leaving enough to fold under at edges for a finished look.
2. Hot-glue the burlap to the frame, lifting the fabric in several areas to apply glue. Press firmly for several seconds so the burlap sticks. Inside the frame, fold the burlap edges under to make a clean hem, and glue to the frame.
3. Assemble a hank of raffia about 3/4 inch thick; using string, tie a knot around one end of the hank, and clip it to the table. Then wind the string around the raffia at 2-inch intervals to make a yard-long rope.
4. When you get to the other end, tie a knot. Make another raffia rope. Then, using a short piece of jute string, tie the two ropes together end to end to create one double-length rope.
5. Make a total of 9 double-length ropes to cover a cornucopia of this size. For the lip of the cornucopia, make a double-length raffia rope, about 2 1/4 inches thick, tying the string around it at 4-inch intervals so the result is looser.
6. Tie the end of a raffia rope to the tip of the frame with string. Wind the raffia around, and apply glue as you go. At the end of the rope, tie it to another with string, and continue. When all but the lip is covered, tie a long piece of string to the end of the last raffia rope and wrap it around the frame; knot it.
7. At the basket lip, attach the thicker raffia rope to the last thin rope with string, tying at 4-inch intervals.
8. Apply more hot glue where needed to secure the raffia ropes to the frame. To display, line the opening with stalks of dried wheat, and add long-lasting fruits and vegetables. I suggesting stuffing the inside with hay, leaves, or something similar…that way you won’t have to buy as many fruits and vegetables, which are a bit more expensive.

I’m betting this isn’t the first time Paula Deen’s taken a ham to the face.

Watch the footage HERE

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. I suppose this shouldn’t be a surprise – food, family, friends, drinks…what’s not to like? Interestingly, though, I don’t care for turkey all that much. It’s kind of bland – especially those factory farmed birds – and there’s just so much of it. After a week of turkey pot pie, creamed turkey, turkey risotto, turkey tetrazzini, open face turkey sandwiches, I’m mostly done with turkey for the year. I don’t even order turkey at the deli.

That said, I do try to make a delicious turkey for the one week each year I have to eat it. What I like to do is to remove the entire skin, slice it into nice squares or triangles, and crisp them in the oven. Meanwhile, I cook the breast sous-vide (meaning vacuum sealed with salt and herbs – and in my case, butter – and cooked at a controlled temperature for a very moist breast). Then I serve the sliced breast with the chips of crispy skin. I also braise the thighs in milk and thyme for many hours, like I would with pork. And then I serve them as separate courses. But that’s me. That’s probably not you.

What you probably want to do is brine the turkey, butter it, roast it – first at a high temperature to get the skin to crisp up, and then at a lower temperature to let the meat cook – and then rest it, breast down, so the meat stays super juicy. You also can try my husband’s barding method. It’s nice, especially if you suffer from bacon mania, and the only cure is bacon. So again, that’s four steps:

* Brine – not too long
* Butter (or bard) – gives it a nice brown coat and a delicious flavor
* Roast – baste as you go and check the temp once 2/3 time has elapsed
* Rest – head down is best, and provide adequate support

The following is for a 14-16 lb bird. For a breast or a smaller (8-12 lb bird), you can reduce amounts by half, store it in a big stockpot, and brine for a shorter time (2 hours).

The brine:
4 c apple juice
2/3 c kosher salt or 1/2c table salt
1/4c sugar
5 bay leaves
4-6 springs of thyme
about 4 cloves
6-8 black peppercorns.
* * * * *
one onion, halved
one stalk celery, halved
one lemon, halved
4 oz (1 stick) butter

In a small saucepan, combine all the first set of ingredients, bring to a simmer, and allow it to simmer, covered, for an hour (add more juice if necessary). Transfer to the biggest pot you have (like a stockpot or a clean bucket that you only would use for food – a 5 gal bucket from Home Depot works perfectly and is inexpensive) and fill it with 8 qt very cold water and about 1 qt ice cubes. Stir well and add the turkey. Return to the refrigerator or a cold (<40F) place like a garage. Brine for 4 hours (you can get away with as few as 2 hrs if necessary).

1h before roasting, preheat the oven to 400F.

30 mins before roasting, remove the turkey from the brine, pat the skin dry. Place the onion, celery, and lemon in the cavity, and rub the skin with butter.

Roast bone-in turkey for 15 mins/lb, or boneless breast for about 12 mins/lb. After the first 20 mins turn down to 350F. Baste every 25 mins with the butter and drippings from the bottom of the pan. Put a little water (1/2 c) in the bottom of the pan to prevent the drippings from burning.

Do the math before roasting and check once 2/3 of the calculated time has elapsed. Place a meat thermometer into both the thickest part of the breast and the joint between the breast and thigh. When both have reached 165F, the turkey is ready to rest.

Rest the turkey for 1/2 hour-45 mins before carving (shorter for a smaller turkey or a breast, longer for a larger turkey). If you can, have the turkey's head pointing downward while it rests – this promotes a very moist breast. You should support the turkey if you plan to do this so it doesn't topple over. Turning the turkey upside down on the roasting rack, positioned over the carving board, is the safest way, as is positioning the turkey head-down at an angle on a V-rack.

