Merry Christmas to all and to all a good three weeks...

Just in case I don't have time or internet to get back have a wonderful Christmas.

In case I have never actually said it you people lift my spirits every single day. There are blogs I visit and I feel right at home, I feel relaxed as I read them and this people is a gift. Your gift to the world, your insight, wisdom, recipes, tips hints, politics, and pure unadulterated love of your life helps everyone else love theirs a little less critically.

Keep up the chatter while I am off with my family for the next few weeks. Take loads of photos I love old Dairy's idea of the Christmas Table photo. Take good care of your gardens and your selves. Stay safe - particularly you Stewart being a cabbie at this time of year must be challenging at times.

Now all the rest of the Christmas Trivia I found just for you read it slowly over the next five days or so.

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA THE WRAP UP!!

Friday : The Poinsettia

A native Mexican plant, poinsettias were named after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant to America in 1828. Poinsettias were likely used by Mexican Franciscans in their 17th century Christmas celebrations. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. Though the other children mocked him, when the leaves were laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant.

Saturday: Misteltoe:

Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace.Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year.

Sunday: Boxing Day

In English-speaking countries, the day following Christmas Day is called 'Boxing Day'. This word comes from the custom which started in the Middle Ages around 800 years ago: churches would open their 'alms boxe' (boxes in which people had placed gifts of money) and distribute the contents to poor people in the neighbourhood on the day after Christmas. The tradition continues today - small gifts are often given to delivery workers such as postal staff and children who deliver newspapers.

Monday: December in Japan:

Shimai Tenjin - 25 December Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, KyotoThe last festive market of the year at this large shrine in north-west Kyoto.

Kotohira-gu Shukiku - Late DecemberKotohira-gu Shrine, Kagawa PrefectureShinto shrine festival featuring kemari, a ceremonial game of kick-ups said to be a forerunner of soccer.

Namahage - 31 DecemberOga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture An ancient folk tradition still observed in villages all over the peninsula in which young men dressed in frightening namahage costumes visit the homes of children to warn them not to be lazy in the coming year.

Tuesday: Kwanzaa

Doctor Maulana Karenga, a Professor at California State University in Long Beach, California, created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is a holiday celebrated by millions of African-Americans around the world, encouraging them to remember their African heritage and consider their current place in America today. Kwanzaa is celebrated fom December 26 to January 1 and involves seven principles called Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). In the Kwanzaa ritual, seven candles called Mishumaa Saba are placed in a Kinara, or candleholder, which is then set upon the Mikeka, a mat usually made of straw.

Three green candles are placed on the left, three red candles on the right and a black candle in the center, each candle representing one of the seven principles of the celebration. One candle is lit each day of the Kwanzaa celebration, beginning from left to right The colors of Kwanzaa ~ black, red and green ~ also have a special significance. Black symbolizes the faces of the African people, Red symbolizes the blood they have shed, and Green represents hope and the color of the motherland. The name itself - Kwanzaa - is a Swahili word meaning "fruits of the harvest."

Wednesday : Christmas Eve:

These are the lyrics to one of my all time favourite songs. "I Believe in Santa Claus" If the spirit of Christmas leaves you for a moment and you temporarily forget what this celebration is meant to be about just hum this to yourself and think of the words.

Merry Christmas Friends

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe there's always hope when all seems lost

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus,

I'll tell you why I do

'Cause I believe that dreams and plans and wishes can come true

I believe in miracles,

I believe in magic too

Oh I believe in Santa Claus

and I believe in you

I believe in family, in country and in smiles

I believe in turnin' negatives to positives in life

I believe in lookin' farther up the farther down we get

I believe when someone hurts us we should forgive and forget

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe love should prevail at any cost

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in saying what you mean and meaning what you say

I believe a better attitude can make a better way

And I believe in viewing life as a journey that we're on

And lookin' at our troubles as another stepping stone

And I believe that everything in life is what it's meant to be

I believe there is a God somewhere although he's hard to see

I believe I am so therefore I should do all that I can

To be a better piece in the puzzle of God's plan

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe there's always hope when all seems lost

And I believe in Santa Claus

Let the little children sing it

I believe in Santa Claus,

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus,

I believe in Santa Claus

Let the whole world sing it with us

I believe in Santa Claus,

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus,

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe theres always hope when all seems lost

And I believe in Santa Claus

Merry Christmas, hugs and blessings to you all

Daisymum

Books, paper, rules and silly moods

There are times when you are a mother when your children do something seemingly insignifcant that makes your heart burst with pride and a little voice in your heads says "wow you must have done something right".

