CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 21

 A CHRISTMAS WISH

May the good things we remember become our cherished traditions.

Sometimes holiday traditions happen by accident. Suddenly a person will realize that their family has always done things a certain way, and that they always will. Other times they are a cherished memory and you can't imagine celebrating any other way. There are many family customs, but there are also traditions that come from one's heritage. In the United States, we are such a blend that we borrow from other countries and make them our own.

A Candle In the Window: 

Placing a candle in the window is a tradition that goes back centuries and is thought to have Irish origins. I've always heard it was a symbol of the star of Bethlehem, and was to welcome travelers and the Baby Jesus.  I've also learned it's to bring absent family members home.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

This is an Italian American tradition. It includes having seven kinds of fish for dinner on Christmas Eve. I know a few families who are sure to do it. Theories of how it started say that homesick immigrants were the first to make it popular. Some say it represents the seven hills of Rome, or the seven sacraments, or the days of the week. Some families will have 12 kinds of fish to represent the Twelve Apostles. Seven is probably enough, but I do like fish.

The Book Flood

In Iceland there is a tradition of reading books on Christmas Eve. Newly published books are listed in a catalog called the Journal of Books which is distributed to all households and signifies the beginning of the Christmas season. This is called Jolabokaflod and translates as flood of books. Books are exchanged on Christmas Eve and are the most popular gift. Staying up, reading new books, and drinking hot chocolate sounds like a delightful way to spend the 24th.

Christmas Crackers

These little packages were first made in England in 1847 by a candy maker as a holder for the Christmas sweets he sold in his store. They quickly became very popular, and were copied by other businesses. As party favors they were later filled, with a small toy, a paper hat, a silly joke, and made a popping sound when pulled to open. They are still continued a proper part of Christmas. Who doesn't like to wear a paper hat?

Family Celebrations

There are many more family traditions. I think everybody has at least one. New Christmas pajamas or even matching Christmas pj's for everyone, including the pets, is a big one for some families. And be sure to get a family picture. Sometimes these photos end up being the Christmas card. My family must be the worst for remembering to take pictures. We hardly have any where everyone is smiling and posing prettily. There are lots of candids though showing the backs of people's heads.

Once we went to a movie on Christmas day. I was surprised at how many people do that.

Driving around to look at the holiday lights is fun. There are always big light displays, but if you don't want to pay and wait in long lines, then you are sure to find some beautiful homes and some neighborhood houses all done up like the Griswalds.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 20

 A CHRISTMAS WISH

May your Christmas kitchen smell of happy memories and love.

Easy Christmas Toffee

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

one cup chocolate chips

one sleeve saltine crackers

nuts or sprinkles for topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Make sure to use a sheet with edges. Line up crackers on foil.

Melt butter and sugar in small saucepan. Cook over low to medium heat until boiling. Stir occasionally. Let boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir when you feel like it.

Pour mixture onto saltines and spread quickly. Bake for a few minutes until mixture is bubbly. This is usually 4 to 5 minutes. Don't overbake.

Remove from oven. Put chocolate chips on top. Let set a couple of minutes. Spread with a spatula and add chopped nuts or Christmas sprinkles to top.

Refrigerate to chill for about 2 hours. Cut into squares or break into pieces.

This lasts two weeks in fridge (haha). It can be frozen.

My Optional Story

I have a good friend who cooks and bakes a lot.  She says " Don't give me a story when I want a recipe." She doesn't care if your grandma made it or if it was always your favorite, or if it makes you happy when you remember it. Just the facts, ma'am. (Remember Sargent Friday on Dragnet)

Well, I'm not much of a cook, so I like the stories. I first found this in the back of a paperback mystery I read. You know how they all seem to have recipes in them anymore. I can't remember the name, but I liked it. When I was a more disciplined person, I would make this as a treat and keep it in the freezer. During one of my many moves I donated the book and lost my recipe. Luckily, I saw it on the Internet. But, it had so many variations! My advice. Keep it simple. Don't have your oven too hot. Don't cook it too long. And don't put too many toppings on it. Enjoy! Oh yeah, sorry to my friend for the story. I can't help it.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 19

 A Christmas Wish

            "Christmas won't be Christmas without presents."                  "Little Women"  

Louisa May Alcott began her famous 1861 novel with this line. The four sisters are complaining because Christmas will be so different than the way they are used to celebrating. After a bit they start to count their blessings and decide to use the money they have and buy gifts for their mother, Marmee. On Christmas Day, they also give their holiday breakfast to a poor family. And everyone is happy for the moment.  

