Merry Christmas

*****

Hello. Last night "A Charlie Brown Christmas Special" was on. Yes I still watch it each year.. For me, it is the kick off of the season and I watch it each year. For over 40 years now. it's been the same story yet each year it is also so true. We need less commercialism and more spiritualism. Yet each year there is more things to buy, things to bake and places to go to.

Hubby had to work 12 hours yesterday and it looks like he will be working many more 12 hour days until Christmas. Oh my. I recorded his favorite show last night and I didn't watch it. I know how much he loves "Survivor" and I don't want to spoil it for him, who got kicked off last night.

*****

Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie

From Paula Deen

* 2 squares (2-ounces) semisweet chocolate

* 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

* 1 cup sugar

* 2 eggs, beaten

* 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove
the pan from the heat and add the sugar, then the eggs; beat well. Pour the
filling into the pie crust and bake for 25 minutes or until just set. Serve warm
or cold, with ice cream or whipped cream.

*****

50 things to do with kids for Christmas, Check out holiday books at the library.

*****

Oreo Bon Bons

1 pkg Oreos
1 8 oz pkg Cream Cheese
Almond Bark or Choc Chips

Put oreos and softened cream cheese in mixing bowl and use your mixer to beat them together. Drop balls on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Freeze. Melt Almond bark and dip frozen balls. Return to wax paper and freeze until firm. Serve frozen or thawed.

*****

From The Charlie Brown Christmas Special

Christmas time is here,
happiness and cheer,
fun for all that children
call their favorite time of year.

Snowflakes in the air,
carols everywhere,
olden times and ancient rhymes
and love and dreams to share.

Sleigh bells in the air;
beauty every where;
yuletide by the fireside
and joyful memories there.

Christmas time is here;
we'll be drawing near;
oh that we could always see
such spirit through the year,
such spirit through the year.

*****

Is it time to turn the mattress. To be sure your mattress has even aging, it is recommended that a mattress is turned every month. You should also flip it over.

*****

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/christmasornaments10/chenillepoinsettia.htm

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

Courtesy of BetterBudgeting.com

"Classy Chenille Stick Poinsettia"

Submitted by Rebecca K. of Pensacola, FL

I had these fun-looking chenille pipe sticks and wanted to make flowers with them. I started to fold them and arrange them, and just kept adding fun things to make them into an ornament. I used them for gift toppers this year, hung them on the tree and attached them to Christmas Cards that I handed out. There is no better feeling than making something special to give, and these can be made in any color you can get beads and chenille sticks in (many colors). I love that this ornament is fluffy and colorful. It really pops on a Christmas tree (and really covers those bare spots if you have a bald branch!)

Materials Needed:

8 Chenille Bumpy Pipe Cleaners
10 inches of ribbon (for a hanger)
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Thread in a color to match Bumpy Pipe Cleaners
Beads to put in the center
Clear thread and beading needle
Small piece of felt

Directions:

Step 1: Fold pipe cleaners after the first and third fluffy parts, pinch each end a bit. Do this with all the pipe cleaners.

Step 2:

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 with 4 more pipe cleaners.

Step 4: Place one circle of pipe cleaners on top of the other and use thread again to hold them in place. Tie firmly in back.

Step 5: Bead a needle with clear thread, and sew some beads in the middle of the flower.

Step 6: Flip the flower to the back, and glue on the hanger with the glue gun. Hot glue a small circle of felt to cover the backing and the ribbon.

Make it your own by using other colors, adding glitter or using a button in the center. The options are endless!

The Chenille Pipe Sticks can be found in any craft store or on the web. I've noticed they have various names by brand. Sometimes they are called Bumpy Chenille Pipe Cleaners.

*****

Things to do at Christmas time, Give out Candy Canes to strangers.

*****