My friend Rett did this on her blog and I want to do it too! Wives of Faith is doing a 12 Days of Christmas Blog Carnival. See the latest post here.
So I'll catch up with the days I missed and hopefully keep up from here on out!
1st Day of Christmas: My Favorite Christmas Song
I have several favorite Christmas songs and I am unable to pick just ONE. I love "Oh Holy Night" and "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas". They both can get me all choked up pretty quickly because of their messages. I also love the song "Silver Bells" for extremely nostalgic reasons. My mother has never been known for her singing voice - but for some reason, she could sing that song on pitch and I remember driving around in the car at Christmas time, singing Silver Bells with my Mom. It is a good memory.
2nd Day of Christmas: My Favorite Christmas Recipe
My grandma always made fondant at Christmastime. I try and make it each Christmas now to remember her. It is pretty much PLAIN SUGAR, but oh so yummy. I used to love helping her knead the fondant and then roll it into balls and place nuts in the middle. I miss Grandma this time of year.
No Cook Fondant
1/3 c. soft butter
1/3 c. corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar (TOLD YA!)
Food coloring (optional)
Blend the butter, syrup, salt, and vinalla in a mixing bowl.
Add sugar and mix again. Turn onto cloth and knead until smooth.
Wrap and chill. Divide into thirds and add food coloring.
Nuts, coconuts, or candied cherries can be added or leave plain
and put a walnut half on top. (She always made them with the walnuts.)
1/3 c. soft butter
1/3 c. corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar (TOLD YA!)
Food coloring (optional)
Blend the butter, syrup, salt, and vinalla in a mixing bowl.
Add sugar and mix again. Turn onto cloth and knead until smooth.
Wrap and chill. Divide into thirds and add food coloring.
Nuts, coconuts, or candied cherries can be added or leave plain
and put a walnut half on top. (She always made them with the walnuts.)
3rd Day of Christmas: The Best Christmas Present I Ever Gave
This one is pretty easy. I LOVE giving gifts. I often get in trouble because I can't wait until Christmas to give presents and then I end up buying more to make sure those I love have something to open on Christmas. But the best Christmas Present I Ever Gave had a little help from the family I spent most of my time with during high school. I credit this family with helping me survive some rough times in my life. Their family had a tradition of making blankets out of jean material. They are so warm and you can personalize them by using patches on the squares, etc. (The Family Mama actually made me one too, and I still sleep under it.)
When my Grandfather died, I got some of his old farm overalls - and that sweet family helped me sew a jean blanket for my Grandma. I worked day and night for a couple of days before our family Christmas. I remember all of us around their kitchen table putting the final touches on it the morning before I was to give it to Grandma. I was exhausted that Christmas, but seeing how much Grandma loved the blanket was so worth it. If you read my blog, you know my Grandma is gone now too - and I just recently got that blanket back. It is a great memory that I can share with my children.
4th Day of Christmas: The Best Christmas Present I Ever Received
I have a lot - but I don't remember the Christmas GETTING as much as I remember the other things. One of the first things that came to mind for me was during my freshman year of college. My parents got divorced that year. It was a rough time, but my Dad and I have always been close and we helped each other through it. That year, I came home and there was a leather jacket on my bed. I had always wanted a leather "bomber" jacket and my Dad got me one. I think he knew we both needed some happiness in our lives. I still have that jacket and it always makes me think of Dad.
5th Day of Christmas: My Favorite Christmas Movie
Once again, I cannot pick just one. I have several. First of all, it is a family tradition to watch "White Christmas" every year. I have great memories of that movie and now my hubby and I watch it with our children. I also love the old cartoon "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with the mice and the clock. As for newer Christmas movies? I love The Santa Clause movies, the Grinch, and probably my most favorite . . . The Muppet Christmas Carol. The music in that movie just GETS me. Hmmm. I think we need to watch it. Tonight.
6th Day of Christmas: My Funniest Christmas Memory
I can't think of a funniest right now . . . but I can think of a "funnest": Our first Christmas with the kids. These three children who had never seen Christmas like we do it. Their eyes bulging out when they came down the stairs and saw all the presents and the things Santa left for them under the tree. We went a little crazy with gifts that year, but we were trying to make up for the Christmases where they didn't have as much. It was so fun, watching them open those gifts, hardly believe it was for them. We were still getting to know each other as a family - but that first Christmas was so exciting - and I will always remember it.
7th Day of Christmas: What Christmas Means to Me
My first thought when I read this was "Lights please . . ."
Linus reminds us every year of what "Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown" and that is what Christmas means to me. Christmas is about Jesus' birth, which was about Love. Christmas is about His love for us and our love for each other.
I finally got caught up - I'll try to do the rest of the days one at a time!
I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful time of year . . .
