Holiday Treats

No doubt we all have some favorite treats around the holidays.  Here are a three of mine and it's not too late to try them, because they are great for New Year's too!

No-Bake Cookies {{Click for recipe}}

Monkey Bread {{Click for recipe}}

Cinnamon-Spiced Nuts {{Click for recipe}}

Christmas Spirit

What is it, exactly?

Some might define the "Christmas Spirit" as the feelings of joy one gets from the holiday music or the rush they get from the hustle and bustle of trimming the tree, hanging the stockings, shopping for the perfect gifts, attending the best holiday parties, or baking the best-ever pumpkin pie.  And while those things can surely bring Holiday Cheer, the Spirit of Christmas runs a bit deeper than that.

If the true meaning of Christmas is Christ-centered, then it would make sense to assume that the true Spirit of Christmas is also Christ-centered; to live Christ-centered lives.  I've heard it said before that service is the one thing above all others that can bring us closest to the Savior, and cause our souls to become more like Him.  It would make sense then, that if I am a true Christian - which I profess to be - then I would have a desire to be like Him and to serve others.

As a kid I remember singing Christmas Carols with my youth group at the nursing home.  In college, I helped serve up warm food at the local shelter.  As a young mom, I took my kids with me to shop for other families less fortunate.  Anytime we'd pull into a retail parking lot with a bell-ringer, I'd clear out my cup holder, giving the change to my kids to drop in the red tin pail before entering the store.  These things make us feel good, and not because we feel like we are such goody-goodies; but I believe that when we serve others, we are more open to feel of God's love, and THAT is what brings us joy -- for THAT is the true spirit of Christmas.

The last few years, we haven't been able to shop for other families less fortunate because, well, as a single-working-college-student-mom it's just not in my budget.  In fact there have been times throughout the past 4-5 years that I have had to learn to swallow my pride and be on the receiving end of things.   It can be tough because often times I have sat wondering, "What can I possibly give?  What do I have to offer?" Nevertheless, I have still tried to think of ways to serve and to teach my children to serve so they too can feel the true Spirit of Christmas.

This year my oldest used some of his own money to buy a toy to donate to Toys for Tots; and it wasn't just some cheap toy either.  No, he really got excited and put thought into it, trying to think what he would like if he were little.  Makes a mama proud.

As I have thought about what I want to do this year to "serve" others, I've come to the realization, that serving doesn't always pertain to monetary or physical needs, although having those resources surely makes it easier.  I have really tried to think about the Savior and most of all how He treated people.  I have recently felt the need to push myself out of my comfort zone, to friend people I may not normally associate with, and to really understand them and their story, because let's face it -- we've all got a story, right?

It's amazing to me, that as I have done this, I have really come to appreciate people better and I've come to have a greater love for humanity in general.  It's like I've morphed into something greater, or at least evolved into someone more loving and understanding, and less cynical.  There is so much blecky-blahs in this world, I want to focus on the nice-itie-nices.  I have to say that even if the people I have met don't turn out to be people I spend a lot of time with and even if they don't become my next best friend, I have learned something from them; gleaned something good from the opportunity in getting to know them.  I've also learned that what we see on the surface doesn't always accurately reflect what lies beneath.  Some of their stories are heart-breaking or tragic and I feel blessed for knowing about them.  If nothing else, other people's stories and trials surely seem to help me put my own in perspective.

Some might call it karma, but I believe that when we strive to serve others, somehow our own needs get met and suddenly what little we have becomes "enough".  I have already witnessed first-hand the generosity of friends and neighbors this holiday season, for which I feel blessed and truly grateful.  And suddenly, what I have is becoming "enough".

The most I can afford this year is to buy a few toys to place in the Toys for Tots bin, and let my younger kids drop my spare change in the bell-ringer's bucket every time we run into Tarjay or Walmart.  But the best I can do is try to love people the way the Savior would; see them as He would and hopefully become more of the person He already know me to be.

For me, this is how I have come to feel the true Spirit of Christmas this year.

The Spirit of Giving

Are you one of those people? Y'know the ones... the ones that come up with something cute and clever each and every holiday to give to your neighbors? Yeah... I used to be that person too.

But times have changed, dear readers. I am too busy and too broke to be handing out neighbor gifts. I stopped doing them about 2 Christmases ago. I thought perhaps that since I've stopped giving, I'd stop receiving too. But I haven't. Sure, some of the givers may change a little from year to year. But I have many neighbors who give without expecting something in return, and their thoughtfulness is appreciated. Seriously... how cool are they? Yup. Pretty dang cool!

Some of the cute and clever things I have received over the years... Once I received a cute whisk filled with Hershey's Kisses and a tag saying, "We WHISK you a Merry Kiss-mas!" I've received a plethora of cookies with tags saying things such as "From your COOKY neighbors" or "From your CRUMBY neighbors." I've received Jolly Time Popcorn with sentiments wishing me a Jolly Christmas. The list goes on and on of cute and clever things.