The other day I asked daisyson 12 what he wanted from us for Christmas and his answer was books, daisygirl also requested books and daisyson7 was very impressed half way through the year when we gave a little friend of his a book voucher for his birthday - and this is what he has been asking us for for Christmas. On our last minute shopping day I was in the book store picking up a few things for the kids and something for daisydad and the lovely woman serving me was so surprised that our children had asked for books. I guess in this technological age it must seem a bit anachronistic. Anyway after spending up big on daisydad, daisyson12 and daisygirl she gave me a gift voucher for $25 which will go inside the book we bought for daisyboy7 and make his Christmas!!! ( I also got a $25 voucher which needs to be used this week so I am giving that to daisyson21 for a collection of essays compiled by Daivd Marr they were talking about it on Radio National yesterday)

I usually try to buy books second hand, and we LOVE the library but there is something very special about reciveing a brand new book for Christmas.

When I was about 4 or 5 I used to be in charge of changing my fathers library books, my mother would walk to the library with me and I would tell her which ones he had already read(apparently I remembered the pictures on the cover) I never got one wrong, and I knew where the crime, adventure travel section and biogrpahy sections were eventually the libray ladies gave me my own stepping stool to use to reach the ones high up. So by the time I was 6 would walk to the library by myself and change his books and get some for me - usually one of the shopkeepers along the way would come out and help me home with my haul - we lived on top of the bank in the Main Street - mum always said I knew more people in town than she did!

Dad would also let me choose the books from the book club and the first adult book I read I ordered from the club because it had a gorgeous cover it was called "Smiths Gazelle" something about a game lodge in Africa and probably highly inappropriate for an 8 year old but from then on I never read another childrens book (unitl I had my own kids of course) and I was hooked.

Now here are my children with the same passion and love of the printed word - absolutely one of those "you have done something right" moments.

Today is gift wrapping day - and as I warned you there are rules!

I have a basket with all the paper, ribbon and cards, scissors, and tape. there is always a sample gift wrapped with it. All gifts must be wrapped with this paper and ribbon and this year because there is a choice of two papers the right ribbon must be put on the right paper. The gift tags are all uniform as well. The only exception to the wrapping rule is jewellery purchased for me in an expensive jeweller and wrapped by them (although dasiydad has be known to ask them for specific paper so it matches!!! bless him). It all sounds quite annal when you write it down but I love the tree to look special and in theme I will show you a photo of the gifts under the tree when we get one on Saturday and put it up.

Speaking of Saturday I am not sure when or if I will get back here while we are away we are taking the laptop but I am not sure where we will find a wireless connection.

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA: The Tradition of the "gift"


The story of the wise men

After Jesus was born, wise men came to look for Him, from an area which is now in either Iran or Saudi Arabia. Although they are often called the "Three Kings", the Bible does not say how many there were, or that they were kings. Three is only a guess because they brought with them three gifts.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

They were certainly men of learning - probably today we would call them philosophers or scientists. They had seen an unusual new star in the sky, and knew that it told of the birth of a special king. (The star they saw was probably a exploding "supernova" and is known from astronomical records.) They followed the direction of the star and eventually found the place where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were staying.

To bring honour to the child, they brought rich gifts: gold, frankincense (a resin which burns with a beautiful smell), and myrrh (plant oil with a very strong sweet smell). These gifts tell us in pictures three key things about Jesus:


Gold: a gift fit for a King


Frankincense: burnt in worship of God


Myrrh: a sign of mortal human-ness - it was used to bury the dead

Have a fabulous day

daisymum

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.................

