Saturday, November 10, 2007

Everybody loves surprises! I know I sure do! In fact ask my post lady what I ask her, when I see her filling the boxes. Do you have any brown paper packages tied up with strings? LOL Most days she says no, that makes me sad. So lets get going with some Blog Candy! Yes I said Blog Candy! I want to give some postal surprises.
To help me think happy thoughts (see 2nd post down) I want you to leave me a Happy Christmas Memory or Tradition. Something that makes you smile when You think about it. It can be an event, a special recipe or ornament. Just a Happy thought that brings a smile in this wonderful season.

Mine is..... I always start the season with a viewing of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. I love this movie so much. I play it several times during the Holidays. I am a little sappy. LOL
This movie aired every year on Christmas Eve. My sister and I would slip away from the festivities upstairs. (It's my Dad's Birthday) and we would watch the movie together. We would sing and dance to the sisters song and those memories do bring a smile to my face. In fact I feel like having a Hot chocolate and watching it today. As Elf would say "Smiling is my most favourite"! So is Christmas, so help me smile and post a comment.
"Winners will be chosen at random" But you can't win if you don't play!

35 comments:

Cheryl said...

What fun remembering all the past holidays! I have lots of wonderful memories that bring a smile to my face, but the best one was when my grandpa lifted me up to look out the window to see Rudolph in the field behind his farmhouse eating and waiting for Santa to hitch him up. I was such an excited little girl. Thanks for letting me relive this!!
Cheryl Sims

Scott Franson Photography said...

You have a wonderful blog. My favorite memory is the faces of our children when they would run into the room Christmas morning and see their gifts.
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net

Elaine said...

One of my favorites is digging out the Christmas CD music and making cookies with my kids and friends

Jan Scholl said...

the only Christmas cd I really like is the one by the Carpenters-especially the song I'll be home for Christmas.

I had the viynl, cassette and now am on a cd for it.

And I always watch Rudolf.

Jannette said...

one of my favorite things for the holidays are making the cookies, at least 8 different kinds. (I take a bunch to work)and making some pies. And I do all this with my family. Oh and lets not forget my favorite cd Trans-Siberian Orchestra!!

Cathy M said...

WHOOO HOOO mystery blog candy! Count me in, I love surprises that I know will be fun wants it shows up. We live in Kansas City and Thanksgiving night we go to the Plaza and watch them turn on Christmas lights. It seems to get bigger and bigger every year, that we watch it on TV sometimes. Love to listen to Christmas music and bake with my sisters and all the kids, of course they usually disappear shortly, but always comes back to try the goods out.
Thanks for a chance.
cmeyers@hughes.net

Tammy B said...

oh christmas, what DON'T i love about you? the music. the decorations. the smells. the kindness. the pictures of screaming kids on santa's lap. good times. my fondest memory of christmas yore was when i was finally old enough to help my mom and grandmother - both now gone - with their massive baking extravaganza. the cookies, the pies, the rolls and breads, the fruitcakes - to this day, i adore a good homemade fruitcake. i look forward to having all 3 of my daughters (aged 6 and 4) be much more involved this year; and although i know the cleanup will be more extensive, i'm hoping the memory will last a lifetime.

Pat S. said...

Hi Lisa!
This is my first time here, so I had to scroll down and see what you had been doing. I am so very sorry to read about Oswald. I have 2 precious kitties living with me. I know how much Oswald was a part of your family.

I think you have a good idea...asking for happy comments. My favorite Christmas tradition is going to see the Nutcracker. Every year it is different, but always breathtaking!

Thank you for offering a chance to win blog candy :)

MelissaS said...

I always loved having hot cocoa and watching Frosty the Snowman and the other Christmas specials as a kid. I can't wait till my ds stays up past 7pm so he can enjoy this tradition, too!

Anonymous said...

I usually go to Chicago after they have put up the decorations---what fun to to go the German village, look in Macy's windows and just watch shoppers on the street---this always puts me in a very good holiday mood.
Remembering all of the Christmas times with my children as they were growing up and now experiencing the same things with their children.
Linda Peterson
craftylin1968@aol.com

Brenmarie said...

