Heads Or Tails

The theme/prompt for THIS week, December 29, is:

HEADS - "Rate"

I am in the process of cleaning and organizing my home, which badly needed it after the Christmas tornado came through my home and not only made a mess but dumped extra stuff everywhere. At this rate, I may have a clean and organized home by 2010! ;-)

Our Menu For 12/28/09 to 1/3/10

Monday~Spaghetti, 4 Cheese Italian Sausage, & Garlic Bread
Tuesday~Cube Steak Smothered In Cream of Mushroom Soup, Oven Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans
Wednesday~Mustgoes
Thursday~Appetizer Night!! Little Smokies, Tortilla Chips with Velveeta Salsa Dip, Pickle Roll Ups, & A Dessert Yet To Be Decided
Friday~Smoked Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes & Creamed Corn
Saturday~Pizza Biscuit Bake
Sunday~Chicken Broccoli Braid

~~~Food Holidays~~~

This week:

December 28th~National Chocolate Candy Day
December 29th~Pepper Pot Day
December 30th~National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
December 31st~National Champagne Day
January 1st~Bloody Mary Day & Apple Gifting Day
January 2nd~National Cream Puff Day
January 3rd~Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day

Next Week:

January 4th~National Spaghetti Day
January 5th~National Whipped Cream Day
January 6th~Bean Day & National Shortbread Day
January 7th~National Tempura Day
January 8th~English Toffee Day
January 9th~National Apricot Day
January 10th~Bittersweet Chocolate Day

Christmas Questions...Day 24

1 Day until Christmas!!


#185~If you were asked to write a dictionary definition for the word Christmas, how would you define it in 20 words or less? Season in which the birth of Christ is celebrated. Time to be generous, kind, and treat others with good will.
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How would your definition read? Do share!

Christmas Question...Day 23

2 Days until Christmas!! Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!!


#154~Have you ever purposely stood under mistletoe with the hope of being kissed by someone? Have you ever unknowingly stood under mistletoe and been kissed by someone? Sadly, I have to answer no to both questions. I need to get me some mistletoe next year!
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How about you? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 22

3 Days until Christmas!!


#265~When was the last time you decorated a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve? I have never done this. I like to put my tree up in the early part of December, so that we can enjoy it longer.
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How about you? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 21

4 Days until Christmas!!


#199~Besides the reindeer, which animal(s) do you associate the most with the Christmas season? I know this might sounds weird, but my answer is the donkey. When I was little I was in a Christmas program at church. I remember us holding up pictures of animals as something was read, and I held up the donkey.
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What animal do you choose? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 20

5 Days until Christmas!! Can you feel the excitement?


#81~If you were going to go out for dinner on Christmas day, would you tip more than usual since the waiter or waitress is having to work the holiday? Yes!!! I always feel horrible for people who have to work on holidays. I remember the days of working 4th of July, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, etc. and it was never fun. I would probably overlook just about any bad behavior on their part because I would feel so badly for them.
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How about you? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 19

6 Days until Christmas!!


#38~In your opinion, how many inches (if any) would be the ideal accumulation of snow for a white Christmas? As long as there isn't any ice, and the snow plows are all out and about, then I would love to have 6 inches or more. I wouldn't want so much that our family couldn't come over, but anything just less than that would be great! :-)
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How much snow would you like? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 18

7 Days until Christmas!! One Week!!


#299~What do you do with your Christmas cards after the holidays are over? I keep some of the picture cards, but most cards get thrown. I am thinking about keeping them this year, and trying to use them to make my own cards next year. I'm not a huge recycler, but this just sounds like a fun idea.
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What do you do with your cards? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 17

8 Days until Christmas!!


#159~What would be the ideal way for you to spend Christmas Eve? I would spend the morning and afternoon lazing around the house with my family. We would watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas music. We would snack on appetizers all day long. In the evening, we would eat a simple, but tasty, dinner. Possibly a quiche, lasagna, or anything else that could be made ahead of time and just popped in the oven. After dinner, we would go to church as a family. Then we would come home and have some hot cocoa, read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' and head to bed.

Our Christmas Eve is pretty much like that now except I have to listen to the kids fight during all that. We don't usually have appetizers to snack on because I am too lazy. ;-) Also, I usually get stressed out about making the kids look "just so" for church, and after the kids head to bed Jeff and I are usually up putting the Santa toys together. Reality isn't a Norman Rockwell picture.
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How would you spend Christmas Eve? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 16

9 Days until Christmas!! Single Digits, Baby!