Of course, we all know it is better to give than to receive. Helping someone else is meant to make the giver feel good. And what better time than the holidays to be able to give. 

But, I cannot tell a lie. Especially at this time of year when we are all trying to be good. Most of us do like gifts. What we like the most may just be that someone has taken the time to think of us, and to bring us something that will surprise and delight both the giver and the receiver. 

I have made a lot of handmade gifts through the years. I think it is best to give something to someone who really knows and appreciates the time and effort that goes into crafted gifts. I have heard stories when the gift was thrown away with the wrapping paper, because it wasn't recognized as a special handmade token.

Without even thinking about it, can you name both the best and the worst gift you ever got?  My worst gift was probably clothes that were too small or way too big. Both made me wonder what the giver was thinking about my size. Also feet pajamas. My best gift was plane tickets to visit my dad when he was seriously ill. And anything my kids made for me.

One year my mother-in-law gave everyone in the family $20.00 and told them to buy themselves something they wanted, and then to wrap it and bring it to Christmas. Then we would each open our gift and tell her why we chose it. It was actually really fun to hear every one's choices. She really enjoyed it. So did we. And she didn't have to worry about shopping and wrapping and getting us things we didn't like and that didn't fit.

A gift that is really appreciated is a coupon for a service. Who doesn't appreciate free babysitting or an hour or two of house cleaning. Make these yourself and they can be just as personalized as you want.

When my oldest daughter was in college, she bought everybody a gift from the Dollar Store. This was way before it was a popular place to shop. Her choices were hilarious to unwrap and she didn't spend a lot of money she didn't have. At that time, the family bought gifts for everyone. Later, we started to draw names instead of buying for every person in the extended family.

We've never had extravagant Christmas gifts in our family (except for those plane tickets). In fact, now we are doing white elephant or thrifted gifts that can be stolen away in a very entertaining game.

It might not seem like Christmas to some without a truckload of presents, but a simple, cosier holiday can ensure a good time for all.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 18

 A Christmas Wish: "The Children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads." Have a sugarplum or two today.

 

Though Christmas is a week away

I'm running out of things to say

I love your comments, and I'm grateful

That readers here aren't mean and hateful

I've got a few words left to share

It thrills me just to see you care

I'm still shopping, cleaning, wrapping

But today, I'm busy napping.

 

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 17

 A Christmas Wish:

Make new friends but keep the old. Some are silver and others are gold.

Today a group of dear friends and I met at the beautiful Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa for a Christmas lunch. We are a group who have been meeting since the late 1970's. Several of us went to school together, or our children went to preschool together. Our numbers have changed over the years, but our core is strong. We started getting together so we could have a minute to ourselves and work on crafts and have grown up conversations. We called our group "Craft Night" and looked forward to it once a month. That's a lot of months we have met. Now we are "Crafternoon's", because we meet in the daytime. We seldom work on crafts anymore, but we all still like to create and catch up. We have been through so many life experiences since we were all young mothers. We are starting to be great-grandmothers now. And still sharing our life stories. We have learned to stay away from politics and religion, because we do not all believe the same. We have overcome sickness, death, divorce, job loss, and just about everything else that life throws at us. We have also shared many happy times together.

And we give each other presents! Today after our lunch we went to Gerry's beautiful house for coffee, dessert, and gifts. Sometimes they are handmade. Some are kitchen made. Zucchini bread and Italian wandas cookies were included and appreciated today, along with several kinds of teas and coffees, and holiday decorations. I used these ten inch bottle brush trees and added a little vintage glamour. All are a little bit different, but were a lot of fun to make. I'm really not as handy with a glue gun as I used to be, but the will is still there.

There are so many different kinds of friendships. Sometimes we bond because of common interests, or of belonging to the same church or school. The parent's of our children's friends become our friends. I met a lot of friends when our children were in grade school together. In fact, I married one of them many years later.  I've made friends that moved away, and we didn't keep in touch, and I do regret that. I often wish I could renew friendships with people I used to know. I guess it is true that some people aren't meant to be in our lives forever, but are there for a purpose. There is a quote, attributed to many, that says:  "Friends come into our life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime."

