Merry Christmas To All

 Here is my new angel on the top of my tree, photographed today. My old angel is retired and has a place on the fireplace mantel. I fancy I see a sweet smile on the face of this angel. Do you?

Here is a poem from "Voices in the Mist" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, quoted in our "A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday" book:

The time draws near the birth of Christ:

The moon is hid; the night is still;

The Christmas bells from hill to hill

Answer each other in the mist.

Four voices of four hamlets round,

From far and near, on mead and moor,

Swell out and fail, as if a door

Were shut between me and the sound:

Each voice four changes on the wind,

That now dilate, and now decrease,

Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace,

Peace and goodwill to all mankind.

This post was written by co-author Terra Hangen with the intent of spreading Christmas joy

We Celebrate Advent, which means Coming or Arrival

The tradition of Advent is 1400 years old and leads us to look forward to and to celebrate the birth of Christ. We are looking back to the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem and looking forward to the return of the Messiah, at at unknown time. Candles are a reminder of the light of the savior who was born into a dark world to bring us that light.

This angel is a cute representation of the powerful and holy angels who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in Bethlehem,

The wise men or three Kings followed the star from their lands to Bethlehem when they learned that Christ was to be born.
Advent now officially begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day which is Advent Sunday and it ends at midnight on Christmas eve, December 24.
Many homes and churches have Advent wreaths with 4 candles. Three of the candles represent hope, peace and love and are often purple. The final candle is often red and represents the joy of new life offered to us by Christ's birth and sacrifice on the cross. Sometimes a fifth white candle is added which is lit on Christmas eve and symbolizes Christ's birth and that he is the "light of the world."
Do you have Advent traditions in your home?
I would like to hear about them. Terra Hangen

Chocolate Cream Pie, Easy

CHOCOLATE VELVET PUDDING PIE

Ingredients
1 Keebler graham cracker ready crust pie crust

1 (4 serving size) pkg. Jello chocolate instant pudding and pie filling

1 c. cold milk

2 sqs. Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, melted

3 c. thawed Cool Whip whipped topping

Directions:

Prepare pudding with 1 cup milk as directed on package with electric mixer. Gradually blend in chocolate at low speed until smooth. Then fold in whipped topping. Spoon into pie crust. Freeze until, firm about 4 hours. Garnish with additional whipped topping and chocolate curls, if desired.
Posted by Trish Berg

Chocolate Gift Basket

Now is a great time of year to keep alert to sales of potential Christmas gifts. We all love to find bargains and they exist all around us.

I like to package gifts in baskets and woven boxes, which are part of the gift. I often find baskets and other containers in thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army with the original price tags still on.

Buy them early when you find them so you will have them when you need them. Kitchen tools are appreciated by your favorite chef. Last year at World Market I found a set of 5 nice black spatulas on sale for $3 and created a “Kitchen Gift Basket”. I also found some tiny white bowls for 99 cents each and 2 pretty red Christmas theme cloth napkins for the basket. There is no limit to what you can add, from a box of bread sticks to a small bottle of olive oil.

In December I find chocolate bars on sale and buy an assortment, put them in a basket and give the “Chocolate Gift Basket” to chocolate loving friends. I line the baskets with Christmas theme cloth napkins.

What tips do you have for frugal gift giving?

Welcome and Farewell by Brenda Nixon

Thanks for visiting our blog! Each of us, co-authors, appreciates your interest and support for our blog and our book.

Here's my final post for 2009. This week leading into Christmas, we're asked to share our Christmas day plans. Now that my daughters are young adults, we have the luxury of a slow, leisurely morning. We awake, discuss the news, brew coffee, open packages, and savor my homemade cinnamon rolls. Later, we clean up the crumpled wrapping paper, bows, and boxes to ready ourselves for company.

Of course, things were different and disastrous when the kids were toddlers. The cameras were always flashing, the dogs barking, paper flying around the room, toy parts and pieces scattered on the rug, squeals and spills were a routine part of Christmas morning. But those days hold great memories, too.

What are your plans for Christmas day? Please leave us your thoughts. And who knows, maybe we'll run into each other at the after-Christmas sales.

Brenda Nixon, http://www.brendanixon.com/
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Give Yourself by Brenda Nixon

It's sheer joy to be a co-author on this book. The six of us have laughed and learned as we discussed, developed, and delivered our "baby" to the world. Thank you for visiting our blog and buying our book. We deeply appreciate you sharing our enthusiasm with your support.