Enjoy that turkey!

Sunday marked the end of our In the Beginning series – a journey through the opening stories of Genesis. I’m kind of sad to see this series go. I don’t know if I’ve spent as much time studying the first 8 chapters of Genesis as I did in preparation for these sermons. And I could have easily added four or six more messages to this series. But to every thing there is a season and Advent is just around the corner.

After the worship service, Aiden came up to me and said, “Dad! I can’t believe you forgot my suitcase!” Of course, I couldn’t believe it, either. But it happened. If you haven’t figured it out, I’m a very forgetful person. If I don’t have it written down on a list in front of me, I’m likely to forget it. Of course, I also tend to forget my list – so I guess I can’t win. That’s why I’m thankful that God has given us regular reminders so we never forget or take for granted what He has done for us. That was the focus of Sunday’s message.

You can read the manuscript after the jump.

In the Beginning: Remember What He’s Done
Genesis 8:15-22
November 22, 2009
Matt Todd

As I’ve shared before, I have several mementos on display in my office. There’s the framed section of the late Hoosier Dome. And there’s my Certificate of Ordination. I also have plaques from two of my treks at Philmont Scout Ranch. They’re signed by the members of my crews from those years. My most recent addition is this painting from Ethiopia, depicting the legend of St. George slaying the dragon. I also have a picture signed by IU basketball coach Tom Crean – but it’s not displayed yet because I haven’t found a suitable frame for it.

The most meaningful memento I have, however, is this rock. It sits in on a shelf behind my desk. When I see it, it reminds me of a powerful experience that I had in the Summer of 2001. I was the Student Minister at a church on the east side of Indianapolis and had taken a group of 20, made up of high school students, adult volunteers, and two younger children on a mission trip to the Navajo Reservation near Gallup, New Mexico. This rock was from that trip.

We had spent the better part of a week on the reservation, serving with a ministry to the Navajo people. They were hosting a revival that week and our high school students led a Vacation Bible School for the children. We were in our final moments of cleaning the facility we’d been using for the VBS that week when our Student Ministry Intern, Jon, was vacuuming the carpet one last time.

Suddenly, a horrible sound came from the sweeper. I’d never heard anything like it. Jon quickly turned it off and we looked underneath the vacuum cleaner. Wedged in the brush housing in the base of the sweeper was this rock. Fortunately, it didn’t destroy the sweeper. Although it could have. Fortunately, we were able to dislodge the rock without taking the entire sweeper apart. We found it at just the right time.

I put the rock in my pocket and brought it home with me. I have it sitting on my shelf as a reminder of how God worked during that week. The vacuum cleaner was just a small example of how God’s timing, provision, and protection was perfect throughout the entire trip.

At the beginning of the trip, I wasn’t so sure about what was going to happen. We had spent many months preparing for this trip and it all began without any complications. The flight from Indianapolis to Albuquerque was painless. All of our luggage arrived safe and sound. Well – most of our luggage. You see, I had forgotten to get one of the suitcases out of my car. And it happened to be the one that had all of Aiden’s clothes in it. But that was just a minor inconvenience. By the time our plane had landed, a parent had already picked up the suitcase and shipped it to New Mexico via UPS.  Even with that speed bump, things were moving relatively smoothly. We were able to pick up our rental vans without a hitch. The drive from Albuquerque to Gallup was beautiful. No one got lost – which is always a good thing.

The Missions Team at Window Rock, Arizona

We arrived at the Navajo Reservation knowing that we were going to see God at work during our week with the Navajo people. We parked our vans, unloaded, and met the pastor for the first time. As we discussed some logistics with our host, I came to a horrible realization. Through a horrible miscommunication in the planning stage, we arrived on the Reservation under the assumption that we would be staying in a building at the ministry compound on the Reservation itself. My heart came up into my throat when I realized that I had brought 20 people, including high school students, adults, and two small children halfway across the continent and we had absolutely no place to stay.

So, Jon the Intern and I found a phone book and started driving back into the town of Gallup. I gave him my cell phone and he started going down the names in the “Churches” section. After reaching several answering machines, one Pastor finally answered the phone. It was Sunday afternoon, so we were honestly surprised to find anyone in the office. Jon explained our situation and asked the Pastor if there’s any way he could help us out – even if it’s for just one evening.

“That’s something the mission should have helped you with,” he responded. Then – *click* - he hung up on us.

We continued to drive through Gallup, hoping to stumble upon a church building that happened to be open. Jon kept going down the list of churches in the phone book.

The Pastor at Gallup Christian Church answered his phone. Jon explained the situation. The Pastor lightly chuckled and then said, “I think we can help you out.” So we drove to the church facility. It was perfect.

Jon and I met him and he showed us around. He gave us the keys to the facility and we drove back to the Reservation to pick up the rest of the crew. Because of a miscommunication, we were at the end of our rope. It was one of those “but God…” moments I spoke about last week. When things are darkest, the light of Christ can shine most brightly – right?

So, we unload the vans in the parking lot of Gallup Christian Church and I looked up in the sky. There above us was a beautiful rainbow. I pointed up to it and said, “See? God keeps His promises.”

