And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:8-14

Wishing you all peace, love and joy this Christmas and in the new year.

Holidays 19: A part of childhood we'll always remember
Tonight, decorations from Sesame Street and a song by the Muppets.

( It's true, wherever you find love It feels like Christmas )

Holidays 11 & 12: Good Deeds Part I
This year the Advent calendar on my fridge is called "A Good-Deed-a-Day Countdown to Christmas". These are the first 12 good deeds.

1. Put birdseed out for the birds.
2. Write thank-you notes to let others know how much you appreciate them.
3. Help decorate something in your home.
4. Say a prayer for a friend.
5. Choose one toy to give to charity.
6. Make and send a holiday card to a friend.
7. Do something nice for a member of your family.
8. Brighten someone's day by singing.
9. Read the Christmas story to someone else.
10. Give someone a hug.
11. Give everyone you see a smile today.
12. Share a happy thought with someone else.

Holidays 9: Crafty
Can you tell I do most of my "crafting" with little kids?

( Cinnamon Tree Ornaments )

Holidays 7: Sugar Rush
These are a little addictive. This year my mom's class is making them to give as Christmas gifts.

Rolo Pretzel Turtles
Rolo chocolate candies
Mini pretzels
Nuts – toasted pecans/almonds/hazelnuts/walnuts

Preheat your oven to 350

1. Upwrap your Rolos. Place pretzels on baking sheet. Top with a Rolo.

2. Bake in oven for 3-5 minutes, until the chocolate just begins to melt. The Rolo should be soft but not completely melted.

3. Remove from oven, place on cooling rack and immediately squish the chocolate with a nut. Watch the caramel oooze out.

Note: 1. These are best when still a little warm. 2. I normally use pecans that haven't been toasted.

Holidays 5: Drink up me Hearties Yo Ho (Mulled Wine)
Several Christmases ago, stellarmeadow sent me Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker. I've been making this mulled wine for my family on Christmas Eve ever since.

Mulled Wine
12 cloves
1 orange
2 4-inch cinnamon sticks
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 750-ml dry red wine

Press the cloves into the orange and place it in a 4-quart slow cooker. Add the cinnamon, sugar, and wine, stirring to disolve the sugar. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Just before serving remove the cinnamon sticks. Serve warm.

Holidays 3: It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights
I tried to post last night but lj was down for maintenance. Here's yesterday's post featuring a gang that never fails to make me smile.

Today is the first day of December and the first day of Holidays! I'm going to try posting fun, little things between now and Christmas. Some days it might be a holiday recipe (cookies, yum!). Some days it might be music, a video or a story. Some days I may not post at all. I've wanted to do this for a few years now and seeing virtual Advent calendars like macteague's and the holiday treats at Elizabethan have inspired me to actually give it a go this year.

Holidays Day 1: Chag Urim Sameach! (Happy Festival of Lights!)
Today, the first day (night) of Hanukkah, calls for some recipes and music. My grandpa (dad's dad) was Jewish and while my family is not, we try to honor Grandpa's with a few traditions throughout the year. This means celebrating at least one night of Hanukkah with food and music. The food might vary a bit from year to year but the centerpiece is always latkes. This year I'll serve the traditional potato latke with these yummy looking apple latkes for dessert. The music includes the classic "Dreidel Song", Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah" and my favorite, Peter, Paul & Mary's "Light One Candle".



 

I am thankful for...
life and love.
my loving family (parents, grandmother, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins).
my friends, the best anyone could ever ask for.
my church and my church family.
my warm fuzzies: Domino, Jack, Trixie, Isaboo, Princess Mia and little Gus Bunny.
my health.
employment.
a (new) house and home.
being (mostly) moved in to the new place.
the work I've done with the animal shelter in the past 11 years.
my (growing) collection of books, movies, and music.
fandom, crazy and wonderful as it is.
internet & cable in the new place.
my bosses giving me last Wednesday off for moving and the holiday.
a yummy Thanksgiving meal shared with family and friends.
The Muppets singing "Thankful Heart"
all the things I've forgotten to mention here.

Brother 3 and his girlfriend were in New England last week. They brought home freshly picked McIntosh apples.  I used some tonight to make an autumn meal, Apple & Watercress Salad and Apple & Cheddar Scones.  

The salad recipe is actually from an old issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray.  It was actually part of a Saint Patrick's Day menu from a pub in Boston.  The scones are a yummy! new find from smittenkitchen.  

You might think apples in the salad and the scones would make the meal too sweet.  The use of a tarter apple (Macs, Granny Smiths) combined with the cheese, tart dressing and bacon (crumbled in the salad) made this meal delicious.