Christmas Blessings to you all.

...and make it last the whole year through.

 

 

 

 

Advent and the Advent wreath

Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent and many have already brought out their Advent Wreath.  Here is a site I have shared with you before that explains Advent and shares some lovely prayers to be said daily throughout this time of preparation for Christ's birth ... http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/adwreath.html 

Visit it for interesting and useful information or better still print out the page to have the short but meaningful prayers ready to be read before your evening meal.

Blessings to all.

Picture from shared files

Lists, lists and more lists...

I am always writing lists, crossing out items and writing out some more.  Are you like me, do you like making lists?  I find it helps me focus on what I have to do. It also helps me be more productive and creative!

I make shopping lists and To Do lists and lately, of course, with Christmas just around the corner, I am adding my Christmas Card List, Baking Ingredients Shopping List, Christmas Dinner shopping List, Special To Do List (you know like, when to put up the tree, write out cards, call friends, etc.) and Christmas gift list.   Never an end it seems, but as I cross each item I do or buy I feel that at least I am getting there...

Thinking about it, I really have to add one more list...that is thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves, maybe making a hamper to add to the church drive for taking hampers to those in need, checking with an orphanage if they need gifts or food.  And why not keep doing this all through the year?  It doesn't take that much, especially that it is not only at this special time of year that there are families with special needs but every day throughout the year.

And if I find there is still that one more thing to do, well I'll start another list!


Pictures from shared files

Christmas now, the day after and forever more...

I can hardly believe that Christmas has come and gone already.  While hoping that you all had the nicest Christmas, I must say ours was very relaxed and quiet as this year we decided not to do any invites on the day itself. After having redecorated the house, I felt we needed a break.  
The Midnight Mass celebration was beautiful, a lovely memory to keep.  In the morning, we got to chat with our dearest son and his lovely girlfriend over skype (wonderful invention) and gifts were opened then, it was as if they were right there in the room with us : )
And it was indeed a lovely Christmas day too, we even managed to watch a few Christmas movies together, that is my husband and I and our daughter.
And now today, the day after Christmas, I can hardly believe Christmas has come and gone already!  But as I mentioned on my radio show earlier during this season, we should keep Christmas with us all through the year.

Here are the words from the Sesame Street crew from their Christmas special...words to keep in mind...

When Christmas time is over and presents put away, don't be sad  
There'll be so much to treasure about this Christmas day and the fun we've had 
So many happy feelings to celebrate with you  
And, oh, the good times hurry by so fast,  
But even when it's over there's something you can do to make Christmas last
 
Keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, You can keep it near. 
Think of this Christmas day When Christmas is far away.
 
Keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, Save some Christmas cheer. 
These precious moments, Hold them very dear 
And keep Christmas with you All through the year.
 
Christmas means the spirit of giving 
Peace and joy to you, 
The goodness of loving, 
The gladness of living; 
These are Christmas too.
 
So, keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, Save some Christmas cheer. 
These precious moments, Hold them very dear 
And keep Christmas with you All through the year.

Blessings to you all this Christmas 
and throughout the coming New Year

4th Sunday in Advent

Today we light the 4th and last candle on our Advent wreath as we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent.  Our preparation for Christmas is almost finished...THE BIRTH OF JESUS is now imminent. Very soon we will be celebrating the memory of that great event. Today’s Mass prepares us for the Christmas celebration. It is appropriate that the readings for this Sunday are so pregnant with hope and anticipation; they mirror and magnify the excitement that comes with true waiting, knowing we are on the cusp of experiencing God's unlimited love made manifest to us once again.
Today the Pope in his Sunday Angelus spoke of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elisabeth – the episode narrated during the Gospel reading for the day. 
The Holy Father focused on hospitality as he said, " Wherever there are those who welcome one another, where there is careful attention, wherever there are people who make room for another,” he said, “there is God – and the joy that comes from Him."  
“Let us imitate Mary in the Christmas season, visiting to those who are experiencing difficulty, especially the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly and little children,” prayed Pope Benedict, “and let us also imitate Elisabeth, who received her guest as God, Himself.” The Pope concluded by asking the faithful to pray that all men might seek God earnestly, and find that it is God Himself who comes first to visit us.” 
 

