The most unique

This year I got a record setting 6 nativity "sets" (some were only one piece). I have to say the most unique one was the one I got from my sister Carma. She found it while in Hawaii. It is made out of a coconut. I had to put it on my stove to get lighting where you could kind of see it.

Resolutions

While changing up my blog I was looking on lds.org for a quote on resolutions. I found a lot. I loved reading all of them. I used to say my resolution was to not make any but after reading all the quotes I think that is the wrong attitude. One of the important things I read was to share some of your resolutions. So, okay. Here we go.

My Resolutions:

1) To work at having more meaningful scripture study. (No more of those just read a few versus because it is late and I just need to get my reading in)

2) To study subjects that I have interest in and increase my knowledge. (I love learning new stuff and I have some interests I should really develope.)

3) To continue striving to live a healthier life style. (Now that we are planning a trip to Hawaii I want to meet my goal weight before we go.)

4) To magnify my calling. (This is always a goal of mine)

5) To become better at the homemaking part of my life. (I have trouble making new and different things for dinner since I don't get home until 6 pm. I want to change that.)

6) To build up a better food storage. (Right now we have enough jam and salsa for a year but everything else...nope. I at least want to build up a few months supply-since little room in our place for more than that)

7) To become a better missionary. (I really am working on this but I know I can do better.)

I think the new year is a great time to reflect on the past year and to set new goals. I don't believe in dwelling on what went wrong in the past year but remembering how we have advanced or progressed helps us see the potential we have to go even farther. I hope everyone can take this time of year to reflect on the past and make goals for the future. I am excited to kick off the new year in Texas with friends who have played such a large part in our progress the last 2 years. Without their great example I don't think Mike and I would be where we are today. Now we just hope that we can be the example for someone else. Happy New Year!

You Have Got to be Kidding Me

I have been sitting between sneezy and snotty at work for the last two and a half weeks praying I would not get sick. So far so good. That is until 4 days before we head to Texas. Yesterday afternoon it started with a soar throat. This morning it is continuing with stuffy nose and a dry mouth and plugged up ears. At least I am moving through it quickly so hopefully I will be able to feel better by the time we get to Texas. Anyways, it was a wonderful Christmas and I hope everyone had as nice as one as I did. I hope I feel better by New Years and I hope everyone is safe and happy where ever they may be.

The 25th Blog of Christmas

I can't believe I made it. I did all 25 blogs! I am sitting in my home, surrounded by wrapping paper and gifts (mostly more nativities for me...really running out of room) and watching the snow fall off and on all morning. I am full from a wonderful Elmers breakfast thanks to my mother in law. I can not help but think how thankful I am for all that I have.

I am so grateful to have a family that is eternal. My parents set the example to us by being married in the temple, always serving in the church, serving on their mission and then coming home and being ward missionaries and teaching the temple prep class we (and others) took. I am thankful that my husband is worthy to be my eternal companion and has come so far from where he was when I met him.
I am thankful for a roof over my head and that we both have jobs at this time. I am thankful that we are fed (maybe too well looking at our waistlines). I am thankful to live in a country where we are free to celebrate this holiday, or any religious holiday, no matter what it is, and thankful there are those like my brother who are willing to spend this Christmas out fighting for others to have that same freedom.
I am thankful for the plan of salvation and for the wonderful blessing it is to understand that this earthly life is but a short moment. I am thankful I have the knowledge that families can be together forever. Heaven would not be heaven without my family.
Most of all, I want each of you to know how grateful I am for the Gospel. My trials and experiences have only strengthened my testimony of its truthfulness. I know this is the true Gospel and that our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ love each of us. I am so grateful for my understanding of the atonement and the resurrection.
I love the quote in the visiting teaching message from President Uchtdorf.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ has the divine power to lift you to great heights from what appears at times to be an unbearable burden or weakness. The Lord knows your circumstances and your challenges. He said to Paul and to all of us, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’ And like Paul we can answer: ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me’ (2 Corinthians 12:9)”
Mike and I have especially learned of this truthfulness. Our burden of infertility has tested us to what we thought were our limits this past year. When we have thought at times that we could not carry on, the Lord has blessed us with the strength that we need, all possible because Christ's divine power to "lift us to great heights from...our unbearable burden"
This Christmas we find the focus more on Christ. The presents under the tree do not compare to our strengthened testimony that Christ lives. That he is our Saviour and it is through his atoning sacrifice that we are able to be made clean so that we may return to live with our Father in Heaven. My Christmas wish is that all may be able to have the opportunity to truly see how their trials can bring them closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father and that they will come to fully understand the atonement and how it plays apart in their lives.
God Bless you all, Merry Christmas.


I finished the 25 blogs and will probably not post for a few days. We are heading out of town next week and won't be back until after New Years so I hope everyone has a great Holiday Week!

Merry Christmas 2008~

Ok so it is the easy way to get in my post but today's post for the 25 Blogs of Christmas I decided to post our Christmas letter. Mainly because we got it done late and then had a mishap with the cards so we only sent out a few.

