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The new year will be here soon. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated in many countries all around the world. Many of the customs are a lot alike. In many places it is celebrated with fireworks, toasting, or kissing at the stroke of midnight when the new year starts. In many English speaking countries they sing "Auld Lang Syne." The oldest records of celebrating the new year came from ancient Babylon. They celebrated New Year's during the first new moon after the vernal equinox. The Babylonians also started the tradition of making New Year's resolutions. It was the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, that changed New Year's Day to January 1st. They celebrated the Roman god, Janus. He was the Roman god of beginnings. He had two faces and could look into the past or into the future. They decorated their homes with laurel branches, had parties, and gave out presents. The Romans offered sacrifices to Janus. Sometimes they offered him cakes of new me...

This poem was inspired by my first grandchild and is dedicated to all my grandchildren. Through Baby's Eyes He doesn't understand about Christmas yet, Or mistletoe, or snow. Santa he has never met, And Rudolf he doesn't know. He loves the lights upon the tree, The shiny paper and bows. He doesn't care about what's inside, Whether it's toys or clothes. He loves the Christmas music that we play. The food, it matters not. A little baby food, some juice, And his bottle hits the spot. It's the warmth and love he feels When he gets passed around, Probably like Baby Jesus felt When He became earth bound. We could learn a lot from baby, Though he isn't old or wise, If we'd just stop and take a look At Christmas through baby's eyes.

Merry Christmas everyone!I'm making most of my Christmas gifts this year. I'm so busy. I'm running a little bit behind and so I haven't had a lot of time to write lately. After the grandchildren open their presents this year, I plan to post my crafts and instructions. I hope to get started on my holiday gifts much earlier next year.

Frances (Stallard) Moore - WikiTree Profile

Celia Wanola (Moore) Smith - WikiTree Profile

Thomas Moore - WikiTree Profile

There were many other miracles and legends about Bishop Nikolaos. As a young man, Nikolaos made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On the way home, while out at sea, a storm blew up. The wind was tossing the ship around and the sailors thought they were going to die. Nikolaos knelt and said a prayer and the sea became calm. There was a terrible famine in Myra in 311-312. It is said that Bishop Nikolaos saved the people of Myra from starvation. He talked to some sailors from a ship headed for Constantinople with a load of wheat for the Emperor. He told them if they unloaded some of the wheat there that they would come to no harm. They were scared, but trusted him anyway. They unloaded part of the wheat there. At Constantinople, the wheat was exactly the same weight. Another legend says a wicked butcher captured three boys, killed and cut them up. then pickled them in brine. Bishop Nikolaos learned about it. His prayers restored their bodies and brought them back to life. The most famo...

Hagios Nikolaos was born during the third (some say fourth) century in the city of Patarain, Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. It was a Greek city at the time, and close to the sea. He was an only son and lived with his parents in Myra, Lycia, (part of modern-day Demre, Turkey). We are told by some that his parents were named Epiphanius (Ἐπιφάνιος) and Johanna (Ἰωάννα). Other sources say his parents were Theophanes (Θεοφάνης) and Nonna (Νόννα). His parents were wealthy Christians who were bringing their son up to be a good Christian, also. They died during an epidemic, leaving Hagios a rich orphan. He was raised by his uncle who was also named Nikolaos. Uncle Nikolaos was the bishop of Patara. Possibly due to his upbringing, Hagios was deeply religious from a young age. They say he even observed the canonical fasts of Wednesdays and Fridays. He would only eat once on Wednesdays and Fridays, and only in the evening. His uncle shaved his head for him to become a reader, and later for ...

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love everything about Christmas; the music and songs, Christmas trees and lights, the stories, legends, Santa Claus, and giving presents. I love what Christmas stands for, most of all. Nobody knows the month, day, or season Jesus was born. That wasn't recorded for us. It was foretold by prophets, and recorded, long before his birth. > King James Version 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. > 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Pea...

This is such an easy craft, even a two year old will enjoy helping. E and I made these last year. There are so many ways to make them. Start by collecting toilet tissue rolls. We glued construction paper around the rolls; black and white for the pilgrim, and brown for the Indian. I drew the faces on with markers. This year we added two more. E loves to paint. She painted one roll black and one brown. E glued the construction paper faces, hats, collars, and hair on. I poked holes on each side. We pushed pipe cleaners through the holes for arms. And they're done. Older kids may use fabric for the clothing. If you have them, real feathers would be a nice touch. Of course, these work well for other holidays, as well. Bunnies, leprechauns, and Uncle Sam are all fun ideas. We are going to try making a Nativity scene next month.

Things you will need: Scrap paper, Brown paper bag or construction paper, Several different colored sheets of tissue paper, Elmer's glue, Water, Small bowl or cup, Small paint brush, Wax paper, Scraps of colored papers, markers, or paint for details, Tissue paper sun catchers are easy to make and cost very little. They are also a great hit with your little crafters. I help my granddaughter, E, make a craft almost everyday. It's also a good way to recycle scrap paper, paper bags, and torn or crumpled tissue paper from gift bags. (I also reuse my gift bags.) E and I are making a turkey. Start out by making a pattern on scrap paper. If you are not an artist, trace your turkey from a book or print a couple of copies off the computer. I did. You may need to improvise some to get the pattern just the way you want it. Don't worry if it's not perfect. I've seen a lot of turkeys, and believe me, they are anything but perfect. Now ladies, I'm not talki...

Indoor Thanksgiving decorating ideas are as easy as a walk in the country. In Autumn, the red sumac berries and the orange and yellow bittersweet berries are bright and beautiful. They can be cut and put in a vase alone or in combination with some twigs of brightly colored leaves. The berries also look nice in wreaths. Another easy decoration I like to use is an arrangement of dried grasses and different kinds of dried weeds that often can be found out along a country road, while you are out hunting for your berries. Cut them fairly long and you can trim them later when you arrange them in a vase. They, of course, need no water. They can also be used for making wreaths. While you are out hunting, be sure to look for some grape vines. You will want them to be as thin and long as possible. Take them home and soak them in some water overnight to make it easier to shape. Then you just start weaving it around in the approximate size you want it to be. Tuck the ends in, an...

Most wine experts agree that finding the perfect wine to serve at Thanksgiving dinner can be a challenging undertaking. The challenge is because that there are so many different tastes being served together. Almost everyone has their own Thanksgiving meal traditions. That being said, most of their meals are similar in many ways. The main course is usually turkey, although recipes may differ greatly. Dressing is usually served, or even cooked with the turkey. There are many different recipes for dressing. Along with turkey and dressing, there is mashed potatoes and gravy, and various types of side dishes, all different flavors. Then of course, you have the candied yams, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Even the top experts cannot agree on the best wine to serve. Many experts think white wine works best with all the mixed up flavors of the Traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, they disagree on which white wine is best. Riesling, dry or sweet, and Gewurztraminer, dry or sw...