#124~If you were to open up a cozy, little Christmas shop, what Christmas product would be your main draw? My shop would probably be known for Advent Calendars. I love them! I remember when my Aunt Emmy took me to Long Grove Village. There was a Christmas store there, and I bought an advent calendar. I don't know if this was the first one I ever had, but it is the first one I ever remember. I have had a love for them ever since.
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Care to share your answer? I hope you will!

Christmas Questions...Day 15

10 Days until Christmas!!


#46~In your opinion, what word(s) would best complete the following phrase: "Tis the season to be..."? kind, generous, compassionate
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What do you think? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 14

11 Days until Christmas!!


#203~If you had to replace the customary Christmas tree with a new Christmas conversation piece, what would become its replacement? A nativity scene...Jesus is the reason for the season, afterall!
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What would you replace the tree with? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 13

12 Days until Christmas!!


#247~What has been the greatest blessing in your life since last Christmas? Without a doubt, I am going to say getting to know my sisters. Such a blessing! I look forward to getting to know them better and better over the years. :-)

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What has been your greatest blessing this past year? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 12

13 Days until Christmas!!


#206~How long before Christmas do you traditionally begin shopping for gifts? I generally start the day after Thanksgiving, but occasionally I will start earlier in November or October. I like to get as much of it done by December 1st as possible, so that the month can be more about Jesus and family, and less about presents.
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When do you shop? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 11

14 Days until Christmas!!

#61~If you won $5,000 the week before Christmas, where do you think you'd go for a Christmas vacation? Vacation? Are you serious? Heck no! I would pay off my credit card!! I haven't been charging on it, and I don't plan to, but it just doesn't seem to be going down fast enough. Why, oh why, did I get myself into this stinking mess again? I think I am learning a lesson this time though. I'm sure of it!

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Where would you travel? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 10

Only 15 days until Christmas!! Yahoo!

#10~Suppose the new fad was to wrap your gifts in anything other than wrapping paper. With what would you wrap your presents?

I would wrap mine in the newspaper comics. My Aunt Gin has always done this, and it always brought a smile to my face. I loved that you not only got a present, but you also got something fun to read.

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What would you wrap with? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 9

16 Days until Christmas!!

#140~What is your favorite Christmas phrase, quote, or verse?

Ali has a book that is a collection of Christmas sayings, songs, and poems. One of them I love says...

What Can I Give Him ?

What can I give Him?
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him,
Give Him my heart.

By Christina Rossetti

I have two Christmas sayings that I like. One is 'Jesus is the reason for the season.' I know it is a cheesy saying, but it is the truth...and it rhymes. ;-) The other saying I love is 'I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year,' which is a quote from Charles Dickens.
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Care to share your answer? I hope you will!

Christmas Questions...Day 8

17 Days until Christmas!!

#55~For you, what is the most discouraging aspect of the Christmas season? That would have to be the materialistic side of Christmas. I love giving gifts. Heck, I love receiving gifts. What I don't love is when the wants get too big or someone isn't happy with a thoughtful, homemade treat. Plus, while I love to shop, I don't like how stores start hyping up Christmas early just to make money. Then they advertise like crazy and send out catalogs. I realize a business needs to make money to survive. It's just that all of that takes away from the real meaning of Christmas. Now, how do we stop this?

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What discourages you? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 7

18 Days until Christmas!!

#14~You've been chosen to host a sensational Christmas celebration on TV. What three guests (living or deceased) would you have on the show to make it the best Christmas special ever? 1~Jesus...You gotta have the birthday boy! 2~Trans-Siberian Orchestra...We need some music. Plus, I wanted to go see them when they came to our area, but that was the same weekend I went to see Beth Moore. 3~Mark Lowry...He wrote 'Mary, Did You Know?', which is an absolutely fabulous song. Plus, he does comedy. He rocks! I think these three together would make the best Christmas special ever!

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What would your show look like? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 6

19 Days until Christmas!! It's getting closer folks!

#53~If you were asked to choose four songs for a Christmas medley, which songs would you pick? Mary, Did You Know, Silent Night, Joy to the World, and Winter Wonderland

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Which 4 would you pick? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 5

20 Days until Christmas!!

#29~Of course, red and green are the traditional colors of Christmas. What two other colors do you think could--or should--become the standard for the season? Silver & Gold. They are both precious (metals), and Jesus is precious too. Plus, one of the wise men brought gold when Jesus was born.

