Last year, we were “Secret Santa”-ed by friends who dropped off a scripture and corresponding figure for a nativity scene for each of 12 days prior to Christmas.  We loved it!  It was such fun to look for our daily surprise, and we loved having a fun reminder of the reason this season is celebrated.  It was sad when it was over.

This year, we decided to do something similar for a family we know.  We’re doing a variation of the Twelve Days of Christmas.  Of course… we had to leave notes explaining some of our weird gifts.  I rhymed the first note, and you can’t just rhyme one…  I’ve ended up doing the whole thing in rhyme.

We JUST found out that the family we’ve chosen will be leaving to visit their family for the holidays, so it’s not working out quite like we thought, but it’ll still be fun…  They’re a young couple.  He’s working and going to school.  They have a little girl (almost 2) and the mom is expecting a baby in 2009.

We’re stuck on what to do for day 12.  I’m outta ideas.  If you have any suggestions–that follow our theme and won’t break the bank–please, let me know!  Remember, we’re going to wrapping up in January….

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 1 – pears (fresh & canned) and poinsettias kitchen towels and potholders

Roses are red – A pear can be green
It’s the Twelve Days of Christmas from friends unseen!
We’ll have to be tricky – NO doorbells for warning.
We may come at night, afternoon, or the morning!

Some gifts may be yummy, or thoughtful, or wacky,
(There may even be one or two that are tacky!)
Remember we’re doing this all in good fun,
Get ready… get set… your Twelve Days have begun!

On the FIRST day of Christmas,
my true friends gave to me -
a partridge in a pear tree…

The partridge left the pear tree,
he must have flown away –
we gathered up the fruit he left,
to share with you today.

Pears of course are meant for Fall…
which doesn’t seem quite right.
Poinsettias are for Christmas
so we’ve brought you some tonight.

Day 2 – dove chocolates

This glad Christmas season is so full of fun!
We’re happy to share with your family… then RUN!
How grateful we are that you’re playing our game –
You’ll now find that Christmastime won’t be the same.

On the SECOND day of Christmas,
my true friends gave to me -
two turtle doves…

The doves we were seeking were so hard to find!
The time was too short!  We were in slight bind!
When what to our wondering eyes should appear…?
Two Doves that were sure to bring you good cheer!
We’re so glad to be able to keep up this lark -
so enjoy your two doves – one milk and one dark!

Day 3 – 3 cans of chicken noodle soup

On the THIRD day of Christmas,
my true friends gave to me -
three French hens…

Other birds from our song have had no cause to boast,
The French hens, themselves, have now given the most.
They’re no longer here – too bad they’re not with us.
We hope that you’ll find ‘em all… warm and nutritious.

Day 4 – 4 packs of toilet paper and candy pooping reindeer

On the FOURTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
four calling birds…

We warned we’d be tacky, this day was the cause –
four birds a callin’ has given us pause.
Who needs birds?  They’re too noisy!  So here is the scoop…
We’re giving a reindeer who makes candy “poop”.

“But WHAT calls us?” we asked.  And the answer we found,
is one we all know – it’s not that profound:
Nature’s call to the toilet is private, we confess,
so don’t run out of this or it causes much stress!

Day 5 – 5 cans of pineapple rings

On the FIFTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
five gold rings…

“Five golden rings…” is how the song goes
but the meter is off, and it makes lousy prose.
Now here’s a new spin on the lyrics-a-rhymin’,
but the words that we have still don’t work with the timin’:
Here are five rings of gold that are much less ambitious –
gold rings of pineapple – sweet and delicious.

Day 6 – a dozen eggs, sausage, biscuits, and orange juice

On the SIXTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
six geese a laying…

There are plenty of geese.  We could catch one I guess,
but then you’d be knee-deep in their icky mess.
Well… count your blessings.  We’re slow on our legs.
You’ll get no noisy geese, but just some of their eggs.

Just eggs?!  As a gift, it’s a little bit lame.
We had to add something to spice up our game.
We’ve thrown in some sausage, some biscuits, and juice.
NOW look at the breakfast you got from a goose.

Our game we’ll now pause since you’ll be out of town,
but no problem… we’ll continue when you’re back around.

Day 7 – bubble bath, soap, louffas

On the SEVENTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
seven swans a swimming…

Welcome back! Happy New Year! We hope you had fun!
We’re still singing our song because we were not done!
The song says “twelve days” – not seven, not six –
so now we’ll resume our ol’ same silly tricks.