I think of this event every time I see this rock. It serves as a very physical reminder how God has kept His promises to me – even when I misunderstand something…even when I screw something up…even when I’m at the end of my rope. So I keep this rock on my shelf as a reminder of the amazing and powerful way that God worked in that situation.

It has been said that elephants never forget. While “never” might be too strong of a word, elephants are well-known for their great memories. Humanity, however, is a different story. We have such a short view of history, attention spans the length of a gnat’s, and, it seems, a perpetual case of amnesia. When we get caught up in the moment, we forget our history. And we tend to forget the things we’re supposed to remember.

If you have your Bibles with you, please turn with me to Genesis 8:15. If you don’t have your Bible with you, you’re welcome to use the one in the pew in front of you. Genesis 8:15 is found on page 6 in those Bibles.  We are completing our journey through the opening chapters of the story of Genesis with the promise of new life. After sin had entered the picture, things began to spiral out of control. Things had gotten so out of hand that God was saddened that He’d even created humanity. So he decided to wipe the slate clean and start over with Noah and his family. After nearly a year on board the ark that God had commanded him to build, Noah and his family disembarked from the large ship.

Read Genesis 8:15-22

The event of the Great Flood was one that shouldn’t be forgotten. After witnessing the destruction of all living things, Noah knew they needed to keep first things first and continue to place their relationship with their Father in Heaven as their top priority. So he built an altar. This was the first altar recorded in Scripture. And after he offered sacrifices upon the altar, it remained there as a reminder to him and his family of all God had done for them in recent days – much like the rock from New Mexico does for me. But the reminders for our forgetful people didn’t stop there. God also painted a rainbow in the sky as another physical reminder that God will keep His promises and He will never again destroy the earth through a Flood like the one Noah encountered.

From this point on, the people of God have had physical reminders of how God has worked throughout history – because we’re a forgetful people. When Jacob wrestled with God by the River Jabbok, he built an altar after the wrestling match and called it Peniel, which means “Face of God,” as a reminder that he saw God face to face that day – and his life was spared. When the children of Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, they built an altar out of twelve stones so they would always remember how God had brought them into their new homeland.

There are other ways God has encouraged us to remember what He has done for His people. When He delivered the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt, He instituted the Passover meal. It’s full of symbolism intended to remind them of the life they’d had in Egypt and how they’d been rescued from that life of hardship and bitterness. It was the most important day in the Jewish calendar.

We’re no strangers to these reminders. It was during the Passover celebration that Jesus modified its symbolism and told his followers to take the bread and the cup as physical reminders of what He was about to do for all of us. The bread represents his body that was broken when the nails were pierced through his hands and feet and the spear broke through his side. The cup is a symbol of the red blood that he willingly allowed to flow from his own body as a payment for the sins that we committed.

This Thursday is one of those days set aside for us to remember all that God has done. Although it is not necessarily a God-ordained holiday, it is a day set aside for us to remember and give thanks for what God has done. The story of the Puritans’ struggles in the New World remains a focal point of Thanksgiving Day. Having taken issue with the corruption that was the Church of England at the time, the Puritans chose to separate themselves from the state-run religion. This led to harsh persecutions by the authorities. After three failed attempts to flee to the New World, they finally set sail on the Mayflower on September 6, 1620. Over 130 people began the voyage on that tiny, 90 foot-long ship. Not all passengers were Puritan Pilgrims, but they did provide the bulk of the leadership for the group of travelers.

The two month-long journey was not a pleasant cruise. It was far from it. The quarters were cramped, the food was terrible, and the weather conditions were dangerous throughout most of the trip. Remarkably, none died during the journey across the Atlantic. They eventually established the small Plymouth Colony in the New World.
Shortly after arriving in New England, half of the travelers had died. Disease was running rampant throughout the new colony. The New England winter was much harsher than expected, and the food supply was running short. Unaccustomed to the land, they could not plant crops or distinguish between the edible and poisonous plants. They had no knowledge of fishing or hunting. Things looked bleak for these Pilgrims in the New World. The New World hardly seemed like the Promised Land they had hoped it would be.

Momentum shifted the following Spring. Local Native Americans befriended the Pilgrims and showed them how to tame the New England soil and how to catch their food. After a bitter winter that most thought they would not survive, Spring brought new hope along with the new friendships. The Colonists planted and hunted, just as they were taught. Their strength was renewed and the colony grew stronger every day.
When harvest time came in October, the Puritan Colonists were joined by their new Native American friends for a celebration of God’s provision and protection over the past year. The three-day celebration included wild turkeys, venison, and all kinds of vegetables. The first Thanksgiving Day in the New World was born. It was a sign of friendship, and a reminder of what God had done for them over the past year.

Like the Puritans experienced, this year might have been a difficult one for you – full of heartache, disappointment, and loneliness. It might be a year you’d rather forget about altogether. This Thanksgiving, as you pass the turkey or ham or maybe it’s just a peanut butter & jelly sandwich…take the opportunity to give thanks for what He has given you. Remember what your life was like before you knew Christ and celebrate the grace He displayed by dying on the cross. Remember the difficult times – not to dwell on the doom and gloom, but to remember how God continues to bring you through those difficult times. He will never leave you. He will never forget you. That is something worth celebrating – even if you think there isn’t much to celebrate this year.