It is hard to believe another year has already passed. This year has been filled with highs and lows, all of which have strengthened out testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
In March, Mike and I were able to take his mom, Kathe, and his niece, Sienna, to Seaside, Oregon for a long weekend. We stayed in some gorgeous condos/hotel suites that are pretty new and enjoyed many of the local attractions. It was pretty cold but there was a few nice days.
In April, Kathe and Mike and I went up to Lewiston as his cousin, Tucker was leaving for his mission to Madagascar (actually a small island off Madagascar). It was nice to be able to see all of his family for this special event.
June was our most exciting and memorable month. Mike graduated at the beginning of June with his BA in Computer Animation and Video Game Design (Applied Science). He has enjoyed this break from school but will be returning to CWI and then BSU in January to start his degree in Computer Programming (yes, this goes hand in hand with the Video Games).
The most exciting, wonderful, and memorable event of the year happened the week after Mike's graduation. We were lucky to have a visit from our friends, the Bolander family. We enjoyed an entire week with them and at the end of the week Cory and Terrie escorted us as we went to the temple for the first time. My parents and three sisters all attended and then we were also joined by the bishop who married us (Bishop Head) as we were sealed for time and eternity on June 14, 2008, after more than six and a half years of marriage.
In August we went to Salt Lake City and visited with Sarah and on the way back met up with some friends to attend the Twin Falls Temple open house. Later I attended with my family and then Mike and I attended the dedication that was broadcast to our stake center.
Also in August, we moved from my parents home. We love our new ward as it is quite large and has several young couples and families. We obviously were not finished in our old ward callings as Mike is again in the Young Mens as the secreatary (with way more than 2 young men though) and I am again in the primary. I am moving up with my class though so I will be in the senior primary next year.
We are both at the same jobs as before and find ourselves very thankful to be employed at this hard time.
We hope that you are all fed, sheltered and healthy this Holiday Season. May you all feel the love our Heavenly Father and the Savior this Christmas.

~Mike and Becca~

The post below is a slide show including the pictures from our letter and a few extras.

Our Year in Review

C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

Here is a song that my family sings every year. It has such a gorgeous tune but I love the message as well. So simple but I think so many children (due to adults making Christmas so materialistic) only think of the toys and santa now days.

When I was but a youngster,

Christmas meant one thing,

That I’d be getting lots of toys that day.

I learned a whole lot different,

When my Mother sat me down,

And taught me to spell Christmas this way:

"C" is for the Christ child, born upon this day,

"H" for herald angels in the night,

"R" means our Redeemer,

"I" means Israel,

"S" is for the star that shone so bright,

"T" is for three wise men, they who traveled far,

"M" is for the manger where he lay,

"A"’s for all He stands for,

"S" means shepherds came,

And that’s why there’s a Christmas day,

And that’s why there’s a Christmas day.

The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas

This is from a message by the first prophet I felt like I really grew to love- President Gordon B Hinkley. It has been shared at church in Sacrament meeting the last 2 weeks and has touched me deeply.

"I have a simple story I would like to recount. It is something of a parable. I do not have the name of the author. Perhaps it will have special interest for our children. I hope it will be a reminder for all.

“Years ago there was a little one-room schoolhouse in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough that no teacher had been able to handle them.

“A young, inexperienced teacher applied, and the old director scanned him and asked: ‘Young fellow, do you know that you are asking for an awful beating? Every teacher that we have had here for years has had to take one.’

“ ‘I will risk it,’ he replied.

“The first day of school came, and the teacher appeared for duty. One big fellow named Tom whispered: ‘I won’t need any help with this one. I can lick him myself.’

“The teacher said, ‘Good morning, boys, we have come to conduct school.’ They yelled and made fun at the top of their voices. ‘Now, I want a good school, but I confess that I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me, and I will write them on the blackboard.’

“One fellow yelled, ‘No stealing!’ Another yelled, ‘On time.’ Finally, ten rules appeared on the blackboard.

“ ‘Now,’ said the teacher, ‘a law is not good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’

“ ‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response from the class.

“ ‘That is pretty severe, boys. Are you sure that you are ready to stand by it?’ Another yelled, ‘I second the motion,’ and the teacher said, ‘All right, we will live by them! Class, come to order!’

“In a day or so, ‘Big Tom’ found that his lunch had been stolen. The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old. ‘We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule—ten stripes across the back. Jim, come up here!’ the teacher said.

“The little fellow, trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to his neck and pleaded, ‘Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please, don’t take my coat off!’

“ ‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’

“ ‘Oh, teacher, don’t make me!’ He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher see? The boy had no shirt on, and revealed a bony little crippled body.

“ ‘How can I whip this child?’ he thought. ‘But I must, I must do something if I am to keep this school.’ Everything was quiet as death.

“ ‘How come you aren’t wearing a shirt, Jim?’

“He replied, ‘My father died and my mother is very poor. I have only one shirt and she is washing it today, and I wore my brother’s big coat to keep me warm.’

“The teacher, with rod in hand, hesitated. Just then ‘Big Tom’ jumped to his feet and said, ‘Teacher, if you don’t object, I will take Jim’s licking for him.’

“ ‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’

“Off came Tom’s coat, and after five strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands and thought, ‘How can I finish this awful task?’ Then he heard the class sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. ‘Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!’ ”

To lift a phrase from this simple story, Jesus, my Redeemer, has taken “my licking for me” and yours for you.

Declared the prophet Isaiah:

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: …

“… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:4–5).

This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface. The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us.

The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection, bringing the assurance that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).

There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.

I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal, Living God. None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak His name in reverence and wonder. I worship Him as I worship His Father, in spirit and in truth. I thank Him and kneel before His Beloved Son who reached out long ago and said to each of us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

For each of you may this be a merry Christmas. But more importantly, I wish for each of you a time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God. Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself—these are of the true essence of Christmas."

I love Christmas, and as annoying as it may be to others that I am posting sooo many Christmas blogs, it has really helped me to enjoy this Christmas season and to focus on what is important.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Time in Boise

A Christmas Message

For today's Christmas blog I wanted to share part of a message from President Monson. I love this little quote. It is amazing to me this year the difference in our home. As many of you know, Mike was inactive when we met and were married. It was a long journey and took the support and friendship of many great people to help him return to the church and then for his testimony to grow and prepare him to be able to go to the temple. Since we were just sealed together in June after more than 6 1/2 years of marriage it has been a blessing to see the difference in our home. We especially feel that difference during this Christmas season. We find it to not be as much about giving and getting but more about the blessings we have and most importantly, giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for the greatest gift of all...Christ and the Atonement and Resurrection. That is the best gift ever. I think once a person truely understands the Atonement (and I am sure I do not completely understand it yet) and how it works and what a gift it is to us, it changes his/her entire outlook on life and on Christmas.

"Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the “spirit of Christmas,” we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the “Spirit of Christ.” "

~Thomas S. Monson~

I hope everyone takes these last few days before Christmas to really focus on Christ. Do something nice for a friend, family member, or neighbor. Start a new tradition that focuses on Christ and the Spirit of Christmas. Merry Christmas!

A White Christmas

Here is a little something for our friends and family who are in places where they are still forecasting it to be 70+ degrees and sunny on Christmas day....

This is the view looking up and out of the window. The snow has been heavier during different times of the day but this is what I was able to capture before having to recharge the battery for the camera.

This is what Boise has seen for the last week. Amazingly, it hasn't melted like it usually does.

Of course it is cold so all the pictures are being taken from my couch...

May your days be merry and bright...and may all your Christmases

Be White.

Silent Night

Probably one of the best known Christmas Hymns is Silent Night. It is also one of my favorites. I found the history of the song on the web and wanted to share it with all of you as today's blog for the 25 Blogs of Christmas (if any of you are even still reading it).

The words of the carol ‘Silent Night’ were written in 1818 by Father Joseph Mohr, who was the assistant pastor of the church of Saint Nicholas in the small town of Oberndorf in the Austrian Tyrol.
Late one afternoon, just before Christmas, Joseph Mohr was called out to bless a new born baby. As he walked home he thought of the child he had just visited and wondered; was it on a night of such peace and stillness that the holy babe was born? When he reached home he put his feelings into words.
a few days later, whilst discussing a forthcoming Christmas service, Father Mohr showed the poem to his friend Franz Gruber, the church choirmaster, and within a hour Franz had composed a simple tune around it. That Christmas Eve the carol was sung in the church and everyone was delighted with it!
After Christmas an organ builder same to repair the church organ and Franz Gruber played the song to the organ builder who was enchanted by it and asked if he could write it down and play it at his church in the nearby town of Zillertal. Soon it was a favourite of the churchgoers there who called it ‘The Song from Heaven’.
Gradually the carol made its way to Leipzig where it was eventually heard by the Queen of Saxony who requested that it should be played in the palace on Christmas Eve 1832, so that her children could learn it.
Some twenty years later the King of Prussia, Frederick Wilhelm IV, heard the song performed by the choir of the Imperial Church of Berlin. Immediately he declared that the song was to be sung at all Christmas concerts in his country and that a search should be established to discover the name of the composer.
Soon after, Franz Gruber’s son heard about the search and recognised his father’s music. After thirty-six years the carol that was loved by millions had come back to those who had written it.

Silent night, holy night

All is calm and 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 halleluia

Christ the savior is born

Christ our savior 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

Traditions II

So I did a post a while ago on traditions where I listed some of our traditions. Why are traditions so important to us? I feel that traditions are so important because they remind us where we came from and draw us close together as a family. I believe this is very important when we look at the eternal perspective. I found a talk by L. Tom Perry and have included part of it below.

"The Lord has not been so explicit in providing us religious customs along the order of feasts and festivals to remind us of the blessings we receive from Him today. However, the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive.
Daily we should kneel in family prayer and study the scriptures together. Weekly we should observe the Sabbath day by attending our meetings, especially sacrament meeting, and behave appropriate to the activities that are proper for the Lord’s day. We should also gather our families together in weekly family home evenings. Perhaps it would also be appropriate to have a date with our wives each week, to remind us of the great blessing they are in our lives. Monthly we should fast and pay our tithes and offerings to the Lord. Semiannually, we should make listening to the messages delivered at general conferences a family tradition. We should organize, annually, family reunions to keep alive our great gospel heritage.
Other traditions which should continually be part of our lives are receiving father’s blessings, patriarchal blessings, missionary preparation, temple preparation, and regular temple attendance where possible, and being together as family units on those occasions when sacred ordinances are performed in behalf of a family member.
If we will build righteous traditions in our families, the light of the gospel can grow ever brighter in the lives of our children from generation to generation. We can look forward to that glorious day when we will all be united together as eternal family units to reap the everlasting joy promised by our Eternal Father for His righteous children.
Our family activities and traditions can be a beacon to the rest of the world as an example of how we should live to merit His choice blessings and live in peace and harmony until the day that He returns to rule and reign over us." (General Conference April 1990)

I know that traditions are such an important role in a family and the raising of a child. I can not wait until I am able to pass on traditions to my children and start some new ones. While the economic recession is scary, I think that it is a cloud with a silver lining. In observing everything around me this Holiday season I see people's focus changing. We are focusing more on the meaning of Christmas and the traditions we loved as children. May all of you be able to enjoy your own traditions and pass them on to your children.

Figgy Pudding

A few years ago, about this time of the Holiday season, the gals I work with and I were one of our discussions about Christmas songs and asked...what is figgy pudding. So we looked it up and a gal made it and brought it for us to try (it was ...um...okay). She was not sure she made it right though. So I thought I would share the recipe and everyone can try it out for themselves.

You probably remember it from the old Christmas song. Figgy pudding is a spice cake-like souffle made with figs and walnuts. It is moist, delicious, and easy to make.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hours,
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup molasses
2 cups dried figs (about 1 pound), stems removed, chopped fine
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Garnish: Whipped cream

Preparation:In an electric mixer, cream the butter until fluffy. Add the eggs and molasses and beat again. Add the figs, lemon peel, buttermilk, and walnuts. Blend 1 minute. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend until everything is incorporated. Grease and flour and 8 by 4-inch souffle dish and pour in the batter. Bake in a 325-degree F. oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Spoon the pudding out onto plates or cut it into wedges. Garnish with the whipped cream. Yield: 12 servings Recipe Source: The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas by Jeff Smith (Wm Morrow)Reprinted with permission.

