The Christmas Pickle for Your Christmas Tree, A Fun Tradition

 I learned about hanging a pickle sharped ornament in our Christmas tree when I was a child in Wisconsin. I have told lots of people about it since moving to California. 

 The tradition says to hide the pickle ornament in your tree and the first child to find it gets applause or is first to open a present or whatever reward your family chooses. Can you see my pickle ornaments in the first photo? They are rather hidden. This tradition probably began in Germany.

Here is a Scripture to read with family in this Christmas season: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

This post was written by Terra Hangen today, and I hope you enjoy it and that it encourages Christmas joy in your home.

 

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

The Light Shines At Christmas

 

Here is our new wreath, shining in the darkness and a poem about our bright and morning star from our "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday."

Come thou bright and morning star, Light of light without beginning!

Shine upon us from afar that we may be kept from sinning.

Drive away by thy clear light our dark night.

Let thy grace, like morning dew, falling soft on barren places,

Comfort, quicken and renew our dry souls and dying graces;

Bless thy flock from thy rich store

Evermore.

Poem written by Christian K. von Rosenroth 1636-1689. Translated by Richard Massie 1800-1887

Merry Christmas to All. Post written by Terra Hangen

My new Christmas angel tree topper in her golden gown arrives

Merry Christmas friends far and near.
Here is a photo of my new Christmas tree angel topper in her golden gown. I had to replace my twenty year old angel tree topper because she showed signs of scorching near her lights.
Here is the new angel below.

Below is our angel in her white gown who is now moved to near the nativity scene, where she can keep an eye on things, while not being plugged in. Like me, I think she is liking the change, as she retires from being queen of the tree, and I retired from work.

Below is one of my new ornaments, made from a kit by my son Lane, of Bounce's paw print.

The other new ornament is below, and is also handmade, painted by a neighbor of my son Colt.

As you can see it features a purple mushroom and a cute Christmas gnome.
Have you added new ornaments to your tree this year?
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 KJV
I hope your Christmas is blessed and merry.
Written by Terra, one of the co-authors of "The Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts."

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

Some Happy Christmas Photos

Hi. I am one of the authors of "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts". We all got together and created this blog. Above is my dog Bounce in his first Christmas sweater. He is thinking What is she thinking! I adopted Bounce last year and he is a sweetie.

My new 24 inch tall bird tree with 12 birds on it. I think it is cheerful. Did you add new Christmas decorations this year?

Gifts given to me from the GriefShare / Surviving the Holidays classes I attended at a local church. For anyone having a sad time at the holidays or anytime, I recommend the GriefShare program (13 sessions at different times of the year) and the Surviving the Holidays event.
Merry Christmas to All.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Rudy Day, Bible gift idea

It is Rudy Day again, the 25th of each month and a good time to think of Christmas gifts.
Here is an idea I love.

This is the "ESV Daily Reading Bible: Through the Bible in a Year". I treated myself to a copy last Christmas and I find it very easy to read about 15 minutes a day in this Bible. At the end of one year you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. Today I looked at Christianbooks.com and it is only $6.99.
No, I have no connection with that online store, but love that low price!
A wonderful Scottish pastor, Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) created this reading plan. I was stunned to see he lived to be only 30 and yet left this lasting treasure.
I think this Bible would be a great Christmas gift to yourself or anyone on your gift list, and then they could start in reading on January first.
What gifts are you planning to buy or make?
This was posted by Terra Hangen.

Rudy Day

I recently learned that some folks have designated the 25th of each month as Rudolph Day, affectionately called Rudy Day.

The idea is that on the 25th of each month you pause and think about organizing for Christmas. Here on our blog, every day is Rudy Day, since we give Christmas celebrating tips from July to January. So enjoy your own Rudy Days in the months to come, as you prepare to celebrate the day Jesus was born.
I found a blog that has a schedule by month for Rudy Day activities at
Rudy Day News Blog She has an April 2012 post that lists a schedule.
Do any of you use Rudolph Day to help organize for the holidays?
posted by Terra Hangen

Merry Christmas

An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds who were watching their sheep at night and the angel told them "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about'.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:10-20

In the Annunciation the angel spoke to Mary "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35

