We hope all of you had a very merry Christmas. 

The giant gingerbread man my kids made. This went to Nanna and Poppa's house.

The gingerbread cookies my kids made...stockings, trees and snowmen. These went to my mother-in-law's house.

The tree shaped veggie platter we took to our holiday parties. We made two of these.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all though the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I In my cap
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
and he whistled, and shouted and called them by name.

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer! Now, Vixen! 
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount in the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof.
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, and right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"

The story of Nativity reiterates the birth of Jesus Christ that happened over two thousand years ago. In the town of Nazareth, there lived a pure young woman named Mary, who was engaged to a poor but good man called Joseph, who was a carpenter by profession. God chose Mary to bear His child and He sent an angel to the Lady to prophesize the birth of the Holy Son through her womb and that she must call him Jesus. Joseph also dreamt the same thing so that he was assured the purity and virginity of Mary. However, all the people were not so kind to Mary and accused her of loose character and called her names. Joseph came to her rescue and married her. 

When Mary was still pregnant, the tyrant Kind Herod ordered all people to go to their birth towns to pay a special tax. Since, Joseph belonged to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph had to undertake a long journey to pay the tax. Mary could not walk far, so she rode on a donkey for a few days over the hills of Galilee. At last, they arrived at Bethlehem. Though, they were very tired and Mary was about to have the baby, it was not easy for them to find a room or a place to stay in the crowded city as every inn was already full of other people who had arrived before them. However, one kind innkeeper, seeing the perils of the couple, offered them a place in his stable where he kept his animals, which was the only place available with him.

Mary and Joseph shaped a crib for the baby by stacking the manger with hay and straw to make Him as comfortable as possible. A few hours later, Mary gave birth to her son and wrapped him in strips of cloth. At the instant, Jesus was born; an angel appeared to some shepherds tending their sheep on the hillside overlooking Bethlehem. He told them not be afraid and the the Son of God and their Savior has now been born. He directed them to the stable where the Holy child was resting in the manger. Shepherds immediately set out to see the baby and were much rejoiced to behold Him there and knelt down full of love for Him and worshiped Him.

At that very instant, the three wise men who were Kings from the East also saw a new star in the sky. They were known as Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. All three understood the special significance of this star after studying their scrolls and took gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh respectively for the new born baby and the new King of the world and set out in search of Him. They came seeking for him to the court of King Herod in Jerusalem, thinking perhaps, they would find him in his palace. They requested to see the child that would be King of the Jews, sending a wave of panic through the tyrant who would leave no stone unturned to save his throne. However, the King tried to deceive them by saying that he knew of no such child and if they found Him, to return to his palace and take him to the child so that he could worship him also.

The men set out again and were guided by the start to the stable in Bethlehem. They were overwhelmed by the divine presence and worshiped Baby Jesus and gave him gifts. In the night, all of them dreamt about an angel warning them about he devious plan of King Herod to kill the Infant and thus, asking them to go straight back to their countries instead of going to Herod's palace. The three wise men dutifully followed the advice of the angel and set out for their homes. Soon after, an angel warned Joseph in his dream that he should immediately leave Bethlehem for Egypt for Herod wanted to kill the Baby. Joseph and Mary set out with Baby Jesus in their hands and safely crossed into Egypt, long before Herod ordered all baby boys in Bethlehem to be killed.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
Preparation time: 1 hour.
Chilling time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 8 minutes
Cooling time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons each ground ginger and ground cloves
1 teaspoon each baking soda, ground nutmeg and salt
1 cup unsalted butter (not margarine) at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, separated
1 cup molasses
1 tablespoon cold water
decorating candies

For the icing:
2 1/2  cups sifted confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons cold water
assorted food colors

Instructions:
1. Mix 3 1/2 cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, cloves, baking soda, nutmeg and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugar on high until light yellow and fluffly. Add egg yolks one at a time, then the molasses.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
4. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour or overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 350°.
6. Use the remaining 1/4 cup flour to roll out half the dough, 1/4 inch thick.
7. Cut out gingerbread people with cookie cutters. Use a spatula to transfer to a grease cookie sheet.
8. Decorate with candies.
9. Whisk eggs whites with water.
10. Bake cookies for 5 minutes then brush lightly with egg whites. Bake 2 to 3 minutes more. 
11. Poke a hole in the top, immediately, if you plan to hang them.Let cool for 2 minutes then transfer to a cooling       rack.
12. Repeat with remaining dough.
13. Stir confectioners sugar, vanilla and water to make a stiff icing. Divide and color. 
14. Let one color dry on gingerbread people before piping on the next color.
15. Store cookie in airtight containers for up to two weeks. Do not freeze, icing may crack.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

Children all over the world have traditions of hanging Christmas stockings. In France the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes. In Holland the children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sintirklass. In Hungary children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or a window sill. Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana the good witch. And in Puerto Rico children put greens and flowers in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings. 

Candy canes are favorites of Christmas decorations among kids. These red and whites J-shaped candies are tasty too. It is said that their origin lies in an event in Cologne Cathedral about two hundred thirty years ago. It was said that one evening, the children were being very loud and noisy at the Church and were not paying attention to the choirmaster. In his efforts to keep them quiet and still for Nativity ceremony, he gave them a long, white, sugar candy stick. Since, giving out chocolates and candies at church was otherwise considered sacrilegious; he bent these sticks on one end to make them look like shepherds' cane who went to worship the Christ on the day he was born and thus, attached a religious significance to them. 