Mine is pretty funny but I guess you had to be there too and know our family.
My oldest sister was getting married that next year and her Boyfriend was spending Christmas with us. We three other sisters wanted to have a little fun so we put together a little present for our soon to be brother-in-law. Watching him wasn't as funny as watching my sister give us that 'I'll get you back for this' look. Well what else are sisters for then to put a little fun into Christmas

Shutterbug said...

Love remebering the christmas my husband-to-be spent with my family. We don't get to spend Christmas together with my family all that often and this was a special time.

Betty said...

I just love the faces of my kids opening their present!! They get so happy and excited!

Linda SS said...

My favorite memories was waking up on Chrismas morning and seeing the gifts under the tree from Santa Claus. Then 20 years later it was seeing my children's faces as they walking into the living room and saw all the packages under the tree from Santa. Thank goodness I now have 3 young grandchildren who I can enjoy opening their presents:) The years in between when the children no longer "believe" sort of loses it's magic. But our family always emphasised the fact that Jesus is our reason for celebrating, and of course the magic of THAT never dims:)

stamp and scrape said...

One memory I have that makes me smile is of when I was 5. My Dad had told me on Christmas Eve that if you're awake Santa doesn't come.
A while later he went into the garden and banged together 2 coconut shells to sound like reindeer hooves, and shook some sleigh bells. He loved Christmas!
Rather than make me excited, I got really upset because Santa was coming, I was awake, and therefore he would pass me by.... I needed much comforting after this trauma!
Thanks for prompting this memory. Thanks for the offer too.
Ros

Tee said...

I love to decorate the tree with loads of twinkling lights, and then switch off all the other lights and just sit near the tree. I don't know why but it gives me so much peace to do that..my family thinks I go wonky when christmas comes around!!

Lorrie said...

I love it when the house is quiet and dark except the Christmas tree lights glowing. An I love, love, love egg nog while watching all the Christmas movies with the kids!

jodene said...

I love hanging up my Christmas light at Christmas. Love how bright it makes my yard (we live in the counrty) It's my favorite part. Thanks for the chance.

nettystamps said...

Going to my grandparents on xmas eve, after midnight mass for homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee or milk is definitely my favorite xmas memory! It was like a mini family reunion...with any of seven aunts or uncles, spouses, and cousins it was great.... smiling now just thinking about it.... :)
anette648@yahoo.com

Sharon said...

What fun Lisa! I'm not sure mine is a memory, but it is a tradition. Every year since DH and I have gotten married we have bought a game to play as a family. Sometimes it's a board game, sometimes a trivia game, sometimes a card game. But every year it is a game. And when we open presents, that is the last one we open and we play it right afterwards. We take turns being the one to pick it out so each year 2 of us are surprised what it is. *grin*

Karen said...

I always loved making cookies with my sibs and mom- which I am now starting to do with my kids- and opening up the stockings by the light of the tree :)

-Karen O

Cheryl KVD said...

I love taking our annual Christmas family photo in front of the Chrsitmas tree. Each year I have a ton of 'blooper' photos with the cat and my daughter in various stages of jumping off our laps! It always puts a smile on my face when I think of it.
Thanks!
Cheryl KVD

Angel said...

I lvoe Christmas music and play it from Thanksgiving until new Years! It puts me in the season!

Amy said...

I love snowmen and the lights...they always bring a smile to my heart! Thanks for the blog candy opportunity.

Brenda H. said...

My hubby puts up 1200 Christmas lights...and they put a smile on a lot of faces in our community! A lady actually asked me this morning when they are going up! Thanks for this chance to win sweet surprise candy!!
~Brenda H.

Alison said...

When you mentioned "White Christmas" it brought to mind my favorite personal traditions -- whether the rest of the family plays along or not! I always have to see "Holiday Inn," "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street." It just isn't Christmas for me without them!

Debra Lois said...