This post was contributed by Terra Hangen

Making a Christmas List

Photo of our living room at Christmas 2014.
At this busy time of year I like to make a list of what I choose to do.
That gives me freedom to consider not doing things that no longer need doing, since one year is different from another.
Here are some things I will do this Christmas season.
I love to attend live performances of the Nutcracker Ballet each year, but will decide if I will do that this year.
Set up our festive Christmas tree with lots of old ornaments for the sparkly centerpiece of our holiday decor.
Buy an amaryllis bulb. I did that and planted it in the pot that came with it, on November 17. The color will be a surprise since the kit says it will be red, white or red and white.
Put up our collection of wooden nutcrackers on the fireplace mantle. My parents started this tradition.
Buy a new Christmas book each year. One sweet book is "A Cup of Christmas Tea", for children and adults, about a young man visiting his lonely senior aunt.
Display our two manger scenes.
Holiday meal and gift exchange on Christmas day with family.
Spend time at church.
Mail 30 or 40 Christmas cards to family and friends near and far, some who live in other countries.
New activity this year.
I will attend a holiday lunch and show where my friend is singing and dancing.
Tradition I will not do this year.
Bake Christmas cookies. This year I won't do any baking since I don't have little children around to bake for and we avoid excess sugar and white flour. We do love sweet treats though.
Are there any Christmas traditions at your house that you will enjoy this year, and any you will drop?
This post written by Terra Hangen
Here is a link with info about our co-authored Christmas book:
Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Amaryllis for Christmas

November is the ideal month to buy an amaryllis bulb and plant it in a small pot for blooms at Christmas.  These photos are of amaryllis from our home. Amaryllis do NOT require a green thumb or much care and they look spectacular as they grow on a thick green stem that reaches up above the pot and looks unusual.

Amaryllis grow from bulbs that can be as large as your fist, and have flowers up to eight inches across, on tall sturdy stems. As the thick stems grow above the pot, they look like strange alien beings, and guests are apt to remark “what is that?”.

Once the blooms open up, the question is answered, as the flowers brighten the room.

Most amaryllis will bloom in six to eight weeks, so November is the time to buy an amaryllis, either as a plain bulb, or one that is already growing in a pot, and that has stems emerging from the bulb. The bulbs you can buy that are almost ready to bloom are usually for red or red and white flowers, though amaryllis can be found in salmon, white and even lime green. There is a wide selection of bulbs and colors available in online and mail order nurseries.

For beauty I put some gardener’s marbles on top of the soil, set the pot in a sunny window, water once a week, and turn the pot a few times a week to keep the stalks growing straight up.When the amaryllis is done flowering, let the leaves die back, and set it in an out of the way corner until next spring when you can water it so it will bloom again, for several years to come.

For many more tips see our Christmas book:
Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories To Warm Your Heart and Tips To Simplify Your Holiday

This post written by Terra Hangen

Plan early and have a frenzy free December

Did you hear the one about the blond who heard that the majority of car accidents happen within two miles of her home? ..........She moved.

LEAVE a comment to be entered into a contest to win a copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Drawing this weekend.

Many people travel long distances over the holidays by car, train, and air, but most traveling is done locally and not just the few days around Christmas, but daily. Truly, this time of year is a little hazardous to your car fenders and you. With planning you can make the roads a safer and friendlier place during the holidays with these tips to help you from now until Christmas.

• At the beginning of your day, start a list of the local stops you need to make. Route yourself so you travel the fewest miles or the least congested miles. Make plenty of lists, essential to avoid a quick run to the stores or malls. God bless you if you have to go to the malls after the 15th.
• Be a friendly driver. If someone lets you merge into waiting traffic, wave a thank you. Allow those having a difficult time merging into traffic to go in front of you. Even this small gesture of kindness brings its own rewards.
• Plan your meals from now until Christmas. Buy early. Bake and relax at home while others scurry about for last minute ingredients.
• Play Christmas music when traveling. Cheeriness will invade your heart.
• Have you put off mammograms, dentist visits, or yearly checkups? Often those offices are slow this time of year. Make an appointment now to take care of your preventive care.
• Moms, the kiddos will be out of school soon. It's easier to push a grocery cart single-handed than with three children in tow. If you can afford to, shop early for those everyday needs.
• Keep a bottle of water and a healthy snack on hand in your vehicle, to avoid fat-laden burgers and drive-thru lines. Or pack a brown bag lunch, and sit in your vehicle and have lunch. That down time just might relax you enough that a forgotten errand comes to mind and you save an extra local trip to stores.