Or this could have been a great year for you. I know in our household, we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams with the addition of our newest daughter. We will spend Thanksgiving Day taking a little extra time to thank God for how He paved the way for her to come home with us. If you’ve had a memorable year – one you wish didn’t have to end – I hope you take the time this Thursday to really thank God for all He has provided for you. Don’t wait for the dinner table conversation, but intentionally carve out some time in that day to wholeheartedly thank God for what He has done for you.

This Thanksgiving, remember God’s promises. And that He keeps every single one. He has given us all kinds of symbols to remind us of that: a rainbow, the Bread and the Cup of the Lord’s Supper, the cross, and even a little rock that sits on a bookshelf. You may have your own physical reminders of your encounters with God. If they’re not in a place where you can see them, I encourage you to do so. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, these monuments remind us of Who God is and what He has done. And although we tend to be very forgetful, God isn’t. I hope you celebrate that this coming Thursday.

And as we celebrate and give thanks and remember all God has done, it should continue throughout the rest of our lives. Allow this upcoming Thanksgiving Day to serve as a starting point – or a re-starting point…a challenge to remember to be thankful for all God has done every day. Not just at the appointed time of the year.

Another symbol we’ve been given is baptism. It’s a symbolic participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the act of being baptized, you publicly announce that you are no longer your own and you renounce your sinful ways of the past. And you declare to the world that you were bought with a price and are now symbolically clothed in righteousness. For those of us who have been immersed, remember your baptism. Remember the symbol that you yourself participated in when you put your old self to death and came to life again as a new creation in Christ.

If you have never done chosen to participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior in the waters of baptism, the hymn of invitation we’re going to sing in a few moments, “I Surrender All,” hymn number 252 (verses 1 & 4), is an invitation for you. If you have never made the conscious decision to be baptized, why not do so today? It will give you one more thing to be thankful for and to celebrate on this coming Thanksgiving Day.

If you’ve been looking for a church home and have decided that Cowan Christian Church is the place where you can put down your roots and grow in the faith, you’re invited to join our family this morning. This song of invitation is also a song for you.

I Surrender All, verses 1 & 4

This post/recipe is my contribution to the GeneaBloggers 2009 Holiday Recipe Cookbook.

My all-time favorite holiday family recipe has earned me quite a rep among those I’ve met at the parties to which I’ve brought these tasty appetizers (actually, I’m now required to bring these to most tailgates, showers and other gatherings). Good thing they couldn’t be simpler.

Some of my earliest memories of family gatherings feature these Sausage-Cheese Balls (alternatively dubbed Cheesy Poufs, Snausage Balls and Cheesy Sausage Nums Nums, by those who have had them).

Below is my mom’s hand-written recipe card containing the recipe, which has an (almost) embarassingly small amount of ingredients and work involved. They can be incredibly messy to mix together, but the end result is well worth going through all that.

I have made these with turkey sausage for those who don’t favor pork and they have come out splendidly. They are practically impossible to mess up. Too much Bisquick and you just end up with cheesy, sausagy biscuits instead of balls. No problem! Play it off like that’s what you meant to make all along.

I believe that one of my aunts came across this recipe when she lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Our family has enjoyed them ever since.

My Thanksgiving break starts tomorrow at around 2:30 pm. I’m expecting M, A, and Al to come sleepover. Maybe they’ll let me practice applying henna . Wednesday I need to bake two pumpkin pies, and then Thursday is Thanksgiving! It’s also Chand Raat, so a lot of family friends will be over; we will laugh and dance and make merry .

And then Friday is Eid! (Unfortunately, I will not be shopping on Black Friday). We’re going to go to see family, and I’ll finally get to meet my new baby cousin Eshaal . Super excited about that.

I’ll probably be very busy working Saturday and Sunday because of the crazy shoppers. Also, the J-Bucks coupon becomes valid on Satuday; there will be hordes of mothers in the store.

And then on Monday, I’ll be busy working on my three term papers which are due Tuesday . Back to studying now.

Bent Creek Winery 5455 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 455-6320 www.bentcreekwinery.com

Special Tastings include: New Releases of 07 Petite Sirah Port, 07 Zinfandel Port, and 07 Red on Red blend

Regular winery discounts available Live Music: Jazz by the Two Guys.

Food Pairing: Cabana Dave’s Clam Chowder paired with Chardonnay and Truffle Gateau Chocolate paired with Port

Vendors: Truffle Gateau www.trufflegateau.com, Alexa Danner (jewelry, wine charms, tote bags), JoAnn Duncan, Christmas craft arts, Sally Ann Flak (unique jewelry)

No Tasting Room Fee

Big White House & John Evan Cellars 6800 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 449-1976 www.bigwhitehouse.com

Special Tastings include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tawny Port, and Riche Mignon

Vendors: The Final Touch Designs (button jewelry) www.thefinaltouchdesigns.com, Caryne Mount (wearable art) www.carynmount.com

Tasting Fee is $5

Bodegas Aguirre Winery 8580 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 606-0554 www.bodegasaguirre.com

