Holiday Wishes

Hello Christmas Friends -

I hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas season, full of family, friends, celebrations, and quiet time in front of the tree lights each evening. That's one of my favorite times of the day, to sit and relax with some cocoa or tea, and enjoy the dark room with just the light of the tree lights. It seems so special late at night.

I'm currently on a family vacation with my husband, daughter, and stepdaughter, and we're having a great time together. I brought a tiny decorated Christmas tree with me (about 10 inches) and it's sitting on the coffee table in the suite. Yesterday the maid stopped in to tell me how much she loved it and thought it was so nice that I brought Christmas with me :)

I thank you for all your sweet notes, and I wish you all a wonderful, healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year, full of God's abundant blessings!!

- Joanne

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

"It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
to touch their harps of gold.
Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heav'n's all gracious king,
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing."

~ Edmund Sears, 1850

An Advent Reading - Day 24

The Visit of the Magi - Matthew 2: 1-12

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:

'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.'

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."

An Advent Reading - Day 23

The Shepherds and the Angels - Luke 2: 8-20

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angels said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

An Advent Reading - Day 22

Birth of Jesus - Luke 2: 1-7

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

White Chocolate Raspberry Scones

My daughter, Jacquelyn, created this recipe a couple of years ago when experimenting with a few different scone recipes, and it's my favorite. I like to request them for Mother's Day, and this year we'll have them with Christmas breakfast. They're perfect to serve for breakfasts, afternoon teas, snacks, desserts, and to holiday guests! A nice alternative might be to add some cocoa powder to the dough, and substitute chocolate chips for the white. They'd look so pretty together on a glass serving plate!

WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY SCONES
(Yield: 8 scones)

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons butter, chilled, cut into pieces
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 egg
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
Seedless raspberry jam
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

~ Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
~ In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in white chocolate chips.
~ In another bowl, blend the egg and yogurt until smooth. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until blended.
~ Turn dough onto a floured board and knead 3 to 4 times. Pat dough into a circle about 1/2-inch thick, and cut into wedges. Place wedges on an ungreased baking sheet.
~ Using a teaspoon, press one indentation into each scone; fill with a spoonful of raspberry jam. Sprinkle scones with the coarse sugar.
~ Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden.

An Advent Reading - Day 21

The Birth of Jesus Christ - Matthew 1: 18-25

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel -- which means, 'God with us.'

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

An Advent Reading - Day 20

Zechariah's Song - Luke 1: 67-80

An Excerpt...

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.
And the child grew and became strong in spirit;
and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel."

Luke 1: 76-80

An Advent Reading - Day 19

Birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1: 57-66

"When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and siad, 'No! He is to be called John..'

They said to her, 'There is no one among your relatives who has that name.'

Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, 'His name is John.' Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, 'What then is this child going to be?' For the Lord's hand was with him."

An Advent Reading - Day 18

Mary's Song - Luke 1: 46-56

"And Mary said:

'My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me --
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers form their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.'

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home."

An Advent Reading - Day 17

Mary Visits Elizabeth - Luke 1: 39-45

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
In a loud voice she exclaimed:
'Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the child you will bear!
But why am I so favored,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!' "

Chocolate Almond Snowballs

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3 Tablespoons confectioners sugar
2/3 cup sifted flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup finely chopped almonds
1 box confectioners sugar

~ Cream butter with the 3 Tablespoons confectioners sugar until fluffy. Stir in flour and cocoa. Add almonds.
~ Chill dough until firm enough to handle.
~ Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
~ Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes until firm. Let the cookies remain on the cookie sheet a couple of minutes and then remove carefully. While still warm, roll in confectioners sugar.
~ Cool before serving.

An Advent Reading - Day 16

Birth of Jesus Foretold - Luke 1: 26-38

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'

'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'

The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.'

'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her."

An Advent Reading - Day 15

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold - Luke 1: 5-25

An excerpt...

"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous -- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord'."

Luke 1: 11-17

An Advent Reading - Day 14

Introduction - Luke 1: 1-4

"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us. Just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."

An Advent Reading - Day 13

The Genealogy of Jesus - Matthew 1: 1-17

An excerpt:

"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham...

...and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ."

Matthew 1: 1; 16-17

Brown-Edged Butter Cookies

"Approaching our homes, sleds bouncing lightly behind us, our skates laced together and slung over our shoulders, we looked eagerly into familiar windows for the signs of the season: the box of tree lights waiting to be tested, mysterious and brown-wrapped packages freshly arrived by mail, the last touches being made on the wreath which had grown magnificently from a few backyard evergreens and an old wire coat hanger. Our noses wrinkled with anticipation at the smell of Christmas cookies left out to cool on kitchen counters."