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What colors would you choose? Do share!

Christmas Questions...Day 4

21 Days until Christmas!!

#35~If you had a miniature Christmas village set up in your home, what shop, building, or other object would be the most prominently displayed in your little town? I want a miniature Christmas village, and I hope to start my collection this year. I figure buying one piece each year is reasonable. right? The first piece I want, and the one that would be the most prominently displayed forever, would be this...


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How about you? Do share!

Thursday Thirteen

13 Things I Want To Do With My Kids This Christmas Season

1. Make a gingerbread house.

2. Paint ceramic Christmas ornaments for our tree and read Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree (by Crystal Bowman).

3. Watch the Polar Express while drinking hot chocolate...we will also read the book. I actually would love to have a Christmas movie marathon day. Could I sit that long? Probably! Could my children? I'm not so sure. ;-)

4. Allow each child to pick out a toy (with guidance) to give to Toys for Tots.

5. Have a slumber party in front of the Christmas tree with Christmas music playing.

6. Talk about angels and make one out of our handprints and footprints.

7. Go around being invisible angels to our friends and family, as well as some strangers.

8. Bake yummy banana bread and talk together about how Jesus called Himself the "Bread of Life."

9. Make birdseed wreaths to hang in our trees outside.

10. Drive through the Festival of Lights Holiday Light Show, and drive around to see decorated homes.

11. Make homemade Christmas cards for their teachers.

12. Do our advent calendars daily. We have a family one that is magnetic and each day tells a story about the piece inside. Also, each child has their own that they can get a piece of candy out of each day.

13. Go to church on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Questions...Day 3

22 Days until Christmas!!

#276~Have you ever begun a friendship or romance with someone on Christmas? Nope. I did get engaged on Christmas once, but that relationship didn't last. Praise God! ;-)

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I do hope you will play along! Share away!

Christmas Questions...Day 2

Only 23 days until Christmas!!

#224~If a child asked you what causes Rudolph's nose to glow, what would your response be?

I would probably tease them that Rudolph ate one too many tomatoes, but then I would tell them the truth...it's how God made him. :-)
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What would you say? Do share!

December Is Here!!

December Leaves
The fallen leaves are cornflakes
that fill the lawn's wide dish.
The night and noon, the wind a spoon
and stirs them with a swish.

The sky's a silver sifter,
a-sifting white and slow
that gently shakes on crisp brown flakes
the sugar known as snow.

Festive Foods

Do you remember those cute turkey snacks I shared right before Thanksgiving? Well, the same friend that sent me that recipe, also sent me these two. I'm tellin' you...Deidre rocks!

Parmesan Breadstick Candy Canes

Ingredients

1 can (11 oz.) refrigerated soft breadsticks

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

1/2 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Separate breadsticks; cut each crosswise in half. Dip in butter, then in cheese, turning to evenly coat all sides.

Twist breadsticks; shape into candy-cane shapes on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 14 to 18 min. or until golden brown. Serve warm.

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Party Cheese Wreath

Ingredients

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 Tbsp. finely chopped onions

1 Tbsp. chopped red bell peppers

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. lemon juice

Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)

Directions

Beat cream cheese and Cheddar cheese in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.

Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Place drinking glass in center of serving platter. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cheese mixture around glass, just touching outer edge of glass to form ring; smooth with spatula. Remove glass. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional red bell pepper, if desired. Serve with assorted NABISCO Crackers and breadsticks.

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I hope that I get the chance to at least make one of these recipes during the holiday season. They are so cute and would add a festive touch to any meal. :-)

Christmas Questions...Day 1

I recently bought this book. It is called 'The Christmas Conversation Piece,' and it was written by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie. This book is filled with 302 "creative questions to illuminate the holidays." So, I thought I would share one question every day from here until Christmas day. I hope that you will play along too by answering the questions in my comment section or on your own blog. This should be a fun way to get to know each other a little better! :-)
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#107~If you could go anywhere at all to reflect and meditate on the meaning of Christmas, where would you go? (Why?)

Well, the words reflect and meditate tells me I am alone. I think I would do my best thinking about the meaning of Christmas somewhere with lots of Christmas lights. I am thinking of somewhere like this...


These two pictures are of Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio. Isn't it just gorgeous? I think I could do tons of reflecting and meditating there.
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Okay, I do hope you will play along! Share away!

BTW, only 24 more days until Christmas!!