Have you ever baked Christmas cookies? It is a lot of fun right, well for those that can bake them. I know that baking desserts are more of my forte, but the cookie department is another story. I have memories of baking slice and bake and burning them lol! But the fun part is always, of course, eating them and spending that quality time with the kids and your spouse, sister, mother or friend. Make the most of your time with those you love today. Happy baking!!!
What is your favorite Christmas carol? Does it bring back childhood memories of how your family spent Christmas?
Sometimes those days are great when your family was intact, but for others, it is difficult when your memories are of spending time for Christmas in two houses or missing a parent who passed away.
Today as an adult, the memories may come back when you hear that particular song and it can be painful, but an opportunity exists to turn the feelings around.
Volunteering during the holiday season to make a difference at a boys and girl club for children that may be in the same situation can make a difference. The kids that attend may be in the same situation that you were in growing up and having someone sharing Christmas with them, maybe a special gift to them. It is not always about the presents but rather the love that bonds people together. Merry Christmas!
Do you remember how excited you were as a child during Christmas? As soon as you started seeing candy canes, you knew that Christmas was almost here.
Life was simple with wishes for a toy truck, a train, a doll, a bicycle, or a kitchen set.
Kids were entertained with reading stories by the Christmas tree every night staying on their best behavior.
The times have changed to get the latest greatest electronic toys that get opened in the first hour of Christmas morning and then possibly put aside later that afternoon because the boredom with it settled in. Today let’s rewind back to those simpler days at least for the Christmas season.
Read a book under the tree, wrap gifts together, sing Christmas carols as you decorate the Christmas tree, and enjoy breakfast together Christmas morning before opening gifts. Our family tradition for years has been to have everyone together for a big breakfast with the aromas of freshly baked blueberry muffins and the warmth of coffee, hot cocoa, and breakfast casseroles.
Those special moments together before a marathon of everyone opening gifts one at a time are the memories we treasure. Follow author Rosie Moore
The Christmas season brings out the giving in all of us. This Christmas season consider volunteering your time to something near and dear to your heart. Your help makes a difference to those that can use a cheerful smile and are not able to have as Merry a Christmas due to circumstances in their lives. Today, The Gift of Life a nonprofit organization will be packaging bears and hats for over 200 families that will have babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and are not able to go home for Christmas.
I remember when my son was born 13 weeks premature and how upset I was because I was not able to bring him home and enjoy his first Christmas. But the kind gesture of an anonymous person who gave us an umbrella, a devotion book, and a rattle for our baby uplifted my spirit. It was not about the gifts, it was about the note that was attached, “I know that this is a difficult time not being able to take your baby home for Christmas, but we are here for you and praying for your little miracle.”
From that day on, my husband and I decided that we were going to make a difference and pay it forward. Today we are The Gift of Life, a nonprofit organization that started supporting parents of premature babies and their babies in the NICU. We started with cookies….you too can make a difference…
We could not do what we do without our ladies who knit and crochet from Good Samaritan Village and all over Central Florida and even as far as St Lucia!! These ladies knit and crochet with love and feel very honored to be a part of a baby’s life as they recuperate in teh Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. To learn more about our knitters or join our group please follow them at The Gift of Life Knitters
During Christmas time there are many recipes for drinks that people make and it brings back the memories of Christmas pasts. A longtime favorite is hot cocoa, it is a drink for all ages.
This weekend as the temperatures chill, yes, I know Florida chill as compared to our Northern friends is a big difference, make some hot cocoa
and take some time to sit and look at the Christmas tree or sit by the fireplace.
Enjoy the chill in the air, and just simply live life.
Life is so short to live it in a rush and worrying about all the things that need to be done.
Here is an old fashioned hot cocoa recipe:
Heat 3/4 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat unti just before boiling. Remove from heat and transfer to a large mug. Stir in 1 ounce coarsely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate pieces. Let stand about 30 seconds then stir to combine.
Follow author Rosie Moore
