ARCHIVES:  December 1-7, 2005

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December 7, 2005 - Wednesday

Recipe: My Favorite Holiday Snack

This is truly amazing because it has no chocolate in it. It doesn't seem like Christmas to me without having this treat.

 

Fry-Pan Fruit Balls

1/2 c. butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. dates, chopped
1/4 c. candied cherries or mixed candied fruit, chopped
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. Rice Krispies
Pinch of salt
1/4 c. chopped nuts
1/2 tsp. almond flavoring
coconut

In a heavy frying pan, melt butter and sugar. Add dates. Beat eggs. Add sugar, then add to dates and butter in pan. Cook until thick, stirring continually. Cool. Add fruit, nuts, Rice Krispies and flavoring. Form into balls and roll in coconut.

 

 

December 6, 2005 - Tuesday

Easy Christmas Gift Ideas

This was handed out in our church's women's group. I was impressed --many good ideas for "hard-to-buy-for" people, too.

 

1. M&M's - "Have a Merry and Most wonderful Holiday Season!!"

2. Soup or soup mix - Wishing you a "Souper" Holiday Season!!

3. Frozen or ready to bake pizza - "Warm up to a wonderful Holiday Season Topped" with Christmas cheer!"

4. Apples and Hershey's Hugs - A teacher can't live by apples alone...She needs "Hugs" too!!

5. Popcorn Balls - Hoping you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season!

6. Loaf of Bread - For being there when you were "Kneaded", for "Rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "Loafing" on the job, for helping others to "Heel" with TLC. No matter how you "Slice it", you do a terrific job loving Others. Merry Christmas!!

7. Jolly Ranchers - Have a Holly"Jolly" Christmas!!

8. Rootbeer - We're "Root"ing for you to have a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!!

9. Chex Party Mix - Remember Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice...so be good for goodness sake!! Merry Christmas!!

10. Box of Hostess Ho-Ho's - Hope a merry "HO - HO - H0" fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a Santa sticker on the label)

11. Wire Wisk - (Filled with Chocolate kisses) "We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!!"

12. Jar of Jelly - jelly is like love - you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!!

13. Christmas Tray - We "Tray"sure your friendship! Merry Christmas!!

14. Bell - With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!

15. Yule Log - "We send you warm greetings this Christmas Season!!"

16. Potpourri - "May this sweet scent bring back thoughts of warm Christmases long ago!" Merry Christmas!

17. Cleaners - "You add sparkle and make our life brighter!" Merry Christmas!

18. Nuts - "We're nuts about you!" Merry Christmas!

19. Lifesavers - " You've been a life saver!" Have a great Christmas!

20. A juice pitcher filled with candy canes- "We pitcher you raising a little "cane" during the holidays!" Have a merry Christmas!!

21. Broom - You're "Dust" the finest neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!

22. Paper Towels - "Blot out your troubles; absorb the Christmas Spirit!"

23. Measuring Cup or Glass Measure - "Wishing you Joy Beyond Measure!

24. Bananas - If we could choose our friends, and we searched the whole world through, we'd go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!!"

25. Any Star ornaments - "Remember the reason for the season!"

26. Chocolate Mousse Mix - "Merry Christmousse" to our "Deer" Friends!

27. Wooden spoon - Whether stirring up cakes, cookies, soups or soufflés; You'll find this spoon useful in so many ways. But whatever it's use, it says, "Merry Merry Christmas from us to you!"

28. Flower - "If friends were flowers, we'd pick you! Happy Holidays!! Or "You make friendship bloom all year round!"

29. Heart Christmas Ornament - "May the Joy and Love you give away, come back to you on Christmas day!"

30. Cinnamon Sprinkles - (Cinnamon & Sugar, or cookie sprinkles) "May your Christmas be sprinkled with laughter and love!" Merry Christmas!

31. Hershey's Hugs - "A friend always knows when you need a little hug!"

32. Christmas music CD or Tape - "May the sweet song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!" Or "May the merry sounds of Christmas bring a Joyful Melody to your holiday season" Merry Christmas!!