In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio liked candy canes so much the he put them on his Christmas tree as decorations. The idea soon caught up and became quite a fashion. By 1900, candy canes started coming in red stripes and peppermint flavoring and it was said that the white color was symbolize Christ's purity white the red symbolized the wounds he suffered. The peppermint flavoring was said to represent the hyssop herb described in the Bible for purification. Some other interpret that the 'J' shaped candy cane is not a cane by the letter 'J' that stands for Jesus. Around 1920, Bob McCormack from Georgia started mass-producing candy canes that came to be known as Bob's Candies. Since then, the firm has remained the most popular candy-cane manufacturer company in the world. 

A holiday classic! Makes about 38 1/2 cup servings.

Ingredients:
12 eggs separated
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups bourbon
1/2 cup brandy
6 cups milk
ground nutmeg
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions:
1. In large bowl with mixer at low speed, beat egg yolks with sugar. At high speed, beat until thick and lemon colored, about 15 minutes, frequently scraping bowl.
2. Beat in bourbon and brandy, one tablespoon at a time to prevent curdling. Cover and chill.
3. About 20 minutes before serving, in chilled 5-6 quart punch bowl, stir yolk mixture, milk and 1 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg.
4. In large bowl with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
5. In small bowl, using same beaters, beat cream until stiff peaks form.
6. With wire whisk, gently fold egg whites and cream into yolk mixture until just blended and serve.

8 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS...GIFTS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SALON.

It's Christmas at the Stahlbaum home. There's a huge tree, and many guests arrive to celebrate with the family. Clara's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, makes magical toys. He entertains the guests with two life-sized dolls that dance around the room. Then he gives Clara and children a very special gift of a nutcracker. Her brother, Fritz, is jealous, and grabs the nutcracker and it gets broken! Clara is very upset, so Herr Drosselmeyer repairs the doll before handing it back to her.

Soon after, all the guests leave and the children go to bed, Clara gets up in the night and goes downstairs to get her nutcracker from under the tree. She falls asleep there and is transported into a Christmas fantasy where her nutcracker has grown to the size of a human. When the Mouse King attacks, the Nutcracker Prince tries to valiantly defend young Clara, but is struck down in the battle. Clara in turn saves her Nutcracker Prince by throwing her shoe at the Mouse King and defeating him.

With the nasty Mouse King out of the way, Clara runs to the Nutcracker Prince. When she kisses him, he turns into a human! then she and her Prince are whisked away through the Enchanted Forest, where they see dancing snowflakes and other wonders. Then they travel further to the Kingdom of the Sweets.

Nine days until Christmas. I have gift certificates available, if you need a stocking stuffer or last minute gift idea.

Do You Know Your Christmas carols?

Can you answer these Christmas carol riddles?

1. Exclamation, Member of the Round Table with missing areas.

2. Vehicular homicide was committed on Dad's Mom by a precipitous darling.

3. Wanted in December: Top forward incisors.

4.The hotel room of two psychiatrists.

5. The lad is a diminutive percussionist.

6. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis.

7. Cup-shaped instruments fashioned of a whitish metallic element.

8. Exclamation, small Israeli Urban Center.

9. Kong, Lear, & Cole--That is us!

10. Duodecimal enumeration of the Passage of the Yuletide Season.

11. Far off in a hay bin.

12. Leave the broadcast from an elevation.

13.Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your Yuletide Season.

14. Listen, the windged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully.

15. Jubilation to the entire terrestrial globe.

16. Do you perceive the same vibrations that stimulate the auditory sense organs?

17. Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven teamster.

18. May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male humans.

19. An event that arrived on a cloudless witching hour.

20. Uncouth Dolt with the flaming proboscis is aware of the nature of precipitation.

21. As the guardians of the wooly animals protected their charges in the dark hours.

22. I beheld a trio of nautical vessels moving in this direction.

23. Small, wingless, bloodsucking insect that has a father in Armada.

24. Punch out the passages.

25. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant

26. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle

27. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings



1. O Holy Night
2. Grandma got run over by a reindeer
3. All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth
4. Nutcracker Suite 

5. Little Drummer Boy
6. Silent Night
7. Silver Bells
8. O,Little Town of Bethlehem

9. We Three Kings
10. 12 Days of Christmas
11. Away in a Manger
12. Angels We Have Heard on High

13. We wish you a Merry Christmas
14. Hark,the Herald Angels Sing
15. Joy to the World
16. Do you hear what I Hear

17. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
18. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
19. It came Upon a Midnight Clear
20. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

21. As shephards watch their flocks by night
22. I saw 3 ships
23. FELIZ (fleas) NAVIDAD
24. Deck the Halls

25. What Child is This 
26. Go Tell It On The Mountain 
27. Hark the Herald Angels Sing 


from http://forums.organicgardening.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2441078301/m/1491054501

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is watching Christmas movies with my kids. Two of my favorite Christmas movies are 'A Christmas Story' and 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'. I like movies that make me laugh and these two movies always make me laugh. 

I never get tired of watching everything go wrong when the Griswold family tries to plan a traditional family Christmas or Ralphie trying to convince his parents, teacher and Santa that he needs the Red Rider BB gun. 

Take some time to watch a good Christmas movie with your family this month. Enjoy each other and the time you have together.