Posts Tagged ‘delectable holiday recipes’

“Come Christmas When the Tree is Up, it’s Lights Twinkling, We Are All Children Again”

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
 
No matter how many years pass, each time Christmas arrives and the tree is up. It's twinkling lights dazzling. My beloved ornaments gaily hung on it's branches. Like so many others I become a child again. And I am unashamed.

It’s not just the tree which holds my fascination. Transports me back to childhood. Looking with childlike wonder at the beautiful tree, I quietly reminisce about Christmases past. The family I loved and celebrated with. Fondly remembering those who participated but are now gone.

 

Christmas is an exciting time of year. It's a time when family, friends gather and share the spirit of the season. It's a time for spreading kindness and cheer. Including those less fortunate in our plans. And while we're each doing our part caring for others in our own unique way, daily, it's simply more fun at Christmas. The excitement, alone, easily conjures up a spirit of magic. Happiness and well-being for all.

Regardless of how large or small your home, decorating for the Christmas season usually starts with the living room for most of us. Generally the largest room, it’s the room where all family, friends happily gather. And the room where most place their tree. The focal point during the season.

Once the tree has taken it's special place, been trimmed and lit, it's time to move on to decorating the rest of your home. During the Christmas season, no area should be off limits for decorating. Even unique spaces can reap the advantage of snips of fresh greens, fragrant cedar branches, vibrant holly, mistletoe or pinecones. Some colorful ribbon.

This is the season when most want to bring the beauty of the outside into their homes. Simple, fresh garland can be laid loosely across a mantle top, pinecones tucked in. Or decorated with holiday ribbon and draped around windows, framed photos, art, mirrors. A festively decorated and beribboned wreath hung on the front door, over the fireplace. Stair railings wrapped with garland or fragrant cedar branches. Along with a fresh, beautifully trimmed tree this goes a long way toward creating an enchanting and comfortable space for family, friends to gather.

 

Once decorating is done, you’ll probably find a comfortable place to sit. And with a cup of your favorite beverage, watch the twinkling tree lights, colorful ornaments as they turn and sway. Entranced - and reminiscing - as I did. About Christmases past. And the memorable celebrations with family, friends. Which have become an important and integral part of our lives.

Katt Turner

Started at 7 helping her mother organize wonderful holiday celebrations for their extended family. A “foodie”, by age 18 she was impressing family and friends with sumptuous dinners, desserts; creating unique recipes. Swapping recipes with family, friends, co-workers. Katt’s a tireless volunteer. Helping disables seniors and battered women’s groups obtain food, necessary services, benefits. 

 

 What What if we created 3 Great Ebooks with All the Recipes you’ll ever need to Create, Serve and Prepare Delectable Meals, Desserts, Luscious Cookies - so good - you’ll impress family and friends and make this the best Christmas ever? http://snipurl.com/6xrhx

Great Deals on Christmas Gifts:

www.christmasgiftscottage.com/main

More Hot Holiday Deals -

http://snipurl.com/6xr0i

Tons of Free Tips and Techniques for Celebrating -

http://snipurl.com/70ov2

Free “Celebrate Christmas Year ‘Round” Ezine -

http://snipurl.com/6xr30

Tree graphic courtesy of: www.patswebgraphics.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Ornament Traditions and What They Mean to Today’s Celebrations!

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

While German artists were responsible for creating beautiful glass ornaments, long before that American settlers, pilgrims, and people from other nations, were decorating trees with unique ornaments they made. Using what was available. Such as berries, holly, seeds, dried flowers and certain foodstuffs, for example.


As decades progressed, tree decorating became much more creative. And in the 1880’s those German artists began selling tons of unique ornaments made of beautiful blown glass. Which captivated American hearts. Unfortunately, they were un-affordable for many years. Until a man named F. W. Woolworth created a five-and-dime store and began selling the beautiful glass balls. As did other early entrepreneurs. However, Woolworth took the lead. And began importing, literally, thousands each year.

The German artists created tons of other beautiful ornaments, in hundreds of different shapes, sizes and colors including birds and animal shapes, Santas, fruits, houses, and more. But back in Woolworth’s early days simple glass ornaments and icicles, were the most popular and affordable. Though eventually, people were able to afford the beautiful, new ornaments. And began purchasing a wide variety to decorate their entire tree. Once these ornaments caught on, other creative entrepreneurs and artists began creating unique ornaments. Using such things as tin, wood, wax, paper, cardboard and papier-mache.

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of different ornaments on the market. Evolving over the years into elaborate pieces of art. Which most carefully pack away at the end of each season, kept and reused for years.


GordonsJewelers.com Gift Center

Illuminated Ornaments - These hark back to the days when trees were illuminated with lit candles. Instead, we have ornaments which light up. And are very popular today. In fact these are one of the basics of every holiday tree today. Because they’re still so unique, they can be priced from $5 to $30; to as high as $50.

Mobile Ornaments - Back in the days of the settlers and pilgrims, they decorated trees which were standing near their homes. In short, they first creatively decorated trees located outside. Only made sense. So ornaments eventually were created to move with the wind while staying secured to the tree. Today’s unique mobile ornaments can add depth to a tree. Moving with slow air currents, in a room, creating a unique 3-D like look to the tree. If they aren’t too big, mobile ornaments can effectively be placed within the inner tree branches. Giving the tree a fresh, lively look as the tree were outside, ornaments swaying in a gentle breeze.

