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| SOURCE: Internet |
A pre-good bye to 2021 - this quote is from the book, Christmas Days, 12 Stories & 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson.
"and good memories, happy memories need to be honoured, the good stuff. Remember the year for what it brought. Even if there was precious little, that little is precious."
Wishing every one the happiest of New Year's. Wishes for good health & the making of precious memories. Thanks for chatting with me over the year, I've enjoyed your company.
... Mary-Lou
As Christmas approaches quicker & quicker, I thought to share some what seems to me some funny Christmas requests.
"Dear Santa: This year please give me a big fat bank account & a slim body AND please don't mix the two up as you did last year!"
"Dear Santa: I think we have a communication problem. When I said I wanted the body of a doll, I meant Barbie, not a Cabbage Patch doll"
"Dear Santa: I've been very good this year. Well most of the year. OK define good. Never mind, I'll buy my own."
AND a probable return answer from Santa.
"I've seen your FaceBook & Insta posts, you are getting a dictionary & some clothes."
🎄🎉 🎄🎉 🎄🎉 🎄🎉 🎄🎉
1. What's the name of the period leading up
to Christmas? Advent
2. How many Wise Men brought gifts to baby
Jesus? Three
3. How does Good King Wenceslas like his
pizza? Deep, & Crisp & Even
4. Who brings presents to the children in The
Netherlands on December 5/6? St Nicholas
5. How many letters are in the angelic
alphabet? 25 – no l (noel)
6. How many presents were given in total in
the song, The 12 Days of Christmas? 364
7. How many of Rudoph The Reindeer's team
mates have names that start with D? Dasher, Dancer
& Donner
8. What country did the Christmas tree
originate in? Latvia, which was part of Germany then.
9. What's the movie that introduced us to the
song, "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas"? Holiday Inn
10. Who started the custom of wassailing? The Anglo Saxon’s – wassailing means good health.
11. Who were the first people to visit the baby
Jesus? The Shepherds
12. What's lucky to find in a traditional
Christmas pudding? Money (sixpence)
13. What's the second line in the song,
"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"? “just
like the ones I use to know”
14. In the story of the Grinch, what's the
name of his dog? Max
15. What
festive item was eaten by single women in Tudor times in the hope it would help
them find a husband? Gingerbread Men
16.
How many times does the number 1 appear on the doors of the Advent Calendar? 13
17.
In what film would you hear the greeting "Merry Christmas you filthy
animal? Home Alone
18. -
In which year did Mariah Carey’s "All I Want For Christmas" is You’
first make UK Christmas number one? 2020 in spite
of originally being released in 1994
19. What
new tradition for the month of December was invented by American mother and
daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell?
Elf on the Shelf
Christmas Quiz - Here are some serious & funny questions for you to try & solve. Answers tomorrow 🎅🎄
1. What's the name of the period leading up to Christmas?
2. How many Wise Men brought gifts to baby Jesus?
3. How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza?
4. Who brings presents to the children in The Netherlands on December 5/6?
5. How many letters are in the angelic alphabet?
6. How many presents were given in total in the song, The 12 Days of Christmas?
7. How many of Rudoph The Reindeer's team mates have names that start with D?
8. What country did the Christmas tree originate in?
9. What's the movie that introduced us to the song, "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas"?
10. Who started the custom of wassailing?
11. Who were the first people to visit the baby Jesus?
12. What's lucky to find in a traditional Christmas pudding?
13. What's the second line in the song, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"?
14. In the story of the Grinch, what's the name of his dog?
15. What festive item was eaten by single women in Tudor times in the hope it would help them find a husband?
16. How many times does the number 1 appear on the doors of the Advent Calendar?
17. In what film would you hear the greeting "Merry Christmas you filthy animal?
18. - In which year did Mariah Carey’s "All I Want For Christmas is You" first make UK Christmas number one?
19. What new tradition for the month of December was invented by American mother and daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell?
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Wisdom From A Christmas Tree
Be a light in the winter darkness
We may all fall over once in a while
When things get tough, add glitter
It's OK to be a little tilted
We were all born to sparkle, even if our garlands are a bit loopy
Share your gifts
And most importantly, it's not what's under the tree that is important, it's who is around it with you
#1 = Driving Home For Christmas
# 2= Mistletoe & Wine
#3= 12 Days of Christmas
#4 = Feliz
Navidad
#5 = Jingle Bell Rock
#6 = Joy To The World
#7 = I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas
#8 = Step Into Christmas
#9 Frosty The Snowman
#10 = Santa Claus is
Coming To Town
#11 = I Saw Mommie Kissing Santa Claus
#12 = Fairytale of New York
#13 = Roasting Chestnuts By An Open Fire
#14 = Let It Snow Let It Snow
#15 = Last Christmas
This has been the rage on several of my social media feeds ... thought I would share here for some holiday fun - the answers will get posted tomorrow.
