Note: I don't know what has happened with the bells. There was supposed to be one. They don't show up on the Post screen and keep multiplying each time I exit and come back in. Sorry ~~ Marilee
*****
John
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
*****
Your
children need your presence more than your presents.” — Jesse
Jackson
*****
performed
by Charlotte Church
from
Christmas Carol: the
Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoIFSJcmN6U
Time
to spread some hope,
Make
the spirits rise
Do
you see the wonder in their eyes
Time
to speak of love
Hold
each other close
Cause
it's the heart that matters most
Its
still the same old moon
Why
does it shine so bright
There's
a little magic in the air tonight
Time
to speak of love
Hold
each other close
Cause
it's the heart that matters most
Always
the heart that matters most
Oh,
take a look around you can see that it's true
It's
like a river flowing inside of you
Everyone
needs love, you need it too
So
here's what you, have got to do
Spread
a little hope, make the spirits rise
Do
you see the wonder in their eyes
Time
to speak of love, hold each other close
cause
it's the heart that matters most
In
time we come to learn
It's
the heart that matters most
*****
Dean
loves apple cake, so here’s a luscious recipe for you :)
Caramel
Apple Pudding cake
2
large Granny Smith apples, peeled, thinly sliced
1
pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix, divided
2
pkg. (3.4 oz. each) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1-1/2
cups cold milk
1
jar (12.25 oz.) caramel ice cream topping, divided
1/4
cup water
1
cup thawed Whipped Topping, divided
1/2
cup Dry Roasted Peanuts
Heat
oven to 350°F. Toss apples with 1 Tbsp. cake mix. Prepare cake
batter with remaining cake mix as directed on package; pour into
13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with apples.
2
Beat dry pudding mixes, milk, 3/4 cup caramel topping and water with
whisk 2 min.; drizzle over apples. Place baking dish on baking sheet.
3
Bake cake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until golden brown. Cool 20
min. (Sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.)
4
Whisk remaining caramel topping and COOL WHIP until well blended.
Spoon over cake slices just before serving; top with nuts.
*****
Legend
of the Christmas Pickle
The
tradition of the Christmas Pickle has got to be one of the most
bizarre modern “German” Christmas traditions because no one is
quite sure why it exists at all!
Basically,
sometime before Christmas, a glass pickle ornament is hidden in the
branches of a Christmas tree. Then, the first child to find the
pickle on Christmas morning gets a special treat, gift or they get to
open the first gift.
Why?
There are several theories as to how this came about.
Theory
number 1
In
the 1600s, the tradition of having a Christmas tree was started by
devout Christians. Martin Luther added the first candles. German
immigrants coming into America brought with them many customs and
traditions - one of which was the Christmas Tree. Christmas trees
were set up on Christmas Eve. The last ornament to go on the tree was
a pickle. The first child to find it in the morning, got to eat it!
Everyone knows German love pickles, so this one has to be true,
right? The funny thing is that Dean lived in Germany for 2 years and
never heard about this enchanting German tradition. Tomorrow we’ll
review theory number 2.
*****
Today is my sweetest of heart's birthday. Here is a Christmas love story to celebrate the day. He brought so much light into my life when we met 50 years ago. (that sounds like such a long time, but it just seems like yesterday) I have learned about love from him and the power of love. He has strengthened my faith and belief in the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. He has brought them into focus. Thank you, Dean~~Marilee
*****
The
Hunt For The Perfect Christmas
(any
resemblance to any living person or persons is purely coincidental.)
Author:
Undisclosed (for her own safety)
It
started off innocently enough. Dean came in from outside and said
“Come on, get in the car, let’s go. Hurry up, we need to get
there on time!” When Dean decides to go somewhere, he wants to go
right now. He hates waiting. Even more than hating to wait, he hates
to be late! It’s a Lewis thing. (No, wait, forget I said that).
“We’re
going somewhere? It’s not on my calendar! What did I forget?”
We're
going to find "Perfect Christmas."
“You
know where it is?”
