“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!

Hopefully they will look as rad as this one… my sample snow globes look pretty sad right now.

Step In & Peel Out

The Kris Van Assche 2009 fall/winter footwear collection gets a prominent look here as we take a look into this season’s offerings. There are  five-strong releases, some consistent mini-themes are present including a diagonal zipper theme over the boots and a roll-down cuff style.  The collection is available now at SSENSE.

This is the favorite of the collection here at EF, the rest are pretty wack not really on par with this particular boot from an aesthetics point of view.  You can’t go wrong with a black boot, but I really like the sole, the double-padded toe and heel and they kinda reinvented what Timberland did with the peel down cuff on their 6-inch chucka.

…that’s fresh.

AkShone – The Tennessee Volunteer

< continue style review >

Please visit Designers SLurl  for all the store locations

BODY

SKIN: CheerNo – GloX – Venus.SUM#2 [ShavD] MK.11 EB.a

HAIR:  [hair base included with skin]

EYES: CheerNo – GLOX.eye Line [Photo.X] *Chumbo 02

OUTFIT

TOP: CheerNo – Deuil – Blazz Jacket

VEST: CheerNo – Deuil – Blazz Vest

SHIRT: CheerNo – Deuil – Blazz Shirt

PANTS: CheerNo – Deuil – Blazz Pants

HAT: Cheerno – JAMIRO Beret [Black]

SHOES: COCO Homme – LeatherShoes (Black)

GLOVES: Cheerno – Diamond Gloves – Black [Short Finger]

NECKLACE: CheerNo – Deuil – Blazz NeckLACE

Photography/Model/Styling by Nicholai Shepherd

This is some work from a couple of years ago for holiday cards. I’ve been going through some old work and decided to scan and post these as they fit the season. I’ve been putting so much work into my physical wellness and neglecting my artistic wellness. I need to exercise my creativity as well as my body. I’m hoping that scanning and posting this old work will help me get motivated to create.
I took some nice photos of Magnolia blooms, leaves and seed pods and am planning to do a painting. The leaves are especially interesting and have a dynamic sculptural quality.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week I wrote that I had stacked my macrolens away for the winter. That resulted in some protests from Ed and Marleen and they were right. There are still lots of subjects around for that lens, especially on a sunny day like these dried blossoms and even a ladybird that had woken up form its hibernation.

Although magazines and movies, when shooting an outdoor scene, try to make a picture with two people who just happen to look like models playing in a perfect winter wonderland, realistic.  It’s obviously not that way as most of you already know.  Normally the photo or movie paints a picture of a playful snowball fight that occurs in ultra stylish color coordinated snow apparel.  While this does create a great picture for a magazine or scene for a movie, it is highly unrealistic. 

First and foremost it’s very abnormal to see two models, male and female, jumping around frivolously in the snow.  Second, if one is a male unless its your first date, I’m pretty sure if he has any testosterone at all he’s not aiming to be cute rather than just aiming to hit you as many times as possible with multiple snowballs. Third, snow attire is frankly unflattering! 

Realistically, it’s almost impossible to look good when wearing 8 layers, long johns, nylon overalls with a puff jacket over that, and boots and gloves that don’t color coordinate in any way.  If you look in the mirror and find a snowman staring back at you, then you know you’ve reached the look your going for, that is warmth!  Of course there are ways to add some flavor to your snow outfit such as your colorful winter jacket or those pink boots you bought last year, but it’s doubtful that you chose them thinking about what your appearance will be while already knowing you’ll like look like the Michelin Man attempting to play in the snow in all actuality.   I can however understand the sense of wanting  non realism  in a  movie or a magazine.  After all, what model would want to put on 8 sizes more of clothes.  That would mean she might be a size 8 (Oh No!).  All joking aside, a perfect picture isn’t going to show two regular looking people dressed in Carharts or nylon overalls nailing each other with snowballs.  We’d all probably prefer looking at the other way as well.  Anyhow, I guess what I am trying to say is unless you are standing on a set with photographers (mom and dad not included) no real person cares what anyone looks like when its 30 below and snow is on the ground!  Meanwhile, don’t try being an ice queen or king and enjoy winter!  It’s the one time when someone can say to your face you look huge! And trust me take it as a compliment (because you know that suckers going to be freezing)!  So enjoy winter, act like a kid, and forget about how you look for two seconds. It’s worth it!!

  My Husband and I had two hours to ourselves this past weekend.  Sooo……. we went for a drive and came across this great place that we have in our area to see the wonderful site of Christmas display.   Every Year this is one of my favourite visits.   I remember before we were married we went together to Niagara on the Lake, short drive from the Niagara Falls in Ontario.   I always remember the beauty of all the handmade items some stores displayed in their windows.  Believe it or not I even visited Santa……my wish came true that year. Smile……..