33. Filled Basket - "Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings"

34. Salsa - "Add a little Spice to your Holidays!" Merry Christmas!

35. Stocking or filled Jar - "Have a fun filled Christmas this year!"

36. Lamb - "Have "eweself" a Merry little Christmas!!"

37. Candle - "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!!

38. Holly - "Happy Holly days!"

39. Calendar - "Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through!"

40. Shaped Sugar Cookies - "Rolling out a batch of Christmas Cheer, for Someone we think is very dear!!"

41. Cherry 7-up - "Just a Little Christmas Cheer from Happy Hearts this time of year!! Merry Christmas!!"

42. Sparkling Cider - "Wishing you a Sparkling Holiday Season!"

43. Warm Casserole or Bread - "Bundled up with warm wishes!!"

44. Popcorn or Carmel Corn - "Just "Popping" by with a Holiday Hi!" Or "May your Holidays be Poppin'!"

45. Seasoning Mix - "Seasoned with Love" Merry Christmas!!

46. Eggbeater - "Have an "Eggstra" Special Holiday!!"

47. Hershey's Hugs and Kisses - "Christmas Hugs and Kisses to You " Or "Holiday Hugs and Kisses to you!"

48. Apple Pie of Apple Crisp - "Wishing you a Scrumptious Christmas!"

 

49. Fruit Basket - "May your New Year be Festive and Fruitful!!"

50. Any Sweet Treat - "Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!"


51. Oranges - " Orange" you glad we're Friends!?" Merry Christmas!!

 

52. Chocolate Orange - "Orange" you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a Sweet one!

53. Sprite - " May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!"

54. Ice Cream Snowballs and Hot Fudge - " Here's some packaged"snowball" treats - Just Drizzle Hot Fudge and its ready to eat!...Enjoy!!"

55. Snicker Bar - "Don't "Snicker", just be glad you got Something!!"

56. Mints - "Friends like you are worth a Mint!!" Merry Christmas!!

57. Matches - "No one Matches you as neighbors!" Merry Christmas!

58. Strainer - (With a Christmas bow) " We couldn't restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!"

59. Box of Light Bulbs - "Have a bright and radiant Christmas"

60. Bubble Gum or Bubble Bath - "May your holidays "Bubble" over with fun!!

61 Pencil and Notepad - "Merry Christmas from our pad to yours!!" or Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend!"

62. Jar of Pickles - "Just in brine, Our wish for a merry Christmas!!"

63. Grater and Cheese - " To a Grate Neighbor! Merry Christmas!"

64. Ice Cream - "Have a "Cool" Yule!!"

65. Bear shaped Honey - "Have a Bear Sweet Christmas!!"

66. Santa - "Ho - Ho - Hoping your Christmas is Heavenly!"

67. Angel - "Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!!"

68. Eggnog - " Have an "Udderly Moovalous" Christmas!!"

69. Gingerbread House - "Nibble, Nibble like a mouse, We hope you'll nibble at this house!" Merry Christmas!!

70. Mugs with Hot Chocolate Mix - "To our special friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" (One Mug would be a special gift for a Teacher. "To a Special Teacher dear, wishing you a "Cup of Cheer"!"

71. Cocoa Mix - "Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas!"

72. Muffins or Muffin mix - " You're getting "Muffin" for Christmas!!"

73. Gum - "By Gum, You're a great Neighbor!! "Have a Merry Christmas"

74. Veggies and Dip - "Dip into a wonderful Holiday season and a Healthy New Year!"

75. Christmas Shaped pasta - ( Or any Pasta and a bottle of Sauce ) " Have a Pasta-tively Happy Holiday!"

76. Jar of Jam - "Hoping you have a Holiday "Jammed" packed with fun!!" "Have a "Berry" nice holiday season!!" Or "Hoping your Christmas is "Jam-packed" with Christmas Cheer!!"

77. Cookie Dough - "Here's a little extra "Dough" for Christmas! Or "Everyone Needs a little extra "Dough" for Christmas!!"

78. Homemade Frozen Rolls - "Here's a little holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do! Warm Holiday Greetings to you"

79. Brownie Mix - (Or any Mix) "Whip up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix! Wishing you a "rich" Holiday Season!!" (Be sure to attach the recipe!)

80. Homemade caramels - Hoping you have a "Rich" and "wonderful" Holiday!!"

81. Pie - "Just a "Holiday Hi" and a tasty Pie!! Happy Holidays!!"

82. Divinity - "May your Christmas be "Devine" and your Holidays so Fine! Sweet Christmas Wishes!"

83. Rice Krispie Treats - "Snap, Crackle, Pop" We think You're really Tops! "

84. Toffee or Brittle - "Any way you break it, We think you're the greatest!"

85. Fudge - "Fudge" a little on the calories and enjoy the Holiday Season!"

86. Cheese Ball and Crackers - "We don't mean to sound "Cheesey", we just hope you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season! Or "Spread a little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!"

