NaBloPoMo Begins November 1st!

Thursday Thirteen #3

THIRTEEN GIFTS UNDER $20

1. For the kitchen connoisseur, line a mesh basket with a brightly colored dishtowel. Add a variety of bottled spices from the dollar store.

2. Most popular CDs cost less than $20. Buy one or purchase a gift certificate for one at your local music store. This gift will be a hit for all ages.

3. How about a restaurant or coffee shop gift certificate?

4. Gift the gift of your time. Books of "certificates" that can be redeemed for an evening of babysitting, a home-cooked meal, a favorite baked treat, a massage, "taxi service", etc. make thoughtful gifts that are appreciated by all.

5. Traditional play is all the rage. Give a family a board game, a basketball or football, or a badminton set.

6. Give an aspiring writer (or teen!) a handsome journal and a classic pen.

7. A pound of coffee from a gourmet coffee shop or packs of hot chocolate mix and two mugs from the dollar store make a great gift for any couple to wake up to.

8. Give the gift of good luck. Fill a velvet pouch with a deck of playing cards, some dice, and a half-dozen lottery scratch tickets for a present with earning potential.

9. For the gardener in your life, buy a terra cotta plant pot. Fill with a small trowel, gardening gloves, seed packets, and plant food.

10. For the bird watcher, you can buy an inexpensive but attractive bird feeder at any department store, include a small bag of seed or a suet block.

11. Give a letter-writing grandmother or college student a selection of pretty notecards, a pen, and a book of stamps.

12. Indulge a chocolate lover with the best of the best. Excellent quality chocolates can be purchased for less than $20.

13. For child or adult, department store sets of hats and gloves or mitts and scarves can be found for less than $20. As well, many craft shows and fairs sell homemade mittens, etc. for ridiculously low prices.

[some gift ideas found here]

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!

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It's Fruitcake Day!

Yes, it's time to bake that traditional, fruity wonder -- the fruitcake! Now, I know there are many of you who don't like fruitcake. I think, like coffee, it's an acquired taste. Sometimes, it's the bitter pieces of candied peel that turn people off, so I leave it out of my recipe. Neither do I include anything with a very strong or overpowering flavor, such as candied ginger. A well made fruitcake is moist, buttery, and loaded with fruit and, to me, is one of the special traditions and rituals of Christmas. I've made a large enough recipe this year to make three cakes so I can gift one to my Mom and Dad.

Making fruitcake is hard work! There is the cutting up of fruit and nuts the night before, remembering to set out the butter to soften...the eggs to warm to room temperature. Once the batter has been assembled, I add it to the fruit rather than adding the fruit to the batter, and mix it with my clean, bare hands. I find that's the only way to make sure all those jewel-colored bits of fruit are incorporated into the mix.

I'll post a photo to accompany this post when the hand-wringing is over and the cakes have come out of the oven and cooled.

So, who else clings to this delicious tradition?

For those who are interested, check out these links at The Society for the Protection and Preservation of Fruitcake!

Thursday Thirteen #2

THIRTEEN SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS

1. Mistletoe and Holly -- Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Druids used mistletoe to celebrate the coming of winter. They would gather this evergreen plant that is parasitic upon other trees and used it to decorate their homes. They believed the plant had special healing powers for everything from female infertility to poison ingestion. Scandinavians also thought of mistletoe as a plant of peace and harmony. They associated mistletoe with their goddess of love, Frigga. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe probably derived from this belief. The early church banned the use of mistletoe in Christmas celebrations because of its pagan origins. Instead, church fathers suggested the use of holly as an appropriate substitute for Christmas greenery.

2. Poinsettias -- Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They were named after America's first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He brought the plants to America in 1828. The Mexicans in the eighteenth century thought the plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem. Thus the Poinsettia became associated with the Christmas season. The actual flower of the poinsettia is small and yellow. But surrounding the flower are large, bright red leaves, often mistaken for petals.

3. The Christmas Tree -- The Christmas Tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. It was common for the Germanic people to decorate fir trees, both inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas tree with candles. While coming home one dark winter's night near Christmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining through the branches of a small fir tree outside his home. He duplicated the starlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoor Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. It was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820's.

