Christmas COSTS less?

This morning I saw a commercial on TV that I have seen multiple times over the last few weeks.  Their closing statement struck me differently this morning.  They end the spot with:  “Christmas costs less at XXXXXXX*.  (*Don’t really want to pick a fight with them, so it will remain anonymous!)

I understand the concept:  Shop at our store where things cost less. 

But…but…does Christmas truly have to ‘cost’ anything?

It just made me kind of sad that it is so commercial and dollar-oriented.  Yes, we spend money on gifts, but I rather long for a society that doesn’t place so much importance on gifts that cost money, even if it’s ‘less’ money than other stores.

As a child, I read the Little House books over and over and have always marveled at the simplicity of gifts.  It’s time to go back to those days…

Christmas in pictures

       

How quickly it all ends.  The photo ops...and Christmas itself.

Here's to an amazing 2009.

The Truth About Santa Claus

An oldie but a goodie...

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma.
I was just a kid.
I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the
day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus,"
she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to
her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.
I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth
always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of
her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous,
because Grandma said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites,
I told her everything. She was ready for me.
"No Santa Claus?" She snorted... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it.
That rumor Has been going around for years, and it makes me mad,
plain mad! Now, put On your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my
second world-famous cinnamon bun.
"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store
in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we
walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That
was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and
buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in
the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my
mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to
finish their Christmas shopping. For a Few moments I just
stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill,
wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.
I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my Friends, my
neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my
church.
I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby
Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he
sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.
Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never
went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote
a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we
kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have
a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing
excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!
I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it.
It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the
counter asked Kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."
The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really
needed a Good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put
the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag
fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in
Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa
Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on
secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house,
explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially,
one of Santa's Helpers. Grandma parked down the street from
Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the
bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All
right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the
present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to
the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited
breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.
Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent
shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That
night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus
were just what Grandma said they were: Ridiculous.
Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
I still have The Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside:
$19.95.

Christmas fun

It's a goofy tradition in our home that ... if you live in our house, you must have your picture taken with Santa annually.  DD#1 no longer lives here, so she's exempt.  Actually, we WANTED her in the pic, but she lives in the mountains and was snowed in and we didn't have another weekend to do this.  So...presenting our annual Santa picture, in all its glory:

The Nativity and "Breath of Heaven"

This is a beautiful video produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am not associated with this church, but believe they did an excellent job of combining Amy Grant's lovely long with the Nativity story.

Enjoy and remember to keep CHRIST at the center of your Christmas.

Blessings,

Cheryl

To All Our Family and Friends:

To All Our Family and Friends:

Just a  note to let you know we are hoping to see you Christmas Day!  BUT...

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us  this Christmas. I'm telling you in  advance, so don't act surprised. Since Ms.  Stewart won't be coming, I've made a few small changes: 

• Our sidewalk will not be lined with  homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a  trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming  lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming  effect. 
• Once inside, our guests will note that the  entry hall is not decorated with  the swags of Christmas greenery, mistletoe and berries.  Instead,  I've gotten the dogs involved in the decorating by  having them track in colorful  autumn leaves from the back yard. The mud was  their idea. 
• The dining table will not be covered with  expensive linens, fancy china, or  crystal goblets. If possible, we will use  dishes that match and everyone will  get a fork. Since this IS Christmas, we will  refrain from using the plastic
  Santa plate and the Santa napkins from  last Christmas.    
• Our centerpiece will not be the tower of  fresh fruit and flowers that I  planned. Instead we will be displaying a  hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted  from the finest construction paper. The  artist assures me it is a Christmas tree.
• We will be dining fashionably late. The  children will entertain you while  you wait. I'm sure they will be happy to share  every choice comment I have made regarding Christmas and the turkey hotline.  Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon  discovering that the turkey was still  hard enough to cut diamonds.
• As accompaniment to the grandchildren's recital,  I will play a recording of  tribal drumming. If they should mention that  I don't own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds  suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are  lying.
• We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty  silver bell to announce the start  of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We've  also decided against a formal seating arrangement.  When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you  like. In the spirit of  harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door.
• Now, I know you have all seen pictures of  one person carving a turkey in  front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This  will not be happening at our  dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be  carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" - meaning:  Do not, under any  circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting  children to check on my  progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason  that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.
• efore I forget, there is one last change.  Instead of offering a choice  between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will  be serving the traditional  pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small  fingerprints. You will still  have a choice; take it or leave it.

I hope you  aren't too disappointed that  Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this  Christmas.  She probably won't come next year either.  But don't fear.  You always have me to rely on.

17 days til Christmas!

NOW I will get excited about Christmas.

I love Christmas!

Yes, I DO love Christmas!  I enjoy the anticipation, the look on my daughters' faces as they open a gift, pecan pie.  I love Christmas.

But in the beginning of November?  Notsomuch.  I was stunned on Monday to hear the radio play a Christmas song.  The kids told me they have been playing them on the radio for over a week.  (What would I know?  I was cruising in Mexico!)  CHRISTMAS SONGS?  What happened to Thanksgiving?

Because our amazing first born was born 10 days before Christmas, we make a distinct effort to not let her birthday get shadowed with Christmas.