A few days ago I went to the decorating cupboard searching for something Christmassy to put on the cabinet outside the front door. While I was looking I found these - two packets of them. They are rattan lights(never been used one is still in plastic!).....they are perfect for a Christmas at the beach.....so I pulled them out of the cupboard and went upstairs and checked on the table runner fabric I had bought...it had pink in it too.....so yesterday we didn't go to Main Street shopping we went back to Chermside - becasue I realised I had to go to an ABC shop to get yet another obscure "new found artist" cd that daisydad wanted. We got there early and finished the last minute shopping in 15 minutes then we spent the next four hours wandering through the shops and picking up a pair of new shoes here, a beach towel there, things we did need but hadn't been a priority this close to Christmas. I am so please we got them though because now all the back to school shopping is done as well except for a few bits of stationery for daisyson12(and the shoes!)

In keeping with the pink theme we found this paper we will put the pink ribbon on the white background paper and the silver ribbon on the pink paper.

Then we found these........................................

I will add some of that pink ribbon to them and hey presto a pink white and silver Christmas at the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Trivia: Now that the present shopping is done and everything is in order it is time to talk about the big guy.....................yup Santa Claus............

The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A.D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas' popularity throughout Europe.

His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop's mitre.

In Greece, he is the patron saint of sailors, in France he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium the patron of children and travellers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and some time around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity. After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward good children by placing treats in their shoes. Dutch colonists brought brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.In 1822 Clement C. Moore composed the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas, published as The Night Before Christmas as a gift for his children. In it, he portrays Santa Claus:

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly,

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

Other countries feature different gift-bearers for the Christmas or Advent season: La Befana in Italy ~ The Three Kings in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico ~ Christkindl or the Christ Child in Switzerland and Austria ~ Father Christmas in England ~ and Pere Noël, Father Christmas or the Christ Child in France. Still, the figure of Santa Claus as a jolly, benevolent, plump man in a red suit described in Moore's poem remains with us today and is recognized by children and adults alike around the world.

*****************************************************************
So is the jolly old elf inside us all out and about and spreading good cheer this week....? I hope so this is such a lovely time of year if you can forget the stress and just live in the moment - take the time to enjoy the little things and let go of stuff that takes your time away from those you love.

For example: When my niece had her son three weeks after our daisyboy4 was born I made the two boys a Santa sack, not wanting to seem like I was playing favourites I have done the same for daisydads nieces and nephews. I rather like the idea of all the great nieces and nephews having a santa sack made by me. Well daisydad is one of 7, so last year I made nine of them, this year I kind of lost count and when I checked the other day (2 days ago) I realised I had 6 to make for this year.....so yesterdaay as we wandered around the shops with the kids looking at things and laughing and having a great time...I thought if I don't get them made for Christmas will the world fall in half??? No - so they will get them - just not before this Christmas and that is okay. That is a choice I made for my family - otherwise I would have rushed the kids home and locked myself in the sewing room for the afternoon.... what a shame it would have been to have missed out on our day.

Have a wonderful day

daisymum

A quick PS: Take a trip over to Simply Joolz to hear "I'll be home with bells on" guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last minute shopping day

BEing the organised soul I am today is set down for last minute shopping we all have to get done.

A day of wandering Main Street and picking up those little bits and pieces (and searching for new white bon bons) a play in the park, coffee for mum and a trip to the local take away for 60c worth of lollies for the daisies. Home birthday party, grandma and grandads, then Christmas lights on the way home.................


CHRISTMAS TRIVIA: Hanukkah

Commencing on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrians. In 168 BC, members of the Jewish family Maccabee led a revolt against the Greek Syrians due to the policies of Syrian King Antiochus IV which were aimed at nullifying the Jewish faith. Part of this strategem included changing the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem - to a Greek temple complete with idolatry. Led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews won victory over the Syrians in 165 BC and reclaimed their temple.After cleansing the temple and preparing for its rededication, it was found there was not enough oil to light the N'er Tamid, an oil lamp present in Jewish houses of worship which represents eternal light. Once lit, the lamp should never be extinguished.
A search of the temple produced a small vial of undefiled oil -- enough for only one day. Miraculously, the Temple lights burned for eight days until a new supply of oil was brought. In remembrance of this miracle, one candle of the Menorah - an eight branched candelabra - is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, which means dedication, is a Hebrew word when translated is commonly spelled Hanukah, Chanukah, and Hannukah due to different translations and customs.The tradition of receiving gifts on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is relatively new and due in part to the celebration's proximity to the Christmas season.