Musical Ornaments - These are one of the newest types of ornaments. Playing everything from Classical music to popular holiday carols. Most come equipped with an on off button. Depending on their type, can remind us of Christmases past, when settlers and pilgrims played their hand made instruments to add to holiday festivities.

Unique Glass Ornaments - Christmas wouldn’t be the same without these beautiful ornaments. Harking back to the 1880’s when first created by wonderful German artists. Simple, coming in hundreds of different and unique colors, unique designs, they’re now highly affordable. Usually packaged in packs of 6 or more. This type of ornament will give your tree what’s called the “traditional look”. And, as a plus, can easily be decorated using glitter, snow or adding things like holly, greens and bows. Or redecorated as they age.

Today there are no rules about how to properly decorate a tree. Limited only by your own imagination. There’s hundreds of thousands of unique ornaments to choose from. And many different styles can be gathered together to trim your tree. To give it your own special look. Which you can easily add to and change to spruce it up next season.

Katt Turner started at 7 helping her mother organize wonderful holiday celebrations for their extended family. A “foodie”, by age 18 she was impressing family and friends with sumptuous dinners, desserts; creating unique recipes. Swapping recipes with family, friends, co-workers. Katt’s a tireless volunteer. Helping disables seniors and battered women’s groups obtain food, necessary services, benefits.

What if we created 3 Great Ebooks with All the Recipes you’ll ever need to Create, Serve and Prepare Delectable Meals, Desserts, Luscious Cookies - so good - you’ll impress family and friends and make this the best Christmas ever? http://snipurl.com/6xrhx

Great Deals on Christmas Gifts:

www.christmasgiftscottage.com/main

More Hot Holiday Deals -

http://snipurl.com/6xr0i

Tons of Free Tips and Techniques for Celebrating -

http://snipurl.com/70ov2

Free “Celebrate Christmas Year ‘Round” Ezine -
http://snipurl.com/6xr30


Check out the Holiday Gift Guide at GordonsJewelers.com to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.


Holiday Graphics Courtesy of - www.patswebgraphics.com

 

“Christmas - Time for Sharing Simple Pleasures With Family and Friends in the Joyful Spirit of the Season”

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

  

When it comes to uniting family and friends, Christmas is by far the favorite holiday of most Americans. Aside from the celebration of the spirit of the season, it’s also an opportunity not only to gather together with those you see, work side by side or function with on a regular basis. But to visit with those you care about. But were unable to see or visit with during the year.         

It’s a time when simple pleasures like sharing a hot toddy by a warm fire, a delicious meal, delectable desserts, opening gifts you’ve exchanged, bring a renewed sense of closeness. Harmony. Plus hope for continued harmony and closeness, in the new year, springs anew.

 

That said, one of the cornerstones of the Christmas season is the family Christmas tree. Nothing says Christmas like the simple, yet beautiful, Christmas tree. And whether you harvest yours from a snowy Maine forest, or thoughtfully purchase it locally, once it‘s standing it becomes the focal point around which everyone revolves.
 
 
 
Nothing delights our senses more, brings back memories faster, than the pungent smell of a stately Balsam or Fir tree. It’s delightful smell drifting through the house. Reminding us of many Christmases past. Celebrating with parents, grandparents. Even a child’s first Christmas. As well as stirring grateful thoughts and memories of those well loved people no longer with us.

 

The beautiful tree, delightfully adorned with twinkling lights. Beloved ornaments, and those passed down from generation to generation, sparkle on it’s outstretched branches. Colorful tinsel envelops it. Winking with each flicker of light. The beautifully wrapped gifts beneath it’s fullest branches. All gladden your heart. Filling it with joyous thoughts of love. This stately tree becomes the central point family and friends festively gravitate around.

 

Christmas is for young and old alike. Transcending most faiths and cultures as it envelopes all. While long-held traditions have created a season which centers on the Christ Child, it is also a season when home, hearth, family and friends join together to share in the blessings the season brings. Reaching out, radiating feelings of gratitude, we share the positive human spirit within us all.

 

Happy Holidays! And welcome to Christmas Gifts Cottage. Where we “Celebrate Christmas Year ‘Round”.

 

Katt Turner
Started at 7 helping her mother organize wonderful holiday celebrations for their extended family. A “foodie”, by age 18 she was impressing family and friends with sumptuous dinners, desserts; creating unique recipes. Swapping recipes with family, friends, co-workers. Katt’s a tireless volunteer. Helping disables seniors and battered women’s groups obtain food, necessary services, benefits. 

 

 

What if we created 3 Great Ebooks with All the Recipes you’ll ever need to Create, Serve and Prepare Delectable Meals, Desserts, Luscious Cookies - so good - you’ll impress family and friends and make this the best Christmas ever?  http://snipurl.com/6xrhx

Great Deals on Christmas Gifts:

www.christmasgiftscottage.com/main

More Hot Holiday Deals - 

http://snipurl.com/6xr0i

Tons of Free Tips and Techniques for Celebrating -

http://snipurl.com/70ov2

Free “Celebrate Christmas Year ‘Round” Ezine - 

http://snipurl.com/6xr30

 

Tree graphic courtesy of: www.patswebgraphics.com