Then there are the slightly odd ones... a light bulb wishing me a Merry and BRIGHT Christmas. True. I could and would probably use that light bulb at some point down the road. I guess it just struck me as odd because it wasn't a "treat". It just seemed so... utilitarian. I mean, could you imagine a husband getting his wife a new vacuum or broom with a tag saying, "Hope this Christmas SWEEPS you off your feet"??? Yeah. Word to the wise... if any man ever gets me a vacuum for Christmas -- I don't care HOW clever he is-- I will be cutting him off from any "benefits" for an extended period of time. And for the record, if I ever lose my senses and ASK for a vacuum, there'd better be a dazzling bracelet that comes with it! ;)

Another odd and totally utilitarian gift I received one year was a bundle of twine. The saying was a bit of a stretch... something like May All the Christmas Joy be 'Twine this holiday season! Yeah. Lame. I 'bout wanted to hang myself with the rope. hehe.

I would hope that neighbors wouldn't feel the pressure to give to me. I had a friend once who was panicked because she didn't have enough money for neighbor gifts one year. So, she rummaged through her storage closets and found everyday items and came up with clever sayings. I'm beginning to think she was the one I got the twine from. Haha. But seriously... Sharing with neighbors shouldn't be that much of a stressor. I'd rather spend time in good conversation than receive an annual utilitarian "gift".

Then there is the gift of the chore. One year I received an empty stocking. In it were instructions for my family stating "between now and Christmas find ways to serve those you love. Then, as you complete each act, write them on a piece of paper and fill the stocking. On Christmas morning read through each of these acts together and talk about how these are the true gifts of Christmas." I get it, I do. I mean, it IS a nice sentiment, but I am a really busy person and sort of have my holiday activities already planned out. And if my family wanted to do an activity like that, fine. But don't try to pass it off as a "gift".

I received a similar gift in the form of an empty box one year. We were supposed to fill the box with the deeds of service we performed and then on Christmas Eve wrap up the box and stick it under the tree as a gift for Jesus. Again -- nice family lesson on Christmas. But if I want to do an activity like that, I will. I don't need someone to TELL me to do it and then try to pretend it's their GIFT to me. I dunno... in my book, a gift should not be an assignment. Perhaps I've got the wrong attitude?

I didn't really want to mention this, but since we're on the topic it's sort of hard to avoid. So, let's go there dear readers. The gift of the less-than-savory treat. I think we've all been the receiver of this a time or two. It's the neighbor who either can't cook but thinks she can, or just some odd-tasting thing that you are just sure is from a different culture.

Growing up, we had this neighbor... she sorta reminded me of the Hallmark "Maxine". She was older, short gray hair and ALWAYS had a cigarette hanging out of the corner of her mouth. She smoked while she did her yard work. She smoked while she cleaned her house. She smoked while she cooked. Heck! I wouldn't be surprised if she smoked while she showered! She would bake us these scrumptious looking cakes and bring them over all the time. The holidays were no exception. And, whichever of the kids lost to "rock-paper-scissors", was the one who got to sample the cake first. And as per usual, the frosting tasted like cigarette ash. Once the disgusting face was made, with accompanying gag reflexes, the rest of us would follow in-suit after swiping our own fingers through the frosting just to be "sure" the sibling was correct. And he always was. The frosting always tasted like two inches of crisco & cigarette ash. Always.

One year one of my Latino neighbors gave us some sort of homemade suckers. One lick and one of my children realized it was a red hot chili sucker. Yikes. Though I appreciated the sentiment of wanting to share their culture with us, a little warning would have been nice before my two-year-old came running and crying, flinging drool everywhere, proclaiming "hot! hot! hot!"

Inevitably, there always seemed to be some treat from a family member, friend, or coworker wherein its savor doesn't match up with their good intentions. And just what do you do in a case like that? Nothing except smile, nod and say a heartfelt "thank-you", for it truly is the thought that counts. No way would my mother have ever told the neighbor lady to quit bringing over her cig-ash-crisco-cake. We knew she brought it to us because she cared about us.

And while I do think that most of the time gifts are given with good intentions (even if they aren't the greatest), there will probably always be those duty-bound, obligatory, gifts that just seem to suck the life out of the true meaning of the holidays. One of my neighbors said that her landlord gave her a pair of scissors for Christmas. Wow. She was less than thrilled, to say the least. Follower, Robblogger said that his father's neighbor used to bring him stacks of old newspaper at the holidays. Really? Seems a little strange. Not sure what THAT was about.