The partridge was missing. The turtle doves? Gone!
Maybe we’ll have better luck with a swan….

Here, geese are aplenty – of swans, that’s not true…
the weather is cold and so South they all flew.
But the swans shared a secret: to alleviate troubles,
just take a hot bath, in a tub full of bubbles.

Day 8 – udder cream (lotion with cow print packaging) and squirty whipped cream

On the EIGHTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
eight maids a milking…

On day eight, we’ll continue our musical theme
with a gift from the milkmaids it’s called: udder cream.
This cream is like lotion, for you to apply
to chapped hands and rough feet when the climate is dry.
It will heal your poor skin if it’s cracked or it’s bleeding.
We promise, those milkmaids aren’t being misleading.

The eight milk cows, too, have a present to give,
but, unlike the French Hens, they wanted to live!
The cows, for their present – they thought of dessert –
they’re giving you whipped cream, the kind you can squirt.

Day 9 – dinner

On the NINTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
nine ladies dancing…

The nine dancing ladies are done with their dance,
they had a good time, and now is YOUR chance.
Life is too short to spend all day cookin’ –
our children grow up, when we are not lookin’.

Today’s your day off!  No worries, no fuss!
Today’s your day off!  Enjoy dinner on us!

Choose to heat it up now, or you could eat it later…
This time of year – our cold storage is greater.
No place in the fridge?  In the freezer?  No room?
The garage can be storage ’til set to consume.

Day 10 – candy canes and Ben Gay

ON the TENTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
ten Lords-a-leapin’…

Leapin’ around means that muscles are sore,
but no need to worry or run to the store.
Here is a salve to help ease away pain,
and aid for your walk in the shape of a cane.

Day 11 – pirouline cookies & hot chocolate

On the ELEVENTH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
eleven pipers piping…

Here’s a cookie the pipers would like – sweet and cute –
a crisp, dainty treat in the shape of a flute.
But cookies alone? You need something more…
how ’bout piping hot chocolate for you to pour.

Day 12 – ???

The gifts that we’ve brought didn’t fit the ol’ song –
Calling birds? Noisy drummers? Who’d want them along?!
Of course… now it’s not Christmas, the season is past –
your Twelve Days of Christmas, sure went by fast.

You may know our secret.  You may have a guess,
but keeping the mystery surely is best.
This is the last day, that much is true.
We’ve had so much fun bringing these gifts to you.

On the TWELVETH day of Christmas
my true friends gave to me -
twelve drummers drumming…

Cooper, the four-year-old son of my friend was killed this past week when an unlicensed 15-year-old driving a mini-van accidently hit him while he was crossing the street on his bike.  His mother was just a few steps behind him and witnessed the whole thing.  I wasn’t there.  I don’t have an eyewitness account of what happened, but I do know that the lives of two families were forever changed because of that event.  One family lost their son and will never be the same.  The other family faces a lifelong cloud of guilt, the possibility of jail, and will also never be the same.

These families were neighbors-not next door neighbors-but people that live just down the street, that are members of the same faith, and know many of the same people.  As I’ve heard how our community is responding, I’ve been saddened to see that many people are taking sides.  Someone is circulating petitions to press full-charges (a matter that is in question due to the private roads where the accident took place).  Someone sprayed graffiti on their garage the night after the accident.  Now, in addition to the devastation they too are feeling at causing the death of an innocent child, the family of the driver has the added stress of feeling forced from the community.  They are planning to sell their home and move.

Maybe the neighbors who are doing this are trying to show solidarity and loyalty to the family obviously grieving the loss of their young son?  Maybe they see it as a way to prevent further underage drivers from causing tragedies?  I’m hoping their intentions are positive.

Accidents do happen; they often kill people; and frequently, it IS something that could have been avoided.  I believe when the Day of Judgement comes, and we’re standing before our Maker, that the family of that driver will be judged by their intent.  They didn’t wake up that morning thinking, “I’ll run over and kill someone today and ruin the life of his family.”  At Judgement, I think the people whose actions are malicious toward the family of the driver, have more to worry about than the driver himself because of their intent.  I believe God looks on our hearts and judges us, in part, by our intentions.

A great prophet once said, “See that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually”.  Another said, “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”  I think at Judgement, we’d all like more Mercy than Justice–we need to remember to grant our brothers and sisters on earth that same privilege.  Life is hard enough without us making it harder for each other.

God grant Cooper and his family peace, and also peace to the driver, his family, and our community.