“I
do. I went online and did a search. I have detailed instructions and
even printed out a paper map to
follow in case we lose service. It’s amazing what you can find on
Mapquest. See, here it is, right here on the map -- Perfect
Christmas, USA.”
I
was a little skeptical, ok, a lot skeptical. I’ve looked for
“Perfect Christmas” all my life, but haven’t found it yet. So
Dean just sat down at the computer and found it in 5 minutes? It
couldn’t be that easy. “Tell me a little bit more about this.”
“I
found it at www.perfectchristmas.com.
I've got my trusty road map right here.”
To
fully appreciate that, you have to understand the relationship
between Dean and maps. He was born with a map in his hand–didn’t
want to take any wrong turns on the way out. He loves maps. He has
more maps than I have books. You want to thrill my husband? Well,
give him the most accurate map to anywhere. It won’t matter where
it’s to, as long as it’s a map. Nathan takes after him. He reads
maps for fun too!
“Seatbelt
on?”
Of
course. Where do we go first?
“It’s
marked on the map. Here, you give me directions.”
Dean
handed me the printout of the map. I panicked. To fully appreciate
that, you have to understand the relationship between me and maps. I
was NOT born with a map in my hand. I’ve definitely taken some
wrong turns along the way! I lived here in Utah for 10 years before I
could find our town on a map! And he’s trusting me for directions?
Oh, you’d think he’d know better.
“What's
the first place on the list?”
“It’s
Pinetop – the Christmas Tree capital of the world, and it’s right
here on this map! We’re going to pick out a REAL live
Christmas tree?”
“Yeah,
the bigger the better!”
“It
should be easy to find; the route branches off the trunk road. (Dean
groaned) Well, it wouldn't be Christmas without a corny joke or two,
right?”
“Check
the map.”
“What’s
next? Is it new lights? Strings of lights and beads? Is
it Decorations...lovely decorations...glass angels and
nativities ... crystal snowflakes? We’ll have the most beautiful
house on the street!” I see it here on the map, Dean, Overboard,
USA, but it’s not marked, Dean.”
“The
first Christmas was humble. A stable, a manger and poor shepherds.”
I
was silent for a minute, then said, “Got it. No going over
board – got it!” What's after the tree?”
“Check
the map.”
“Oh,
Dean, it’s Chocolate Bayou, just outside of Hopeulickit!” My
pulse jumped and I was as excited as Dean is when he sees a new
Atlas! “Oh, Dean, they have chocolate pies, and pudding and fudge,
chocolate truffles and even turkeys! I’ve never heard of a
chocolate turkey before, but I’ll gobble it down.”
“About
that pun...check the map! Next.”
“Pinetop,
again????”
“You
have the map upside down.”
“Oh...right...let’s
see...Here’s umm Gottahaveit Mall, just outside of Greedyville?
“That’s
not marked. Check the map.”
“It’s
Hearts Desire, the place where Christmas dreams come true. It says
here that the first Christmas was a gift. Let’s go in. I’m sure
they’ll have nativity scenes here.”
I
lost Dean the second we entered the store. After 3 hours of wandering
from one end of Heart’s Desire to the other, he found me. Dean told
me that he had the perfect gift for me and that he was giving it to
me right there and then. It wasn’t very big, but the wrapping
was beautiful. What was it? A new sense of direction!
Back
in the car, Dean said, “Can you
see a gas station, Marilee? The tank's getting low.” We stopped at
a nearby service station and before I knew it, he was filling the
tank for an elderly couple,
so they didn't have to stand in the cold. I was crocheting stocking
caps for everyone with red ears, as well as nose warmers for
sniffers. Dean and I agreed that Christmas wouldn't be perfect
without a stop at a service
station.
"Where
next Dean?"
“There’s
an x there for Perfect Christmas. We have the tree, food and gifts,
and have done some service, so this must be it.”
The
road twisted and turned until we found ourselves on a quiet street,
about 4 miles out of town. There was a house about a quarter mile
down the road that seemed somewhat familiar. Dean opened the door for
me, we walked in, and he put his arms around me. I realized he had
indeed found Perfect Christmas, and so had I – standing there in my
own home in the arms of the man I love.
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