Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Twelve cookies, one dough recipe

 3D Magical Snowman I didn't realize this, but I'm sure that a lot of you who bake cookies already know this , but just in case, I was browsing and found out that you can make 12 different cookie recipes with one dough mix. I will admit, I'm not a baker, and I always order delicious cookies from a lady named Shirley. YUMMY!! But here are the twelve cookies and you can find the recipes for them here...http://recipes.slides.kaboose.com/99-12-cookies-1-dough

1. Sugar cookies
2. Peanut butter cookies...yum!
3. Candy Pillow cookies
4. Pistachio-Cranberry Biscotti...oh, I would enjoy that one!!
5. Peppermint cookies
6. Lemon Meringue cookies
7. Linzer Bars
8. Chocolate cookies with cherries & marshmallows
9. Orange chocolate chip cookies
10. Toffee candy
11. Triple Ginger cookies
12. Almond cookies...yummy!

So there you have it and they all look soooo good!!









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Monday, November 29, 2010

Antique Christmas Tree Stand

In New York City, NOMA, which was a group of lighting companies who merged together in 1926, became the largest lighting company in the U.S. This is just one of the items that were distributed. It's a 1950's tree stand that's made of colorful lithographed tin. Isn't it just beautiful!! The value today for this is $250.00! Amazing! I found this information at http://www.countryliving.com/


This one was from the 1960's. It's valued at $100.00!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Season has Started

Well, it seems to be the kickoff for the holiday season.  At least for our American readers.  Thanksgiving weekend is the unofficial start of the holidays usually with the Black Friday sales.  An interesting phrase "Black Friday."  It's supposed to mark the part of the fiscal year when sales go up and businesses start going into the black instead of the red for accounting.  I guess it's because most of them have gone into the red buying all their Christmas stock for the upcoming season.

But in reality, how many of these businesses are really into the red?  How many have gotten so far into debt that six weeks of increasing sales will help them survive another year?  I'm guessing not that many.  If you haven't noticed, most of the stores which have the ads for this weekend really have no money issues whatsoever.  They've been around for years, decades even.  I think that they are doing well enough without the added boost financially this year.

So, I propose this.  Give something from the heart.  Give homemade or give to a charity in lieu of a gift.  The recipient will know that you've taken the time to actually think about what he or she is really like.  A nice homemade quick bread or hand-knit scarf would give that person the warm feeling that everyone seems to look for during the holidays.  Do you know an avid gardener?  How about making some bread in a clay pot and giving it with some gardening gloves?  Or an environmentalist?  A nice donation to the World Wildlife Fund in his or her name would be appreciated.  There always something out there that is simple and thoughtful.

The businesses clamouring for your money need to know that "pretending" fiscal dire straits won't endear me to them or want to save them from themselves.  I'm keeping this year merry and bright by staying simple.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Stylish Blogger Award


Mandie from  http://whisperingchristmasdreams.blogspot.com/ has given Joys of Christmas an award. I was really excited and a bit surprised about this, but am so grateful for her kind words about my blog!! Thank-you so much Mandie. You and I are alike in so many ways! She has asked me to share seven things about myself so here goes: 

1. Whenever my time on earth is done, I hope that I can come back as a Christmas angel and help others just like the angel in Mrs. Miracle, a Hallmark presentation!

2. I enjoy doing yardwork as long as it's not real warm outdoors! Just can't take the hot, humid weather. I like to mow the grass with my reel mower, just like the old fashioned ones from long ago, only mine is an updated version. It's good for the environment and the grass.

3. I would love to see snow for Christmas, but starting in January I can't wait for spring to get here.

4. I think I sort of like a challenge...depending on what it is...This blog started out as a challenge. I wondered if I could actually pull it off. For me it was much work trying to figure out how to get things posted, pictures, codes, backgrounds, etc. just as many of you know this with your blogs. But I really enjoy doing it and enjoy reading your comments.