PartyGal and I were talking about this feeling of obligatory gifts just the other night. She works for a jeweler. This man has money and LOTS of it! What could she possibly give him that he doesn't already have? And furthermore, her gifts appear more like mere tokens compared to the extravagant things they give; she can't compete with that. One year she suggested they draw 1 co-worker's name and just get something for that one, instead of stressing over a half-dozen or so gifts. It was agreed. They all drew names. She showed up for work the morning of the gift exchange and guess what -- they ALL had still bought something for EVERYONE, while there she sat with her one small gift. That made her feel much worse than before.

I was talking to a colleague of mine the other day about coworker gifts. He said that his office no longer does gifts for each other. Instead, all year long they pay $5 monthly "dues" in order to wear jeans on Fridays. Then, at the end of the year, the money is used to purchase gifts for residents of a local nursing home. It's been such a success and he said that the spirit of Christmas is much more "present" in presents like that.

By no means is this my soapbox on which I stand proclaiming foolishness or accusing commercialism of anyone that does choose to give gifts to friends, coworkers or neighbors. No, dear readers. This is merely an observation of how some things, as others, are often taken to the extreme.

I have some of the best neighbors in the whole wide world and they give to me throughout the year. Their generosity at the holidays is no exception. I feel loved and taken care of and watched over. I know that I will probably never be able to repay them all, but I hope to one day pay it all forward.

Giving, so that those whom receive will want to give too. I think THAT is the spirit of Giving.

Best Gift, Worst Gift

Season's Greetings, Readers!

My BIL & I had a conversation, about this time last year actually, regarding our best and our worst Christmas gift experiences ever. He told me about the year when he was a young kid and a HUGE box was shipped to their house. For DAYS his uncle taunted him with phrases like "I think it's a dirtbike." "I'm pretty sure you're getting a dirtbike." "I think your dad was wanting to get you one." So, of course he got his hopes up only to have them tragically dashed on Christmas morning when he tore open the box to reveal...

... a study desk.

We had a good hearty laugh over that. In fact, I laughed so hard, I remember wheezing and barely being able to breathe. I still laugh thinking about it.

So, now I am wondering if any of YOU have ever had an experience like that? Or, if not simply tell us about the WORST gift you've ever received.

What about the BEST?

Here are mine...

My Worst Gift Ever -- Nothing. I received nothing.

It wasn't supposed to be that way. I was told I should just buy myself something and say it was from him, that way I'd get what I want. Well, I know a lot of women who'd be thrilled at the idea of that. Not I, said the goose! I like surprise-gifts. I guess it's just that I wanna feel like he's put a little thought into it... like he was actually considering ME. I rebuttal'd and stated that I would not be purchasing my own gift for myself and instead requested just a simple gfit; anything, really. A small charm, a bottle of lotion, perfume, a CD... etc. Alas, Christmas morning arrived, and soon it was *my* turn to open *my* gifts, video cam rolling and everything. When I was asked "where's your gift?" I sooo badly wanted to say, "I don't know... where is it?" Hmm... perhaps I did say that. Can't remember. Guess I'll have to watch the tape! hahaha!

Best Gift Ever -- [_____________________]

I will have to think about that. I can't exactly remember the best gift, per se. But I can recall my best Christmas memory.

I was approximately 8 years old. The house we lived in at the time was the biggest house we had ever live in. And, we had a HUGE fireplace in our living room and panoramic windows overlooking our back-wooded lot that had a stream and a branch of the river running through it, and we had a pond too. I think it was about 4 acres, although I'm not certain. Anyway, it was the 80's, mind you, and the people that built the house put white carpet in the living room I suppose to make it more "formal". Therefore, we were never allowed in there except to practice piano, entertain company, cleaning, or Christmas. All of the other houses we lived in didn't have a huge formal living room. But I remember, looking out of the windows at the frozen pond and just the idea of ice skating made me feel magical (although I've never ice skated in my life). I remember when I saw our homemade stockings hanging from the fireplace that year. We had so much candy in it that they were overflowing. And our stocking stuffer (usually a small special gift like a necklace) couldn't even fit! But I remember my dad starting a fire that morning and we all snuggled around and opened our gifts. We never really got more than 1 or 2 things. Nevertheless, I remember feeling rich.

Looking back, I was. :)

If Only I Had Time..

I would get some of this...

...and a little of this...

...and one of these...

To make one like this!!!


I LOVE LOVE LOVE aprons and 1) Wish I could sew well enough to whip one right up 2) wish I had the time to whip one right up and 3) wish I had the energy to whip one right up. Anyway, I saw this over at Cackleberry Cottage's Blog (Click here) and just fell in love. Also, the fabrics are very similar and would tie in well with the stockings I made for my children almost ten years ago! I'd also love to make one, or two, or even three for the person in my family whose name I drew... I think she would like aprons. :)

Merry Christmas

a few pics of the kids opening their gifts on Christmas Morning...

the dog stealing part of the shot....