Loading ...
Archive for the ‘Christmas’ Category
Christmas French Toast
When I was a small child, one of the things that signaled to all sleeping children in our home that Christmas morning had indeed arrived and that Santa had visited while we slumbered was the sweet aroma of Christmas French Toast wafting from the kitchen. Imagine having to make the decision between racing for the tree to find our presents or answering the siren call of that sweet syrupy scent!
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 2 slices bread
- confectioners' sugar or warm syrup
- strawberries and pecans (optional)
- fresh whipping cream (optional)
- crushed candy canes (optional)
Instructions
- Beat together egg, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt.
- Heat a lightly oiled (or use cooking spray) skilled or griddle over medium (not high!) heat.
- Soak bread slices in egg mixture for 20 seconds on each side until thoroughly coated.
- Cook bread slices until both sides are lightly browned and slightly crisp.
- Serve hot, sprinkled with confectioners' sugar or smothered in warm syrup.
- Optional - garnish with strawberries, other berries, pecans, or crushed candy canes.
Salvation Army Christmas Charity
This is the time of year that we all see those wonderful red Salvation Army kettles in front of stores. Millions of dollars are donated each year in the Christmas spirit by shoppers. These donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing and toys for families in need. Financial assistance also helps with basic necessities.
In this economy, now more than ever, charities like Operation Santa and the Salvation Army need your help.
If you are a family who needs help from the Salvation Army here are some tips to get you started.
- Contact your local Salvation Army office to inquire about registrations dates and times for the annual Christmas Assistance program. You will need to know if they have registrations on specific days and times or if they require you to make an appointment. Remember, they are VERY busy this time of year, so please be patient and polite.
- Ask about the documents required of you. At a bare minimum you will be asked to provide identification for each family member. You may also need to provide a birth certificate health card, shot record or family services print out to verify your children’s date of birth. You may be asked to provide proof of income, so take a copy of your most recent paycheck stub, bank statement or a financial statement from a local human services office.
- Arrive at the designated facility promptly and with all required documents. Complete the paperwork, including a holiday basket application. Some agencies offer Christmas holiday boxes during the registration period. In other cases the applicants apply for a gift basket for future pick up.
Christmas Every Day
Ten Ways to Make Every Day Christmas
- Give something away to somebody who can use it. No strings attached!
- Do a kindness and then forget it. Pay it forward, but don’t expect something in return.
- Spend time with an elderly person. Their experiences and stories are priceless! If you have an elderly parent or grandparent, grab your smart phone or a small recorder and get them to tell you about their wonderful life experiences. Create an oral history for your children and family members. Remember, once they are gone, their stories go with them.
- Look intently into the face or a baby and just marvel.
- Laugh often. It is life’s lubricant!
- Give thanks constantly. You are luckier and happier than you think!
- Pray, if you believe.
- Work; with vim, vigor and enthusiasm.
- Plan as though you will live forever.
- Live as though you will die tomorrow, because that tomorrow will arrive one day!
Christmas Cinnamon Punch
A blend of juices gives this Christmas punch a little pizzazz.
Ingredients
- 2 cups red cinnamon candies
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 quarts apple juice
- 1 quart pineapple juice
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 3 pints ginger ale
- pineapple rings (optional)
- apple juice (optional)
- cinnamon sticks (optional)
Instructions
- Melt cinnamon candies in water.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Garnish with pineapple rings frozen in apple juice and/or cinnamon sticks.
Holiday Shipping & Mailing Cutoff Dates 2011
When shopping and shipping online this Christmas be sure to check the shipping and delivery dates to ensure that your gift or gifts will reach the recipient before Christmas Eve.
For instance here are the holiday shipping and mailing cutoff dates for Amazon.com.
- FREE Super Saver Shipping – Thursday, December 15th
- Standard Shipping – Monday, December 19th
- Two-Day Shipping – Wednesday, December 21stbefore 8:00 pm PT
- One-Day Shipping – Thursday, December 22nd before 4:30 pm PT
- Local Express Shipping (in select cities) – Saturday, December 24th
Direct Shipping Holiday Schedule
USPS
Parcel Post – Thursday, December 15th
First-Class Mail – Tuesday, December 20th
Priority Mail – Wednesday, December 21st
Express Mail – Thursday, December 22nd
Click for Military & International Dates
UPS
UPS Ground – Friday, December 16th
UPS 2nd Day Air – Wednesday, December 21st
UPS Next Day Air – Thursday, December 22nd
Click here for UPS Holiday Shipping 2011 schedule
FedEx
FedEx Express will deliver on Saturday, Dec. 24. Dec. 24 is also a delivery day for FedEx Home Delivery.
Click here for Holiday Shipping 2011 schedule
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth – Lyrics
Every body stops
and stares at me
These two teeth are
gone as you can see
I don’t know just who
to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve
is as plain as it can be!
All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could with you
“Merry Christmas.”
It seems so long since I could say,
“Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!”
Gosh oh gee, how happy I’d be,
if I could only whistle (thhhh)
All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth.
Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
“Merry Christmas!”
Figgy Pudding – Lyrics and Recipe
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
Please bring it right here!
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
So bring it out here!
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
Ingredients
Instructions