~ Jack Newcombe


BROWN-EDGED BUTTER COOKIES
(Yield: 2 dozen)

Sift together and reserve:
3/4 cup sifted all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt

Put 1/2 cup soft (not runny or whipped) butter or margarine in small bowl of electric mixer.

Add:
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

Beat with mixer or wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture and mix well.
Drop by half-teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated moderate oven (350 degrees) for about 10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Remove to wire racks to cool.
Store in airtight container. These can be frozen and are good keepers, but not good shippers.

An Advent Reading - Day 12

The Word Becomes Flesh - John 1: 1-18

An excerpt...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth....

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."

John 1: 1-5; 14; 16-18

Because Christmas Is...

... Gingerbread houses
... A table full of colored papers and ribbons for wrapping
... The aroma of roasting chestnuts being sold by street vendors, as snowflakes gently fall
... Stacks of Christmas magazines ~ some old, some new
... Christmas Eve candlelight service at church

An Advent Reading - Day 11

The Day of the Lord - Malachi 4

The last chapter of the Old Testament...

"Surely the day is coming: it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the Lord Almighty.

"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel."

"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers: or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

Malachi 4: 1-6

An Advent Reading - Day 10

A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem - Micah 5: 1-5

An excerpt...

"But you, Bethlehem Ephratha,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."

Micah 5: 2

Christmas Toile

I heard about this fabric on one of my stitching lists and had to go to Hobby Lobby to buy some. I actually bought all six yards that were left. I'm going to use it to finish up some cross stitch projects, and I'll have plenty left for future use. It will be nice to use as backing for ornaments or for pillows, banners or quilted projects.

Of course, as soon as I got home and reported my purchase on the list, I was told that they also had tins in the same design. Since I haven't been able to find tins I liked... and still have several baking "projects" for gifts, I had to go back to Hobby Lobby and stock up on the tins :) They're so pretty, and I'm going to keep some for us. I also bought a few of the smaller size and plan to use them to hold some stitching items.

Thank you, Nancy, for telling me about the fabric and tins!!

An Advent Reading - Day 9

The Servant of the Lord - Isaiah 49: 1-7

An Excerpt...

"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

This is what the Lord says --
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel --
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
to the servant of rulers:
Kings will see you and rise up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

Isaiah 49: 6b-7

An Advent Reading - Day 8

Comfort for God's People

"A voice of one calling:
'In the desert prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken' "

~ Isaiah 40: 3-5

An Advent Reading - Day 7

A Branch of Jesse ~ Isaiah 11

An excerpt...

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."

~ Isaiah 11:1

Nut Bread and Variations

I always loved making breads and giving them as gifts. This is a recipe for a basic nut bread and several variations. You can make them as regular size loaves, or as mini loaves to use as gifts. Wrapped with cellophane and tied with a pretty ribbon with a sprig of holly tucked in the bow makes a pretty presentation.

BASIC NUT BREAD
(Yield: 2 regular size loaves)

1-1/2 to 2 cups white or brown sugar
1/2 cup melted or very soft butter
1-3/4 cups milk
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups flour
2 Tablespoons baking powder
2 cups chopped nuts

~ Butter the loaf pans and set aside.

~ Combine the sugar, melted butter, milk and eggs. Stir until well blended.

~ Sift the salt, flour and baking powder. Add the nuts and stir them through the flour so that they're well coated.

~ Stir the dry ingredients into the liquid ingredients until the flour mix is thoroughly moistened.

~ Pour the batter into the prepared pans and let stand for 20 minutes.

~ Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until browned and tests done.


VARIATIONS:

APPLE BUTTER NUT BREAD: Substitute apple butter for the milk, and use 4 eggs. If desired, add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and use half brown sugar and half white.

APPLESAUCE NUT BREAD: Use canned applesauce in place of the milk. If the batter is too thick, thin with another egg. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and use half brown sugar and half white.

CRANBERRY NUT BREAD: Decrease baking powder to 1 Tablespoon and add 1 teaspoon baking soda to dry ingredients. Substitute orange juice for milk. Last, fold in 3 to 4 cups chopped fresh cranberries blended with 2 Tablespoons grated orange rind.

FRUIT NUT BREAD: Omit the milk and use 1 cup each of orange juice and mashed bananas. Use 1 cup of candied fruits in place of 1 cup nuts, if desired.