Special Tastings include: White and traditional Ports plus 6 estate wines

Estate wines non-reserve 30% off, all others 10% off

Food Pairing: Chocolate and Port Pairing

Vendors: Barrel Works (candle holders, lazy susans, bottle racks made from wine barrels)

Tasting Fee is $5

Charles R Vineyards 8195 Crane Ridge Rd., Livermore (925) 454-3040 www.charlesrvineyards.com

Special Tastings include: 07 Syrah, 08 Chardonnay. 20% discount on case purchases

Live Music: Antone Lee & His Magical Guitar, Christmas carols and country ballads

Food Pairing: Chardonnay and select cheeses

Vendors: Camille’s Gift Shop (jewelry, stained glass garden art, french soaps, earth friendly candles, and more) Cavalier, James Courtney (Cavalier Caricatures), Candles by Boss Designs, Merry Bon-Bon (delectable chocolates), Artwork (by artists – Lenore Kreit, Don Waldear, Carol Eicher, Bonnie Bartlett, Christine Mikulice, and Michel Robles)

No Tasting Fee. Groups of 8 or more $5 (refundable with purchase)

Chouinard Vineyards 33853 Palomares Rd., Castro Valley (510) 582-9900 www.chouinard.com

Special Tasting of Apple Wine . Case Special – $99 for a case of 05 Petite Sirah

Sachiko Campe (pottery blown glass, jewelry, silk scarves), Bonnie Mathis Hanmade Ceramics, Chris Wallace,  Ailsworth (hand knitted items), Donna Jeffreys (hand knitted hats).

No Tasting Fee

Concannon Vineyard 4590 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2505 www.concannonvineyard.com

Special case discounts available,  Live Music. Southwestern food bites by Posada Catering

Vendors: Trina Fleer (jewelry and purses), Party Lite (candles), Beauty Society (anti-aging skincare and make-up) www.angelapinon.societyskincare.com, Gold Canyon (candles) www.mygc.com/societydiva

Tasting Fee is $5

Crooked Vine Winery 4948 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 449-0458 www.crookedvine.com

Sale on case purchases,  Food pairings and specialty desserts available

Vendors: Beauty Society (anti-aging skincare and make-up) www.omgdiva.society.skincare.com, Gold Canyon (candles)  www.mygc.com/omgdiva

Tasting Fee $5

Cuda Ridge Wines 5385 East Ave., Livermore (510) 304-0914 www.cudaridgewines.com

Special Barrel Tasting and Gift Baskets Available

Guest Santa Appearance. Holiday Music.

Food Pairing: Papa Dino’s Italian Orzo Soup and Portuguese Kale Soup

Vendors: Mom Dino’s Crafts (holiday crafts), Watercolors by KB (water color pictures) www.kb-art.com

Complimentary Flight, $5 Port Tasting, $5 Barrel Tasting

Deer Ridge Vineyards 1828 Wetmore Ave., Livermore (925) 245-9756 www.deerridgevineyards.com

Special Tastings: Award winning 04 Cabernet and 07 Chardonnay

Wine available by the glass, food for purchase. Cooking demonstration each day.

Enter-to-Win a free wedding. Raffle for a free Green Shed (on display at the winery)

Vendors: Kim Pace Designs (jewelry), Soap Sister (handmade soaps and candles), Stonewear Jewelry, Dechen Designs (pashima and cashmere shawls and scarves), Sew n’ Wild Oats (Home décor items made from barrel staves), Erin Davis Pottery (handmade pottery), Worthington Gallery West (Handcrafted international arts and crafts), Green Sheds (garden sheds made from recycled materials) www.greensheds.net/holidays2009info.htm

There is a Tasting Fee

Eagle Ridge Vineyard 10017 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 447-4328 www.eagleridgevineyard.com

30% off case purchase (mix and match) of your choice.

Food: Hot Mulled Wine and Jim’s Tri-Tip Chili available for purchase

Vendors: Not your Mother’s Tupperware (children’s gift sets and wineglasses) www.my.tupperware.com/daniellejbeck, Bag it Up (designer inspired handbags and accessories) www.annsbagitup.com, JJ Designs (hand pained glassware, note cards, embroidered linens) www.buyjjsdesigns.com

No Tasting Fee

Eckert Estate Winery 2400 Arroyo Rd., Livermore (925) 371-8606 www.eckertestate.com

Special Tasting includes: Viognier and Late Harvest Primitive. Special pricing on case sales.

Vendors: Arroyo Windmill Groves Olive Oils and Noyo Reserve Exotic Mustards

No Tasting Fee

el Sol Winery 8626 Lupin Way, Livermore (925) 606-1827 www.elsolwine.com

Special Tasting includes: New Release Reserve Cab & Reserve Merlot. 25% off Merlot Rose purchases

“Bottle it Yourself” with custom holiday gift labels

Vendors: Funzees (one of a kind baby gifts that edgy to sweet, funny and unique) www.funzees4u.com, Paula Carvalho’s Jewelry (one of a kind handmade jewelry) www.paulasjewelry.net

Tasting Fee $5

Elliston Vineyards 463 Kilkare Rd., Sunol (925) 862-2377 www.elliston.com

Special Tasting includes: Champagne, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon

Select wines on sale, 10% bonus on gift card purchases over $100, holiday gift baskets

Food: Beautiful holiday hors d’oeurve display

Vendors: Silpada Designs (fine sterling jewelry) www.mysilpada.com/kim.tanton, Chanteuse Designs (handbags, aprons, holiday stockings) www.chanteusedesigns.com, Apriori Beauty (anti-aging products) www.aprioribeauty.com

No Tasting Fee

Fenestra Winery 83 Vallecitos Rd., Livermore (925) 447-5246 www.fenestrawinery.com

Food Pairing: Holiday foods paired with wines

Vendors: Robert Shimmon (large format black and white photography) www.photosmash.net, Glass by Debra (custom lamps and nightlights in stain glass), Shimmering Stones Jewelry

Tasting Fee $5

Garré Vineyard & Winery 7986 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 371-8200 www.garrewinery.com

Special Tasting includes: 06 & 07 Cabernet Franc, 06 & 07 Cabernet Sauvignon, 06 & 07 Syrah (side by side tastings)

Santa will make a visit on Sunday. Christmas cookie crafting for kids on Sunday. Warm coat drive.

Food: Chef Ty’s Holiday Stew, Christmas sweets, and Hot Mulled Cider.

Vendors: Teez Handsuds (Bath and body products) www.teezhandsuds.com , Amy Schwab Designs (Accessories) www.amyschwabdesigns.com , Carde Blanche (personalized stationary & gifts) www.cardeblanche.com , Cheshire Cat Photo (photos) www.cheshirecatphoto.com , Kalli Crawford (jewelry & accessories) www.kallicrawforddesigns.com , Cookie Lee Jewelry (Maria Howell), J&M Woodcrafters, Renee Ryder (Christmas Ornaments), Jealousy Jewels

No Tasting Fee

La Rochelle Winery 5443 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 243-6442 www.lrwine.com

Complimentary mulling spice with wine purchase, 20% off wine purchase of 4 bottles or more

Vendors: Belgique Truffle Gateau by Linda Bartlett Keys (truffles) www.trufflegateau.com, Mokulele Farms by Debbie Donald (coffee, honey, macadamia nuts from Kona) www.mokulelefarms.com, Cookie Lee Jewelry www.cookielee.biz/esuite/home/leslietakemura

Tasting Fee $10, $15, $20 depending on flight (each served with a food pairing)

Les Chênes Estate Vineyards 5562 Victoria Lane, Livermore (925) 373-1662 www.leschenesvine.com

Special Tasting New Release 07 Mouvedre

Music by Les Amisde Les Chenes Violinists.

Food pairing with Chef Jim. Winner of the ‘Take Les Chenes Around the World’ announced Sunday at 3pm

Vendors: Les Chenes Mustards and Olive Oils, Holiday gift items

Tasting Fee $5 and refundable with purchase

Little Valley Winery 739 Main St. Pleasanton (925) 862-9006 www.littlevalleywinery-lavender.com

10% off each bottle of Sparkling Wine (20% off case)

Live music: Saturday 1-4pm. Open until 9pm on Saturday. Santa and Tree lighting in Downtown Pleasanton.

Vendors: Little Valley Gift Boutique featuring Lolita glasses, lavender products, wine shirts, and more.

Two complimentary tastes. $5 for tasting flight of 6 wines

Longevity Wines 35 Rickenbacker Circle South, Livermore (888) 325-9463 www.longevitywines.com

Food: Phil’s famous Pulled Pork Sandwiches and other goodies.

Santa will make a surprised visit on Saturday.

Vendors: Lia Sophia (fine jewelry), Robbin’s Family Farms (olive oil and balsamic vinegar) and Chocolates by Raffiné

No Tasting Fee

McGrail Vineyards 5600 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 373-6214 www.mcgrailvineyards.com

Special Tasting includes: 05 and 06 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. 1 complimentary taste per Toy for Tots donation

Live Music: Tank Half Full band on Saturday 1-5pm and Sunday 12-4pm

Vendors: CC Kelly Handbags (high end inspired bags), Scott Cleek Studios (wine inspired art) www.sjstudio.com , Arkwright Designs (jewelry) www.arkwrightdesigns.com

Tasting Fee $5

Mitchell Katz Winery 1188 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton (925) 931-0744 www.mitchellkatzwinery.com

Futures of 08 Sangiovese offered. Case discounts on Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay

Santa Clause will visit on Sunday 2-4pm

Vendors: Truffle Gateau www.truffleg.com , Artisan’s Creative Marshmallow Co. (beautifully decorated marshmallows) www.artisanmarshmallows.com , Twisted Silver (fine and funky jewelry) www.twistedsilver.com

Tasting Fee $5

Murrieta’s Well 3005 Mines Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2390 www.murrietaswell.com

Library wines available for tasting and purchase

Special discounts on library wines to public and wine club members

Tasting Fee $10

Nottingham Cellars 2245 S. Vasco Rd., Livermore (925) 294-8647 www.nottinghamcellars.com

Special Tasting includes: Ralphi’s Red Blend. 20% off Ralphi’s Red Blend purchases

