My Afflation

It's Christmas, Snoopy! Who doesn't love a deal?  Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com I'm able to offer you a coupon to "Knott's Merry Farm." How cool is that?  If you haven't been to Knott's at this time of year (sad to say, I haven't. I usually go to Disneyland) here's what you can expect: Knott’s Merry Farm Thanksgiving Day – January 1 Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the magic of the season as it transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm and celebrates “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with seasonal entertainment, spectacular decorations including a 65 foot tall Christmas tree, and a colorful Christmas parade.  Now a holiday tradition in Southern California, Knott’s Merry Farm is proud to present the holiday ice spectacular, “It’s Christmas, Snoopy!” The show, performed in the 2,100-seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre, is hosted by the famous skating beagle and his PEANUTS friends as they look for the true meaning of Christmas and features Knot...

Checking on sweet potato pies as I work on the cheesecake Not everyone in my immediate circle is a fan of sweet potatoes, though I am slowly wearing them down. As a compromise, two years ago I made my first cheesecake -- pumpkin flavored! At the time, I took lots of pictures because I meant to blog it. Well, I'm finally getting around to that. Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe by Adapted from Pillsbury Classic Cookbook #344 pg. 73 Prep time: 35 minutes Cook time: 1 hour 25 minutes Total time: 8 hours 40 minutes Yield: 16 servings Calories per serving: 440 Fat per serving: 28g Ingredients Crust 2 cups cinnamon graham crackers 1/4 butter, melted Filling 4 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened 1.5 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix) 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom or allspice ...

I can't remember the last time I read this poem to my children. Then again, it's been quite a while since I had both of them with me for Christmas Eve. You can't really maintain traditions if no one shows up. Illustrator: Jessie Willcox Smith At least this year I have more Christmas spirit than I have in the last few years . This year is low-key and I've kind of gotten used to the idea of having two Christmases or delaying it until the New Year when we're all together.  Three Kings Day works just as well to celebrate the birth of Christ, and in my mind makes much more sense for the 12 Days of Christmas. Maybe in a year or two I can save up enough to go to Florida for Christmas. That would be weird, I mean, what gets warmer than California at Christmas-time?? But what would be better than Walt Disney World at Christmas-time?   Twas the night before Christmas , when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were ...

It's the holiday season and that means days off from work, school, and possibly contagious diseases. Do you remember being home sick, on the couch, or in bed, and watching TV in between doses of Nyquil or Theraflu? Even when I am not sick, but want to watch something comforting and familiar I turn to these movies: At the top of my list is " The Princess Bride ". It has been my favorite movie since childhood. Romance, action, comedy - what more do you need? Since it's the holidays, my favorite is " Miracle on 34th Street " - in B&W, not Technicolor. I also love " Arsenic & Old Lace ". When I want a great action flick, I turn to Captain Tightpants and " Serenity ". If I need a good cry I watch " What Dreams May Come  ". What are some of the movies you watch over and over?

You know, the older I get, the less I want, at least around holidays. I like to get gifts throughout the year (who doesn't?!?) This year, all I really, truly,unequivocally want … I just want my kids to behave. Preferably when they are together, but as singles too. For one, it won't matter. He's off to NY to visit family. The other ... who knows. It's been a hard few months since August and it feels like more than a year has already passed in the emotional investment arena. I just want a relaxing, temper-tantrum and drama free Christmas. As I write this I feel as if it's wishful thinking.   Though if you insist on getting me something, my Amazon Wishlist is mostly updated.

So I'm sitting here at work, noshing on some simply delicious(ly) decorated sugar Christmas cookies when a wave of nostalgia hits me. I used to make batches and batches of Christmas cookies with the kids. One year we made a bunch of care boxes to send overseas. Another I let Josh mix and make all of the sugar crystals. His allergies to red 40 have become so severe that he can't even let it touch his skin without a reaction. No candy canes on the christmas tree for him to eat (or his sister, out of respect). We actually like the Starburst ones more ... (ok, well, my mom got cinnamon candy canes, but there's so much red on them Josh just avoids out of a sense of self-preservation). This whole year has been topsy-turvy. I don't have my own space to continue the few traditions we had. My mom mentioned that I'm sorta neutral about Christmas this year. And I am. Better than last year when I was feeling grinchy  and didn't want to do *anything* Christmas related. A...