PEANUT BUTTER BREAD: Replace the chopped nuts in the recipe with 2 cups of crunchy peanut butter. Use only 4-1/2 cups of flour.

PUMPKIN NUT BREAD: Omit the milk and use 1-3/4 cups canned pumpkin. Use 3 eggs and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and the grated rind of 1 lemon.

SWEET ORANGE SLICE BREAD: Add 1 Tablespoon grated orange rind, and use 1 cup chopped candy orange slices in place of 1 cup of nuts.

Ad Advent Reading - Day 6

To Us a Child Is Born

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called,
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9: 6-7

Christmas Ornaments

This is a picture of a cross stitch Christmas ornament I made for this year. I wasn't able to finish it quite like the directions suggested, since I didn't have all the materials necessary. But, I'm really happy with the way it turned out. The ribbon is long enough that I can hang it on the tree, on the wall, or over a door knob. I haven't yet decided which to do :) The pattern is from one of the early Spirit of Christmas books by Leisure Arts & Oxmoor House.

An Advent Reading - Day 5

The Sign of Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

An Advent Reading - Day 4

Psalm 132

An excerpt:

"The Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath that he will not revoke.
'One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne --
if your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever'."

Psalm 132: 11

An Advent Reading - Day 3

Psalm 110 ... especially verse 1, which Jesus quotes later in Mark 12:36

The Lord says to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
unitl I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."

Psalm 110: 1

An Advent Reading - Day 2

Psalm 89: 3-4

"You said, 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations'."

Scented Soap Balls

"A handmade gift says, 'I love you; you are important to me; you are worthy of my time and my best effort'."

~ Catherine Marshall

This is something I decide to do each year, but always forget until it's too late. However, since I remembered early enough, I'm going to try making some of these this year... perhaps this weekend! The recipe calls for lavender and lavender oil, but I've seen these made from various herbs and they smelled wonderful!! It would be fun to experiment with this simple recipe using your favorites.

SCENTED SOAP BALLS

2 large bars of castile or unscented soap or soap ends (about 3-1/4 cups when grated)
1/3 cup boiling water
1 Tablespoon dried lavender buds
Lavender oil

~ Pour the boiling water over the dried lavender buds and let this steep for 15 minutes.

~ Grate the bars of soap into a large bowl and set aside.

~ Re-heat the liquid and add 4-5 drops of lavender oil. Pour over the grated soap, and knead the mixture together, forming it into balls about the size of your palm.

~ Place the balls on a piece of waxed paper and air-dry for 2 to 5 days. If they become "gritty", run them briefly under water and smooth with your hands. Allow them to dry again.

~ Store the balls unwrapped until you're ready to give them as gifts. Then use nylon netting or tulle and a pretty ribbon to decorate. Or, you could wrap them in a pretty calico fabric and tie with raffia for a more homespun look.

An Advent Reading - Day 1

God's Promise to David - 2 Samuel 7: 1-17

An excerpt:

"The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you. When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, who I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, your throne will be established forever."
2 Samuel 7: 11b-16

Because Christmas Is...

I was recently looking through some old list mail and came across a wonderful group of thoughts on Christmas from several list friends. For a topic, a simple question was asked... that they fill in their answer for "Because Christmas Is... " The list is a long one, but I think I'll share a few a week with all of you. Maybe you'll fill in some answers of your own :)

BECAUSE CHRISTMAS IS...

... The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
... Family and friends gathering.
... Reading the Christmas story in Luke.
... "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.
... The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Christmas at Plum Island, 1843

I found this story and poem a few years ago when I was doing some research on lighthouses along the northeast coast, and thought I'd share it here. I love the ocean in winter ~ in fact, it's my favorite time at the beach ~ and I find this poem has a hauntingly beautiful quality, even though I'm sure many would find it sad. For me, I can picture the sound of the ocean, the millions of stars overhead in the night sky, the scent and feel of the brisk, salt air, and the peacefulness of being alone with God and the angels on such a wonderful, special night.

* * * * *

"The following is a poem written by Sarah D. Bowditch at Plum Island in 1843. We do not yet know whether Sarah lived in the lighthouse, or on one of the farms on the island, but her words give us an insight into the type of the lonely life at a secluded light station."

Christmas --1843

Amid the world's gay throngs to-night,
There's mirth and festive glee;
But none amid those hearts so light
Will cast one glimpse on me.

No ray from Hope's bright star is cast
To this lone isle of the sea;
And lonely and sad the Christmas has passed,
And left no mirth for me.