This week, each of us is to share an inexpensive gift idea for an educator; classroom teacher, Sunday school teacher, your child's teacher, etc. I've learned from teachers I talked to that they'd prefer a gift card. Many times they're given candles, mugs, and things they're already overloaded with. While they appreciate the gesture, they'd benefit from something else.

People often confuse price with value. In today's economy many don't have the money to buy high-priced gadgets but, can still give a valuable gift. Consider gifting your fav teacher with a certificate for your services. "What service do I have to offer?" you ask.

• Yard Maintenance
• Housecleaning
• Pet Sitting
• Snow Removal
• Sewing
• Bringing in a Homecooked Meal
• Free Childcare
• Small Engine Repair
• Window Cleaning
• Computer Tutoring

You see, YOU have a lot to offer! How about sharing the best gift - yourself - with a teacher this year. And, share your comment for a chance to win a FREE COPY of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Everyone who comments on a blog this week will be entered into a drawing for a free book! If you already have one, use the freebie as a Christmas gift (I even gave an autographed copy for a December wedding gift).

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

More Joy and Less Stress

Christmas celebrations and selecting gifts can be stressful, so I offer a few things to create a bit of joy in your home.
Cook ahead for the Christmas feast, by preparing side dishes the day before.
I feed the song birds in our yard with extra seeds during this cold season and they come a flyin' in.
Play your family's favorite holiday movie while company is here, not so they sit and watch it, but just as a fun background entertainment. The idea is that people will pause as they walk around and laugh at a funny scene that they've viewed many times before. For us, the movie is A Christmas Story.
Write plenty of Christmas cards, even to folks who don't send you one. Sometimes your card could be a spark of joy for the recipient.
Can you find the time to visit a homebound person? I aim to visit my two older buddies who no longer drive. They don't want or expect gifts, just some friendly conversation.
I am sure many of you readers have super ways to add joy and subtract stress from the holidays and I will read your comments with anticipation, and remember:
!!!!!   Leave a comment here for chance to win a copy of our Christmas book   !!!!!

Mrs. Santa Claus by Brenda Nixon

In September, Lifetime Entertainment selected me as "Mom of the Week." What an honor to have my bio and pic on their website, and to receive many kudos from friends and colleagues around the country.
The same month, I learned my parenting book, The Birth to Five Book, won the Good Parenting Seal.
Now, if it were possible to be awarded the title of Mrs. Santa Claus I'd want to emulate her jubiliant spirit (but not her girth). I'd want to spread happiness, cheer and homemade cookies around my neighborhood, relieve small hurts, help people survive the economy, and make it a most memorable Christmas. Yes, I'd practice Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men (and women).
Wait a minute . . . I don't have to be awarded a title to do most of that. Neither do you. We all can value the best in ourselves and practice the joyful, giving spirit of Christmas.
And in speaking of giving, my birthday is Saturday (December 12). hint hint

Hey, leave your comment and be entered for a drawing of a FREE COPY of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts! Anyone who comments to a post this week & next will have opportunity to win a free book. If you already have one, give the freebie as a Christmas Gift. I recently gave an autographed copy as a December wedding gift.


Happy Holidays!
Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Book Giveaway!

So how was Black Friday for you? I spent the day babysitting so my kids could have the chance to start in on their Christmas shopping. Many who purchased our Christmas book last year were so delighted with it that they are buying them as Christmas gifts for others this year. If you don't have a copy yet, here's a chance to get one:

Leave a comment at our blog for your chance to win a copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts! There will be four given away--the first on Monday, November 30. You must leave a comment on our blog or become a follower to be eligible. Good luck!

What Readers Say About SOCF - By Trish Berg

Stuff Your Own Stocking
4-Book Give-Away! The Word Quilters will give away four copies of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts~ Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday for the next four weeks. Become a follower or leave a comment to be entered. First drawing is next Monday, November 30.

*********************************

I have met so many amazing folks who have been touched by A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, but the BIGGEST compliment that I ever received, the biggest inspiration, came from a twelve year old girl at my home church.

She told me that she read our book cover to cover, and is writing her next book report on SOCF. She told me that her favorite story in SOCF is the one I wrote about the first Christmas after my husband and I lost our child to miscarriage, "Angle Girl."

I am not one who loves homework, but I know I can't wait to read that book report!

SOCF continues to touch lives in ways we could never have imagined...and I am blessed to be a small part of this book and this journey.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all - Trish

No Angst Gift-Giving by Brenda Nixon

Searching for just the right gift? Does someone on your list seem to have everything already? Haven't a clue what to give? Then try a gift certificate! Almost every store, business, or trade offers holiday gift cards.