The first Christmas was pretty simple. It is OK if yours is too.
It was a weekend of wild weather. Last week the rain washed all the snow away & then on the weekend we had a mixed bag of snow flurries, freezing rain, & just plain rain with all levels of wind. Winds ranging from breezy to gusty with miles per hour attached to it. It was not a nice pretty snow.
So having spent most of the weekend indoors watching Christmas movies & doing some Christmas goodie baking, I'll share a new to me recipe that Mr Man really liked.
Crust
·
1
1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs
·
3
tablespoons sugar
·
4
tablespoons butter, melted
Cheesecake
·
2
(8oz/250g) packages cream cheese, softened
·
2
eggs
·
1
egg yolk
·
3/4
cup eggnog
·
3/4
cup sugar
·
4
1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
·
1
tablespoon rum extract
·
1
teaspoon vanilla extract
·
1/2
teaspoon nutmeg
·
1/4
teaspoon salt
1.
Preheat
oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 square baking pan.
2.
Mix
gingersnap crumbs, 3 tablespoons of sugar and melted butter in a bowl.
3.
Press
the mixture in a 9×9 baking pan forming a crust. Bake for 12 minutes.
4.
With
a mixer, beat cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy.
5.
Add
¾ cup sugar, eggs, egg yolk, eggnog, flour, rum extract, vanilla extract, nutmeg
and salt. Mix until smooth.
6.
Pour
cheesecake filling over crust.
7.
Put
the baking pan in a larger pan and add enough hot water to come halfway up the
baking pan.
8.
Bake
for 45 minutes or until set.
9.
Remove
cheesecake pan from water bath and cool on wire rack for approximately 30
minutes.
10.
Refrigerate
for at least 3 hours before serving. Dust with ground nutmeg.
Advice from A Snowperson:
Be Jolly & A Happy Soul
Stay Cool
Spent Time Outdoors
Avoid Meltdowns
Be Well Rounded
Live Well, Life Is Short
⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄
"Christmas cannot be bought from a store ...maybe Christmas means a little bit more." Dr Seuss
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Advice from a Reindeer:
Appreciate Snow Days
Rack Up Happy Memories
Enjoy The Out Of Doors
Make Deer Friends
Know When To Hoof It
Put A Jingle In Your Step
Chill Out
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Eileen, at A Bracelet of Days, is once again hosting the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt. You can check out the details here: WPSH
Here's the list of items Eileen would like us to find, December 1st 2021 - March 31st, 2022:
The first link up will be in the first week of January, at Eileen's blog. Good luck everyone and remember to have fun!
It's the start of the busy festive season & most towns are trying to resume as normal as possible the tradition of the Santa Claus parade. Last December many were just out right cancelled, but a few like our little village had the parade participants in a stationery position & the public drove by.
This year though, it's bands, dogs dressed as elves, lots of kids on floats & the big guy & his Mrs all decked out. This is a daytime parade of the town just up & over from our little village. Our village parade is a nighttime event & it's all the farm equipment decked out.
I cannot show you all the cards I've made, these are just a few of my creations.
But I will share with you, the card I made a few weeks back for the library ladies that went with the box of chocolates. The reading girl & stack of books is from a CTMH stamp & die set, that is on loan to me.
And I love when Canada gets some positive applause around the world ... not sure this video is it; Woody The Talking Christmas Tree made the Australian show, The Project & the USofA Jimmy Fallon show ... you decide cute or creepy. I'm in the camp of creepy, but yet I cannot look away!
Woody The Talking Christmas Tree
Sending Happy Thanksgiving wishes to our American friends.
"Always give without remembering & always receive without forgetting."
Sunday, the 21st was Stir Up Sunday; from the Anglican Common Book of Prayer: "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people".& I made my Christmas cake as tradition dictates.
Although not a moan, just an observation; the supply chain break has affected baking supplies. No where in my 25 kilometer radius was citrus peel to be found, & I got the last scoop of red & green candied cherries.
My
baking supply store tells me that getting many of the usual
Christmas baking needs this year has been in minimal quantities or not
at all. And to make matters worse, the mud slides & flooding on the
west coast of Canada (British Columbia) much of the supplies of anything
coming in to their ports, will be delayed coming east, until roads & rails can be re-built, and/or fixed.