Christmas Carols

Ok, I finally did it. I really forgot. It is now 11 pm and I need to get to bed but I came this far I was not going to forget a blog for my 25 Blogs of Christmas now. So I decided to write about Christmas Carols.
I love Christmas Carols. My favorites include O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High and some non-traditional ones like Mary's Lullaby, TSO's Christmas Eve Sarajevo and a few others. The Spirit that can be felt from listening to and singing the carols can truly bare witness to you of the truthfulness of the story of the Baby Jesus laying in the manger and his divine role in the Plan of Salvation.
Take time to really enjoy the music this Holiday Season, especially this Sunday as many churches have a special Christmas program.
Merry Christmas.

Winter Garden Aglow

So tonight we went to the Winter Garden Aglow at the Idaho Botanical Garden. It was gorgeous and really nice. We met up with my friend Monae and her hubby Matt. It was good company and good times. We froze though. The cool thing was I got a special filter for the Christmas lights. The bad thing was it was really cold and since it was dark I was using a slow shutter speed. So I was shivering. Which means all the pictures with human beings...BLURRY. The lights a little too but you cant tell as much.



Christmas is such a special time of year and I think this year I have found it means even more to me. We have been through a lot this year as some of you know. Both good and (not bad but) trying. The understanding I have now, having gone through the temple and being sealed to Mike and our many trials this year, of how Christ and the atonement play such a large part in our salvation has made this Christmas very special to me. Where most have cut back on Christmas this year, I think it is giving all of us to focus on the Spirit of Christmas. Even in the commercials and ads you see that retailers understand that families are not spending as much money this year. This is a good thing. Does it take tha magic out of Christmas? I don't think so. I have found that keeping in a strict budget has made me really look for unique and thoughtful gifts. Could we go all out this year as well...maybe if we weren't going on vacation the week after...but this has been so much nicer.




So here are some pictures from the winter garden aglow. Only a few are using the new filter (it was only for my wide angel lens). I think I will get another one for one of my zoom lenses before going to Texas. See if you can see what it does to the lights. Sorry if any are blury. Like I said, shivering and didn't bring the tripod.


(TIP: to really see the picture and the effect from the filter click on the picture to make it larger)



The little blue structure really shows up close what you can do with the lights, also look at the red lights on top, they range from regular looking, to little star shapes (my favorite) and then the really close ones really spread the light.. The other pictures below were just pretty.



I would definitely suggest it to everyone...although would say to pick a warmer night or where tons of layers and bring warmers for your hands or something.

I Almost Forgot...

Believe it or not, I have gotten this far and almost forgot to do the blog for today. Even though I doubt anybody else would have noticed, I would have been disappointed. And I wanted to do todays so badly because I wanted to share something that I really enjoy.

Each year I get a new nativity set. This year I got one from Party Light. I love it. It is so pretty.

When I was little, I remember that I always wanted the nativity set a very specific way. I always wanted Baby Jesus in the exact center. Nothing could block the view of him. The wise men came from a certain direction, the camels were by the wisemen, etc.

I found this little blurb on the internet. Kind of interesting.

How To Arrange A Nativity Set

Each figure in a nativity scene has meaning, and the manner in which they are arranged will contribute to the significance and visual appeal of an outdoor nativity scene. The following guidelines will help you to arrange a meaningful and accurate nativity set.
Nativity sets vary greatly in size and number of pieces, but there are still general rules that can be followed when arranging a nativity scene. Your goal should be to display a nativity scene that is as respectful and accurate as possible. Each figure has meaning, and a proper arrangement will add great depth and significance to a Christmas display.

The Central Figures

A standard nativity set has seven pieces, but nativity scenes can always be enhanced with new figures. Secondary nativity figures are best positioned as onlookers outside the circle of main characters mentioned in the Biblical nativity stories of Matthew and Luke.
The central position in any nativity scene should be occupied by the Christ child. He is the reason for the display. Your nativity set should include a stable and manger. Place the manger at the center of the stable. A nativity tradition is to not place the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning, but it is not necessary to follow this practice.
The nativity figure closest to Christ should be His mother, the Virgin Mary. A common practice is to place the figure of Mary on one side of the Christ child and His father Joseph on the other. However, some nativity icons actually display Joseph at a distance from the manger, looking away from Christ with an old man representing Satan at his side. The purpose of this is to give place in the nativity scene to the role of doubt in human faith.

Spacing and Secondary Figures

Location will have some bearing on the spacing of nativity figures. An outdoor nativity set will obviously offer more space than an indoor nativity set, but if you are displaying high quality figurines such as Fontanini nativity pieces, you may wish to keep the scene inside.
Consider the nativity stories in the Bible when positioning secondary nativity figures. Place your nativity figures in concentric circles to emphasize their meaning and increase visibility.
If you have nativity pieces representing shepherds or the three wise men, these can be placed in the first circle. If you have both, placing the shepherds closer than the three Magi would be in keeping with the Biblical accounts, which indicate that the shepherds visited the Christ child before the three kings. In some outdoor nativity sets, a shepherd boy is used as a stand-in for shepherds.
The commonest secondary figures besides these are angels and animals. An ideal position for nativity angels is above your outdoor nativity set. If this is impossible, they may be placed within the stable behind the holy family.
The animals commonly used in nativity sets outdoors are sheep, oxen, and camels. The purpose of these figures is to remind you of the humbleness of Christ's birth, or in the case of the camels, the long journey of the Magi. The best way to incorporate nativity animals into an outdoor scene is to place them next to appropriate characters: sheep with the shepherds, camels with the three wisemen.