I love watching "It's a Wonderful Life" during the holiday season. My family and best friend make fun of me for that, but it's my favorite sappy movie.

Gina Wrona said...

When we were all kids, xmas eve was always spent on my dad's side of the family. We went to midnight mass where we had dinner then when we got home we were allowed to pick one present to open, which usually was our new pj's for xmas morning.

Darlene D said...

I'm with you on the movie. I've been thinking about it for the past couple of weeks. One of my favorite holiday traditions thats for sure. And The Muppets Christmas Carol is another. Really looking for to those two special family evenings.

Natalie said...

My favorite part of Christmas is how excited my husband gets for Santa to come. He's more excited than the kids. He doesn't sleep! It's so cute! The first time I saw him do this, was with his (then) 5-year-old. It was so cute. His son was sleeping like a baby and my husband was itching to go wake him up on Christmas morning. Men can be so cute sometimes! :) Hope all these cute Christmas stories cheer you! :)

Jen said...

My favorite thing about Christmas is Christmas Eve when the kids dress up and do the Nativity Play for us. It's sweet.

I also love to lie down on my back under the Christmas tree and look up at it through the bottom. I usually have around 1200 lights on my tree (all white) so it just glows.

I also love eating things that other people have baked. Maybe this year I shall suck less and actually bake for my family. Could happen! LOL

Stampin_Melissa said...

How sweet of you Lisa! My Christmas tradition includes making some shortbread cookies to have around the house every Christmas. I enjoy making easy treats for family members. In past years I have made truffles as well as fudge. The fudge recipe is from my SIL:

Quick Nut Fudge:
1 lb powder sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons butter (soften)
4 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 cup nuts (optional, I usually don’t use)

Combine all ingredients except nuts in top of double boiler. Place over simmering water and stir (using lg. metal spoon) until smooth. Add nuts and mix. Spread in buttered 9 x5″ loaf pan. Cool and cut into squares. Double recipe and put in 9×9 pan. (TIP: watch out for water dripping from bottom of pan when pouring into pan!) ;)

My Chocolate Truffles recipe came from the newspaper on December 9, 2002, but which newspaper I have no idea! LOL! (DH was stationed at Fort Lee, VA at the time.)

1.5 cups whipping cream
1 lb semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
COATINGS:
unsweetened cocoa powder
chocolate sprinkles
grated dried coconut (DH Doesn’t like so I never tried)
finely chopped nuts (didn’t try this one as well)

1. To prepare chocolate candy base: in large heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Add chocolate in small pieces. Then add butter a little at a time. Stir until smooth. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight.

2. For cocoa-powder coating, sift cocoa onto a plate. For other coatings, place a layer of each one onto separate plates. Use a teaspoon to scoop up small amount of the chocolate mixture. With clean hands and working quickly, shape mixture into 3/4-inch balls; chocolate will melt slightly when handled. Roll balls into desired coating. Place coated truffles on a tray lines with parchment paper, chill until firm (15 to 20 minutes). Place truffles in an airtight container and store in refrigerator for up to 1 month or in freezer for up to 6 months. If frozen, allow to warm slightly before serving.

GRAND MARNIER TRUFFLES: In step 1, before chilling chocolate mixture, stir in 1/4 cup Grand Marnier and 1 teaspoon grated orange zest. The proceed with recipe.

Cindy Vernon said...

My family has a dressing recipe that is made every year for Christmas Eve. The entire family looks forward to dinner mainly to eat the dressing (it's a chestnut stuffin and so yummy!)

Lilian said...

my favorite memory is going to christmas worship every christmas eve and sharing the true meaning of christmas with friends and family.

thanks for the chance to win! :)

Barbara Godden said...

The first year we were married my uncle had a lot of tree topper stars, they had lots of points. You put a light in them and the colour you used would travel down the clear plastic points, it looked really nice. After 47 years, 3 trees we still put up our "sputnik" named because 1960 was the early years of space travel.

Have a Happy Holiday
canadian_stamper