Pope Benedict XVI on Gaudete Sunday

This third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday" -- "Rejoice," we are called to rejoice because the Lord is near. . . the "nearness" of God is not a question of space and time, but rather a question of love: Love is near! Christmas will come to remind us of this fundamental truth of our faith and, before the crèche, taste Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the God who drew near to us for love. As we renew our hope in Jesus and look forward to His coming, may we experience in our lives the deep joy of His salvation . . . who in His birth brings God's benediction to men.
Pope Benedict XVI

3rd Sunday of Advent ~ Gaudete Sunday ~

Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent, also known as "Gaudete" Sunday, which means "Rejoice!" Today also the 3rd candle on the Advent wreath is lit, it is usually a pink candle different from the other purple ones, a little lighter as we are now more than half way this Advent towards Christmas which makes us rejoice. Let us continue to prepare ourselves with prayer and repentance for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2nd Sunday in Advent

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God ... (read more... http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-12-09

"...The 'voice' of the great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ.” — Benedict XVI

Advent and the Advent Wreath

This coming Sunday is the start of Advent and I'd like to share with all my followers this special page that explains this tradition.  Read this page for lots of interesting information as well as prayers that can be said during this special time.  I suggest you print out this page and have it handy to read out from just before every evening meal. Towards the end of the page is a link for prayers for very young children.

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/adwreath.html

ENJOY!

Almond and Chocolate Pie (Torta tal-Marmurat)

This is a traditional sweet/cake made mostly around Christmas time in Malta. Click on the recipe for a sharper image.

Treacle Rings Recipe

This is a traditional sweet enjoyed throughout the year in Malta but mostly at Christmas time. This Maltese speciality dates back to the 15th Century and may be enjoyed with wine or as a dessert or even at tea time. Some people also like to call this sweet 'Honey Rings'.  I made this recipe a few years ago and I was very pleased with the result...maybe I'll give it a go again this year : )
                                                                                  

Ingredients

For the filling*:                                                         

900g (2 lb) treacle                                                       

An equal amount of water                                            

Zest of tangerine, orange and lemon                             

A small amount of candied peel (optional)                    

A pinch of cloves

2 tablespoonfuls jam

400g semolina

For the pastry*:

800g flour

2 egg yolks

1 tablespoon butter

Water to bind

* You can use half the amount if you only plan to make 3 rings.  Adjust amount of all ingredients accordingly.

Method

Sprinkle the baking trays with semolina. Put aside.

For the filling

Place all the filling ingredients, except for the semolina, into a saucepan.

Bring to boil and thicken with semolina.  Add half the amount at a time and stir, then add the remainder ingredients.  Cook for a few minutes.  Let cool for several hours, preferably overnight.

To make the pastry

Sieve the flour, rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Bind with egg yolks and water.  This pastry will keep well, wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Divide the pastry into six pieces, and roll out one piece at a time into rectangles. Again out of each rectangle cut out rectangles,  10cm(4") wide x  18cm(7") long.  Depending on how thin you roll out the pastry you will have several strips now ready for the filling.

To make the treacle rings

Take a dessertspoonful of the stuffing and place it on the cut rectangle, shaping it into a sausage shape 3-4cm (ab.1 1/2") thick and as long as the pastry rectangle.  Dip your fingers into semolina, sprinkled on the board to help you shape it.  Fold the pastry over - there's no need to dampen the edges.

Bring the two ends of  the folded pastry roll together in order to form a ring.

As each ring is ready place on the prepared baking sheets. Do not let the rings touch each other.  When they have all been prepared, cut five or six slashes on top of each ring with a sharp knife, lifting the pastry gently so as to let the stuffing show through.

Bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes or until the pastry is only slightly coloured. Let cool.  You can wrap these in cellophane to give as gifts.  The fresher they are the tastier of course!  Enjoy!

Decorating for Year Round Holidays

My online friend Joann has given me permission to showcase some of the pictures she has sent me which show how she decorates her family room for Memorial through Labor Day. These are some lovely special touches with the red, blue and white colours and red stripes on white as well as white stars on blue. This same effect, which she incorporates into her Bears corner, brings harmony and warmth to the room while setting the pace and the place into holiday mood!








This White Christmas tree was bought as an after Christmas bargain and is being used as a Holiday Tree. It was already set with white lights and so red and blue lights were added to complete the holiday effect. Joann made all the beaded ornaments and added some store bought ones acquired from the sales after Christmas. That is a brilliant idea, don't you think?