So, in honor of November and Thanksgiving, please enjoy my blog's new look.  When I decorate our home for Christmas, I will change the blog over to reflect the same.  I, for one, will not celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

Blessings,

Cheryl

This Christmas...

This Christmas...


1. Which was your favorite gift? Starbucks solo coffee maker.


2.Which gift are you most tempted to re-gift? I already gave it back - LOL - I think it was a mix-up because it was a man's dress shirt that I got from the Dr I transcribe for. I returned it, telling the girl in the office that I thought maybe my card was taped to this by mistake. Or the Dr has bad taste. Or I need to wear more make-up.


3. Which gift most surprised you? The saw my husband got me for my new toolbox! Does he really think I want to saw stuff? That's what his big muscles are for!


4. Did you have a White Christmas? Nope - never.


5. Is your tree still up? It's stripped - I just need to wrestle it outside and to the curb. Maybe...tomorrow.


6. Who was the hardest person to shop for on your list? What did you end up giving them? My oldest daughter. She got a pair of requested tennis shoes and a gym membership. That, and the Australian crackers "Shapes" completed her list.


7. Did you travel out of your state or your country on Christmas Day? Nope.


8. Did you celebrate Boxing Day? If you count taking down and putting away all the Christmas decorations celebrating, SURE!


9. Did you eat any fudge? Was it homemade? No - but that reminds me that our friends sent some over and it's still wrapped up. AND there was mention of it being peanut butter - my favorite.


10. Did you do anything out of the ordinary; break with any traditions? Usually on Christmas Eve we go look at Christmas lights, go to church, have soup for dinner, and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Christmas Story." This year we had pizza, at hubby's request.

Merry Christmas

Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

NOW we're ready

It's every teenage girl's worst nightmare. For us, that means times four. Yes, we are parents who insist that their kids must have their picture taken with Santa. This buys them room and board for the next year. (Although a lady in line asked if she could be in the picture and come live for free, too.) So here we are at Manchester Mall - where I might add the REAL SANTA can be found during the month of December. (The other months, this REAL SANTA can be found at Caltrans!) His face is shaded because I have a big, fat head, but he really is a good Santa. DD#3 wants me to point out that she's really not fat, it's just the way her [pink] shirt lies. I would like to point out that I'm really a size 4 - I just photograph large. :o) And hubby - well, yes, he meant to look like that. And DD#4 was getting a headache (this is a long-standing theme). DD#1 and DD#2 were just glad to be at the photo point so that dinner could come next. Besides, this beats the days where the kids were screaming with fear of Santa. But there was no bleed and no vomit, so I deemed it was a good picture. NOW Santa can come.

Merry Christmas!
Cheryl

Too busy?

A couple of dear friends of mine sell Avon and I love their products. Having recently just stocked up on a bunch of goodies, I was browsing through the newest catalog, bending corners of pages and mentally preparing an order (the BEST way to fill stockings for teenage girls!). As I flipped from page 22 to page 21 (I’m a leftie - it's just what we do), I came across this jewel of an item.

Self Stirring Travel Mug
Mix things up with your favorite warm beverage without the need of a spoon or stirring stick. Just add cream or sugar to coffee or tea and press button. Perfect for the busy traveler. Includes lid. Hand wash. Takes 2 AA batteries (not included). Only $12.99 each.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not dissing the product or Avon. The reason I even glanced at the page was because it’s red and the mug pictured in the center is red. Anyone who knows me even a little knows that red is my favorite color, so I’m more likely to look at a red page than, say, a green or orange page. But here’s my query. How long does it take to stir your coffee? I put my cream on the bottom, so when I pour my coffee, most of the mixing is done instantly. BUT the times I do feel I need to stir, I’m guessing it takes about 8 seconds max. Now, calculating the time it would take me to find 2 AA batteries (and finding 2 AA batteries in itself is a chore, as those are the first to disappear from the battery holder), then the additional time it would take me to find 2 AA batteries THAT AREN’T DEAD, I’m guessing I could have stirred enough coffee to last me through winter. I wonder how long one set of batteries is going to last but that’s for another day. Next we’ll tackle the “hand wash” feature. OK, our dishes are done by DD#2 who is 16. Wonder if she’s going to remember that this has to be hand washed? Hmm. It’s doubtful. Even taking into account the fact that I could (and would) wash it myself, it still must be hand washed. Assuming I’ve already finished my coffee (ahem CAFFEINE), I’m estimating the time it would take to hand wash this product to be about 60 seconds. 60 seconds vs the 5 seconds it would take to put a mug in the dishwasher. I think I’m too busy to own this mug. If YOU, however, think you need one, please contact me and I will put you in touch with one of my amazing Avon ladies!

And now I’m a little tired just reading this and pondering something so deep this early in the morning. I haven’t even made my coffee and now I think I’m going to skip it. As it is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, it is officially the day to DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS! DD#2 is the official “change out regular dishes for Christmas dishes” girl and there is nothing better than the first mug of anything hot when it’s in my Christmas dishes. I’m inclined to even have soup in these just because it tastes better.

And I get to say “MERRY CHRISTMAS” for a whole month!

Be blessed,
Cheryl