 It is wonderful to see, and of course to shop for the small or big budget items you have liked to get for your special Christmas tree for your home:  Santa’s in all kinds of styles, Angels, Birds, Mice, Christmas Balls, Bells, Stars, and Trees.   Red or Yellow Dogwood Branches for your fresh ornaments you have welcoming your Guest and Friends by the Front Door.

 So many choices…and the nice time you have just looking at it and having fun sharing it together.

                                “Never Stop Believing”

I think this is the second publication of this page I do Japanese, but this is very good, I love it. Enjoy.

Creo que este es la segunda publicación que hago de esta pagina japonesa, pero es que esta muy buena, me encanta. Disfrutenla.

Ohhh..this outfit makes me happy. Makes me think of ice cream, milkshakes and m&m’s. Warm and soft but fun and cute. Need I say more…<3 Uma!

Listening to ‘Florence & The Machine – ‘I’m not calling you a liar’

Worn :

Skin – ‘Po [Light] Tomi 1 skin’ by (Vivé9)

Hair – ‘Sabina II, Blondie’ by Artilleri

Scarf – Pastel color scarf set [Beige]‘ by METRONOME

Ear muffs – ‘Knit ear muffs , green’ by Artilleri

Jacket – ‘Denim Jacket (Bleach)’ by en Svale

Cardigan – ‘Oversized cardigan (green)’ by Fishy Strawberry

Shirt – ‘Peter pan blouse [salmon]‘ by This Is A Fawn

Leggings – Laundry leggings [sunday]‘ by DUBOO (<3newreem)

Boots – ‘Moccasins boots (flower)’ by **DP**yumyum

Gloves – ‘Beige gloves’ by en Svale

Bag – ‘SACK/white’ by LeLutka

This Week 11/23-11/27 :

Monday– Career Shoes

Tuesday–BooTuesday–figure out what winter boot will keep your feet warm and dry!

Wednesday–Wednesday Mensday!

Thursday–THANKSGIVING–no post today, just be thankful for all your gorgeous shoes!

Friday–Made Ya Look Friday–start submitting pics for the vote on Friday now!

*Click here to view all the results from last Friday’s vote!

 THEME:  Summer fun at the beach

INVITATIONS:  Cut round circles and color one side like a beach ball.  On the other side, use California beach slang, such as:

            “Hey, dudes and dudettes–slap on your best beach gear and come hang out at the Indoor Beach Party.  Don’t let winter chill you out!  There’ll be a prize for the baddest beach threads, and we’ll have some really rad activities!  Bring your fave beach snack for munchin’ and blow off this winter scene–totally!”

     This is a fun party for all ages, from teens to adults.

MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITIES:  Two surfboards or plain wooden boards of similar size; two large bowls; wrapped hard candies; two plastic pitchers; two clear plastic glasses; two or four rolls of Life Saver candies; large box of sand; 20 pennies; blackboard and chalk or whiteboard (or poster) and marker; team prize for the competitions, such as kiddie sunglasses for each team member; prize for best beach outfit, such as a pair of underwater goggles; music for dancing, if desired (Beach Boys, etc.) and stereo; prize for dance contest, if desired, such as a beach ball or water wings; video of old beach movie and VCR, if desired.

FOOD:  The guests will bring snacks, and you can provide the cold pop–six-packs in various flavors, packed in an ice chest.  You might also provide something more exotic, like a fresh pineapple.  Set the food out on a table covered with a beach blanket or large beach towel.  Serve in creative containers, like large seashells, a diver’s mask, little plastic boats, etc.

DECORATIONS:  First of all, have the party room warm and well lighted, as the guests will be wearing summery clothing.  In two clear corners, create two famous beaches, such as Malibu, Waikiki or Palm Beach.  If you have local beaches, you could use those names.  Label the beaches with signs and try to recreate something that beach is famous for.  Borrow some potted palms for Palm Beach, or make palm trees on the wall with colored construction paper.  For Malibu Beach, you might spark some laughter by setting up a scene with Malibu Barbie and Ken in their beach buggy, etc.  Light blue cloths or curtains could hang on the wall as an ocean backdrop.  You could display diving or surfing gear, if you have access to it.  In other areas of the room hang colorful swimsuits, beach towels, beach posters and Beach Boys album covers.  Near the refreshment table, you might set up beach blankets and umbrellas on the floor.  Have Beach Boys surfin’ music playing softly in the background during the competitions.

 BLOW-BY-BLOW:            As guests arrive, assign them equally to the two (or more, if the group is large) different beaches.  Each beach team then uses this time to come up with its own cheer.  When the teams are complete, they each give their cheers, and the competitions begin.

Surf's up!