4. Xmas -- This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect.

5. The Candy Cane -- Candy canes have been around for centuries, but it wasn't until around 1900 that they were decorated with red stripes and bent into the shape of a cane. They were sometimes handed out during church services to keep the children quiet. One story (almost certainly false) that is often told about the origin of the candy cane is as follows:

In the late 1800's a candy maker in Indiana wanted to express the meaning of Christmas through a symbol made of candy. He came up with the idea of bending one of his white candy sticks into the shape of a Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols of Christ's love and sacrifice through the Candy Cane. First, he used a plain white peppermint stick. The color white symbolizes the purity and sinless nature of Jesus. Next, he added three small stripes to symbolize the pain inflicted upon Jesus before His death on the cross. There are three of them to represent the Holy Trinity. He added a bold stripe to represent the blood Jesus shed for mankind. When looked at with the crook on top, it looks like a shepherd's staff because Jesus is the shepherd of man. If you turn it upside down, it becomes the letter J symbolizing the first letter in Jesus' name. The candy maker made these candy canes for Christmas, so everyone would remember what Christmas is all about.

6. Santa Claus -- The original Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, was born in Turkey in the 4th century. He was very pious from an early age, devoting his life to Christianity. He became widely known for his generosity for the poor. But the Romans held him in contempt. He was imprisoned and tortured. But when Constantine became emperor of Rome, he allowed Nicholas to go free. Constantine became a Christian and convened the Council of Nicaea in 325. Nicholas was a delegate to the council. He is especially noted for his love of children and for his generosity. He is the patron saint of sailors, Sicily, Greece, and Russia. He is also, of course, the patron saint of children. The Dutch kept the legend of St. Nicholas alive. In 16th century Holland, Dutch children would place their wooden shoes by the hearth in hopes that they would be filled with a treat. The Dutch spelled St. Nicholas as Sint Nikolaas, which became corrupted to Sinterklaas, and finally, in Anglican, to Santa Claus. In 1822, Clement C. Moore composed his famous poem, "A Visit from St. Nick," which was later published as "The Night Before Christmas." Moore is credited with creating the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly fat man in a red suit.

7. Advent Wreath -- Four candles placed on a wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of Christ's birthday.

8. Christmas Bells -- Church bells rang to announce the birth of Jesus. They still ring today.

9. Christmas Carols -- When St. Francis of Assisi created the first "creche" or Nativity (manger) scene, he and others sang the first carols. Most carols were handed down by word of mouth for hundreds of years. Most of the early carols were about Mary, the shepherds, the Magi and the birth of Jesus . Later carols were sung by groups of people who would go to homes and sing in harmony.

10. Gingerbread -- Making gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses is a popular activity during the Christmas season. Gingerbread cookies were used to decorate the tree in the early days. It is called gingerbread because of the "ginger" spice that is used in making the cookies. Gingerbread houses were first made in Germany. The gingerbread house was popular after the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel became well-known.

11. Tree Ornaments -- The first Christmas trees were decorated with real fruit and flowers. Cookies, nuts , candies and other kinds of food were added later on. Lighted candles were also used but there was the danger of fires when the candles were lit. Tiny gifts were also hung on the trees for ornaments. In Germany glass blowers began making glass balls to decorate the trees.

12. Yule Log -- In early days fire was a symbol of the home, safety and warmth. The English took on the custom of burning the yule log on Christmas Eve. It was considered good luck to sit on it before it was burned and it was bad luck if the fire went out quickly. After the holidays had ended (twelve days of Christmas) a piece of the log was saved to rekindle the next year's log.

13. Christmas Colors -- There are many colors assocaited with Christmas such as the red of holly berries, of Santa Claus or Father Christmas outfit; the green of fir tre4es; the gold of candles and stars; the whiteness of snowy fields.

Red is the color that is considered the greatest excitement, and is also the color of the month December. As the religious symbol it stands for fire, blood and charity.

Green is the symbol for nature, youth and the hope of eternal life. It is for this reason that Christmas is a feast of hope, with a newborn child as its central symbol.

White is the religious symbol which stands for light, purity, joy and glory. White is seen in the robes of Christmas angels, in Santa's beard and suit trimmings, as well as in Christmas snow and snow flakes.

In Northern Europe and in some of America, snow covers the ground at Christmas. In southern California roses are blooming. In the warmer climate but the snow is artificial, so as to show the link with the Northern Yuletide.

Gold stands for sunlight and radiance. It is the color of the christmas stars, tinsel, candles, electric lights.

Christians who were once pagans saw the new god as they had the sun, that is the radiant being who lighted the world. Many artists show Christ in a pool of light, or with a bright halo around his head.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #1

THIRTEEN FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS
AND THEIR ORIGINS

1. Carol of the Bells -- The Carol of the Bells lyrics were added to the original folk music from the Ukraine by Peter Wilhousky. The lyrics and words to this popular Christmas song celebrate the festive season and its traditions such as the pealing of church bells at Christmas and of the singing of Christmas Carols - caroling. The original Ukrainian lyrics to the song was entitled Shchedryk meaning bountiful and were traditionally sang to celebrate the New Year.