There's many a friend that once caressed,
As merry as merry can be;
But, ah! the one that I love best
Will forget to think of me.

Then turn my soul away from earth;
Look upward still, and see
The stars that shine on the halls of mirth
As brightly beam on thee.

Then let me not murmur at my fate,
Though lonely and sad I may be,
For the angels whose birth we celebrate,
Brought "tidings of joy" to me.

~ Sarah D. Bowditch

(Image: All-Posters.com)

Praline Thumbprint Cookies

My first experience with these cookies was when I was teaching at our homeschool co-op, and one of my students gave me a tin of these as a Christmas gift. They're really delicious, and I hope you all love them as much as I do!!

PRALINE THUMBPRINT COOKIES

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon vanilla

~ Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~ Cream butter, gradually adding powdered sugar. Add flour, mixing well. Stir in pecans and vanilla.
~ Shape into one-inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Press thumb in center and bake for 15 to 17 minutes. Do not brown.
~ While cookies are baking, prepare the topping.

TOPPING

1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
Dash salt
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

~ Melt butter in medium saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

~ Remove from heat and stir in milk. Bring to a boil, and boil 2 minutes again, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in sugar and vanilla.

~ Spoon topping onto cookies and enjoy!

A House Filled With Christmas

"By the middle of the month, the house is filled with Christmas. And everything about Christmas is exciting to me. I love the smells ~ the pine branches we bring in from the woods, snowy and cold, give forth the most heavenly fragrance, and there is the smell of freshly baked Christmas cookies and fruitcake, and a whiff of spring from the apple logs in the fire.

The sounds are fine sounds too. Tissue paper is mysterious when it crisps under the blue and scarlet ribbons; the cracking of nuts has a good sound; even the tinkle of a blue Christmas ball on the floor is a holiday note...

The color of Christmas is lovely. The deep shining green, and the scarlet and blue, the flame color of the candles in the windows, the rosy glow of the baked ham ~ there are many enchanting colors. The color of Christmas is dramatic, triumphant.

But the best thing of all is that it is a time of friends remembering one another, families gathering together, a time when people open their hearts. It is a time when one can be sentimental and not hide it."

~ Gladys Taber, from "Stillmeadow Seasons"

Meltaway Chocolate Cookies

Anyone close to me knows that these are my favorite homemade cookies. They're more of an adult flavor, since they're not very sweet... just buttery, chocolatey, and they do melt in your mouth :) I always make these in double batches since the recipe doesn't make a lot of cookies and they go very quickly!!

MELTAWAY CHOCOLATE COOKIES
(Yield: 4 dozen)

Sift together and set aside:
1 cup sifted cake flour
1/3 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream until softened:
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

~ Beating until smooth after each addition, add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in halves.
~ Form dough into small balls and place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie to about 1/8-inch thickness with tines of fork dipped frequently in water. Form a crisscross pattern.
~ Bake at 300 degrees about 12-15 minutes.
~ Sift confectioners' sugar over the warm cookies and enjoy!!

The Christmas Tree

This morning I decided to do a little Christmas shopping since the weather was chilly for a change. I spent some time wandering around Hobby Lobby, picking out gifts for others, and naturally a few things for me, too :) I enjoyed looking at their display of Christmas trees in the outside lobby, and it really put me in a holiday mood. Later this afternoon as I was looking over an old notebook, the following passage "jumped out" at me, and I thought it perfect to share.

"Deep in the winter night, the family will come one by one,
carrying great and small boxes, brilliant in all colors,
ribboned in red and green, silver and gold, bright blue,
placing them under me with the hands of their hearts,
until all around me they are piled high, climbing up into my branches...
the children in their pajamas and woolen slippers
rub their sleeping eyes and stare at me in amazement.
The mother with her hair hanging down her back
smiles and glances here and there,
and the father looks up and down at me, quiet and pleased...
for I am the Christmas tree."

~ Fritz Peters

Candle, Candle, Burning Bright

"Candle, candle, burning bright
On our window sill tonight,
Like the shining Christmas star
Guiding shepherd from a far,
Lead some weary traveler here,
That he may share our Christmas cheer."

~ Isabel Shaw

A Christmas Journal

Here are some more questions for your journal on Childhood Memories ~

* What were your favorite Christmas movies or television specials as a child? Do you still watch them today with your own family?

* What was your favorite Christmas book or story as a child? Do you still have a copy of the book? Do you read it today as an adult?

