Christmas Traditions

 

Each year after Thanksgiving dinner we put up our Christmas tree - either that evening, or on the weekend when my grands come over for a sleepover. They help decorate the tree and I am always so happy with the final look.

My Christmas Carol for Today - It's the Greatest Time of Year - by Aly & AJ

We have almost arrived at Christmas - it is just five days away and this song "fits" with how I feel - It's the Greatest Time of Year - and I am looking forward to celebrating it with my family on Christmas Eve!

This video shows clips from the third Santa Clause movie, making it fun to watch as well! Enjoy it at this link!

And, if you want to sing along, here are the lyrics -

Christmas Book Review - Give the Gift of Confident Faith & Family Fun for Christmas with Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith!

  

Are you looking for a Christmas gift which will create memories while you hand down confident faith? If so, then the book -Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith! is for you! 

This resource will provide you with 52 weeks of Bible learning, science projects, crafts, cooking, and much more - all designed to make it easy for you to hand down confident faith while engaging the children you love in interesting, fun and active learning.

My Christmas Carol for Today - Breath of Heaven - by Amy Grant

 

When we think about Christmas Carols some of us think of the old Christmas songs we sang in church, like Joy to the World and Silent Night. Others think of more contemporary songs like It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas or Frosty the Snowman. Today my Christmas Carol is a newer song, a beautiful song, sung by Amy Grant - Breath of Heaven - you will find it at this link.

If you would like to know the story behind the song, you will find it at this link. And, if you would like to sing along, here are the lyrics.

grandma's cookbook - Spritz Cookies

 

Yesterday was Bake Cookies Day, so since I LOVE Spritz cookies with their buttery flavor and the crisp, yet soft texture, and the fun shapes you can make with a cookie press I thought I'd write about them today. I love the memories I have of making Spritz cookie with my mom and of course I love the taste of these classic Holiday cookies! I mean, what would Christmas be without Spritz cookies???? Well, of course Christmas is so much more than Spritz cookies, but they are one of my favorite parts of the Holiday season!

And, Spritz cookies are wonderful all year - even if we typically think of them at Christmas. So, I thought I'd share a simple Spritz recipe with you. 

The Relief for Grief - Available on Amazon

 

The past few years have brought blessings into our lives for sure, but with covid, many have experienced loss as well, whether it was the loss of someone we love, the loss of being able to spend time with the ones we love, the loss of a job, the loss of fellowship with others, the loss of our confidence, to mention just a few. Some of us have also experienced loss which is a normal part of our lives.

grandma's cookbook - Christmas Tree Blossom Cookies

You are probably familiar with Peanut-Butter Blossom cookies - I follow the recipe in my Better Homes and Garden's Cookbook, but this past weekend I made them with a small "twist" - in place of the chocolate kiss, I used a Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Christmas Tree! Oh yes, and this made for a truly delicious cookie for sure!

Today is Bake Cookies Day

 

Today, according to daysoftheyear dot com is, Bake Cookies Day, so if ever there was a day to gather your eggs, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, chocolate chips, peanut butter, oats - or whatever your favorite cookie ingredients may be, so you are able to bake cookies, well, certainly today is the day!

Of course, it is fun to look at cookie trivia on this day, so, did you know - 

Christmas Book Review - Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - A Christmas Gift Which Helps You Do What Matters the Most

    

Do you agree with me when I write about passing on a heritage of confident faith to the children you love, but are not sure where and how to begin? Do you have friends who are grandparents - or parents - who also want to pass on confident faith, but are also not sure where to begin? Are you looking for a Christmas gift for a grandparent/ parent you know which is a good read and one which will help them know how to do what matters the most?

Just For Fun - More Christmas Fun Facts!

Christmas is just a week away, so I thought it would be fun to look up and share some more Christmas "fun facts" which you could share with your family and friends as you celebrate Christmas! Did you know . . . 

Today is National Maple Syrup Day! 17

When I talk about maple syrup, I'm not referring to the bottled imitation maple syrup we typically find in the stores, but the real, 100% pure, maple syrup - the really good stuff! I grew up with the fake stuff, thinking it was real and using it on waffles and pancakes, but the real maple syrup is good for so much more! Let's look at some interesting facts about Maple Syrup - did you know . . . 

Christmas Gift Idea - Pair Eyewear - The Berry Jam Hexagon Top Frame - AND Get It By December 25th!

At first glance, this top frame from pair eyewear may look like it is just a pretty berry/plum/purple color, but just wait a moment! When I move or the light shines on me, color pops across the frame as this no ordinary colored frame, it is The Berry Jam Hexagon Top Frame! Talk about color, pizazz, spunk, sparkle, and fun - this top frame is absolutely all these things!

Five True Facts about the Real Saint Nicholas

Yes, there really was an actual Saint Nicholas, and while time has changed a LOT about him, we do still know the actual truth about him . . . 

• Santa Is from Turkey, not from the North Pole - The actual Saint Nicholas lived in the southeast of what is now Turkey, though his bones are entombed in Bari, Italy.

My Christmas Carols - Wrap Me Up

 

A couple years ago I heard a new Christmas song by Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor called, Wrap Me Up and I knew I had to share it with you on my Christmas Carols for this year. You will be able to find it at this link.

I love the humor and the message in this song - if you would like to sing along, here are the lyrics . . .