04 December 2007

Yule Love It

The burning yule log is symbolic of the light that will return after the dark days of early winter and gives us an excuse to gather with family and friends before a roaring fire.

The tradition is an old one, going back to the Druid custom of choosing a large log from an apple or oak tree, lighting it afire, and praying that it would burn forever.

In England, the log was selected months before Christmas. Because it was believed that all who brought it in from the woods would be protected against harm for the ensuing year, everyone lent a hand, making the event itself a festive time.

Custom also decreed that a piece from the previous year's log be saved to light the new log. As the yule log burned, everyone danced and cavorted in its heat and warmth, safe in the knowledge that the evil spirits would stay away for another year.

[source]

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03 December 2007

A Christmas Meme

I found this meme on Travis Erwin's blog and thought I'd play, for the fun of it. Feel free to jump in yourself. :)

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Egg nog, please.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? When my daughters were little, Santa never wrapped his gifts for them, but he does now. :)

3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? I like both, and I've had both on my tree. I think this year might be a white lights tree inside. Outside on the balcony, we have white icicle lights and colored lights on a small tree.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Outside, I try to have things ready to turn on December 1. Inside, well, that's a different story. Whenever I get things cleaned and can access the decorations in the mess that is called a storage room. :)

6. What is your holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I think it would have to be the turkey dinner -- stuffing is a favorite, as are cranberries. And I'm not sure I don't prefer the turkey cold, the day after. If dessert was included, a piece of GOOD mincemeat pie is a favorite with tea.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: I remember many happy times -- going to cut the tree with my Dad was always a favorite outing. I do remember a Christmas that I thought I really heard Santa and his sleigh! My Mom and Dad still tell the story. My godparents had horses, and it wasn't unusual for them to harness them to the sleigh and go for a night ride on Christmas Eve. One year, when I was trying desperately hard to fall asleep, I heard the bells on their sleigh as they pulled into our driveway and thought it was Santa, coming early! I dove under the covers and was scared to death Santa would know I was still awake! :)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was old, by many standards, when I found out Santa's secret. I think I must have been close to 12 years old when Charlie Ross just blurted it out, and I never cared much for him after that!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, one.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With a wild assortment of ornaments -- some old, some new, some handmade, some store-bought.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Absolutely love it! (When all family and friends are safely off the roads, of course!)

12. Can you ice skate? I actually skate well. :)

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My favorite gifts have always been the homemade things my daughters made over the years, young and old.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Being together with family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Probably mincemeat pie, because we only have it for Christmas, although I love fruitcake, too.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas dinner at my parents, I think.

17. What tops your tree? An antique, glass spike that my parents bought for their first Christmas (similar, if not exactly, like this one).

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving, giving, giving...

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", sung by Andy Williams, is at the top of the list.

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30 November 2007

NaBloPoMo No Mo

Ho-Ho-Ho! I made it through the 30 days of NaBloPoMo. To those of you who stumbled across this blog through NaBlo... I hope you'll come back often.

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29 November 2007

Thursday Thirteen #8



THIRTEEN NOTABLE
DECEMBER 25TH HISTORICAL EVENTS


1. 1066 - Coronation of William the Conqueror as king of England, at Westminster Abbey, London.

2. 1223 - St. Francis of Assisi assembles the first Nativity scene.

3. 1643 - Christmas Island founded and named by Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company vessel, the Royal Mary.

4. 1818 - The first performance of "Silent Night" takes place in the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.

5. 1868 - U.S. President Andrew Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all Civil War Confederate soldiers.

6. 1917 - Why Marry?, first dramatic play to win a Pulitzer Prize, opens at the Astor Theatre in New York City.

7. 1950 - The Stone of Scone, traditional coronation stone of British monarchs, is taken from Westminster Abbey by Scottish nationalist students.

8. 1968 - Apollo program: Apollo 8 performs the very first successful Trans Earth Injection (TEI) maneuver, sending the crew and spacecraft on a trajectory back to Earth from Lunar orbit.

9. 1971 - In the longest game in NFL history (82m 40s of game time), the Miami Dolphins defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at Kansas City Municipal Stadium 27-24.

December 25 Births of Note:

10. 1642 (O.S.) - Sir Isaac Newton, English physicist and mathematician (d. 1727)

11. 1918 - Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, Nobel laureate (d. 1981)

12. 1924 - Rod Serling, American television writer (d. 1975)

13. 1971/1973 - Justin Trudeau, and his brother Alexandre Trudeau, sons of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau

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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!



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28 November 2007

Nargles

I found a simple but wonderful recipe at Tempest in a Teapot this morning. Kristina calls these delectables "Nargles", which is delicious in and of itself. :) She provided a link to the original recipe. I plan to make some of these for family and some to give as gifts.

The countdown is on! How are your preparations and plans coming along? Are you a pre-planner or a panster? Are you organized and compiling lists, or do you wait until those first December days inspire you?

I'm farther ahead this year than usual, but still have much to do.

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I close this post with the lyrics from "Christmas Time is Here", from the Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown soundtrack. I never knew until now who wrote the song, but here's a photo of the sheet music. (click to enlarge)


Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share


Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year...

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27 November 2007

Printable Christmas Cards

You will find several nicely done, printable Christmas cards on this site.

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26 November 2007

Holiday Gift Tags

One of the things I enjoy most about holiday preparations is gift wrapping. Yes, I know there are many who don't. :) I like making the wrapping and trim as unique as possible--to me, it's part of the gift.

I ran across a great site with some free printable gift tags--check them out and see if you can work them into your creative wraps this year.

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