The Christmas Challenge

Yesterday I was out running errands amid the Christmas shopping madness, and madness is really the best way to describe what I saw.  In the seasonal movies Christmas shopping is full of hustle, bustle, smiles, and people wishing each other a "Merry Christmas."  That's not at all what I saw and experienced.  Very few people smiled, I didn't hear a single "Merry Christmas," not even a "Happy Holidays."  One woman snapped at a cashier over something the poor girl had absolutely no control.  Another woman was loudly complaining because the item she was looking for wasn't available.  Everyone seemed rather rude and in such a hurry.

When did Christmas become such a chore?  

Something the last couple of years has taught me is that life is to be cherished, and our loved ones are the true gifts.  I know I wouldn't have survived what I have without my family and friends.  Christmas should be a joyous occasion, and gifts should come from heart.  

I have a challenge...

The Christmas Challenge

• Tell your family and friends that you love them.  That may be something they don't hear often, and they should hear and know it.


• Do something for someone else.   

• When you're baking your Christmas cookies, take a half dozen over to your neighbor so they know you're thinking of them.  
• Spend $5 at the Dollar Store on a hat, scarf, and pair of gloves.  Then either drop them off at your local homeless shelter or give them to the homeless man you see every day at lunch.  
• Donate a bag of food to the pet shelter, or better yet, take an animal home for the holidays so the shelter employees can have time off as well.
• Take muffins to the police or fire station in your neighborhood.
• Donate canned food to a foodbank.
• Volunteer.


• Be nice!

• Remember your manners.  Say please, thank you, and excuse me.
• Smile at those around you.  A smile is contagious, and you may find yourself starting a cheery trend.
• Don't yell at the cashier, servers, or others.  The majority of the time they aren't even responsible for whatever has you in such a sour mood anyway.  
• Pay someone a sincere compliment.

And that's the Christmas Challenge.  It does have three parts, but none of them are difficult or expensive.  The only thing they really require is for each of us to take a few moments to have a better attitude toward others. Think you can do it?

C'mon, I double dog dare you!

The Sounds of the Season

I’ve always loved Christmas music.  I love the hymns, the carols, the newer songs – I love them all. They lift my soul and fill me with happiness.

There are five CDs that top my list.  If I can have them in my CD player, then I'm happy for the entire season.

The Carpenters -- Christmas Portrait



Nat King Cole -- The Christmas Song



Amy Grant -- A Christmas Album



Tchaikovsky -- The Nutcracker



A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 1

That's my list of my favorite Christmas music.  What's yours?

The Perfect Christmas Fudge

From Thanksgiving to Christmas I love to cook and bake.  I especially enjoy making candy.  One of my favorite candies is fudge -- any type, and what could be a better selection for Christmas than this one?

Candy Cane Fudge

Ingredients

• 2 10-oz pkgs. white chocolate baking chips
• 1 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups finely-crushed candy canes
• red food coloring

Directions

Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and then lightly coat the bottom with butter.

In a medium size saucepan, combine the chips and the sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the chips are melted, or at least mostly melted.

Remove the pan from the heat and continue to stir until all of the chips are melted.  Then stir in the peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.

Spread the fudge evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.

Dot the top of the fudge with several drops of food coloring.  Cut through the fudge and food coloring with a butter knife, making a swirl pattern.

Chill for 2 hours. Remove the fudge from the baking pan by lifting the foil from both ends. Transfer fudge to cutting board, and cut into 1-inch squares.

If you'd like some Christmas fun, check out the North Pole Community on Facebook.

Project: Warm Wishes

 Project: #WarmWishes will wish Nashville a very Merry Christmas while providing warmth to those deserving, less fortunate or homeless, via the delivery of at least 150 scarves, hats and gloves.

A team of elves will pick up donations, craft scarves, and then deliver them about Nashville on a set day before Christmas. Some elves will place scarves in the public way as gifts to the Nashvillians who find them, while other elves will deliver scarves to the homeless, the Rescue Mission, shelters and churches for inclusion in family baskets.

We're also accepting donations of yarn and fleece so that our elves can handcraft some scarves and hats for use throughout the winter, which has been forecasted to be a harsh one.

Donations are being accepted at the following locations:

• In Donelson: Vittles at 2278 Lebanon Pike.
• In Hermitage/Mt. Juliet: Mystical Heart Spiritual Center at 12020 Lebanon Pike.
• In West Nashville: Draconis Arcanum at 214 E. Trinity Lane. (They will give you a 10% discount on your purchase with your donation!)

And if you are in a particularly generous mood, please know that a small $10 donation buys the material to craft at least three warm scarves and a hat. It also goes a long way toward paying for those sneaky little expenses that like to pop up from time to time, things like printer ink, gas, etc.

Thank you and warm wishes to you and yours this Christmas season!