Well, I hope that you found this interesting. I don't know, maybe everyone is pretty bored with my 25 blogs of Christmas. Oh well, this is more for me. It has helped me get in the Christmas mood though. Tomorrow we are going to the Winter Garden Aglow to freeze our toes off with some friends. Should be fun and hope to get some great photos.

Winter Wonderland

This morning we awoke to the snow that we were "supposed" to get yesterday. Mike and I walked to church in a winter wonderland. This afternoon we stepped out on the patio to take some pictures with the snow in the background. Not sure if you can see it.

The Christmas Wreath

The Christmas wreath is one of the many symbols at Christmas time that can remind us of the importance of remembering the reason for the season.

The wreath symbolizes Eternal Life given to us by Christ's birth, life atonement, death and resurection. But there is history to the wreath as well. Particularly the advent wreath.

The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens with a fifth candle in the middle. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting of each candle. The last candle is the middle candle. The lighting of this candle takes place on Christmas Eve. It represents Jesus Christ being born.

Gift Giving

So I decided to split up the Traditions posts...sorry. While we all know that Christmas has gotten to commercial and materialistic, we can not forget that a huge Christmas tradition is gift giving. We all know that the wise men brought Christ gifts but I wanted to see why else we give gifts on Christmas. These are a few references I found on the internet.

Christmas is a unique festival of merry making and gift-giving. The tradition of giving gifts in this season owes its origin to the Magi who came from the east of Jerusalem to greet the Babe in the manger with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Magi were wise men and their gifts were emblematic of tribute, worship and death - of Christ considered as King, God and the sacrificial Victim.Though Magi are associated more with the Feast of Epiphany on January 6, they can be regarded as the pioneer in gift-giving tradition following the birth of Jesus. In America gift giving has come to be associated with the Christmas not long ago. It came in with the introduction of St. Nicholas in America by the early Dutch settlers. But, giving gifts at New Year was a common practice, specially among the English and the French settlers. But the combined German and Dutch influences in time caused all gift-giving to be carried out at Christmas.



The custom of giving gifts to relatives and friends on a special day in winter probably began in ancient Rome and northern Europe. In these regions, people gave each other small presents as part of their year-end celebrations.
In the United States and England, children hang stockings on their bedpost or near a fireplace on Christmas Eve, hoping that it will be filled with treats while they sleep. In Scandinavia, similar-minded children leave their shoes on the hearth. This tradition can be traced to legends about Saint Nicholas. One legend tells of three poor sisters who could not marry because they had no money for a dowry. To save them from being sold by their father, St. Nick left each of the three sisters gifts of gold coins. One went down the chimney and landed in a pair of shoes that had been left on the hearth. Another went into a window and into a pair of stockings left hanging by the fire to dry. No one was really in the habit of exchanging elaborate gifts until late in the 1800s. The Santa Claus stories of giving gifts to good children, combined with an amazing retailing phenomenon that has grown since the turn of the century, has made gift giving a central focus of the Christmas tradition.

Hopefully while we give gifts, we can still remember the true meaning of Christmas and we can remember that it is not about all the materialistic items. I love buying gifts for friends and family. This year I found as we decided to cut back (because of the economy and a vacation the week after Christmas) I have found Christmas more meaningful and that I have actually enjoyed finding gifts for people more, even though I have a strict budget.

Well, I have gotten half way through my 25 Blogs of Christmas. Hopefully I can keep it up.

Happy Holidays!

Traditions Part I

As part of my 25 Blogs of Christmas I thought I would do a blog about Traditions. They play such a big part of the Christmas holiday. Family traditions are extremely important. "It isn't necessarily what you but simply that you do something" (Kimberly Bytheway and Diane Loveridge in the book Traditions-Creating Memories to Draw Your Family Close).
Think back to Christmas when you were young. What stands out most? The gifts you received or the traditions your family had? For me it is the traditions. Some of our traditions were unofficial, others are a definite this is what we do.

My family always opened one present on Christmas Eve. (Mike's opened all on Christmas Eve)

We always took turns opening presents, youngest to oldest.

We rotate who we have for Christmas every year. That way you always know who you have a year ahead and you get a chance to have everyone. Every 7 years you have the same person who has you. That is always kind of fun.

Santa never wrapped the presents he brought to my house when I was little.

We always would wake up really early (2 or 3 am) and play with our Santa gifts and put them back before my parents got up for the paper route, hoping they wouldn't notice we had been up.

Certain ornaments were always put in a certain spot on the tree. Don't know why we did that but every year we put the 3 wise men in a certain part.

Ham, not turkey is what we had for Christmas dinner.


Some traditions Mike and I have:

Setting up the tree the weekend of Thanksgiving.

Opening a present from each other on Christmas Eve

He gets me a nativity almost every year (I collect them) Last year it was the large Jim Shore one. The year before that it was one made of the Olive Tree wood.

I try and suprise Mike every year with a present that makes him go WOW! I can't get as big a reaction as 2 years ago when he got his TV but that is okay.

Christmas breakfast unless he is working. Usually going to Elmers for that.

A movie Christmas night.

Those are some of my traditions. I will do another post on traditions tomorrow for my post.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Yule Log

Yule Log
The word yule meant “infant” in the language of the Chaldeans, who lived in the Middle East. The Germanic tribes of Northern Europe, including the Anglo Saxons, celebrated “Yule-day” or “Child's Day.”
The custom of the Yule log has been noted in France and Italy as far back as the 1200s. It later spread throughout Europe. On Christmas Eve an enormous log would be cut and placed in the hearth. The log would be sprinkled with salt, oil, and mulled wine, and prayers said to protect the house from the Devil and lightning.
In some regions, the daughters of the family lit the log with splinters of the previous year's log. In other regions, the lady of the house had the honor of lighting the log.
As iron stoves replaced giant hearths in the 1800s, Yule logs became decorative, often being used as Christmas centerpieces and decorated with evergreens and candles. Cooks began creating pastry Yule logs, rolled cakes covered in chocolate or coffee and decorated with sugared holly and roses

A Story from the Internet

So I have had to look for stories for these 25 blogs on the internet. Hey, I didn't have to until day 10. This is kind of cute. Merry Christmas...2 weeks left.