This year's Christmas cake recipe had some free fall adjustments; instead of citrus peel, I upped the amount of candied pineapple chunks, & there's two extra scoops of mixed fruit peel instead of the required amounts of cherries. Just for good measure I added in an extra slog of Grand Marnier ! It can't hurt.
And my parting thought for the day is; Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes; small, large, circle, square, thin crust, thick crust, stuffed crust, extra toppings …
"We need to stop just pulling people out of the river.
We need to go up stream & find out why they are falling in."
... Desmond Tutu
Currently Thankful: Mr Man's eye surgery on the 13th went well. The doctor doing the procedure was very pleased with his work & says that he may consider doing in Mr Man's other eye in 6 months. I was very surprised by the number of people having this procedure done on the same day. Apparently lazar drilling holes in the eye is now common treatment! Also very thankful that the threat of snow went north of us.
Currently Watching: the farmer turn the field over. I hadn't actually heard the tractor, what alerted me to this was all the seagulls flying over head, there were about 100 white seagulls enjoying what ever it was the turned over soil brought up for them. If history is repeated, next spring, he will plant corn.
Currently Celebrating: many November birthdays & this is one of the cards I made for my friend who is about to move house. Not wanting to add to things she has to pack, I bought her a big variety box of hot chocolate, 1 for everyday before she moves.
Currently Considering: for my 12 Days of Christmas Blessings. I found a couple of items about creating blessing bags & distributing. These could include bags for the homeless, a woman's shelter or a local seniors residence & it triggered my own idea for making blessing bags for an animal shelter. All 4 would be worthy causes. What I ponder is, make 3 bags for the 4 different types of shelters or all 12 for 1 shelter? And for scrap booking the 12 Days, I have paper with the traditional 12 days of Christmas song motifs displayed on the paper. This project is coming together rather nicely.
Currently Viewing: the 4th season of Shetland & we have decided we need a break. Season 5 can wait a week or so. This story was very well acted, but an ending that left both Mr Man & myself rather upset. Not wanting to give the ending for those that have not seen; we wanted a happier ending for a particular character.
And I'll leave you with this thought ... " you know you are old when the music you listen to while cleaning, was once the music you danced to in the clubs!"
On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, we shall pause to remember.
written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.
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| Lt Colonel John McCrae Statue-Guelph, Ontario |
This quote was recently sent to me from a very wise (older) lady & I thought it was worth sharing.
"you can not skip chapters of your life, that's not how it works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won't enjoy all the chapters. Some chapters will make you cry for weeks, some will leave you with the feeling you don't want to read any more of it or read things you don't want to know. You will have some pages that you don't want to end or re-read.
But you have to keep reading. Stories keep the world revolving so remember to live yours, do not miss out on any chapters."
Currently Thinking About: more of a return to in person shopping other than grocery shopping. I've shared that this whole pandemic has not been kind to my anxiety levels. A lot of my shopping sources over the last 19-20 months had excellent curbside or delivery services, but many of them are now eliminating, reducing or charging for these services. I know it's time to start a return to a familiar routine. Vaccination rates & a reduction in new cases in my area are all good & the province has a plan for booster jab rollout. I would like to do a little clothes shopping & now that the library is open to those able to show proof of vaccination, I'd like to wander the shelves & just look at the books.
Currently Thinking About: do we call it a booster shot or a 3rd COVID Vaccine Jab?
Currently Thinking About: some new ways to reinvent some holiday (Christmas) celebrations. I've come to the decision to do another gratitude project; the Twelve Days of Christmas Blessings. As we get closer to the time, I'll share more of this formulating project. For me the 12 days start on the 26th of December, Boxing Day & carry through to Twelve Night in January. It will be part of my December Daily album, although this year's celebrations start in November (Stir Up Sunday is November 21st & Advent begins November 28th) & Twelve Night in January, so is it right to still call it my December Daily album? ... oh another thing to think about !
Currently Thinking About: how is it that the library DVDs are so scratched & almost unplayable? You take the DVD out of the case, put into your player, then return it to the case. Even accounting for finger prints, Mr Man spent at least 10 minutes cleaning with special DVD sprays & cloths to fix the scratches of the 1st disc of Season 3 of Shetland; even then there were a few pixel disruptions. We are SO liking Shetland.
Currently Thinking About: these fungus in the photo below, are the most disgusting ones I've ever seen. I've never seen red fungus before & this type is a first in my garden. Have you ever seen such mushrooms before?
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| Source: Internet |
For October I'll be posting Thankful Tuesday & sharing what I have been grateful for during the week.
With this post, it wraps up my 2021, 31 Days of Thankful, which I have found as always a good reminder to stop & say thank you for all that I have been given & blessed with.