The past several years I’ve had amazing success in my garden. (We’re talking about over 100 cucumbers off of one plant or single tomato plants that are 5-1/2ft tall by 6 ft wide! and produced several bushels of tomatoes off just 5 plants!) I’ve mostly attributed it to the fabulous (10-52-8 ) fertilizer I’ve used. Recently, I’ve been reminded that no matter how green I might think my thumb is, I am ultimately dependent on God for a successful garden.

Even if I control the pests and provide the water, I can’t determine whether or not a plant is going to “take” or if the weather is going to be unseasonably cold or if a microburst blows the plant down. I am dependent on God to make the overall conditions favorable for my garden to do well.

One of the first things I ever tried growing in my garden from seed was zucchini. If you are attempting from-seed gardening for the first time, and want to gain confidence, zucchini is what you should plant! If you water it–it WILL grow! This year, because of a late start to the growing season, everything seems to be about 6 weeks behind, so I’ve just picked my first zucchini this past weekend.

The easiest zucchini recipe we make is: Wash and slice zucchini. In a large skillet, melt either real butter or bacon grease. Add some diced onion and the zucchini and cook until tender.

My Better Homes & Garden cookbook has a recipe in it for Ratatouille, and after Pixar’s movie last year, my kids ask me to make that for them. (Just because they ask me to make it, doesn’t mean they’re both doing a stellar job EATING it, but we’re working on that…)

Ratatouille

2 c. cubed, peeled eggplant
1 small zucchini or yellow crookneck squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4″ slices (about 1 c.
1 (7.5oz) can tomatoes, cut up
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
2 T olive oil
2 T water
1/2 t. dried basil, crushed
1/4 t. garlic salt
1/8 t. pepper
1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese

In a large skillet combine eggplant, zucchini, un-drained tomatoes, onion, olive oil, water, basil, garlic salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 20 minutes or till tender. Cook, uncovered, 5-10 minutes more or till thickened, stirring occassionally. Sprinkle with cheese.

I don’t typically use eggplant, just more zucchini, and I typically use a fresh tomato out of my garden, rather than a can of tomatoes. Recipes are just jumping-off points, right?

I have NEVER seen so many snails in my garden as I have seen this year!  They’ve eaten my hostas and marigolds to shreds!  This afternoon, I checked my zucchini and picked four off.  Tonight, I went through the flower beds that I have along the front of my house, and found over 30 snails!  (We’re not talking little ones either.  If I had known someone with a French restaurant, I’m sure I could have sold these for a good price.) 

I told one of my neighbors that I couldn’t bring myself to kill them, and that I had just been setting them out on the street gutter (and telling them to RUN!).  She in turn told me that she’s seen the neighborhood kids putting them BACK on my grass to save them from joggers, bikes, dogs, cars, and other kids.  We’ve since shown to the kids what these little guys do to our flowerbeds.  They didn’t know–they were saving the snails.

My aunt told me that garlic is supposed to be good at repelling snails, so I dissolved some garlic powder in the water I normally use to fertilize my flowers.  We’ll have to see how that goes.  (If nothing else, when I find a French restaurant to sell these babies to, they’ll be pre-seasoned!)  Another neighbor suggested putting out a small pan of beer.  I’ve never bought beer before, so I’m not exactly sure if there’s a science to selecting beer for snails.  I’ll have to post again on how the garlic works and whether or not we end up giving beer a try.  If anyone else has any tips on getting rid of snails (or a great recipe for escargot) please let me know!

This past week, the kids and I went over to my parents’ house to help pick pie cherries from the tree they have in their backyard. You know what that means?! It’s officially the start of canning season! We look forward to canning our own home-grown fruits and veggies every year, but this year, the cherries didn’t get sprayed in time. If you know cherries, you know not getting sprayed in time means WORMS. We did figure out a way to salvage the cherries because it was going to make me sick to do ANYTHING that would result in eating worms (if there’s anything worse than finding a worm in your food, it’s finding HALF a worm in your food! Trust me, I know…), and it would have been so sad to have to throw away as many cherries as we got this year. Here’s our solution for using wormy cherries:

Sour Cherry Syrup

6-1/2 c. sour cherry juice
11 c. sugar
5-1/2 c. water
3/4 c. lime juice

Wash and pit cherries. (I’m not sure how many cherries it takes to make that 6-1/2 cups of cherry juice. We had several Tupperware bowls full and juiced them all. There was enough juice to make this batch, and cherry jelly, AND probably enough for another batch of syrup.) Run cherries through a juicer. Strain juice through cheese cloth and let sit for a few hours to separate. Try to use the clear juice, rather than the cloudy part, to make your syrup. In a large pot, mix cherry juice, sugar, water, and lime juice. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Cook over moderate heat 10 minutes. Skim off any foam. Reduce the heat and simmer about an hour, until syrupy, stirring and skimming as needed. Ladle syrup into jars. (We processed in boiling water canner for 10 minutes.)