5. I LOVE Christmas. I tried to think about what my niche would be for a blog and I thought why not Christmas! I love listening to the music, wrapping gifts, get togethers with family and friends, enjoying the decorations in my house...this is why I start so early...I just plain love it! I love the foods, light displays, Christmas movies, decorating my computer with screensavers and snow, watching my grandchildren open their gifts we bought for them, and my parents are still here for Christmas which is really why I love it so much. They made Christmas a magical time for us when we were children!

6. I enjoy making digital scrapbooks. That was another challenge for me that turned out well, although I take it a little to seriously as to where I'm going to place things on my page because I'm... 

7. A perfectionist...I really don't like that quality to much. I just think if you're going to do something do it right or don't do it at all! I know that's terrible and it really does get in my way and I try not to be that way all the time. Some days I can get away with it, but it's a very hard thing for me!

Thanks again Mandie. I enjoy reading your blog and feel very honored that you would give me a blog award!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon (Video)

I had never heard of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra until probably a couple of years ago. I was listening to Christmas music at work and this song came on and I thought to myself what a beautiful song and wondered who sang it and then it came on again another night and I heard who it was...Trans Siberian Orchestra. Since then I've heard more of their Christmas music and do like some of the songs, but some are a bit rocking out for me. I'm more of a traditional Christmas music person, but this song stands out for me. The children sing like angels! You'll need to pause the music player to listen.
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Nostalgic Christmas Ornaments

I can hardly believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving!! It just seemed to sneak up on me! The countdown till Christmas is really short now! I need to start shopping! I've finished decorating the tree and as I was doing so, I remembered some of the beautiful ornaments that my dad used to put on our tree when we were kids. I wanted to see if I could find some of those online and came across a few that I remembered when I was a child. I so wish that I had some of these ornaments today. I wish mom and dad had saved them. I guess when new decorations come out you think oh, how pretty these are, and you decide to replace the old with the new, but I would love to see some of the old ones on my tree. Here are some pictures of the ones that I remember.


Loved to hang these ones on the tree!



My all time favorite! I so loved to sit and watch these bubble lights!!



I remember buying these kits at the store. It was so much fun making them!



Oh my gosh! Does anyone else remember these foil trees?



So beautiful and shiny!



Monday, November 22, 2010

Light Displays-Disney World

I have never been to Disney World, but a friend of mine told me that they really put on spectacular Christmas light displays. I decided to check it out and was amazed. It must be such a magical moment to actually be there to see these displays!  WOW! I would love it...but don't know if I would love the crowds, because I'm sure there are loads of people who want to see these spectacular lighting displays. I found some pictures to share and if they are copyrighted I will remove them. Enjoy!




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Image from Google

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Bluegreen Colorful Places
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Elf Magic Doll

http://www.elf-magic.com/about.htm

Well, I don't know if anyone has checked out the Elf Magic tradition, but it really is a sweet thing for children! When mine were little, this wasn't around...at least not to my knowledge...but I definitely would have had elves at my house!! This is a picture of Melanie, one of the elf dolls going to a friends house of mine for her daughter.
Melanie
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My Christmas Tree

Well, I've finally finished all of my decorating. I did the tree last night and thought I would post some pictures. The first decoration of the spider web has a story behind it that goes like this:

                       The Ukrainian Christmas Spiderweb Legend


One family in the village was too poor to have a decorated Christmas tree in their house. The mother had hung a few meager nuts and fruits on a small tree outside their door in hopes of bringing a little more cheer to her children's Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve the spiders heard her prayers and hung their webs over the tree. As the sun came up, it's rays glittered and sparkled on the dew on the webs and turned them to silver and gold.





Angel was hand made by my mother.


Hand made by my mother.


Another angel made by my mother.




Mr. & Mrs. Claus in far right dated back to 1986 from my mom & dad.



I just love Rudolph! His nose glows with batteries!


My mother also made this heart.






This was my precious Scamp who is no longer with us.


My grandaughter made this one!


Mittens made by mom.


My sister-in-law painted this one. So cute!



My Santa cookie jar.


My card basket.


Thomas Kinkade clock. It plays a Christmas song on the hour.

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