One Christmas we gave each of my daughters a gift certificate to a Christian bookstore. Another year, when my daughter was into crochet we gave her a certificate to a sewing store. My husband is happy to select his "man gift" when given a certificate to a hardware store, Low'es or Home Depot. Starbucks cards are welcomed anytime.

No need to get in a tizzy about what to give . . . just grab a gift certificate next time you're at the store.

Of course, a long-lasting, unique and welcomed gift - under $20 - is a signed copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. *wink* You can go to any of our websites and order your an autographed copy.


Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Dear Santa letter

Dear Santa,


I do have everything I need this Christmas, and I’ve been pretty good. No, not perfect, but haven’t committed any major crimes either.

One gift you could leave in my Christmas stocking this year is a big ol’ gift certificate for books, to a local bookstore, or an online store of your choice.

You are Santa so you know best.

If the gift certificate is huge, I can have the fun of selecting children’s books to give away. Does everyone love wandering the children’s books sections as much as I do? The illustrations are so captivating and the poetry so delectable.

With this humongous gift certificate in addition to children's books, I will buy books for me! Plus more for my church’s library, a local homeless shelter and other folks who need and welcome books.

So that is what I would enjoy, and if someone else needs that certificate more, please put it in their Christmas stocking this year, instead of in mine. I always find a way to buy and enjoy books.

Love, Terra

Santa Baby by Brenda Nixon

This week each of us co-authors on A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts is writing a letter to Santa. I don't know about you but I'll ask Santa for front row tickets to see a live performance of Il Divo. That won't happen.

Since I'm a speaker/author to parents, I will share tips for your children to write letters. They can then theirs to www.emailsanta.com and it's free!

Tip one:
Remind children to practice thankfulness; begin their letter with appreciating the stories and generosity of Santa. Whether Santa is real or not, it's good to teach kids to acknowledge others before putting out their hand in request.

Tip two:
Remind children that a letter to Santa is not a "to do" list. They can express their wants but that doesn't mean they'll get everything their little hearts desires (nor should they, as it sends the wrong life message).

Tip three:
Encourage children to be honest. Self-expression is therapeutic and often children can share their feelings better on paper - or to an imaginary friend - than to a live adult.

Tip four:
Assist tots who are too young to write. This experience must be fun for kids. If they're forced to sit and labor over their penmanship or in finding the right words, then they'll avoid it as work.

My two daughters occasionally wrote Santa letters. It gave my husband and I a sneak peek into their heart, while allowing us to be their first and most influential teachers.

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Home Decor by Brenda Nixon

A few friends tell me they keep their nativity set up year round to remind them of Christ's first and His anticipated second coming. While I respect that tradition, it's not one our family has adopted.

We do have a lovely, handmade nativity that I bought one fall for the upcoming Christmas season. Since my wedding anniversary is in November, I bought the blue-glazed porcelain nativity as our anniversary gift knowing we'd have it for years.

We also decorate outdoors. I don't do the lawn ornaments nor look like Clark W. Griswold in Christmas Vacation but our home is festive.

Actually, in my home decor, I like to rotate the furnishings by season. If you visit me in the spring you'll see fresh flowers, "springy" wall decor, and other reminders of new life. If you visit in Autumn, you'll munch candy corn and smell fall scented candles. Changing my decor with the season is one way I make my home a haven to family and friends.

How do you decorate for the holidays . . . or anytime of year?

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Give me IL DIVO

This week, each of us co-authors on A Scrapbook of Christmas First is to answer the question, "What would be on your list this year?" Simple:

Front row tickets to see Il Divo.

Have you seen their youtube video of Amazing Grace? Even as a writer, I'm at a loss for words to explain this performance. My darling husband, after watching the video, bought their latest CD with this song. Of course, I love Il Divo anyhow; have 4 of their CDs.

So what's on your gift list this year? Leave me your thoughts . . .

Brenda Nixon, http://www.brendanixon.com/
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Anticipation by Brenda Nixon

This is Potpourri Week. As co-authors on A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, we choose any Christmas related topic this week and blog on it.

Hmm, what do I love about the holidays? The anticipation! Yep. Waiting . . . in eager expectation for the BIG day.

As a child, I loved the heightened joy, plans, baking, chatter, and family-time leading up to the day. I'd revel in considering the longed-for two weeks vacation from school; spending time with my brother and sister, watching holiday-themed movies on TV, and visiting with fave relatives. The foretaste of opening packages, laughter, surprise, and greed (well, I was a kid), and the prediction of Mom and Dad's reaction to my gift to them entertained my thoughts.

Some people are irritated at having to wait. Not me.