When it first started cooking, we thought it tasted like cherry-flavored medicine, but as it continued to boil down, it tasted better. We’re planning on using the cherry syrup on pancakes, maybe over ice cream, and you can also pour 1/2″ of the syrup into a tall glass, add lots of ice cubes and club soda and drink it.

The Cherry Jelly we made was the recipe out of the pectin box.  If you don’t have a juicer, try mashing the fruit and then straining through damp cheese cloth.  Even using the juicer, we lost a lot of juice, but that was better than having wormy jam or canned cherries.

If you’re looking for a great, inexpensive cherry-pitter, try www.Lehmans.com.

In the summer, there’s nothing better than sitting out on the porch with a good book… unless it’s sitting out on the porch with an icy lemonade, a light and fruity, summer-time dessert, and a good book. Here’s a recipe I made up by mish-mashing a lot of recipes together:

Fresh Raspberry Mousse

2 (8oz) cubes cream cheese
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. raspberry jam (I used homemade Raspberry/Peach jam)
1 (6oz) clamshell of fresh raspberries
1/2 (8oz) Cool Whip

Using an electric mixer, blend the cream cheese. When it’s no longer in bricks, add the sugar and beat to incorporate. Then add the jam and berries. Fold in whipped cream. When well combined, spoon into dessert dishes. Chill for an hour or two.

You could also make this a pie by pouring the prepared mousse into a ready-made graham cracker pie crust. You could also use strawberries instead of raspberries. Lots of options. Recipes were just meant to be jumping off points.

In high school, one of my English teachers required each person to select and memorize one of Shakespeare’s sonnets. This one, sonnet 29, is the one I selected. I think we all have times when we feel alone, down on our luck, and wishing we had qualities and talents we admire in others. (Why is it that we tend to compare our weaknesses with others’ strengths?) For me, my husband and children are the ones whose love keep me going.

Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXIX

When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then, I scorn to change my state with kings.

Patrick Henry was one of the most influencial–and radical–leaders of the American Revolution. On March 23rd 1775, Patrick Henry gave his famous speech to the Virginia House of Burgess. I think most of us are familiar with the final phrase of this speach, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”, but when read in its entirety, its passion and patriotism is especially moving. Those who heard the speech immediately rallied, “To arms! To arms!” Read the full speech and see if you aren’t also moved.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.

There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free–if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending–if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained–we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace–but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

If you’re looking for a moving account of the passing of two presidents, I recommend reading Pulitzer Prize winning John Adams, by David McCullough. It mostly covers the life of (duh) John Adams, but there’s enough in there about Thomas Jefferson and interactions with other founders that when I listened to the passing of these two great men on the same day-hanging on to life to reach the day considered to be the birth date of our nation, which they had tirelessly worked to bring about–I was moved to tears. (And I’m NOT a crier!)

David McCullough did a beautiful job bringing the character of John Adams to life. He uses mostly letters (John and Abigail Adams were both faithful letter writers) and other historical documents to weave together the life of John Adams in an engaging way–no boring textbook reading here! Adams is portrayed as a man overshadowed by others but nevertheless had integrity and put his soul into advancing the United States.

It’s 752 pages, and I don’t have as much time as I’d like to sit and read, so I borrowed the book-on-tape from the library and listened to it while fixing dinner at night. Worked great! My children were typically in the room with me and didn’t complain about listening to this book as much as they have about some of the others I’ve listened to.

Of course, there’s also 1776 by David McCullough which is another historical work which brings to life the miracle of the small rebel colonies defeating the greatest naval force of their day. It talks about blunders made, ways opened, and the assistance of Providence as a rag-tag army, led by George Washington, the year independence was declared. Very interesting book.

If you’re looking for something more at an elementary level, then try So, You Want to be President by Judith St. George. It’s a collection of fun facts: “You may have a better chance of being president if you’re from Virginia…” (and then of course, it answers how many presidents were born in Virginia) or “How many presidents shared the same first name?…” or “Which presidents were born and raised in log cabins? Which ones CLAIMED to have been…” It’s a very interesting way to put facts together about the men who have led our nation. My kids enjoyed it, and I did, too.