Top Ten Fridays: Ten Holiday Treats

And now (even though there is a winter storm warning and it is going to be freezing outside), another Christmas Top Ten Friday!!

Top Ten Holiday Treats: (Least favorite to Most loved - can't do without - treats)

10) Mincemeat Tarts - I have grown to love these tarts. They are my Dad's favorite so they are always around. They are really good and have a nice spicy taste.

9) Egg Nog - With or without the spiking??

8) Peppermint... - ANYTHING! I love Peppermint teas, hot chocolates, mochas...Yummy!!

7) Shortbread Cookies - Fattening, but delicious! (Especially if they are melt-in-your-mouth, like they should be.

6) Sugar Cookies - It is especially fun decorating these with the kids. Also my recipe is great for dipping into hot drinks.

5) Creme de Menthe bars - I love mint! Mint and chocolate comes second only to peanut butter and chocolate!

4) Nanaimo Bars - My ultimate favorite bar at Christmas. Yummy!

3) Butter Tarts - I can hear my Dad saying that "these can be had anytime of the year", but we never make them unless it is Christmas. I love them.

2) Battenburg Cake - Although I haven't had it for years because we used to buy it from Marks and Spencer, which is now closed down in Canada. I still remember it fondly and my mouth waters...

1) Mom's Home-made Fudge - Sorry! You can't make this one. I've tried, but it just isn't the same unless my Mommy is making it! She has that special touch, which I think runs in her side of the family. (Her uncle was a candy maker and owned a candy store downtown!)
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Ahh the memories that these bring back. My Mom and my aunt would set a day as the "Bake-a-thon" day. We would listen to Christmas music, bake and take short breaks for dancing on the footstool. It was lovely.

What are your baking memories? What will your family be eating this Christmas? Please share! (And pass the egg nog - unspiked!!)

Tuesday Tunes 16: It's True!!

Imagine the wonder of being told that you were going to have a baby, who would be the son of God. And Mary believed. She didn't even have to think about it. She immediately believed. Amazing.

Imagine being told by Mary, that you were going to be the father of the son of God. That Mary was already pregnant, and not with your child. You are not married yet, although you are engaged. Back then that was like being married already. Would you run away? Joseph doesn't, even though it would be a natural reaction.

Imagine angels telling you to come to Bethlehem and see a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. He is the Savior of the World. He has come to save you. Go and see him. And the shepherds left and went. They believed right away. They didn't hesitate.

The story is as old as time, and yet it is still as powerful and fraught with mysteries and complications. It's True! This story. It's True!! That's what this song is about.

It's True - Sara Groves (click here to listen to a clip)

In your heart you
know it’s true
though you hold no expectation
in the deepest part of you
there’s an open hesitation

but it’s true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it’s true
Angels on high
sing through the night
alleluya

heard it told you
think it’s odd
the whole thing fraught with complication
the play begins with baby God
and all His blessed implications

but it’s true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it’s trueAngels on high
sing through the night
alleluia

alleluia, alleluia

Oh it’s true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it’s trueAngels on high
sing through the night
alleluia

Top Ten Fridays: Favorite Christmas Movies

I apologize for having a late entry. We have had no internet for the past 48 hours. Our internet does this every once and a while. Yesterday I was fed up and called our provider. He told me to try a couple of things that I had already tried on my own. Then he said he would send someone out today (Saturday) to check it out. Murphy's law: I get off the phone and half an hour later my internet was back up and running!! Go figure!!

As promised, I will continue with favorite Christmas things. This week...movies!!

Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies: (in random order)

10) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - with those wonderful songs and those characters (an elf that wants to be a dentist!!) this one is just loveable. It is also the one most likely to be shown on my birthday (Dec. 21)

9) Mickey's Christmas Carol - I love this one. It is a little less dark that the originals, so that kids can watch it!

8) Miracle on 34th Street (the newer version) - I have never seen the original (or just bits and pieces), but I just love Richard Attenborough as Santa Clause!

7) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon) - A classic!

6) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carey) - Jim Carey has such a way with bringing the Grinch to life. It is very cute.

5) Muppet's Christmas Carol - Everytime I think of this one, I remember Kermit's nephew as Tiny Tim. He is just so cute. You just want to squish him!! Plus this one is musical and I love musicals!!

4) Little Drummer Boy - I just really like the simplicity of the story. It is what Christmas should be like: simple!!

3) Polar Express - Aidan loves this movie! I do to! I know it is all about believing in Santa Claus, but more importantly: It is about believing in something you cannot see. That is exactly what we do as Christians - FAITH!!

2) Charlie Brown's Christmas - Again, the story is simple! I always feel for Charlie Brown. He's trying to direct the play and no one is listening (Snoopy steals the show, of course). It is frustrating. It is the innocence that makes this one of my ultimate favorites. The Christmas tree, then Linus explaining the true meaning of Christmas.... It is lovely.

1) The Star of Christmas (Veggie Tales) - This one is just cute! I love the Veggie Tales!!
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Those are some of my favorites. I know I have left some out. Please let me know any of yours that I have missed!! I hope you have a chance to enjoy some wonderful Christmas specials!!

Tuesday Tunes 14: Twosday - 2 for 1 Day!

Since it is Tuesday (or Twosday, as Tina pointed out) I have decided to include 2 songs for Christmas today. I feel like I need to drown out the political chaos that our country is in today. It could suck me up with it, but I refuse to give in!

Here's one for Tina, since she has put this song in my head again! At least it has lovely pictures of warm places. Let's all go to Hawaii, shall we?



(If you cannot see the above, it is Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka", which I am sure you are all familiar with!)

The second one is more serious, I guess. I want to make sure that I include some that actually deal with the reason for the season, pardon the expression! This is one of my favorites. I really like the Michael W. Smith version, but I really liked this video (it's the Chris Rice version). "Welcome to our World".

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking

How we need to hear from God

You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child

Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger

How I wish we would have known

But long-awaited Holy Stranger

Make Yourself at home

Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence

Bid our hungry souls be filled

Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world

Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us

Tender brow prepared for thorn

Tiny heart whose blood will save us

Unto us is born

Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around

YouBreathe our air and walk our sod

Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God

Perfect Son of God

Welcome to our world

May we visit the manger anew this year.