"CHRISTMAS" Thread - 1500

[CandyKane]

We have one box completed for our Operation Christmas child project. It's for a young boy. Since we don't have many kids in our class, this may be the only box we're able to do this year. But I'm not complaining because I know that every box counts when you're helping make Christmas special for a child. We're also getting a name off of our towns angel tree.

[Jolly O'Leary]

Got an email from a former co-worker. He was my office mate for my praktik (internship). He is on sick leave and asked if I could come see him. He must really be bored. He has to be the NICEST person I have ever met in my life so I am asking my husband if we can go over and cook him Swedish Thanksgiving on Sunday. Not sure it will work out yet, but he has a MARVELOUS kitchen. It would be my privilege to cook in it.

Unfortunately, he is two hours away from us and we will have to miss worship services. But I feel it's more in the spirit of thanksgiving.

Can't start spreading the Christmas spirit too early!

[CandyKane]

That's the Spirit! It's never too early for Christmas. (or Thanksgiving)

[CandyKane]

I'm really missing my Christmas shows on my DVR. Since there's not much holiday fare on TV right now I guess I'll have to go look through my Christmas movie collection and find something great to watch.

[CandyKane]

I've have already posted one link to a site where you can print a free Santa letter, but here is another one. This offers a really cute free Christian version. I'll be printing one for dd this Christmas.

http://www.freechristiansantaletters.co ... a-letter-1

[CandyKane]

Also here's a really interesting site offering information on obtaining a US Christmas Postage Cancellation from the North Pole and from other states with holiday names.

http://blog.christmaslettertips.com/200 ... postmarks/

[mistletoe misfit]

Thank You for the links CandyKane!
I like -Christmas Florida!!

[Jolly O'Leary]

That's the Spirit! It's never too early for Christmas. (or Thanksgiving)

There used to be a frozen casserole type thing called Thanksgiving Tonight. For some reason your comment made me think of that. It hadn't been around the last few years before I left, but it was great for a 'quick' mental holiday with all the flavors. Just add a can of green beans, and a can of cranberry sauce and you had instant thanksgiving or christms. I've tried to find a recipe from scratch, but no luck yet.


Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian brothers and sisters. Glad Tacksägelsedagen!

[CandyKane]

One of my friends recently had a baby shower at her work and for the meal she requested a Thanksgiving style buffet. For our Thanksgiving dinner we always have turkey and all the trimmings and for Christmas we have ham. Yum!

[CandyKane]

With all this talk of Thanksgiving, I have a serious craving for pumpkin pie. My favorite pumpkin dessert is a pumpkin roll but I've never been really good at making them. Maybe with some practice I can perfect it by Christmas.

[CandyKane]

In many households, part of the fun of eating Christmas pudding is finding a trinket that predicts your fortune for the coming year. For instance, finding a coin means you will become wealthy. A ring means you will get married; while a button predicts bachelorhood. The idea of hiding something in the pudding comes from the tradition in the Middle Ages of hiding a bean in a cake that was served on Twelfth Night. Whoever found the bean became "king" for the rest of the night.

[CandyKane]

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"

[Noel+]

With all this talk of Thanksgiving, I have a serious craving for pumpkin pie. My favorite pumpkin dessert is a pumpkin roll but I've never been really good at making them. Maybe with some practice I can perfect it by Christmas.

We're all sad that this will be the first year we won't have my Mom's pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving & Christmas. Its not that my sis and I haven't made the recipe........it just never tastes like Moms. Time for a new tradition..........

[Noel+]

This year we've decided not to decorate for Christmas. Atleast that's the words from Dh & children last weekend. I'm a bit stunned.........but they're still missing my Mom. IF they stay the course we'll just have to focus on the deeper meaning and by next year they'll be ready to restart the tradition alone.

[CandyKane]

Noel-The pain from your Mom's death is still very fresh and the wounds are raw. Hopefully your family will reconsider when they realize that your Mom would not want them to be sad, but to continue with the traditions that have made all of you so happy. But if they still don't want to decorate, that's ok. Focusing on the true meaning of Christmas is a wonderful celebration all on it's own.

[CandyKane]

This Christmas I hope that my family focuses more on the meaning of the holiday and less on the materal aspects. Don't get me wrong, I love to shop. lol But I would much rather give to someone who is in need, than receive something else that I don't need.

[CandyKane]

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful weekend here. I'm going to take dd out to visit my parents today. She loves to go to the farm and play with them. Dad said he was going to take her out on the four wheeler to help scout for this year Christmas tree.

[CandyKane]

Last night when I put dd to bed, I read her a story then tucked her in. She said "Mommy, no leave, tell me a Christmas story". I love my little Christmas loving angel.

[CandyKane]

Only 78 days left until Christmas and 600 more posts to go. We'd better get busy!

[Jolly O'Leary]

This year we've decided not to decorate for Christmas. Atleast that's the words from Dh & children last weekend. I'm a bit stunned.........but they're still missing my Mom. IF they stay the course we'll just have to focus on the deeper meaning and by next year they'll be ready to restart the tradition alone.

I felt that way after my divorce. You could string the christmas cards you receive over doorways and across your kitchen 'bar' (had interview in Swedish today and can't think of english words...the opening in the kitchen where you pass things through to the dining room) if you have one. That is minimal decorating and still keeping the thoughts of others around you. You could get a single flower arrangment or candle arrangment for the Christmas dinner table and go to Christmas services if you are a religious person. You could also make a 'memory table' with your mother's picture on it with some candle or flowers. When my brother got married, his wife made a 'grandmother's chair' with a shawl, hat, and gloves that had belonged to her. Drapped over as if she was going to pickthem up and sit down any time.

As for the pumpkin pie, have you tried pumpkin bread? My mother makes the absolute best! Unfortunately no canned pumpkin in Sweden.

Hang in there!