October 26th: during one of those endless Zoom meetings, we had a break so we could free chat (it almost sounds like we are now free range chickens ...) I chatted with a woman I knew to be an avid scrap booker & I had several weeks ago introduced her to uTube Scrapbook Quebec. Well I mentioned that I really like Dorothy's dish & cutlery border & doesn't Zoom scrapper say "oh I have that punch" & has offered to punch out several strips of that border for me! Gosh I like scrap bookers.
October 27th: a real change in the weather for the good - gorgeous all day sunshine & milder temperatures, so nice that the windows could be open all day.
October 28th: installation of new bathroom ensuite counter was quick, professional & worth the investment. Corian gave us the option to have the sink molded right into the counter; an option we really like.
October 29th: last minute grocery order still gave us a workable pick up/curbside time option. I am considering an in person for the next shop, the location of the grocery store is in the city next to us & they haven't had any new COVID cases in 3 days, an encouraging sign. Also got a free package of plant protein "chick'n" tenders from the grocery store. I have yet to try, but on the menu for Tuesday of next week.
October 30th: from the library, (finally) the 2nd disc for the Accused series to be complete, along with series 1 & 2 of Shetland. Thought we'd try this new to us series. Lots of watching materials for the rainy weekend.
October 31st: Halloween was a rather non-event in our neighbourhood; I guess too windy, too rainy, too chilly. Thankfully a quiet evening with no wild bonfire parties and/or fireworks.
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| Source: Internet |
For October I'll be posting Thankful Tuesday & sharing what I have been grateful for during the week.
October 19th: Our new flooring arrived at the warehouse & it is even nicer than the little 6"X6" sample. At the warehouse they re-rolled on the narrow side, so we could bring home in the car. Our contractor will install.
October 20th: Outside, socially distance meet up with my friend from BC who I haven't seen in 3 years. We walked a trail that I had been looking forward to exploring. Thankfully the weather held off the nastiest part of the day until after our visit. It was SO good to connect with this friend. We both got teary at our parting; we both realized how much we have missed our time together. She is the type of (wonderful) friend where no topic is unspeakable. We talk about everything & anything & we often do not agree on things, but it is always a good discussion because we listen to each other's opinion, point of few & admit when we are mistaken. We also share lots of chuckles & of course we talk horses. What's not to miss about this!?!?
October 21st: I am thankful that a bit of ice & rest worked a trick quickly on my back, which I think suffered because of the wrong foot wear for walking yesterday - my bad! Still no regrets for that walk with my friend.
October 22nd: We got our Flu Jab ! Thankfully we have a fabulous in town pharmacist who is a gifted needle administrator - we don't even feel the needle. She's also the kindest of ladies. I am also thankful that this all taken care of by OHIP our provincial medical coverage.
October 23rd: Looking for something in my crafting closet lead to a major tidy up & re-organization. I now have a stash busting box of donations for the local nursery school craft time. I think this worked so well because I was not planning it, I was not even consciously de-cluttering, it all felt more like play. And yes I found what I was looking for.
October 24th: The vinegar & water spray killed off the green mold on the patio carpet & the rain rinsed for us. Now it is time to roll & put away for the winter. This truly is the signal that the 2021 season of patio sitting is over. 😢 Mr Man was feeling a little blue in the evening & I found a PBS special that cheered him right up; Sarah Brightman's 2020 Christmas Symphony.
October 25th: With only 2 months to Christmas, I saw a perfect gift, I told Santa, he ordered, just in time as they have now sold out! Timing even for Santa is everything.
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| Source: Internet |
For October I'll be posting Thankful Tuesday & sharing what I have been grateful for during the week.
October 12: A quiet day on all fronts, no struggles, no stresses, a really pleasurable rhythm to the day.
October 13: Technology gave "her" best today; no problems with Zoom's screen sharing & moving into break out groups. Lively chat within the break out groups.
October 14: Tree trimming happened earlier than expected, as they had a cancellation. As always Eric & his co-worker are very good about cleaning up any debris. Since it was just trimming they did not require the big chipper shredder so a lot quieter.
October 15: Frig clean out done in time to get all into the green bin for pick up. Thankfully very little waste, meal planning really helps with this.
October 16: Getting our COVID vaccine passport downloaded was easier than anticipated. Being a government site you expect to go in circles. Pleasantly surprised & I tested the QR coding at the library - big green verified check mark!
October 17: Online church services; I can "attend" my own church at a later time, which allows me to tune in live to our previous wonderful, much missed, minister's service at his new church. He is such a gifted speaker.
October 18: Free yard waste pick up by the county; we contributed 4 bags. Thankful there's another pick up scheduled for November.