* Did your parents send out Christmas cards? Did they include pictures or newsletters? Do you have any of those cards from your childhood?

* How did your parents display the Christmas cards they received?

A Christmas Candle Gift

For a simple Christmas gift, choose a favorite candle. Wrap it in pretty cellophane or tissue paper and tie with a ribbon. Add this saying to a handmade tag:

"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small."

~ Eva K. Logue

A Little Extra

"Christmas is doing a little extra for someone."

~ Charles Schulz

God Bless Us, Every One!

"Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the whole city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed; and that was quite enough for him... and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!"

~ Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"

Gingersnaps

This is one of my husband's favorite cookies, so I always include them in my Christmas baking. They're also great if you want to send them through the mail ~ they hold up well.

GINGERSNAPS
(Yield: 5 dozen)

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3/4 cup shortening (I always use butter)
1 cup sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1/4 cup molasses
Sugar for decorating

~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease cookie sheets.

~ Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.

~ Cream shortening until softened. Add sugar gradually, creaming until fluffy after each addition. Add the egg and beat thoroughly. Blend in the molasses.

~ Add dry ingredients in halves to creamed mixture, mixing until well blended after each addition.

~ Form dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. Place about 3 inches apart on cookie sheets, and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

A Shiver of Hope

"What is Christmas
But a shiver of hope ~
That little leap of faith
Your heart takes
When you look into
The face of a child.
Let the day shine with Joy,
With Love, and the dream of Peace."

~ Lord & Taylor

On Santa Claus

"Not believe in Santa Claus!
You might as well not believe in fairies...
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist."

~ Francis P. Church
"Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus"

Country Decorating ~ A Few Ideas

Our living room has a country feel to it, and I'm hoping to incorporate some country style decorating for Christmas this year. Here are some ideas:

~ Drape quilts or afghans over sofas or chairs to add a cozy look.
~ Hang cross stitched or embroidered samplers on the walls.
~ Use old-fashioned tins for potpourri, candles, cookies or candy.
~ Hang homemade Christmas stockings.
~ Use old tin kitchen graters to place over votive candles for unique lighting.
~ Use old "rusted" muffin tins to hold votive candles.
~ Find an old torn quilt or chenille spread at a yard sale or thrift store. Use it to make some homemade ornaments, stockings, pillows or wreaths.
~ Use tin cookie cutters for ornaments. Simply tie a ribbon in the top to use for hanging. If you want to add a little more decoration, use a hot glue gun and add some holly and berry decorations.

A Christmas Journal

On Childhood Memories...

~ What were your favorite Christmas stories as a child?
~ Describe the holiday decortions in your childhood home.
~ Did you participate in Christmas pageants or plays?
~ Did you attend a special church service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
~ What was your favorite Christmas song?

(Graphics: http://www.heartwarmingholidays.com)

Peace on Earth

"As fits the holy Christmas birth,
Be this, good friends, our carol still ~
Be peace on earth, be peace on earth,
To men of gentle will."

~ William Makepeace Thackery

Christmas in the Mansion

"It is Christmas in the mansion
Yule-log fires and silken frocks;
It is Christmas in the cottage,
Mother's filling little socks.

It is Christmas on the highway,
In the thronging, busy mart;
But the dearest, truest Christmas
Is the Christmas in the heart."

~ Unknown

Coffee Butter Cookies

I've decided to make some of these cookies this afternoon. They'll be just the right thing to snack on as I work on some Christmas lists and go through holiday magazines.

COFFEE BUTTER COOKIES
(Yield: 2-1/2 dozen)

~ Sift together and set aside:

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 Tablespoon instant powdered coffee (General Foods International Flavor coffees are perfect!)
1/8 teaspoon salt

~ Cream until softened:

1 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

~ Mixing until well blended after each addition, add dry ingredients in fourths to creamed mixture.
~ Chill in refrigerator about 1 hour.
~ Shape dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place about 1-1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets. With lightly floured fork, slightly flatten cookies, forming a crisscross pattern.
~ Bake at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

The Story Begins...

"The story begins one cold, bleak, biting Christmas Eve, when the fog is so thick and the dampness so complete that wheezing is the only way to breathe, when the clock in the frozen tower strikes the hours as if its teeth are chattering when the afternoon is as dark as the evening, and the evening so dark that even familiar courtyards require groping to find one's way."

~ Patricia Barrett Perkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1987, as an introduction to "A Christmas Carol"

Let Us Keep Christmas

"Whatever else be lost among the years
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men;
Let us get back our childlike faith again."

~ Grace Noll Crowell