2. Away in a Manger -- Away in a manager is always the first carol that children are taught. Away in a Manger was originally published in 1885. The publication of Away in a Manger was in a Lutheran Sunday school book and this created the misconception that the lyrics of Away in a Manger were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown. The music to Away in a Manger was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895.

3. Deck the Halls -- The music to Deck the Halls is believed to Welsh in origin and was reputed to have come from a tune called "Nos Galan" dating back to the sixteenth century. In the eighteenth century Mozart used the tune to Deck the Halls for a violin and piano duet J.P. McCaskey is sometimes credited with the lyrics of Deck the Halls but he only edited the Franklin Square Song Collection in which the lyrics were first published. The first publication date of Deck the Halls is 1881. The author is unknown but the words are said to originate in America.

4. Silent Night -- The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time.

5. O Come, All Ye Faithful -- The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics "Adeste Fideles".

6. Joy to the World -- The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Non­conformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. He wrote many hymns and Carols and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the the University of Edinburgh in 1728. The music to the carol is by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759).

7. Jingle Bells -- Believe it or not Jingle Bells, one of the most famous American Christmas songs, was originally written for Thanksgiving! The author and composer of Jingle Bells was a minister called James Pierpoint who composed the song in 1857 for children celebrating his Boston Sunday School Thanksgiving. The song was so popular that it was repeated at Christmas, and indeed Jingle Bells has been reprised ever since. The essence of a traditional Christmas is captured in the lyrics of Jingle Bells and the sound effects using the bells have become synonymous with the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus to the delight of children of all ages.

8. White Christmas -- The song White Christmas is undoubtedly the most famous and popular of all the Christmas songs. The music and lyrics for White Christmas were written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and originally featured in the movie Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby. The lyrics of White Christmas struck a chord with the soldiers fighting in the Second World War and their families who were waiting for them back home. The song and recording of White Christmas by Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter's orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers was so popular that it was later reprised in the movie called after its name - White Christmas. The film White Christmas once again starred Bing Crosby together with Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

9. Winter Wonderland -- The famous Christmas song Winter Wonderland was first published in 1934. The composer was Felix Bernard (1897-1944) and the lyricist was Richard B. Smith (1901-1935). Probably the most popular versions of this classic Christmas song, Winter Wonderland, were recorded to high acclaim by the Andrews Sisters and Perry Como. The lyrics of Winter Wonderland have undoubtedly contributed to the magical vision of snow at Christmas together with the tradition of building snowmen and therefore turning fantasy into reality by creating a real Winter Wonderland.

10. Little Drummer Boy -- The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy were composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of no less than 21 rum pum pum pum - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist. However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists. The most notable rendition was created by the most unlikely combination of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. This version of Little Drummer Boy was a massive hot for the artists and was in fact Bing Crosby's most successful recording since the legendary White Christmas.

11. The Twelve Days of Christmas -- The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas) start with Christmas Day and finish with the eve of Epiphany on 5th January. The Twelve Days of Christmas dates back to English origins in the sixteenth century although the music is reputed to be French. The first publication date for The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas) was 1780. Each of the The Twelve Days of Christmas has a religious significance and are symbolised following the lyrics of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

12. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...) -- Chestnuts roasting on an open fire is definitively called the Christmas Song. The lovely music and lyrics were composed by Torme and Wells in 1946. The most popular recording of this truly great Christmas song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire was recorded by Nat King Cole. The strong imagery in the words to this Christmas song are also complimented by such sentiments as reflected in one of its lines "from kids from from one to ninety-two" which encompass the essence of the family Christmas. The notion that a traditional Christmas should be white is also profligated in the lyric of this Christmas song.

13. Let It Snow! -- (One of my personal favorites!) The wonderful Christmas song Let It Snow was created by lyricist Sammy Cahn and the composer Jule Styne in 1945. The words and lyrics of Let It Snow reflect the feeling of warmth and security associated with Christmas and also brings in the more modern customs of popping corn! The song Let It Snow was reprised in recent years when used in the Bruce Willis film Die Hard which started with the film's hero travelling to meet his family at Christmas.

[information obtained here and from Wiki]

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!

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Festive Movies

"The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting." -- Louisa May Alcott

Nothing adds to my enjoyment of the Christmas season like a good holiday movie. Whether snuggled under a quilt with a bowl of popcorn or decorating the tree, it just wouldn't seem like Christmas without those beloved holiday flicks.


Some of my favorites:

A Christmas Carol (1938 version)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
It's a Wonderful Life
The Polar Express (see this in 3D IMAX!)
White Christmas
The Christmas Shoes (made for TV)
Miracle on 34th Street
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 TV version)
Little Women

These are just some of the movies I look forward to each year. Share your favorites!