1200 POSTS BY CHRISTMAS 2009

[CandyKane]

We got the kids nativity program costumes in and we looked at them all today. After a few minor alterations they should be perfect. We decided to have our program at night and I'm really glad because I think it will be extra special by candlelight. After the program there will be caroling and a gift exchange. We decided to serve light snacks instead of a full meal. We'll have chips and dips, trays of meats and cheeses, and of course, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. I'm so excited.

[CandyKane]

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

[mistletoe misfit]

YAY! Thanks CandyKane!
I love "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus"
I know I have heard it narrated years ago at Christmas on the radio. I would love to buy a recording of it on CD, not sure if one exists though.

[mistletoe misfit]

I left before 8 this morning to do a little Christmas shopping.
Then just after lunch we were off to DD7 hockey
Afterwards everyone got together to decorate the float DD and DH's ( hubby coaches her team) hockey team will be on in the parade next weekend. It was at a fellow coaches house and we had a pot luck there when we were finished. Everyone did a great job and had loads of fun too!!!

[Noel+]

Sorry to have been missing from CAY for a week - I have the flu, and tests show I have a mutated form of H1N1. I a concerned for my family!

They surprised me by decorating the tree!! Christmas songs, decorations, and spirit fill our home. I lay in bed and am comforted by that fact.

Please take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!!

[mistletoe misfit]

Noel I am saying prayers for your speedy recovery of H1N1 and that everyone in your family is spared.
I hope your are feeling well for your Thanksgiving later this week!
What a wonderful family you have there making sure your Christmas tree is decorated before Thanksgiving for you.

[Mrs.Claus]

Noel - I hope you get better soon!!!! That was so awesome of your family to do all that Christmas decorating for you - you got some great family!

[Pretjah]

i really started decorating this weekend

my christmas village is almost completed just a few more touches of fluffy snow covering and it'll be done.

tonight the family is going to start on the christmas tree.

also it was a great weekend for cheesey made for tv christmas movies on hallmark and abc family, i watched, chasing christmas, stealing christmas, holiday in handcuffs.

i also got a few more small gifts for our kids. and i'm starting a new christmas present project for my littlest daughter and son (only 7 months but he'll be able to use it when he's a bit older) i'm building a rocking motorcycle. i dont know if you've ever seen the rocking horses made of wood, but i'm doing a motorcycle one (i ride and all my kids love motorcycles)

[CandyKane]

Noel--I was wondering why you weren't posting but I never dreamed it was because of the h1n1 flu. Prayers for your quick recovery. It sounds like you've already been blessed with your best Christmas gift, your wonderful family. You are very lucky!

[CandyKane]

Pretjah--Your rocking motorcycle sounds so cute. And since it's a gift that your making yourself, it is truly a Christmas gift to be treasured. My dd loves horses. We have horses that we ride and one miniature horse pet. So everytime she sees a toy horse she has to have it. Her favorite toys right now are her big spring horse, plush rocking horse, and antique wood rocking horse that her grandparents gave her. As soon as she outgrows the wood horse we're passing it down to the next baby in the family.

[Jodie]

Get well soon Noel - the swine flu can be nasty for some. We were pretty lucky here and most that caught it around us only had a mild dose.

I have made all the Christmas cakes and puddings ready to be mailed off to family and friends (I made 7 of each this year). I am planning the menu but as I am meat free apart from seafood, not everyone is agreeing on what to have on Christmas Eve - I would like to change it a bit and do a turkey breast stuffed (instead of the whole turkey) with a baked ham and a baked salmon as well - with all the veges and desserts too.

Christmas day is easy as it is always seafood and drinks on the back deck in the shade...

I am going to make some of Nigella Lawson's festive rocky road - it is simply divine and different to the usual rocky road. Shortbread too and some truffles - mmmm yum, I am getting hungry just thinking about all the Christmas goodies to prepare...

I have all the decorations and trees in their boxes just sitting in the hallway waiting for me to decorate the house for Christmas - which I will be doing a bit each night.

My Christmas presents are all over the dining room table, ready to be wrapped and the card writing is almost complete and ready for posting (all my overseas cards are done)...

I love this time of year

[Noel+]

Just peeking in for some Christmas spirit. Thanks for all your care, get well wishes and prayers!

This flu knocks you off your feet even with Tamiflu.

Have an awesome Thanksgiving Day!

[CandyKane]

Today I went shopping for the last of my Thanksgiving groceries. While I was out I had some time to look through all the aisles of Christmas stuff. I didn't buy anything because I didn't find anything I just had to have. But it was nice looking. I really wish the stores would start playing Christmas music to liven things up a little.

[CandyKane]

Tonight I started working on one of my favorite winter time projects....putting a jigsaw puzzle together. My puzzle has a beautiful wildlife scene on it and it's one that I bought for myself last Christmas.

[CandyKane]

The Puritans in America tried to make Thanksgiving Day the most important annual festival instead of Christmas.

[CandyKane]

26 December was traditionally known as St Stephen's Day, but is more commonly known as Boxing Day. This expression came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season. This money was then distributed during to the poor and needy after Christmas.

[mistletoe misfit]

It's one month today til Christmas Eve! All of us with young kiddies will hopefully have them tucked into bed at this time and we will be finishing up our Christmas eve activities.
I can hardly wait even though there is so much still to do. It all comes together somehow in the end thought doesn't it.

[Jodie]

Wow 2 posts in one week - amazing for me at the moment. Still very busy, still have all the decorations sitting in the hallway but I have big plans as it is supposed to be cooler tonight, so I can decorate to my hearts content.

I can't wait to see all the lovely Christmas decorations up all over town.

Hope you feel better soon Noel, swine flu really does knock some off their feet.

[CandyKane]

Today has been very busy. I've been cooking and getting things ready for our dinner tomorrow. I just finished baking 2 pumpkin and 2 pecan pies. The house smells wonderful.

Dd and I made her plaster handprint ornament. It turned out really well. I went ahead and put up our Christmas tree because I wanted to make sure all the lights were working for tomorrow. Thankfully they all still work. Her handprint ornament is the only thing on the tree.

[CandyKane]

I can't wait to watch the Macy's Parade tomorrow. Just as soon as I see Santa Claus come down that street, it will officially be Christmas for me.