I don't know what it is about this week, this month. Around Thanksgiving I was looking forward to Christmas, and now that it has arrived, not so much. I'm ready to go into hermit mode. I am tired of the kids asking for things that they *know* I can't afford. Yes, me, not Santa. I'm not sure if my daughter still believes in Santa, but she certainly believes in her Amazon Wish List. And Josh! Since being in Vegas he has called for money, more money (ok, it's so he can buy Christmas gifts for everyone else but he could have put *SOME* effort into earning his allowance!) my external HDD or lots of DVDs to burn stuff from my brother, and FINALLY, once to find out if I was coming tonight. And could I bring ... I forget what. Joy hasn't bothered to call once, but that's ok. She's 6 and I don't recall wanting to talk to my parents when I was with my grandmother either. I guess the true source of my sense of Grinchiness is my complete and utter inability ...

pointed me towards this awesome little app. Get your own personalized Santa to read your kids wishlist to them :) Here's the one I made for Joy: Joy's Santa Message

Truthfully, I know about the Star Wars one because of Tim . I think I saw the He-Man/She-Ra one, I wasn't allowed to watch the Pee Wee Herman one, and I never heard of the Pac-Man one. How about you guys? (Disclosure: this was sent to me by someone else who had the time to do the research on "forgotten" Christmas specials. I thought it was good enough to pass along)   1. " The Star Wars Holiday Special " (1978 - CBS): On the planet of Kashyyyk, Chewie’s family anxiously awaits the return of Han Solo and Chewie for the celebration of ‘Life Day.’ The duo must battle their way through Imperial forces to join the party. *Key moment: Princess Leia performing the "Life Day" theme song to the tune of the original Star Wars’ score. 2. " He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special"   (1985): Two children unwittingly get caught up in the battle between good and evil when Skeletor believes that the spread of their...

The quality might not be that great, but hey, it's an audioblog, recorded on my new toy . PMS.wav

You've probably seen videos of Christmas lights that are synchronized to music. If you want your own lights to blink to the tune of your favorite song, here's how. 1. Decide how big you want it. A channel is a unit of lights that can be controlled individually. For example, a single bush in your yard may be a channel. All the lights in a channel work as a unit (you can't flash an individual light bulb). 32 to 64 channels is a good size to start with. 2. Stock up! The best time to buy lights is the day after Christmas. Many times you will find lights that were normally priced around $2 a strand fall to $0.50. Check out Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, K-Mart, etc. Don't be afraid to be seen with a shopping cart full of 100 strands of lights! 3. Obtain a control system. You will need hardware that hooks up to your computer. You can buy a system completely built, a kit, or a full do-it-yourself system. More information is available through the External Links below....

-- Forwarded Message -- A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I...

Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb, Now leaves His well-belov'd imprisonment, There He hath made Himself to His intent Weak enough, now into the world to come; But O, for thee, for Him, hath the inn no room? Yet lay Him in this stall, and from the Orient, Stars and wise men will travel to prevent The effect of Herod's jealous general doom. Seest thou, my soul, with thy faith's eyes, how He Which fills all place, yet none holds Him, doth lie? Was not His pity towards thee wondrous high, That would have need to be pitied by thee? Kiss Him, and with Him into Egypt go, With His kind mother, who partakes thy woe.

One of the earliest poets included is John Donne who was born in 1572 and is represented by one of his Christmas poems called the "Nativity". The most famous poet listed is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and two of his finest Christmas poems have therefore been included. The titles of these Christmas poems are topically called "Christmas Bells" and "The Three Kings". We have two authors better known perhaps for the their larger literary works - G. K. Chesterton who is one of the several famous authors who have increased the number of Christmas poems entitled "A Christmas Carol". The other literary genius is Hans Christian Anderson whose short story "The Little Match Seller" is included as it is very short and would be almost criminal not to include on any site focussing on Christmas poems and its associated literature.

My one immediate response to this bull-pucky is HELLO!!! What about feeding those others who ENJOY the fellowship of their church family ??? The church is about believers as much as the "unchurched". And yes, our small church is having one service that day, a little later than usual, and there probably will be a small turnout, but hey, what's 2 hours out of the whole day? "This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country. Even though the holiday falls this year on a Sunday, when churches normally host thousands for worship, pastors are canceling services, anticipating low attendance on what they call a family day. Critics within the evangelical community, more accustomed to doing battle with department stores and public schools over keeping religion in Christmas, are stunned by the shutdown. It is almost unheard of for a Christian church to cancel services on a Sunday, and opponents of the closures are accusing these congregat...