            The first competition is the Surfing Race.  It will require three people from each group, usually two boys and a girl.  The teams choose their contestants before the race is explained.  Give the boys from each team a surfboard or similar piece of wood, and they hold it between them while the girl sits on it.  On a signal, the groups race to the end of the room and back.  The team to arrive first gets a point on the board.

            The next contest is the High Dive, which requires one representative from each beach.  You (the host/hostess) provide the contestants with one pitcher of water each.  On the floor are two empty glasses.  These they must fill at least two-thirds full from the position of standing on chairs.  The one who spills the least water on the floor gets the point for her team.

            The next event is the Underwater Swimming Race.  One contestant is chosen to represent each beach.  Give each one a deep bowl filled with water at the bottom of which are several wrapped candies.  He is seated at a table or may kneel on the floor in front of the bowl, keeping his hands behind his back.  At the signal, the contestant must bob for the candies, getting them out with his mouth.  The first one to get all the candies out wins the point for his team.

            The next event, the Life-Saving Contest, is announced, and two representatives are chosen from each beach.  The two partners stand four or five paces apart, facing each other.  Give one side several Life-Saver candies, which they must toss, one at a time, to their partners.  The other side must catch them with their mouths.  The team which catches the most wins the point.

            For the last event, the Buried Treasure Race, one contestant is chosen from each group.  (Make sure that every person on each team has the chance to compete in at least one event.)  This could be the tie-breaking event!  A large box of sand is placed at one end of the room; the representatives line up at the other.  Twenty pennies are buried in the sand, ten for each team.  On a signal, the contestants race to the box, dig their ten pennies out with their hands, and race back.  The first one back with all ten pennies wins the final point for her team.  The beach with the most points on the board wins a team prize.

            After this, you  award a prize to the guest with the best beach outfit.  Then serve the refreshments, and turn the music up.  Guests may dance, if desired, or, after eating, you may show a video of an old beach movie.  If you choose to dance, a spontaneous dance contest–whether ’50’s style or the current craze–adds to the fun, and you may award a prize to the winning couple.

Winter at "Rosenlaui" in the Bernese Oberland

It’s expected to be a hard but hopefully cozy winter in the Swiss tourism industry. For the coming season, Switzerland Tourism is heavily promoting mountain cabin magic in resorts around the country.

Read the whole story here:

http://www.swisster.ch/news/lifestyle/swiss-tourism-bets-winter-cabin-magic.html

It’s all the same! Winter is coming and awesome winter activities are here. Unless you are drag racing your snowmobile in the grass your ATV is in the garage most of the year.

ATV premiums are based on a yearly rate taking into consideration that the vehicle is not being used all year round. The benefits of having a yearly policy: If the trails are calling there is no worry about coverage! Prior insurance discounts apply to ATV policies no different than your auto insurance.  If there is a lapse in coverage the next time you look for ATV insurance the rates are most likely going to be different.

Other coverage that you can get with your ATV insurance is safety apparel coverage.  This would cover damage or loss of helmets, goggles, and damage to protective clothing that is made to minimize the damage of an accidents.

No different than summer time, the winter has activities that we need to be prepared for. It’s the best time to start looking into insurance that will cover your hobbies. Be safe and ready to enjoy your winter fun.

Give us a call at 800.470.2419 to talk more about your ATV coverage.

Con una de las portadas más feas de los últimos años y un disco recién editado en enero, Animal Collective demuestra que no paran de hacer música y regresan con “Fall Be Kind”, un EP de 5 temas que como siempre, promete ser la referencia obligada de la vanguarida musical moderna.

“Fall be Kind” demuestra que AC no sólo sabe hacer esos temas densos, progresivos y oscuros (como podrían catalogarse Bleeding y I think i Can), sino que siguen explorando un camino más optimista, limpio y hasta alegre en algunos momentos, explotando los sonidos tropicales que les hicieron ganar la reverencia mundial con “Merriweather Post Pavillion” (disco que reseñamos aquí).

Y precisamente esos son los mejores temas de este lanzamiento. Graze abre el disco de una manera extrañamente directa y sencilla, una introducción perfecta para What Would i Want? Sky, la joya del disco y uno de los mejores temas de Animal Collective que he escuchado. Potenciada por un sampleo de Grateful Dead, esta canción se va formando con capas de loops, beats y voces distorsionadas hasta convertirse en una sabrosura que provoca escucharse con una piña colada en la mano mientras quieres un poco del cielo. Que gay suena eso,pero es cierto.

Lo cierto es que Animal Collective no teme experimentar con sonidos, texturas, loops, palabras y efectos, resultando siempre en temas generosos, amplios y que exigen atención del escucha, pero a veces, esa misma ambición también genera pastichos sonoros pesados, empalagosos y aburridos. Así es este EP, con temas muy bien logrados e interesantes, pero también con muchos minutos que pueden desecharse sin problema.