Safe travel to you and yours. HONK IF YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS.

Easy No-Sew Pillow for Gift

Not only am I a Word Quilter, I'm also a Quilt Quilter. Hmmm. That sounds funny. One of the best places to find fabric for quilting or crafting is in the remnant bin. I love finding treasures. It is there that I suggest you look for some fleece for this no-sew pillow project which is a great gift for just about any age. You will need two pieces of fleece-3/4 yard each. Or two pieces of fleece that measure 25" X 25" for a 14" pillow. (Pictured here are several fleece patterns from JoAnn Fabrics online.)



Here's the list of supplies:

Two pieces of fleece 25"X25" (be sure you don't include the selvage in that measurement)
One 14" pillow form
Ruler
Sharp scissors

Instructions:

• Place the two 25" squares (no selvage) "wrong" sides together if you can figure that out. Some fleece looks the same on both sides. Secure with a few pins.
• Cut a 5"X5" square out of each corner.
• Now cut 5" long fringe that is 3/4" wide on all four sides. It might be easiest to measure the five inches in from the edge and place a strip of masking tape there to use as a cutting guide.
• Tie a piece of back fringe to a piece of front fringe all around three sides. Make the knot right at the 5" mark. Some fleece tends to stretch more one direction than another so you might want to turn one of your layers so that a stretchy side is matched to a less stretchy side.
• Insert your pillow form and finish tying the fourth side. It may be easier to tie every other one and then go back and finish the inbetween knots.
• Voila! A beautiful pillow ready to be wrapped and given to a beautiful person on your gift list. And if you can find remnants and/or sales, your pillow should easily be less than $25!

[Posted by Karen Robbins]

Room for Him?

"And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:7

Interesting. No room. 

Did that stop Mary?

No.

She made room for Him.

This Christmas, I encourage you to make room for Jesus in your home and heart. 

Intentional effort.

How?

Reread His birth story.

Give intangible gifts to others.

Have family prayer.

Return a favor.

Share joy.

Laugh.

Forgive a wrong against you.

Befriend someone.

Visit the elderly.

Extend hospitality . . . not just to your home but, in your heart. 

We are so grateful for you, dear readers, and wish you a most blessed Christmas 2013.

~ Brenda Nixon

White Elephant

"What!?" she exclaimed with a broad grin.

The circle of friends roared with laughter. I nearly fell over in my chair. Someone else was slapping me on the back as she hooted and hollered in delight.

It was that pesky white elephant gift we'd been passing around for years! The item itself wasn't as funny as the fact that the stupid thing kept popping up each Christmas at our annual White Elephant gift exchange. 

From one year to the next, I couldn't remember who was bestowed the honor of taking home the offensive possession but, each year we all circled our chairs at a new party and hoped we were not the one "blessed" with it. 

And the one who brought it tried to disguise it with elaborate wrapping that'd make everyone one else want to choose it from the pile of glittering gifts under the tree. It became an art to camouflage it - making it appear new - for the next "victim."

Odd isn't it? Something that repelled us actually brought us together.

Question: What's the funniest White Elephant gift you received or gave away?

Brenda Nixon, Co-author, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Over the Hill and through the Woods to

My husband is famous for saying, "Let's drop by Cecil and Helen's house . . . see if they're home."

We know our friends and their schedules well enough that we're pretty safe when we make an unexpected house call. I've learned to appreciate drop-in company most of the time, and Christmas usually means visitors will be in and out more over the holidays. Here's some tips I learned about keeping a house company ready. . .or making folk feel welcome even when the house is a mess.

I heard this tip years ago, and I've found it to be a good one. Keep your mirrors and appliances shiny, and the gleam will catch your visitor's attention, making a good first impression. and it will make you feel better, too. Take a spray bottle of Windex, a roll of paper towels or some lint free rags and only do the household mirrors, wipe down TV screen, (whatever is recommended for yours), the fridge, front of microwave, etc., even washer and dryer if company will see them. Go do that now. There. Do you feel better about your housekeeping?