Enjoy you day and remember the word of the season is GRADUAL ( or if things get really bad DENIAL!!!!!!)lol

hugs

daisymum

I told you I would get it all done................

Yesterday I sewed from 5am until 4.30pm. I finally got some of the projects out of the fabric in box and into cupboards and wrapped as presents

This little simple dress is for daisygirl to wear at the beach the fabric is a voile so it is so fine I ahd to use two layers so it wasn't see through but it looks cute on her.

Sorry you will have to turn you laptop or your head to see these properly. They are the pants I made to wear to daisydads Christmas drinks on Friday night. They look much better with the black silk top I am wearing them with and some gorgeous platforms with black straps. they are kind of 60s evening pants very full leg and easy to wear and cool. It is hard to see but there is a tie belt attached so they tie in the front. I am really happy with them

A pair of white shorts for holidays, a pair of white pants and a pair of taupy coloured fishermans pants.

This is a Christmas Table runner I made not sure who is getting it yet maybe the driver of the mini bus who brings daisyboy12 home from school - we are using her shuttle bus service on Friday night to get home !!! After we have had numinous drinks (see the simple things for an explanation)

This is the table runner I showed you as fabric a few days ago it is for the table when we are at the beach. Me being "clever" decided I didn't want the novelty print in the centre of the blocks I wanted the plain trouble is when I had already started cutting I realised I didn't have enough of the novelty print to go around the outside of the block so it isn't quite how it was supposed to look but I am happy with it anyway and it is the right colours for Christmas at the beach.

Although having made this has caused an upset in the carefully laid Christmas plans, I have to buy different bon bons as we have decided to wrap the presents in white paper (the back of old christmas paper) with pink ribbons so I am now hunting for white bon bons or perhpas hot pink as I also found some gorgeous pink rattan light strings in the decorating cupboard that I am taking with us. (they have never been used I think I bought them for a party once and it rained so there they sit all ready for Christmas in pink at the beach!!!) - I did warn you all I was quite dotty about such things....

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA: The Christmas Tree

16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religous play depicted the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the prophecy of a saviour coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season.
It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.

Have a wonderous day

Daisymum

Christmas time out......................

Calling a time out to sit relax and enjoy your Sunday afternoon evening.

Forget what you think you have to do this week, and think about making each day a special celebration.

Take some time to get all you clothes organised for all the things you have to go , make a shopping list - and stick to it. Look around as you shop and enjoy the sights. Sing Christmas carols in the car really really loud.

And most importantly remember if you do none of these things..someone somewhere loves you anyway.

Hugs and giggles

PS: In my CD player in the car the Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Christmas CD !! - my family
hate it!!! it is my revenge for months of taxiing with duff duff music playing or some sickly icky girl band (or worse boy band) AC/DC, Ramstein, Michael Jackson (not sure whose that is) or one of daisydad's completely obscure "just found them" artists. Christmas revenge it ain't pretty but it is SO GOOD!!!!!


daisymum

A quick visit...........

CRISTMAS TRIVIA: The Christmas Card.........................

A form of Christmas card began in England first when young boys practiced their writing skills by creating Christmas greetings for their parents, but it is Sir Henry Cole who is credited with creating the first real Christmas card. The first director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Sir Henry found himself too busy in the Christmas season of 1843 to compose individual Christmas greetings for his friends.

He commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley for the illustration. The card featured three panels, with the center panel depicting a family enjoying Christmas festivities and the card was inscribed with the message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You"

Guess what i am doing tonight??? YUP writing Christmas cards.....................

daisymum