Today, as a wife and mom, I enthusiastically give my family the good aromas and activities that I hope will bond them and create a positive state of mind. I want my family to learn that anticipation - hopefulness - is indeed a gift.

Now I'm humming Carly Simon's song, "Anticipation."

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

The Best Christmas Open House

This week each of us co-authors on A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts (available at bookstores & online) are to post a brief blog about party ideas and themes.

I love Christmas parties, open houses, drop-ins, you name it! Especially in the small town where I live, it's a rare treat to dress up and be festive.

One of my girlfriends always throws the best Christmas Open House. Why? Because she begins with a personal touch by delivering her creative handmade invitation door-to-door. One Christmas her invite was a ribbon-tied scroll with the opening words, "Hear Ye, Hear Ye."

Each Christmas her home is filled with oodles of food in fancy dishes - creative presentation - and a wide circle of friends. I always meet somebody new because she has such an inclusive guest list.

Finally, she prepares a small commemorative token to gift her guests. She places her gifts in a basket by the door. I particularly remember the basket of silver glass ornaments with the date artistically etched in gold and a red ribbon looped through the top hook so it could hang it on our tree. Her takeaway treat is not only a generous gesture but a marvelous way to remember her family year to year. I can't wait to see what she comes up with this year.

How do you throw the best bash? Leave your comment here to share with the world.

Brenda Nixon, http://www.brendanixon.com/
Co-Author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Snow Angels Revisited

Ohio has had its share of cold and snow this week. I find it a little confining and frustrating when the roads are bad and the wind chills get dangerous. But not my mother-in-law. Yesterday we went to pick up my grandson for the weekend and stopped by her condo to drop off some Christmas gifts. Since we had cruised for the holidays, we didn't get down to see her before Christmas.

As we walked up to her door I looked to my right where the new coating of snow had been disturbed. There in the middle of it was a fresh snow angel--just her size.

If you have a copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, my story, Grandma's Snow Angel, is on page 95. When I first wrote it she was about to turn 80. This year she will be 88. And she's still making angels in the snow!

Christmas Basket Winner!!!

It's not easy to wake a man from a Sunday afternoon nap and get him to make sense let alone cooperate with something he has no clue about. But undaunted, I woke my husband and showed him my bowl full of over 130 yellow slips of paper.

"What are you feeding me now?" he asked. Just back from four weeks of cruising the Mediterranean, he's still not used to getting his own coffee and clearing his dishes from the table himself.

"It's not food. It's for our Christmas Basket drawing. Pick one," I told him.

"Can I mix them myself?"

"Sure."

He dipped his hand in, mixed the slips of paper and drew one name. And the winner is:

CAROL SUE

who left a comment on Tamera Kraft's blog.

Thanks to all of our bloggers and readers who were so gracious and kind.

Two of our blog readers made a valiant effort to win the basket and left comments at almost every blog site and often at this site as well as the other Word Quilters' blogs. I could not let their efforts go unrewarded and will send two of my comp books out to them:

ABI

DINA

There is lots more coming to the Scrapbook blog. Stay tuned!!

Middle-of-the-Road Activies for Kids

Today, I want to share ways to entertain children who are between five and 10 years.

First, remember a five-year-old is light years away from a 10-year-old in both development and interests. If you have children at home who are different ages, then you know the challenge to provide activities that keep both occupied. My daughters are six years apart (hey, I'm one of six A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts authors - hmm, is there significance in the number?). There were times my kids went different directions in their play. But, many times I had to find middle-of-the road activities to keep both happy so I could be involved with them together.

I share the developmental norms and suggest age-appropriate resources for 0 - 5 year old kids in The Birth to Five Book. You could use this information anytime of the year or pull out the book for holiday gift-giving ideas.

Three of my favorite, kid-tested activities are below. Maybe you already do them, but, if not, give 'em a try. They may help calm the Christmastime chaos in your home:

1. Playdough. This squashy stuff offers tactile and olfactory benefits. Its calming power is akin to doing art therapy. If your older child is ready, he can follow pictures or word directions to make playdough from a recipe.
2. Bubbles. Bubbles teach kids how to blow out, which is great for children who may have speech and some facial issues because blowing strengthens oral motor skills. Bubbles can also be just plain mindless fun. Simple recipes are on the internet.
3. Books. Take a field trip to your public library and check out several children's Christmas books. Then cozy up on the sofa with your children and read aloud. Even children who are nine will enjoy hearing your familiar voice, using her imagination, and receiving undivided time from you. I'm a big proponent of books and the benefits of reading aloud!

by Brenda Nixon