I like to take a few minutes each day to tidy rooms. Round up any stray items and return them to their places. Also, during the holidays set a clear cookie jar filled with home baked goodies in a prominent place. Place something cheerful by the door guests enter--a plant, a heartwarming slogan, or a colorful welcome mat. When someone knocks or that doorbell rings, smile and greet any guests who happen to phone ahead or simply drop by.

What if your house looks like it has just been burglarized and unexpected people are at your door? Clothing, newspapers, and shoes clutter your sitting area. Dust has settled on the end tables like the down on a thistle. Be gracious. Say as little about your mess as possible. You might make your guests feel bad for dropping in. Err on the side of gracious hospitality and put your all-I-want-for-Christmas-is-a-neat-house ego on hold. Choose to be a blessing to all who seek your company. What a compliment. They wanted to come see YOU!

Enjoy the merriment this week as we move into the count down--10 days until Christmas ....Cathy Messecar

A Costly Christmas?

Do you find that the errands, gifts, extra groceries, cards, and charitable giving make your Christmas costly? Well, this time of year does increase spending but, it doesn't have to break your bank.

Order on Amazon.com

Although there are tons of tips in our Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts I'd like to share one little idea to increase the meaning of Christmas without the money. 

What's more special than giving something homemade, personal, and affordable? Teach your children to make handprint cards for teachers, grandparents, pals, etc.

Using an 8.5 x 11" sheet of cardstock, folded in half (like a card), trace Dad's handprint with a red colored pencil. Next have Mom trace her hand in green inside the outline of Dad's. Then, using a different color pencil for each child, trace his/her handprint around the large one of Dad and Mom. 

By using a different color for each family member, the card is joyfully colored plus gives distinction to each person. You can shade inside the handprints or leave them plain.

Next, print the name of each person or glue a small picture inside his/her handprint. What a unique keepsake!

Open your "card" and write a Merry Christmas greeting to your recipient. You can buy large envelops at stationary or craft stores that will fit your homemade card. But to save more money, simply use giftwrap and a glue stick to make a colorful envelop.

Check out some of the other ideas in our book and have a Merry, money-wise Christmas!  ~ Brenda Nixon

Our Christmas Book

We gals who write these Christmas blog posts wrote a book together.

Today it is on sale on Amazon for only $13.59 Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday

There are lots of reviews there that make us smile to read them.
One reader wrote there:
"This charming book creates a beautiful harmony from the unique voices of its six authors. It would make a great "open before Christmas" gift. It's homespun look and content are a reminder that the holidays are a time to celebrate and enjoy, not to stress over!"
Post written by Terra Hangen

What's Your Quote?

Merry Christmas to you, our dear blog readers!

I thought it'd be fun to exchange some of our fave Christmas quotes. I'll go first . . .


There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries.  ~W.J. Cameron

This is the message of Christmas:  We are never alone.  ~Taylor Caldwell

The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.  ~ C.S. Lewis (his first name was Clive)

Got a fave quote to share? Leave it below in our comments section.

If you haven't done it yet, put our A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts out as a lovely coffee table book!  ~Brenda

'Tis the Season

Everywhere you look there are colored lights, decorated Christmas trees, wrapping paper, and the sound of seasonal songs. I love it!

If you've read our book (see right) and our bios, then you know we each have different interests aside from writing... or differences in writing. We each live in different states. But we've come together to pen this tome to help you cherish your family and simplify the holidays.

One American group that doesn't decorate their homes, drag a tree inside the house, or tune the radio to hear constant music, is the Amish. Since writing A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, I've become personally acquainted with some Amish, our daughter married a fine young man who grew up and left the Amish, and my husband and I have hosted several individuals transitioning from Amish to English life.  

I've been on a vertical learning curve about this complex, cloistered culture. Today, I blog about the Amish, specifically the most conservative orders -- Old and Swartzentruber. So what I share does not reflect all Amish. Rather than describe here their Christmas behaviors, read a bit about them in my post  "Amish Christmas." Click the link to my new blog and enjoy!  ~ Brenda Nixon