Tasting and food pairings all weekend

Vendors: Riella Creations (unique hand-crafted jewelry) www.riella.etsy.com , Pat Cranor Designs (watercolor art, kachinas, mixed media) www.patcranor.com

Tasting Fee $5

Occasio Winery 2445 S. Vasco Rd., Livermore (925) 371-1987 www.occasiowinery.com

Club Members enjoy 20% discount. Purchase a club membership as a gift and receive 20% discount on wines

Wreath making on Saturday with seatings at 12:30 and 2:30pm

Wine Blending with Winemaker John Kinney on Sunday at 1:30-2:30pm and 3:30-4:30pm

Tasting Fee $5 for flight of 3 wines. Complimentary taste of Gold Medal winning Pinot Gris

Page Mill Winery 1960 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore (925) 456-7676 www.pagemillwinery.com

10% off bottles and 20% off case purchases

No Tasting Fee

Retzlaff Estate Winery 1356 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore (925) 447-8941 www.retzlaffwinery.com

Special Tasting includes: Old Library Verticals. 6 pack discounts and case discounts

Food Pairing: Truffles with Port, Spiced Ciders, Hot Chocolate and Cookies

Vendors: Handmade Porcelain Santas, Jewelry Crafters, Massages

Tasting Fee waived with purchase

Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery 3053 Marina Ave., Livermore (925) 447-4280 www.rmwinery.com

Special Tasting includes: Rubino Port and 06 Cabernet Sauvignon (State Fair winner)

Live Music both days. Food: Complimentary soup, Gingerbread houses that are 3 ft. tall.

Vendors: Cookie Lee (high fashion jewelry), The Toy Box (high end toys at deep discounts), Serendipity (handcrafted original jewelry inspired by LV wine country, The Cork Lady (cork ornaments), Crafts by Anne Marie (LV wine country ornaments made from wine labels)

No Tasting Fee

Ruby Hill Winery 400 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton (925) 931-9463 www.rubyhillwinery.net

Special Tasting includes: Peacock Patch Reserve Zinfandel. Holiday Gift Packs available

Live Music: Saturday 3-5pm.

Food Pairings: 1-5pm on Saturday & Sunday. Raffles throughout the weekend

Vendors: Lil Hooksters (purse hooks) www.lilhookster.com, Cookie Lee (jewelry) www.cookielee.com , Petra’s Scarves (hand knitted scarves) , Pampered Chef

Tasting Fee $5 (waived with Toys for Tots donation)

Stony Ridge Winery 4948 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 449-0458 www.crookedvine.com

Sale on case purchases

Food pairings and specialty deserts available

Tasting Fee $5

Tamás Estates 5489 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2380 www.tamasestates.com

Special Tasting includes: Barbera Port. 15% savings on touring wines and 25% on case purchases

Barrel Tasting in the Winter Wonderland Barrel Room

Vendors: Eugenia Zobel (Porcelain Art) www.eugeniastudio.8m.com , Anita’s Creations (Christmas crafts and ornaments), Country Patchwork (Handmade quilts and blankets)

Tasting Fee $10

Tenuta Vineyards 633 Kalthloff Commons, Livermore (925) 960-1006 www.tenutawinery.com

Call winery for activities.

The Singing Winemaker 5143 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 606-9463 www.teslavintners.com

Call winery for activities.

The Steven Kent Winery 5443 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 243-6440 www.stevenkent.com

Special Tasting includes: 08 Cabernet Port

Complimentary mulling spice with wine purchase, 20% off wine purchase of 4 bottles or more

Vendors: Belgique Truffle Gateau by Linda Bartlett Keys www.trufflegateau.com, Mokulele Farms by Debbie Donald (coffee, honey, nuts from Kona) www.mokulelefarms.com, Cookie Lee Jewelry www.cookielee.biz/esuite/home/leslietakemura

Tasting Fee $10 (includes glass and 3 pairing stations of special cheeses and chocolate)

Thomas Coyne Winery 51 East Vallecitos Rd., Livermore (925) 373-6541 www.thomascoynewinery.com

Live Music: Traditional Holiday Singers

Vendors: Michelle’s Jewelry Box, Tony’s Wood Works (gifts made with barrel staves )

Wente Vineyards 5565 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2305 www.wentevineyards.com

Special Tasting includes: 07 Small Lot Orange Muscat, 07 Small Lot Late Harvest Riesling, 07 Small Lot Petite Syrah

Port. 20% Savings on Vineyard Selection & Heritage Block Wines

Santa will make a visit on Sunday 1-3pm, Barrel Tasting both days

Vendors: Eugenia Zobel (Porcelain Art) www.eugeniastudio.8m.com, Anita’s Creations (Christmas crafts and ornaments), Stonewear Jewelry (handcrafted jewelry) www.stonewearjewelry.net

Complimentary Flight and $10 Flight, Barrel Tasting $5

White Crane Winery 5405 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 455-8085 www.whitecranewinery.com

Annual Holiday “sparkling wine special” – buy two bottles at regular price and the third is $1

Food: Mushroom and Wine Meatballs

Santa will stop by from 12-2pm on Sunday

Vendors: Beauty Society (anti-aging skincare and make-up) www.bedazzled.societyskincare.com, Gold Canyon (candles) www.mygc.com/bedazzled