The Tale of the Traditional Christmas Pudding
Martha decided to move with the times and try the delights of microwave cooking. Whereupon, her devoted husband Archie went out and bought her a brand new top-of-the range Sharp Microwave oven.
Christmas approached and Martha got out her Christmas pudding recipe and assembled the ingredients. She proceeded along traditional lines and even got the each member of the family to stir the mixture 'for luck'. When Martha consulted the microwave's manual for the cooking time, she could not believe that ten minutes would be enough for a traditional Christmas pudding. Consequently she decided to substitute her normal cooking time of 50 minutes.
As Martha was in the lounge watching her favourite T.V. programme she did not see the pudding spitting in the microwave oven, nor did she hear the mini-explosions. When she finally extracted the pudding from the microwave after nearly an hour of cooking on 'High', it smelt of burnt sugar and looked like a ball of tar. Naturally, the Christmas pudding was a disaster, so much so, that Martha could not even prod it with a fork. In fact the black ball stuck to the bottom of the bowl and Archie had to get a screwdriver to prize it from its base.
In a fit of pique, Martha threw the shrivelled Christmas pudding to Togo her St Bernard puppy. After a few days she could see the funny side, and Togo loved his new indestructible toy, which amused him until the next Christmas.

WISHLIST

Ok, so I didn't know what to do for tonights 25 Blogs of Christmas post. I am running out of stuff. So a few people have said that they have put up WISHLISTS. Not what you think. Not gifts that I want. Hopefully you are able to get what it is supposed to be (if I am doing it right).

My WISHLIST:

That I can give to someone truly in need this Holiday Season

That I can spend time with those I love...and remember my brother who can not be with us because he is serving our country and fighting for others to have the same freedoms as us this Christmas

That I can learn to love deeper

That BSU will play a GREAT game against TCU at the Poinsettia Bowl and win....TAKE THAT MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE!

That those who are far from me will know they are in my thoughts, prayers and in my heart this Holiday Season

That everyone will have shelter and food this winter

That I will be able to really suprise Mike with his Christmas gift...I don't think I will ever top 2 years ago though

That we will all remember the reason for the season...CHRIST

That I will be able to share the Gospel with those around me and not be so timid about it...hey I am getting better

That I will be a good example to those around me

That I can continue to grow and strengthen my testimony

That my entire family will be able to gather together again this coming year

So I know...kind of a boring blog but 25 blogs is a lot to come up with and it is pretty late. Merry Christmas everyone! May your own wishlist come true.

Poinsettia

Another history and legend for my

25 blogs of Christmas.

History and Legend of the Poinsettia
Poinsettias were first introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett, amateur botanist and first ambassador to Mexico. He introduced the plant to the United States when he brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, South Carolina.
December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, an official day set aside to enjoy this symbol of holiday cheer. It was established upon the death of Mr. Poinsett to honor him and the plant he made famous. He died in 1851.
Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow wild. The enchanting legend of the poinsettia dates back several centuries, to a Christmas Eve in Mexico when a little girl named Pepita had no gift to present to the Christ child. Her cousin Pedro urged her to give a humble gift. So, on her way to church she gathered some weeds she found along the road. As she approached the altar, a miracle happened: The weeds blossomed into brilliant flowers. Then they were called Flores de Noche Buena - Flowers of the Holy Night. Now they are called poinsettias.
History and Legend of the Poinsettia

Poinsettia Bowl

Ok, so it's not a BCS game but it will be a great match-up and will see how we match up to the teams that are supposedly "bigger and better". Playing TCU will be a good match up. It is expected to be the 5th ranked bowl game this season. Hopefully this will show some of the bigger conferences that BSU can take them on. Everyone cheer on the Broncos on December 23rd on ESPN.

The Christmas Envelope

I found this story on the internet and was really touched by it. I hope everyone can have/start a tradition that reminds us all of the true Spirit of the Season.

The Christmas Envelope

From Sowing Seeds Ministry
It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so. It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas---oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it-overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma -- the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, mostly black. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition---one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us. May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.

Mistletoe

Here is a little tidbit on mistletoe. Mistletoe is such a time honored tradition at Christmas, but that is not where it started. Part of my 25 blogs of Christmas.

Mistletoe
Most people have heard of mistletoe, particularly at Christmas time. It is a plant which often grows on other trees and shrubs. The white berries are full of a sticky juice.
There are lots of legends and traditions surrounding mistletoe, the most well known and popular being the kissing one. It was believed that kissing under the mistletoe would lead to marriage.
In ancient times the Druids believed that mistletoe would bring good luck and health. Although it has been used to treat some ailments, the berries are in fact poisonous and should not be touched by children. Mistletoe has also been associated with fertility, a good crop being a sign that the following season's harvest would be a good one.

And a little more:

Mistletoe was often hung over the entrances to homes of the pagans in Scandinavian countries to keep out evil spirits. An old Scandinavian myth tells of the seemingly invulnerable god, Balder, who was struck down by a dart made from mistletoe. The tears of this mother, Frigga, became the white berries of the mistletoe, and it was decreed that the plant must never again be used as a weapon. Frigga, who was the goddess of love, henceforth gave a kiss to anyone who passed under the mistletoe. It may be that our present custom of kissing under the mistletoe derives from this old legend. Legend holds that the Druids, who were members of a pagan religious order in ancient Gaul, Briton and Ireland, held the mistletoe in such reverence that if enemies met under it in the forest, a truce was declared for the day. It was their belief that only happiness would enter a home when mistletoe hung overt the door. When the Yule season approached, the mistletoe was cut down from the sacred oaks by the Prince of the Druids who used a golden sickle. The mistletoe was distributed to the people who believed it possessed powers of the protection against sickness and evil. Later among Christians it came to symbolize the healing powers of Christ.

