What Is Christmas?

Twinkling tree lights and mantlepiece stockings,

Wreaths with red berries and visitors knocking,

Ornaments sparkling like stars in teh skies;

Christmas is laughter and cheer and surprise.

Mistletoe kisses and bright fires glowing,

Carolers singing and goodies o'erflowing,

Christmas is friendship and music and glee.

Letters to Santa and warm, hearty greetings,

Jingling sleigh bells and families meeting,

The joy of the season is ours to give.

Christmas is LOVE; in your heart may it live!

Mary Agnes Seabrook

What's an Old Card Anyway?

Just look at this! It's quite a list!

I wonder, would one card be missed?

I surely can't take time to write

To all these folks! Besides, they might

Not ever think of me again-

That seems to be the way of men!

I think I'll send no more than six!

Then I'll have more time to fix

Some decorations and a tree

That's really beautiful to see.

I just can't rush around, I say,

And what's an old card anyway?

Oh, there's the mailman! Let me see!

Why, here's a card from Madge to me!

She says she often thinks of days

When we both rode in one-horse sleighs.

Ah yes, I too remember how;

But that, all that, is long gone now.

And here's a card from cousin Nell!

She says they're lonely, but all is well.

I haven't written once this year-

I should have though; she's such a dear.

And look at this card that's all in gold,

Expressing the words the angels told.

Ann says she hopes I'm truly blessed

With all that makes me happiest.

And who's this card from? Well, just look!

It's Sue! I see she even took

The time to say she baked a cake

Just like my mother used to make

At Christmastime! Well, bless her heart!

I guess it's time I got a start!

Now where's my pen and all those stamps?

I'm going to turn up all the lamps,

'Cause I have quite a lengthy list

And not one person shall be missed!


Phyllis C. Michael

It's Coming Christmastime

When you feel that bit of friendliness

Where before it wasn't found,

When you see a warmth within a smile

Where once there was a frown,

You know at once it's almost here,

It reflects in song and rhyme,

And love is felt throughout the world:

It's coming Christmastime.

When you're shoved and jostled in a crowd

And your patience grows quite thin,

Someone might whisper, "Pardon me,"

And you'll feel that glow again.

There's something magic happening,

No mistaking in the sign;

When folks begin to love again,

It's coming Christmastime.

You'd love to give to everyone

No matter what the cost.

You think of all the friends you've made

And regret the ones you've lost.

The wind is cold against your skin

Yet all is warm inside,

Because the world's in love again:

It's coming Christmastime.

Mary Reas

December Song

December wind has flung its gathered chills

Beyond the swooping sleds on winter hills

And sent the red scarves whipping frosty air

Around the throats of laughter sounding there.

Now twilight tastes of snow that's coming soon,

And chimney smoke curls toward a coin of moon;

Inside, the gift of warmth, hot chocolate calls,

With plates of homemade cookies shared by all.

Candles at the windows welcome friends

Who stop to chat before the season ends;

The mailbox fills as Christmas Day appears,

With messages that bridge the miles and years;

And wonder lights the stars throughout the skies

For children holding Christmas in their eyes.

It's to December memories belong-

Whose windy usic writes a timeless song.

Virginia Covey Boswell

Comes A Feeling

Comes a feeling, may you know it

Round about this time of year,

Children's eyes a-sparkle show it

Christmas time is drawing near.

Comes a feeling, may you share it

Joyously with all you meet,

Trees and houses seem to bear it

Like a banner on each street,

Comes a feeling, may you hold it

As a jewel, set apart,

As a Holy Babe, enfold it

Gently, gently to your heart.

Doris Chalma Brock

Christmas At Church
The organ thunders, murmurs, is complete,
Is hallowed, melts in mysteries.
No more the troubles of the day or dusk
When music is a leaning-wall of peace.

We abide in beauty. Beneath high-vaulted glory
The Christmas message is a Medicine.
A healing lotion for offended eyes.
An ointment for the ache that freezes in.

