The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ......CAROLS -We Wish you a Merry Christmas

WE WISH WE YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS 

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CLICK PIC TO ENLARGE

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The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ......CAROLS -Silent Night

Silent Night is a song with a history. Its sung in hundreds of churches around the world on Christmas Eve.  Its also a song  about Heavenly Peace.   As Christians, we know that real peace comes from heaven. Its a gift from the one true God and is available to all.   Its a gift we can choose to accept or deny.  It is my hope that you will choose to accept this original Christmas gift of the Christ child and the peace that comes only  from knowing him!

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

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The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ......CAROLS -Angels we have heard on high

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Refrain

Angels we have heard on high is the announcing praise of the newborn King.  Its a song that has withstood the test of time. 

In many homes, angels are a staple in the Christmas decorations.  They deck the halls and adorn the trees.  So this year, keeping with my own homemade tradition, am making angels to give to friends and family.  Only my angels are a bit different....

Here they are decorating my little tree...

and up close .....

These little gals are tampon angels..yep, you read correctly.  TAMPON ANGELS.  I'm sure they'll add some fun and humor to our Christmas gatherings!!

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The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ......CAROLS -Christmas Song

This is an old holiday favorite  for me. As a child, my family had a Johnny Mathis Christmas album that included this song.  I've probably heard it a thousand times, but never tired of listening to it. Every time I hear it, the song conjures up visions of an old-fashioned Christmas. And with those visions come that warm fuzzy feeling deep within me of the simpler times that have passed us by.

Roasting on an open fire.....

Although we have never roasted chestnuts on an open fire, our family has enjoyed plenty o’ campfires.  There’s nothing like a good fire and a bag of  marshmallows to bring folks together.

Miranda and Steve roasting marshmallows at the cabin

Photos from a family campfire this summer

Smores......mmm

There's always some good conversation 'round an OPEN FIRE!

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The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ......Carols -Christmas Cookies

Here's a cute little song that brings a bit of fun to the cookie bakin' season.  

We have begun a tradition of cookie baking at our house. Three generations get together to whip out several dozen sand tarts. Each of us has a role to play.  I usually do the rolling, my daughter decorates, and mom helps decorate and mans the oven. (What a woman!) It's a joint effort that produces a wonderful plate of color and sugar.  

 What's even better than the looks of a plate of sugary cookies is.... 

........Is putting a smile on the faces of those

EATING THEM!!!!!!!!

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click to enlarge

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THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS......CAROLS- My grown up Christmas list

I love this song!  Every time I hear it, I'm reminded to think outside my own 4 walls, because what goes on inside these walls isn't nearly as important  as what's beyond them. Our family is blessed.  While we're not rolling in dough, our needs are met-and then some. We have jobs, and insurance, food (plenty of food!), and a home of our own. We have wonderful kids and an adorable grandson who lights up our life.  We've family and friends and so much more.  So why not take time to consider how you can bless someone this Christmas who is need. They may have a physical need or may just need to know that someone cares.  There are so many things in this world that we can't control, but we can bring joy into the lives of others, even if its only for a day.  

Grown-up Christmas list
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee;
I wrote to you

With childhood fantasies.Well, I?m all grown-up now,
And still need help somehow.(can you still help somehow)
I?m not a child,
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,(and wars would never start)
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up christmas list.

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree.(wrapped beneath the tree)

Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up christmas list.

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth.
(there?d be)

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end, oh.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

This is my grown-up christmas list

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.    -Jesus


Speaking of Giving.................


Keeping in step with the old-fashioned Christmas theme,  I created these gift tags with old photos of hubs and myself.  It will be a fun blast from the past for our gift recipients this year.   

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THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS....CAROLS -Here we come a caroling

Here we come a-caroling
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.

Chorus:

Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year. 

We are not daily beggars
Who beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children,
Whom you have seen before.

(Chorus)

God bless the Master of this house,
Likewise the Mistress too
And all the little children,
That round the table go.

(Chorus)

And all your kin and kinfolk
That dwell both far and near
We wish a Merry Christmas
And Happy New Year.

(Chorus)

This carol is more than a song about caroling. Its a  song that expresses the joy of family and friends. Its about community, and the warmth we feel when we're surrounded by the folks of our everyday life and the charity we share with them.  Even if you don't go caroling, you can still share the love and joy of the Christmas season by simple acts of kindness with those around you.  

Sharing Some Sweetness
At our house this year, we delivered these sweet rolls to our elderly neighbors.  These rolls are best when eaten fresh from the oven.  But if you can't finish them off at once, just microwave a few seconds to bring back that fresh from the oven taste!

Cinnabuns

·                            1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

·                            2 eggs, room temperature

·                            1/3 cup margarine, melted

·                            4 1/2 cups bread flour

·                            1 teaspoon salt

·                            1/2 cup white sugar

·                            2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

·                             

·                            1 cup brown sugar, packed

·                            2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

·                            1/3 cup butter, softened

·                             

·                            1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

·                            1/4 cup butter, softened

·                            1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

·                            1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

·                            1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1.                   Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.

2.                   After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

3.                   Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

4.                   Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

For tips on making sweet rolls click here.

The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS....CAROLS- It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go; 
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again 
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, 
Toys in ev'ry store, 
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be 
On your own front door. 

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots 
Is the wish of Barney and Ben; 
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk 
Is the hope of Janice and Jen; 
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas 
Ev'rywhere you go; 
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well, 
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas; 
Soon the bells will start, 
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing 
Right within your heart. 

From the decorations to the snow showers and bitter cold temps,


it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

at our house too!!

The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS....CAROLS- Come on ring those bells, light the Christmas Tree

Come on Ring those Bells

Everybody likes to take a holiday
Everybody likes to take a rest 

Spending time together with the family
Sharing lots of love and happiness.

Come on, ring those bells,
Light the Christmas tree,
Jesus is the king
Born for you and me.
Come on, ring those bells,
Every-body say,
Jesus, we remember
This your birthday.

Celebrations come because of something good.
Celebrations we love to recall
Mary had a baby boy in Bethleham
the greatest celebration of all.

Come on, ring those bells,
Light the Christmas tree,
Jesus is the King
Born for you and me. 

Come on, ring those bells,
Every-body say,
Jesus, we remember
This your birthday.

  Come on, ring those bells, Light the Christmas tree.....

 Our tree has been lit....

and our little Jack loves the ornaments....

Its our joy to witness his joy and amazement of this wonderful holiday.

This weekend, if your family is like our family,  you will be

 Spending time together with the family and  

Sharing lots of love and happiness.

SO PLEASE remember Jesus-

It's His BIRTHDAY!

The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS......CAROLS- J-i-n-g-l-e Bells O

I declare that the THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS be a day of fun…a sort of reprieve from all the busyness of the holiday preparations.  Let’s just break out the sugar and turn on some Frank Sinatra.  If this little ditty can’t stir up your inner child, nothing can.  I luv this song.  It seems that every time I glance at this little j-i-n-g-e bells O chalk board, I break out in song!

Turn up the Volume and ENJOY!

Many of the Christmas decorations at our house are not decorations at all, just a little of this and a little of that....ANYTHING I CAN FIND.  Some people would call it junk! ( I call it treasure)

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The 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS....CAROLS- Mary did you know

Mary Did You Know Is today's carol.  It's a beautiful song by Mark Lowry  that declares the Christmas story from a unique perspective.   Many versions of this song have been recorded, but my favorite is this original Mark Lowry version

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

The Nativity is a standard decoration in many homes, especially for believers of the one true God.  The thought has occurred to me that we should make the Nativity a part of our everyday decorations as a daily reminder of God's gift to us.