Yes, Virgina There is a Santa Claus

Many of you have seen the commercial with all the stars reading part of this true story for Macy's. Here is the story as it happened, brought to you by my 25 blogs of Christmas.


Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
A famous letter from Virgina O'Hanlon to the editorial of The New York Sun, first printed in 1897.

We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon




Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

The Candy Cane

Okay, So I had to share another legend/history before I could feel like I really did the actual entry for my 25 Blogs of Christmas. Ever wonder about the candy cane?







Did you ever wonder about the origin of the candy cane?
The symbol of the shepherds’ crook is an ancient one, representing the humble shepherds who were the first to worship the newborn Christ. Its counterpart is our candy cane – so old as a symbol that we have nearly forgotten its humble origin.
Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he had the candies bent into shepherds’ crooks. In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes.
It wasn’t until the turn of the century that the red and white stripes and peppermint flavors became the norm. The body of the cane is white, representing the life that is pure. The broad red stripe is symbolic of the Lord’s sacrifice for man.
In the 1920s, Bob McCormack began making candy canes as special Christmas treats for his children, friends and local shopkeepers in Albany, Georgia. It was a laborious process – pulling, twisting, cutting and bending the candy by hand. It could only be done on a local scale.
In the 1950s, Bob’s brother-in-law, Gregory Keller, a Catholic priest, invented a machine to automate candy cane production. Packaging innovations by the younger McCormacks made it possible to transport the delicate canes on a scale that transformed Bobs Candies, Inc. into the largest producer of candy canes in the world.
Although modern technology has made candy canes accessible and plentiful, they’ve not lost their purity and simplicity as a traditional holiday food and symbol of the humble roots of Christianity.

Food For the Holidays

As part of my 25 blogs of Christmas, I just wanted to share this inspirational tidbit from Boise.

Mix 106, my favorite radio station to listen to, decided to stick Kate, one of the morning show co-hosts, on top of a semi where she would live until those of us here in Boise and surrounding areas could raise enough money and food to stuff the semi. The amount of food needed was about 44, 000 pounds (if I remember correctly) Here is the more inspirational part. The people of the treasure valley, even with all the lay-offs from the two biggest employers, stores closing left and right and the economy going down hill fast, raised the pounds of food to fill the semi in about 48 hours. Kate could get off the semi, go to her nice warm home, shower, see her dog, etc. Even more inspiring is that when the radio stationed announced that a listner extended a challenge, Kate agreed to stay up there until a 2nd semi was filled. With the night temps dropping below freezing, no shower, only a port-a-potty and a tent as shelter and comfort, this was very inspiring. Then another listener challenged them to go until Friday at 5:00 and try and get 106, 000 pounds of food. They excepted. And even more inspiring (I know hard to believe) is that if the estimates are right, the people of the Treasure Valley have surpassed that goal. And yes, Kate is still up there. So I just wanted to say that I am so grateful to live in such a wonderful area. This has really awakened the Christmas Spirit in the community. I hope everyone, no matter where they live can remember those who are less fortunate or going through a hard time. May we give more than we receive.
Idaho is the 13th hungriest state in the nation...what is yours?
In Idaho tens of thousands of kids go to bed without food every night...we do not have a huge population....do you know how many kids go hungry in your state? Do what you can to help.
The need to feed doesnt end Friday at 5:00....please give all year round.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Tree

An Ancient Symbol
Thousands or years ago, there were people who believed that evergreen trees were magical. Even in winter, when all the other trees and greenery were brown and bare, the evergreen stayed strong and green. People saw the evergreen as a symbol of life and as a sure sign that sunshine and spring would soon return. Candles, or the electric lights we use to decorate our trees today, are also an ancient symbol. They represent the light of spring triumphing over the darkness of winter.
In ancient Rome, people decorated their homes and their temples with greenery during a special December feast. It was a happy time. No battles could be fought, the schools were closed, and people everywhere joined in the carnival-like atmosphere and gave each other presents.
The Modern Tree
So when did the Christmas tree go indoors? Legend has it that the tradition was begun by Martin Luther in Germany. He was a monk and church reformer who lived from 1483 to 1546. According to the legend, Luther was returning home one wintry night when he saw the stars twinkling in the sky through the tree branches. Luther was amazed by the sight, and when he arrived home, he was eager to tell his family about it. To help them understand, he went to the woods and cut down a small fir tree. Luther brought it indoors and decorated it with candles, which represented the stars he had seen.
The custom spread in Germany, and from there all over the world. In England, the Christmas tree first appeared when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, who was German. In 1841, Albert set up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle near London to remind him of his homeland. The Christmas tree custom was brought to the United States by people from England as well as by many German immigrants who came in the 1800's. Whatever its origin, the Christmas tree is a beautiful symbol for everyone who celebrates Christmas.
The Legend of the First Christmas Tree
The night of the Saviour's birth, all the living creatures, both flora and fauna, came to Bethlehem with gifts. The olive tree brought its fruit and the palm its dates. But the little fir tree had no gift and was so tired it couldn't resist when the big trees pushed it into the background and hid it from view. But then a nearby angel took pity and commanded a cluster of stars to come and rest on its delicate boughs. When the Baby Jesus beheld this lovely lighted tree, He smiled and blessed it, declaring henceforth that fir trees should always be filled with lights at Christmastime to please little children.