Mediafire pa bajá, aquí.

Info:

Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind EP

Tracklist:
01. Graze
02. What Would I Want? Sky
03. Bleed
04. On a Highway
05. I Think I Can

Run time: 28 minutes

“Already since the early 60s, the intrepid outdoorsmen of Sweden are aware of the indestructibility and versatility of the Greenland winter jacket with Hasse Hellström, globally acknowledged and history influential adventurer, on the fore front. He made a Fjällräven fabric an indispensable equipment for hikers and climbers, as he entirely equipped his Greenland expedition in 1966, with the waxed G-1000 fabric. Today, G-1000 is still the foundation of the Greenland jacket, but evolved to a more comfortable material with the same durability and outstanding breathability. Four pockets on the front are reminiscent of those days there were stored pitons and carabiner, and a vast inner pocket keeps your modern essentials warm and secure”

Mike Giant, Joshy D, and the rest of the REBEL8 crew definitely do their thing better than anyone else, and while the brand is one that you either love or could do without, you can’t deny their take on classic graffiti and Latino artistry make REBEL8 stand apart from their contemporaries in the graphics game.  This lookbook is the first the line has ever shot, and features the artists and designers in their working environment. Nothing about this collection is groundbreaking, and is pretty much on-trend with a nice combination of flannel, varsity cuts, military inspired looks, and the signature imagery the brand is known for. However, the perfectly nailed-down SF cool of REBEL8 is pretty undeniable, and combined with their fairly reasonable price points I would definitely look to support the line whenever possible… still gotta get my hands on one of the snap-backs. Keep reading for more looks from the collection.

84/

01. Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow (3:40)
02. A R Rahman Feat The Pussycat Dolls – Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) (3:42)
03. Lady Gaga – Lovegame (3:31)
04. Ciara Feat. Justin Timberlake – Love Sex Magic (3:40)
05. Pink – Bad Influence (3:35)
06. The Script – Breakeven (4:20)
07. Akon Feat. Colby O’donis and Kardinal Offishall – Beautiful (5:14)
08. Kelly Clarkson – I Do Not Hook Up (3:20)
09. Lady Sovereign – So Human (3:07)
10. Natalie Bassingthwaighte – 1000 Stars (4:00)
11. Soulja Boy Tell ‘em Featuring Sammie – Kiss Me Thru The Phone (3:14)
12. Jessica Mauboy – Because
13. Wes Carr – Fearless (2:52)
14. Kid Cudi Vs. Crookers – Day ‘N’ Nite (2:43)
15. Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (3:41)
16. Kings Of Leon – Revelry (3:22)
17. U2 – Get On Your Boots (3:25)
18. Cassie Davis Feat. Travis Mccoy – Differently (3:49)
19. Kanye West Feat Young Jeezy – Amazing (3:59)
20. The Presets – If I Know You (4:28)

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Those fresh and clear moments, mornings in Albuquerque when I’d be skipping school for some engagement I wanted even less a part of. Winter was always on its way. The sun pale, but not like Alaska – this still had some warmth to it. The air was chill and the birds singing. It could easily be a weekday in autumn, as it is right now. The smell is what a city smells like, everyone’s routine – and I’m so glad not to have one, because this realization would pass me by. This is the day people working indoors talk about how they’re missing the beautiful weather, and by the time they see it, the whole world will be taken in by the rapturous golden glow that is mocking to us all: it says I am the proof that you missed out, I am the evidence of beauty that will never exist again, not like it did today – I offered you the morning, but all of you were working, or slept in.

Spiral with my free hand. Reluctant to breathe in another moment, because I’ll have to eventually exhale – and we’ll all be breathing tragedy by three this afternoon, when exposing body parts you never would to snow, the temporary breathe visible no more to we who called it intervention. To hell with the finalities of December and July, it’s in between we really live, when there’s less trivial design.

I sit inside my little home, warm and cozy, as the chilly rain soaks the earth. The leaves have fallen, winter is almost here. The day when the cold sets into my body is certain to arrive soon. Until spring comes again, there is only a few things that can really make me warm and cozy – a hug from my husband, our snuggly bed, and a hot cup of coffee.

My perfect cup of  drip coffee is hot, camel-colored, creamy, and served in an off white ceramic diner mug. Instead of going to the diner every time I want to warm up with a hot a cup of coffee in my favorite diner mug, I found online at The City Pantry where to purchase diner mugs for our cool family and friends – and ourselves! These 8 oz. diner mugs make the perfect addition to any coffee mug cabinet – And for only four dollars a mug (or six for twenty dollars or twelve for thirty six dollars) they make great, timeless Christmas presents!

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