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 16

 A Christmas Wish:

Are you frizzle frazzelled?  Time to take a little break

Maybe you have everything done and you are all ready for the holidays. Lucky you! But, if you still feel that everything is overwhelming, then here is some help to get away from it all. 

It's time to take a little time for yourself, and do something that relaxes you and makes you feel refreshed, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Take a tea break. I watch a lot of British tv. Tea is the cure for just about everything. If you have a special cup or teapot that just adds to the magic.

Have a mini spa moment. We used to put used wet teabags on our eyes. Or under them. Don't forget to let them cool. The tannin in the tea was supposed to make our eyes feel less tired. Also the caffeine! There are lots of products you can purchase now, but the principle is the same. Adhesive eye patches are placed under the eyes for several minutes or even overnight. Most of them also contain caffeine. This helps with puffy tired eyes. 

Taking a little time for journaling or reading also helps. This is like a little vacation get-a-way.

Listen to some non-Christmas music for a little while. Sometimes we've had enough jingle.

Take a walk. Look at nature. Watch the birds.

Work on a puzzle. It's good for your brain. And it's easy to start and stop. I am always afraid that I will get to the end and a piece will be missing. This year I am trying to conquer that fear. 

Or take a short nap. When she was very young my daughter used to say, "I'm just going to take a little rest." And then she would fall asleep, no matter where she was. She still likes naps.

As for me, I'm off to drink a cup of tea.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 15

 A CHRISTMAS WISH:

All you need is love and gingerbread cookies. And tea. You always need tea.

Back in the late 1980's I did some work as a freelance designer for Better Homes and Gardens magazines. They filmed at my house a few times, mostly as background of our house, yard, and my little workshop. I was never a featured article, but I thought I was pretty special and on my way to fame and fortune. Then the editor I worked with moved to another career, and that was the last I heard of them. The pictures appeared in their books and magazines for at least ten years afterwards. They often re-used photos.

This picture was part of a photo shoot in my house using several different trees. This was in my front room.  I made the ginger bread cookies for them. They were big! Some almost as big as the cookie sheet, so I could only bake two or three at a time. They gave me the recipe and ingredients, and paid $50.00. I thought it was a a really great deal just for baking cookies. What did I know about business? They paid $200.00 a day for filming, and of course paid for any designs they bought. I wish I had kept more of the photos, but I guess I didn't.

The gingerbread recipe was very easy to work with. Since it was such big pieces, I suppose it would work for gingerbread houses. I don't ever expect to make a gingerbread house, even for the vast sum of fifty dollars!

"Better Homes" Ginger Bread

1 cup dark corn syrup

3 cups sugar

8 oz butter

2T baking soda

3 T ginger 

2 T cloves

2 T cinnamon

1 cup heavy cream

1 egg 

9 cups flour

Melt syrup with sugar and butter. Stir and heat. When mixture just starts to boil remove from heat and pour into large bowl. Stir in baking soda and spices. Stir in egg and cream. Add flour one to two cups at a time. Work til smooth. Chill overnight.  Roll out. Cut around cardboard shapes .  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake on greased cookie sheet, for five or six minutes until dough has stopped puffing. Let cool several minutes, and then remove to flat surface. 

Christmas Countdown Day 14

A Christmas Wish:

Away In A Manger

A few years ago, actually about 37, I sold items made from dried herbs and flowers. I made little packets of these ingredients. They were put into nativity scenes and added a lovely smell. This was before I had a computer, so all my labels were hand printed. I know, it looks a little bit tacky now, but I had a lot of fun with my little business until my allergies took over.

Nativity sets, also known as a creche, (from the word for crib) are an important part of Christmas decorations for many people. They can be a simple depiction of the Christmas story or very elaborate. They have been featured in paintings and sculptures since the early centuries A.D. Many families like to make their own traditions with their Nativities. Some don't place the Baby into the scene until Christmas Eve. Others put a piece of straw in the Manger when anyone does a good deed. Other families just like to play with them. I guess that's why you often see a statue with missing hands. Or heads.