Thanks Joann for letting me share these lovely pictures and wonderful ideas : ) God bless!

Another Christmas Tag for you

Have you ever looked for a Gift Tag that would look so much better on a large Gift or maybe you needed more space to write on? Well, here is one I made for you!
















Print 6 tags at one go!

Enjoy!

More Free Tags for your Christmas Gifts

Here is a lovely tag that can be used if you plan to give out a token or a going away gift to your friends/family/guests.

Save to your own files, just print and cut.
I did not make this tag myself but it was shared with me and is from a free site so long as it is not for commercial purposes.

It has a lovely message and will look lovely tagged with your token.

Enjoy!

A Student/Teacher Christmas Bookmark...

I wrote this poem a few years back and made it into a bookmark.
I hope teachers and students alike can insert this into their Christmas card or gift.
Further down you will find a multiple page so it makes it easier for you to print several at one time.

School is a special place
Where we share and care
Teachers teach and students learn
For the future we prepare.

Some times are hard, some times are fun,
But together we move on,
These days we treasure and will always cherish,
Making memories to look back upon!

With our ups and downs, our smiles and frowns,
We work through our days,
Directors, students, teachers,
Sometimes we're in a daze.

Each step of the way, we're happy to say
We're walking hand in hand
Through a learning process, a caring one too,
Making us feel happy and grand.

So let us look back at our achievements
Each one in their own unique way
Wishing one and all the best of the season
And Blessings for
A Happy Holiday!
Doreen Scerri ©

Free Tags for your Christmas Gifts

Here are some tags I made which you could use when giving a Christmas gift of Herbs and/or Spices or a set of Salt and Pepper Shakers or even home-baked goodies.


















Here's a multiple page if you will be needing more than one...

Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

*** WISHING YOU SPECIAL BLESSINGS

THIS CHRISTMAS AND THOUGHOUT

THE NEW YEAR ***

"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small."
-- Eva K. Logue

"So remember while December Brings the only Christmas day, In the year let there be Christmas In the things you do and say."
-- Anonymous


"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most."
-- Ruth Carter Stapleton

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."
-- Roy L. Smith

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.""
-- Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

My First Christmas Artisans' Market

I am a little late in posting this I know but hey, better late than never, right : )

Above you can see my craft table at my very first Artisan's Market. This was a special occasion organised by the Malta Council of Crafts and which took place in the newly opened and renovated St George's Square opposite the Palace in Valletta.

These are pasta shell angel ornaments I made as Christmas tree decorations...some had magnets attached to the back to be used as fridge magnets and others had pins to be worn as brooches. At the back you can see my hand painted goblet candle holders.

Here you can see the angels again alongside my decoupaged Christmas plates.

In this last picture are some of my other angels and some decoupaged tealights.

We had to be there rather early to set up and the day started off being rather windy but soon the sun was out (as you can see from the pictures) and it turned into a beautiful day, sales were very good and my family was there to help out so it was really a fruitful and enjoyable day!

P.S. You can click on these photos for a larger image, you can also read the poem that I wrote to go with the pasta angels.

A Child is born...

... for you, for me, for each and every one of us.

Yes, Christ was born that day more than two thousand years ago to save mankind.

That was the greatest gift, that God sent His only Son to save us.

Love came to the world that night.

Will you let Jesus be born in your heart,

and will you let him dwell there forever?

Do you remember these beautiful verses?

What shall I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would give Him a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet what can I give Him...I'll give Him my heart.

I hope you will all have a Blessed Christmas, one that is celebrated

with love and joy in remembering Christ's birthday

and may you and your loved ones know many special blessings

of peace and happiness in knowing the Lord.

As you enjoy this festive season with family and friends,

may the spirit of Christmas live within your hearts

throughout the New Year.

My Year Round Tree

Keep

Christmas

with you

all through the year

That is the message featured on my year round tree. This is a saying I always remember especially after Christmas. It was a saying that I remember hearing on a Sesame Street Christmas episode I used to watch with our kids ~ this meaningful message has stayed with us from year to year.

This year I decided to have a mini year round tree which I hope to decorate according to the different seasons, feasts, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.

Come join me as I go about changing or adding to my little tree.

Here are the little hearts I made using paper, glitter glue, stickers, outliners, flowers and gems along with ribbon hangers.

I put them all on my tree for Valentine's along with other decorations I received from my online friends.