This is our refuge and our Strengthener,
To gird us, spur us back into the flame
And steam. Our forces, faith and confidence.
Our guide, the superstructure of a Name.
Gwendolyn Brooks

Holiday Shopping Guide 2

Only 12 to 13 Shopping Days left for Christmas. I say that because there has been a lot of debate as to if Christmas Eve is a true shopping day or not. lol Chanukkah has already begun and Kwanza is approaching quickly.

How is your shopping going? Do you have everyone crossed off your list? Did you get someone added on at the last minute or do you have a few names that your struggling to find the right gift for? Are you dreading having to make another trip to the big box store or mall for yet another mass produced gift?

How about shopping for a handmade gift? How about shopping handmade gift and not having to leave the house? How & Where you ask? Check out the following great artisans.

Each shop has so much to offer that I had a really tough time choosing an item or category to list with their link. So for those forgive me for not pointing out a great category or item to view.

28 Sides Designs   Embroidered Gift Card holders

Aunt Franni here

Butterfly Crafts Scented Satchets & Cards 

Char Spirit  Book Covers

Dawn Correspondence Stationery, Note Cards, Thank Yous

Debbi Andersen Charms n Things

Don't Know Pub Fiber Art

Essensu  Bath & Body Products

Haffina Jewelry Earrings Beads

JMayOriginals Fashion Accessories

Kaotic Ekkos Curiosities Art

NightMaiden Chainmaille

Retro Recycled Jewelry here

Sew Happy Designs here

Simmons Creek Spices, Music Gift Bags

Spirit Essence Art here

The Beaded Branch Jewelry

For some miscellaneous gift giving items:

Candles: Creative ScentSation Luna Wolf Mystical Essence Bubbys Grubbys

Christmas Ornaments: It's Not Just For Chirstmas

Books: Free Shipping & 30% OFF

Bracelets: Zibbet

Incense:  MeMe's Country Store Luna Wolf Mystical Essence

Journals, Recipe Cards, Address Books, etc.: Letters By Design
Pets: Peddlers Paws

Stuffed Animals & Outfits for them: A Zoo By U
Toys: Strawberry Central 

For more options please visit C Turtlez Oddz n Endz 

www.cmp.ly/0/j1j2vz & www.cmp.ly/5/cntzik

Ode to Winter

Winter has come to visit us it seems. Maybe we will have a white Christmas after all. In honor of the beautiful snow

Winter Blessing

I looked out on a wonderland this morning:

Each branch and twig precisely etched with frost.

White filigree adorned the lamps and railings;

The windowpanes with new lace were embossed.

And as the sun peeped warmly from it's covers,

Then rose to touch each icy scene it found,

Bright jewels sparkled everywhere it ventured--

On frozen bush and spilled on snowy ground.

Each season offers some unique enjoyment.

The Spring brings green, and Summer has it's glow;

While Autumn covers woods and walks with colors.

But Winter gives us diamonds in the snow.

Evelynn Merilatt Boal

Chocolate Chip-Peanut Butter Bars

Base and Topping
2 1/4	cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/4	cups firmly packed brown sugar
1	cup all-purpose flour
1/2	teaspoon baking soda
1	cup butter, softened
Filling
1	(14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1/4	cup peanut butter
1/2	teaspoon vanilla
1	(6-oz.) pkg. (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2	cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts

DIRECTIONS

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2.	In large bowl, combine all base and topping ingredients; mix at low speed until crumbly. Reserve 2 cups of crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture in bottom of sprayed pan to form base.
3.	In small bowl, combine condensed milk, peanut butter and vanilla; mix until well blended. Pour mixture evenly over base. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and peanuts. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top; press down gently.
4.	Bake at 350°F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Center will not be set. Cool 1 hour 15 minutes or until completely cooled. Cut into bars.

Mother's Tea Cakes

4 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

1½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup butter

1 tsp baking soda

½ cup buttermilk

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream sugar and butter until light. Add eggs one at a time; beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in the butter milk. Alternately combine dry ingredients and milk. Shape dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes. On a lightly floured board, roll dough to a 1/8" thickness. Cut out cookies with floured cookie cutter and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Makes 75 Cookies