The first "live" nativity scene is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. He arranged for a manger to be set up in a cave with live animals. Those who visited were able to see and feel the conditions of Jesus' birth.

This is recreated in the same town of Greccio, Italy every year for the past fifty years. There are several performances each December and January. Many churches today present live nativities with all the characters at Christmas time.

I have several small nativities placed around my house. This one has small plaster figures. The one in the box is heavy cardboard. Some years I set it up and other years it stays in the box.

The tiny one with lots of pieces came from the gift shop in St Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. It seemed like a great souvenir. Below it is one that was sold at the old dimestores like Woolworths. Each piece was individually priced.

A variation of a basic nativity is the Moravian Putz. This comes from the German word "putzen" which means "to decorate". The Moravians settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the eighteenth century and brought the tradition with them. A Putz is essentially a village featuring the stable and Holy Family. Houses and businesses and families and pets all become a part of it. Landscaping is done with rocks and moss and driftwood. 

When you shop for a Nativity today, just about anything is available. I've seen them with all the characters as children, or as teddy bears or dogs and cats. The strangest one I ever saw was one where every character was a lobster. 

This one came from Mexico. It is about two inches square, but very detailed.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 13

 A Christmas Wish:

What? It's almost Christmas? Are you sure? Have you finished your shopping???

I discovered a long time ago that the people who ask me if I have finished my shopping are always the people who shopped early, wrapped early, and love to talk about it. People like me just want to keep quiet and panic to ourselves. We are easy to recognize because we are wandering through the stores wondering why the shelves are nearly empty.

At one time I shopped early because I had to. I even used lay-a-way for most of my children's toys. Is there even such a thing anymore? It was so nice to pick out everything early and to know it was at the store waiting for me. And I loved to make lists and plan out what everyone was getting. For children, and there were five of them, I liked to see in writing that everything was practically even. My husband and I would go shopping together once every Christmas, and then out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. We called it our Annual Christmas Fight. He was a much more extravagant gift buyer than I was, and didn't really care about trying to make things even. So after our major shopping trip I would get busy and fill in the gaps.

I used to have a little crafts business, and one year I was so busy with shows and orders that he took over most of the shopping. That was interesting. I made sure it never happened again.

But, by nature, I don't even like to think about the actual shopping until after Thanksgiving. Sometimes, even weeks after. Sometimes now.

Time changes families. And families change with time. They are all grown up and we have added spouses and grandchildren. John and I have a blended family with twice as many people. Yes, he also had five children. And we have simplified. We rely on mail order and gift cards. I like to make a few things or it wouldn't seem like the holidays to me. So I have started crafting and shopping. But, please, don't ask me if I've finished. At our house, it's not over til it's over.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 12

 A Christmas Wish:

Someone to love you enough to give you the Moon.

Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie. And this is mine. It came out in 1946, but wasn't a success at first. In fact, it didn't even make enough money to break even. It wasn't until 1974, when the copywrite lapsed, that the movie became part of the public domain. It was shown on television often at Christmas time and became very popular almost 30 years after its' premier.

The film is based on a short story called "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern. He sent it out as a 21 page Christmas card in 1943. Director Frank Capra read it and knew it would make a great movie. 

 I think I saw it in the 1970's for the first time and fell in love. Of course, it may have been because I already had a mad crush on Jimmy Stewart. When I was in high school I actually wrote him a fan letter, telling him he was the kind of man I wanted to marry someday. I did get an autographed picture back, but no personal message.

Some people say that it is a depressing movie, and I guess parts of it may be, but it has the most wonderful happy ending where everything turns out just as it should, and Angel Clarence Oddbody finally gets his wings.

  I've had little touches of A Wonderful Life around my house for years. My children have been able to find unique items for gifts.  I had a large framed copy of the movie poster and a picture of the entire cast. I have most of the Christmas houses from the Bedford Falls village. I used to set them up every year, but they have been packed away for a while. Christmas villages take a lot of space. My friend, Donna, made the pillow. I have a few more books too. And this sign always reminds me that no matter what, it's a wonderful life.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 11

A CHRISTMAS WISH:

Lots of paper packages tied up with string, and days that are Merry and Bright

A Very Paper Christmas

The holidays aren't always happy. When grief comes to stay, it is very difficult to hold on to old traditions. Today I am reprinting a post from December, 2011 when it was all I could do to put up a tree. I couldn't bear to open any boxes of ornaments, or to hang stockings and decorations. This was my first Christmas of being alone. I kept busy by making all new paper decorations, from old book pages and Victorian scrap pictures

I was trying so hard to be cheerful in the original post, but this is also the year I sent out the Christmas card poem that made everyone cry.

