ABCs of Christmas

A is for the Animals who shared the stable
B is for the Babe with their manger for cradle.
C is for the Carols so blithe and gay.
D is for December, the twenty-fifth day.
E is for the Eve when we're all so excited.
F is for the Fun when the tree's at last lighted.
G is for Goose which you all know is fat.
H is the Holly you stick in your hat.
I is for the Ivy that clings to the wall.
J is for Jesus, the cause of it all.
K is for the Kindness begot by this feast.
L is for the Light shining way in the East.
M is for the Mistletoe, all green and white.
N is for the Noels we sing Christmas night.
O is for the Oxen, the first to adore Him.
P is for the Presents the Wise Men laid before Him.
Q is for the Quiet of the holy Eve as God's greatest blessing we all did receive.
R is for the Reindeer leaping over the roofs.
S is for the Stockings that Santa Claus stuffs.
T is for the Toys, the Tinsel, the Tree.
U is for Us - the whole family.
V is for Visitors bringing us cheer.
W is Welcome to the happy New Year.
X, Y, Z bother me.
So now to you all, wherever you be, a merry merry Christmas, and many may you see!

25 Days of Party Recipes - Day 8

Banana Spice Cookies - Cookies

1/2 cup margarine or butter
2-1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp ground cloves
3 bananas, mashed (1 cup)
1/2 cup walnuts, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat margarine with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add about half the flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, and cloves. Beat until thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Beat in bananas. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on rack.

If you want to add nuts, then add chopped nuts after you mix in the bananas.

25 Days of Party Recipes - Day 7

Buckeyes - Cookies

2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound powdered sugar
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, and vanilla together. Add powdered sugar, a small amount at a time, mixing by hand. Continue adding sugar until mixture can be rolled into 1" balls that stay together.

Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave. Placing ball on fork, dip 3/4 of ball into chocolate. Place balls on wax paper-lined baking sheet. Place in freezer to set.

Yields: 5 dozen

Christmas Trivia - Nativity Scene

St. Francis of Assisi is responsible for popularizing the nativity scene, but it most probably existed earlier. In 1223 or 1224, St. Francis wanted to add hope and joy of God's love to his message by constructing a life-size manger scene with live animals, with the gospel sung around the scene.

25 Days of Party Recipes - Day 6

Original Chex Party Mix - Snack

6 tablespoons margarine or butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoons garlic powder1
1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup pretzels
1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cereal

Heat oven to 250°. Melt margarine in large roasting pan in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in remaining ingredients until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.

Happy Gingerbread Day

Here's a site to check out in honor of Gingerbread Day.

Check out the houses... one for every occasion. Great inspiration!

Make Recycled Wrapping Paper Bows

Here's a creative way to recycle all that surplus gift wrapping paper; you can use it to make beautiful paper bows.