Sunday Christmas Reading

It's that time of year for some Christmas classics.  Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory is wonderful.  Then How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss is fun. "Twas the Night Before Christmas" must be read on Christmas eve. Don't forget A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Or sit and tell your own Christmas tales - the magic is there

A Christmas Essay

Christmas Message for Parents on Behalf of Kids by Joanne Faries

I don't understand folks who say, "It's all such a bother. I hate this time of year." Indeed, it is ridiculous that holiday red and green decorations fight for floor space with pumpkin orange in October. Then the poor turkey gets shoved aside for the Christmas ham.

Ads blare from all media, and consumer reports declare doom and gloom for the economy based on shoppers' wallets. There is a lot of pressure to purchase goods, decorate the home, hang a fantastic light display, attend parties, bake cookies, send cards, and be of good cheer.

But that is the key - be of good cheer. Take a breath, step back, and enjoy moments. Stay in budget and don't just frenzy buy. Pause for a second and gaze at a decorated tree or store window. Savor the colors and whimsy.

Sit with the kids at the kitchen table with white paper and cut out snowflakes, then tape them to the front windows. Sip hot chocolate and read Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol or Dr.Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas, OR the Trinity Writers' Workshop Christmas Collection.

Sing a carol off-key in the car, and let that idiot in front of you make an illegal turn. Chill out. Hug your kids and your seniors. Slurp a candy cane and make a sticky mess. Lick a baking bowl, and eat a mouthful of chocolate morsels.

Look for the star in the east, and contemplate peace on earth, goodwill towards man.

I wish you a Merry Christmas (or any holiday you celebrate this time of year)

Merry Christmas

"Oh my, it's fruitcake weather!" (from Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory) In our case, it's time for mini-pecan pies. This recipe was handed down from my mother. Fairly easy to bake, these treats are a hit at home or the office.

Hunting Santa is a new addition this year. He was wrapped and tucked into Ray's mid-December carry bag. Figured his deer lease trailer could use some decorating. Ray got a laugh out of it, and now Santa hangs on our tree. Guess he's guarding the presents.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ..." (The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore). We have stockings and also Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. I love these two. They come out of the original sent box that's taped and glued and disintegrating. But I patch because it has my mother's writing on the tag, and she delighted in Christmas so much.

Penguins guard our front door and keep out the winter cold. "And the Grinch, with his grinch feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling; How could it be so?"

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas ... perhaps...means a little bit more!"

Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men

Merry Christmas.

As Tiny Tim observed, "God Bless us, every one." (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)

Cue the Ice Skating Music

What have I been doing with my time? Didn't finish NaNo - too busy listening to my Dad snore during Thanksgiving. We had so much fun - hung out, saw movies, visited, laughed, and ate plenty. Now it's Christmas season and I rejoice in the decorations, the baking, the whole idea of Christmas. My mother loved the season and I think that's something I inherited from her.

My husband's a good sport and has a bit of National Lampoon Christmas in his soul. We have lights out front AND lights out back. Hey, those are the ones we see and they reflect off the pool. Thanks, Ray - awesome job!

Yeah, fake tree. Got tired of sneezing every year. The fake tree sheds too, so we have the joy of needles. But it's pre-lit and I love putting our individual decorations on it. So many memories - trips, gifts, and past Christmases. Truly a joy to view.

Found this snowman head in Granbury and couldn't resist. Kinda cracks me up - so goofy, so joyful. Cue music from A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio - timeless and smooth. Christmas Time is Here or Skating, Hark the Herald Angels Sing..............the list goes on. Current tunes - gotta love Baby, It's Cold Outside from the Glee soundtrack - I love Kurt's voice.

Nifty story. My aunt's been giving me Byer's Choice carolers for many years. However, last year was the "last" time. BUT, my father saw that there was a special edition caroler in honor of the North Wales Library - 100th anniversary. Well, that's OUR library - I grew up there, going weekly, reading voraciously. Special Christmas treat - my father presented me, my sister, and sister-in-law with the unique librarian - - signed by Mr. Byer himself. Wow!!!! That's the thing about Christmas - the little stories, the memories, and the love.

Bask in the season. Reflect. Enjoy. No worries.

Holiday Magic

15 month old Makyla is watching Pop-Pop put up outdoor lights. Getting ready for holiday magic

Busy fingers are tempted by holiday decor.

lights at night. Ready to read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr.Seuss, "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote, and of course, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore. It's never too early for holiday magic.


or you can always chew on a penguin.......