Blog Post  December 2011

I've decided to have a very simple Christmas this year, so I bought a skinny tree of the very cheap variety. I set it on a box to make it look taller and proceeded to embellish. Most of my decorations are made from one old book. I pleated rosettes, glued them together and added old fashioned Santas. A large one forms the tree topper. Other pages were rolled into cornucopias, filled with red berries and rosemary. Birds were cut from cardboard, book pages, and scrapbook paper, with pleated wings. And sticks from the yard are stuck randomly into the tree. My most favorite decoration is the long chain. It's made from many bits of fabric, sewed onto a heavy interfacing, decorated with all sorts of fancy stitches and ribbons, and then cut into strips and all buttoned together. I've used lots of sentimental pieces
and written names and dates and sayings on them. I even had some fabric from the clothes I made from my girls when they were small. And from doll clothes. (I was always going to use them for a doll quilt or something. Now, I finally have.) I still have more to finish, but this works for my tree and is a great memory chain. I spent a lot of time creating it, and trying out the stitches on my sewing machine. The grandkids like looking for their names. I will probably keep it out after the holiday. It may become a window garland.

There is also a wreath made of book pages. So far, that's it, except for the Advent calendars. I do need something for the fireplace.

I do miss seeing all my ornaments, and other decorations, and Christmas village, and the big tree, but this just isn't the year for them. Next year: happier times and more decorating.

I really have to apologize for the terrible quality of the photos. I am just never home at a decent time of day to take pictures lately. And I knew, if I didn't add this now, it wouldn't happen in December. Happy Holidays!

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 10

A Christmas Wish:

Take time to indulge in simple pleasures.

A visit to any decorating store this time of year shows us an extravagance of ways to bring Christmas into our homes. Every color we can imagine is there to transform our ordinary space. And I am sure you can find any theme you can dream up.

 I have always been one to indulge in the simple pleasures when it comes to decorating. I like to reuse what I have, add a surprising touch, and move things around just a bit.

I love to do the traditional colors of Christmas. I've never had a theme. I think if you use the things you like, everything will come together. 

Making arrangements in kitchen  tools is always good. A mini

chopper grater like this one is ideal because it has a jar below for a holiday scene and the top can hold greenery.

The celery salt bottle is the perfect Christmas color and holds some colored baubles.

I especially like my sifter with the arrangement of flowers, berries, greens, and red birds.

None of these are permanent, so after Christmas I can just empty them, and actually use them for grating and sifting if I need to. I don't have extra space in my kitchen so for the holidays they are on a shelf in the dining area's china cabinet. They look a little bit crowded in this picture, but it works.

There are so many other things that can be used. Old spice tins are really fun to turn into little arrangements. Craft stores have lots of tiny Christmas trees, Santas, toys, deer, beads, and bells that can be mixed with greens on top of a small tin. Cups and saucers or coffee mugs are also good for arranging little scenes. Try a wine glass turned upside down to make a faux snow globe. Some of the cutest snowmen I've seen started life as salt shakers. Old serving spoons or ladles can be turned into something clever. 

 

Stacks of books are fun to place around the room. These are red and green and make a nice little shelf for Santa.

Sometimes just tying bows on objects is enough to give them a little flourish. I worked in a historic Victorian house for several years and did a lot of natural decorating. We used a lot of red ribbon and greenery. I saved leaves and dipped them in wax for arrangements. We used lots of pinecones and branches. I really enjoyed researching in old magazines for authentic decorations. The results were simple but effective. If you just look around, I'm sure you will find something that needs a red ribbon.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 9

 A CHRISTMAS WISH:

"You do too much. Go and do nothing for a while. Nothing"

Lillian Hellman

Today I am doing nothing. No story. No picture. Nothing.

I will be back tomorrow.