87. Apple Anything - (Pie,Cobbler, crisp, muffins etc.) "Sending you a "Bushel" of love this holiday Season!!" Or " You are the apple of my eye, Teacher!"

88. Banana Bread - "Banana Bread just for you, because you have so much to do... We also love you a whole "Bunch" too! Merry Christmas!"

89. Cinnamon Rolls - "Here's a sweet treat "Rolled" up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!"

90. Homemade Chocolates - " You're so Sweet...having you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a Heavenly Holiday Season!"

91. Cake or Cupcakes - "You take the "Cake" neighbor, We think you're first rate! Happy Holidays to you!!"

92. Cornbread or Mix - "We're not trying to be "Corny" we just want you to have Merry Christmas!"

93. Carrot Cake - " I Really "Carrot" a lot about you!! Merry Christmas"

94. Spiced Drink Mixes - " Hoping your Holidays are "Spiced" Just right!"

95. Homemade Ice cream of a Frozen Treat - "Here's the Scoop,,,,Hoping your Holidays are a "Blizzard" of fun!"

96. Recipe - "Just like you friend...it's tried and true, just for you! Happy Holiday Baking or Merry Christmas Cooking!"

97. Pizza - "Hope your Holiday has a touch of "Pizza - z!!" Merry Christmas!!"

98. Candle - "You Light up my Life!" Thanks for your friendship! May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!"

99. Crayons and Coloring Book - Hope your Holidays are Colorful!

100. Plant - " The kindness you show makes our friendship grow and grow! Hope you have a Happy Holiday!!"

101. Soda Pop - "I'd "Soda" like to wish you a merry Christmas!

102. Stuffed animal - (Beanie Baby) "Pawsing" to wish you a Merry Christmas!"

103. Donuts - "Donut" you know we love you??? Have a happy Holiday!

 

 

 

December 5, 2005 - Monday

Illusions and Paradoxes

This page is full of optical illusions and stuff. I've heard of many of these before, but others are new. It's amazing how we can perceive something incorrectly.

Have you ever been so sure you were right only to be very surprised to find out that you were wrong? It makes me wonder how many other things I might be wrong about. Happens to me mostly when I see someone in a movie and try to remember what other movie I saw them in. At least we can look actors up on the Internet when we disagree (although I saw an interview with one actor who claimed even this database had errors concerning his career).

 

 

December 4, 2005 - Sunday

Party Ziploc Omelets

This is going around the Internet (thanks to Lil S. who sent it to me). It sounds like a fun way to make omelets for a group. Here's the letter that I got.

 

ZIPLOC OMELETS

Have you ever heard of this?

(This works great! Good for when all your family is together and no one has to wait for their special omelet.)

Have guests write their name on a quart-size ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.

Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.

Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green
pepper, mushrooms, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.

Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shakes it.

Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.

Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.

Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for
everyone to be amazed!

Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and a great conversation piece. ENJOY!

 

(The picture of the girl in pink is my avatar today at IMVU. She looks a little like Aeon Flux, I think.)

 

 

December 3, 2005 - Saturday

Movie Review: Aeon Flux

It's a movie month in our family. My husband wanted to see the futuristic feature, Aeon Flux, today with  Charlize Theron dressed in skin-tight clothing (no surprise there). This movie did not offer its usual preview to critics (a sure sign that the owners of the movie know that it will get bad reviews). And it did - get bad reviews, that is, as bad as Cat Woman got.

So I went to this movie prepared for the worst. I was pleasantly surprised. It was not bad. It had a coherent plot and good acting. Charlize reminded me of Laura Croft. The plot was obviously inspired by Logan's Run, but I liked Logan's Run. There was even a happily-ever-after romance in it.

Otherwise, I disagreed with some of the character's motivations and the basic theme. This was just personal opinion, though, no fault of the movie's. I also hate seeing too many good people die. I love seeing how authors envision the future.

 

 

December 2, 2005 - Friday

Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful, wonderful intelligent movie - great acting, great story, perfect screen play. I think this should win Academy Awards. I stopped everything and saw this movie today. We had a perfect audience - chuckling at the right spots and enjoying it all, I could tell. Matthew Macfadyen deserves an Oscar for this.

I don't buy many DVDs, but for this, I think I will make an exception. I love a good romance and the conversation was so fast and witty that I need to listen to it again to catch every nuance.

 

 

December 1, 2005 - Thursday

Another Animation

Here's another animation I just made, only instead of making it completely from scratch, I used Xara 3D with my own texture patterns and fonts. (Anyone is welcome to copy this for themselves, if they wish.)