The Camera Remote

So I got a new toy for my camera. A remote. I know, I am becoming a camera toy freak. But, too many people have told me I spend too much time taking the photos and not enough time being in them. This is my remedy to that. So after we put up our Christmas tree (which actually looks small in these photos but it takes up most the dining area) we tried it out. Since we were mostly just goofing off there aren't any great ones but some that are decent enough. It was fun and I

can't wait to use it at Christmas with the fam.

The Legend of The Christmas Stocking

As part of my 25 Blogs of Christmas I wanted to share this. When we were stuck in Lewiston I saw a book on Mike's Aunt's shelf that was Everything Christmas. We had just watched the Jeff Dunham Christmas DVD the night before and he makes a joke about why do we hang stockings for Santa to fill. It had me wondering. So I looked in the book and it had the legend there. So I looked on the internet and found it to share with you. ENJOY and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

According to legend, the custom of hanging up stockings during Christmas began all the way back in the 4th century with St. Nicholas. The story told is about a nobleman who was once rich and powerful, but then came into hard times. Whether rich or poor, he was always kindly and generous to his fellow man.
His wife had passed away and he was left with a daughter who he loved very much, but could not provide her with a dowry. Without the dowry, she could not marry, which made them both very sad.
Nicholas heard of the troubles of the nobleman and one night, during the Christmas season, Nicholas threw a bag of gold through the man's window. The bag of gold landed in one of the girl's stockings that had been hung up to dry. The gold was just enough to be used as her dowry.
Since then, Children have hung their stockings up each Christmas Eve in the hope of finding treasure in them in the morning...
Another variation of the origin of this custom is related to Santa Claus. One Christmas Night, after visiting a house he was going back up the chimney when several gold coins fell out of his pocket and landed inside the children's stockings which been placed by the fire to dry.

THE 25 BLOGS OF CHRISTMAS

So I am going to try and do THE 25 DAYS of CHRISTMAS...My sister Joyce once gave us all books for Christmas with a story or thought or song for each day. It was really neat to have something each day to help us focus on the Christmas Season. Last year it took me a while to get into the Christmas Spirit (I am normally ready Thanksgiving Day) and this year I don't feel ready at all....probably because I don't have any kids to share it with...I am not even in primary any more. So I thought about that book and how it always helped put everyone in the Christmas mood when we would sit and read that days item or sing the song. So I am going to do the 25 blogs of Christmas....or at least try. Things may get to hectic and I may forget sometimes.

My friend Steph had this posted on her blog. It is one of those email lists that you fill in your answers and then forward it. I really liked it and had her send it to me. I thought it would be a good one to start this little adventure with. ENJOY!



Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.Okay,here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE! Just copy, not forward, this entire email and paste it into a new email that you can send. Change all theanswers so that they apply to you. Then send to awhole bunch of people you know INCLUDING the personwho sent it to you..Tis the season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both- but mostly wrapping paper.
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. (love real ones but the fire hazard and care needed...)
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Turkey Day
4. When do you take the tree down? Just after New Years Day
5. Do you like Eggnog? Gag me.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Not really sure. I always loved when I got a stuffed animal my mom made...like her hand made Care Bears or Pound Puppies
7. Hardest person to buy for? persons....all of my sisters are nightmares to buy for.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Mike...I always know what to get him. I love trying to surprise him.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several, I began collecting them a few years back. In fact, in our new place I didn't have enough room to put them all out.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mostly mail. Although one year since I was sending them late I did email them to people who lived far away and let them know they would get one next year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have always appreciated the gifts I receive
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Not Sure. I like a lot of them.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In November I start for Mike's family (so can take them up our last visit of the year in late Nov.), after Thanksgiving for those I have to ship and beginning of December to mid December for all others.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. I am not a regifter.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I don't have a favorite. I love to do the baking but usually give all the treats away.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. We have the colored motion ones where you can pick how fast, and so on.
17. Favorite Christmas song? That is a hard one. I love so many. But I really love Josh Groban's I'll Be Home for Christmas with the military messages home. Maybe because my brother has spent so many Christmas's in Iraq. I also love O Holy Night. That song, especially acappella is one of my favorites.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I love to stay home. But sometimes I do want to get away.
19. Can you name all Santa's reindeer? Of course I can. After all those years of hearing the introduction to Rudolph... Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen and.....the most famous of all.....Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or Star? Star...Steph, don't worry, ours is a pain to get straight as well.
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? Our family tradition on my side is one present Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning. Mike hates that since his family always opened them all on Christmas Eve (They said so the kids wouldn't wake them up early on Christmas Day). We compromised and made it one with my family on Christmas Eve and one with each other. The rest on Christmas Day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? TRAFFIC (and the stores if you go on the weekend)
23. Favorite ornament? So far, still the mickey and minnie just married one that we bought on our honeymoon.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Ham, potatoes, and a bunch of entrees that you can snack on all night long Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day.
25. Favorite Christmas cocktail? I am a hot cocoa freak....But only my mom's homemade recipe....which I need to get her to refresh me on
26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Good question...a new foot spa, and that is really about it. Probably why everyone says I am so hard to shop for.
27. What don't you want for Christmas this year? A video game that is really for someone else.
28. What is something you have never done that youwant to do for Christmas? Have my entire family rent a cabin or home somewhere (like Hawaii or Aspen, where we all want to go) and just deck it out and spend Christmas together there.
29. Who is the most likely to respond to this? Not sure since I am doing this as a blog post. Hopefully Sarah and Terrie with both do it. Maybe Monae....hint hint you guys
30. Who is least likely to respond? Knowing my luck...Terrie, Sarah and Monae..I never guess who will respond right so if I put their names in both then I have to be right somewhere.

It's CHRISTMAS time EVERYONE should fill this out!!