Wood Family Vineyards 7702 Cedar Mountain Dr., Livermore (925) 606-7411 www.woodfamilyvineyards.com

Special Tasting includes: New Release 07 Cabernet Sauvignon from Quail Creek Vineyards

Food Pairing: Soup and wine pairing, fudge, and farmstead cheeses

Vendors: My Sisters Jewelry (unique jewelry using sought after gems and metals) www.terryfunkejewelry.com, Live

For More Fudge (traditional chocolate and gourmet fudge with fresh cream and butter) www.Liveformorefudge.com, Fiscalini Cheese (a rich dairy tradition, handcrafted cheese from Modesto) www.fiscalinicheese.com

Tasting Fee $5 includes glass and food pairings

It’s Thanksgiving week and what better way to celebrate than with food.

I thought I would share some of my family favorites with you straight from my family to yours. I hope you make one of the recipes below one your families new traditions at your Thanksgiving table.

Broccoli Casserole

2 small bags of frozen broccoli

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 2/3 cup mayonnaise

1 egg

1  onion chopped

1 pkg. (8oz.) of shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

Chopped bread crumbs

1 stick butter

Cook broccoli in pan and cook until soft.  Drain broccoli and put in a bowl.  Combine broccoli, soup, mayonnaise, egg, onion and cheese.  Mix and then put in 13×9 or 9×9 baking dish.  Top with bread crumbs and dots of butter.

350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Deviled Eggs

6 Eggs

¼ cup Mustard

¼ cup Mayo or Salad Dressing

Sprinkle Paprika

Optional:

Dash Salt Pepper

2 Tbsp. Spoon Sugar

2 Tbsp. Pickle juice

Sliced Black olives

Sliced Green olives

Boil eggs.  Peel and cut eggs length wise.  Put yoke in separate bowl and put whites on a plate.  Add mustard and mayo (may need to add more to your liking) to the yokes and mix with fork or if you want it smooth use a mixer.  If you don’t have the taste or the consistency you want add more mustard and mayo and then if you like add just a little sugar and pickle juice to taste.  I don’t always add sugar or pickle juice it just depends on my mood.  Next spoon mixture into eggs.  Top with paprika and if you like a sliced green or black olive.

Water Gate Salad

1 Box Pistachio pudding

1 box lime jello

1 can crushed pineapple

1 bowl cool whip

Make jello according to package and use ice cube instructions.  Sit aside.  In a big bowl mix pudding and crushed pineapple (DO NOT DRAIN JUICE).  Add jello after it sits and the bowl of cool whip.  Mix and chill.

I hope you enjoy some good Thanksgiving food and enjoy time with your families.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Yesterday afternoon I was in one my my funks I get into being tired and the kids not doing what I want them to do.  Frankly I was getting angry and discouraged.  (Ok they needed to take naps, and eventually all of us did even mom and dad.)

So instead of getting angry I got remembering that I should be thankful.  Boy did that get rid of the anger fast.

Here is a list of some of the thing I am thankful for

• I have kids that I can get mad at, when others may just be wishing for one kid of their own
• I have a bed with blankets to sleep in.  Russ and I do need a new bed, but I am thankful for the one I have.  It is better than sleeping on the floor with or without blankets.
• I have a secure job.  While I may not always like the shifts I am assigned, I have a good job. So many these days are looking for one.
• We have a variety of foods to eat.  So just have a choice of 1 or 2 foods.
• We have the option and can afford to send our son to a private school.  Others are just looking for a way to get an education.  It is a stretch each month to pay the bill, but we can.
• We have a vehicle to drive.  It may not be the exact one we want to have, and we would like to have another.  We still have one and it gets me faithfully to work, 30 miles away and has space to transport the entire family.
• We have a roof over our heads and heat.  Yes we would like to own our own home, but we are thankful for what we have.  With the way the economy is we can be thankful to have a house to live in a heat.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Now if you talk to my wife, she would claim that I am very much like the character Ebenezer Scrooge during the Holidays. I personally have no warm feelings towards any particular holiday and yes that includes Christmas.

This proclamation makes many friends and family cringe. They don’t understand how I cannot enjoy the day that Christ was born. But I see little attraction to this day, or others, marked on a calendar. I think that it’s great that others enjoy observing them and I will probably start when I have kids, as it creates a memorable way to teach them, but for now they serve no real purpose in my mind. So I will continue wandering around the house, muttering things that are best summarized by, “Bah Humbug.”

However, this past Sunday I was reminded of a very interesting fact; the definition of Ebenezer.

“The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.””- 1 Samuel 7:11-13

An Ebenezer is marker, or reminder, that God has helped us to a particular point. This concept of “Ebenezer” is a better definition of what the holidays should be.

With Thanksgiving upon us, the importance of being thankful has been especially laudable in recent years, as everyone has been forced to make tough financial decisions (some more than others). Though universally what we should be thankful for is that we have survived another year and that God has provided our basic necessities.

Holidays serve as easy reminders of time passing and of times of reflection. Christmas, New Years, Good Friday, Easter, and Fourth of July are some times that should make us stop and pray a prayer of thanks for our blessings and make these times more than just holidays, make them Ebenezers of our lives.