Quality Book Reviews would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!!!
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
The second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The third day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The fourth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The fifth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
The sixth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
The seventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
The eighth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The tenth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The eleventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The twelfth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Twelve lords a-leaping,
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
Did you know that there are many web sites devoted to Christmas with fun facts, stories, recipes, and even Santa? Here is a list of some of our favorite Christmas sites:
Christmas with the History.com includes facts, traditions, history, and video’s.
Santa Clause and Christmas at the North Pole
Christmas Traditions Around the World
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
A Christmas Carole by Charles Dickens
Christmas Playground (fun games for the kids)
“Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year – and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.”
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes–how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
by Clement Clarke Moore
More to come for our readers enjoyment! Merry Christmas!
***** Add special touches and sparkle to your table this holiday season. There are many magazines, books and the web is full of great ideas to add that special touch to make everyone’s eyes light up this Christmas! *****
Christmas Recipes
Homemade Cornbread Stuffing
Dressing made with corn bread mixed with onion, and celery seasoned with sage and pepper. Stuff into a roasting bird or bake in casserole dish.
- 6 cups crumble corn bread
- 6 cold bisquits or 6 slices toasted or stale bread
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 tennis ball sized onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 eggs slightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon or more of powered sage (or poultry seasoning))
- taste as some spices will be slightly stronger when cooked
- 2 or more cups chicken broth
Melt butter in heavy pan; add minced onion and celery. Saute until vegetables are soft but not brown. Combine cornbread and white bread or biscuits. Add onion, celery, seasoning and other ingredients except liquid to the bread mixture and stir/toss until well mixed. Pour on enough broth to moisten the cornbread. (make sure it is not soggy). Mix lightly and use for stuffing hen or turkey. Handle lightly; do not compact it! Allow space when stuffing poultry so mixture can swell. Extra dressing may be cooked separately in a mound, or spread 2 inches deep in a greased skillet or pan and bake at about 350 degrees until slightly brown on top and slightly firm to touch.
Divinity
Light and airy bites of white confection with chopped nuts added.
- 1 pkg white frosting mix
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 1 cup nuts
l. Mix frosting, corn syrup, vanilla and water. 2. Beat at high speed for 5 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. 3. Reduce speed to low and gradually add sugar 4. Stir in nuts. 5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. 6. Allow to dry at least 12 hours. 7. Store in airtight container. No Cooking Needed (easy)!
Good Books Make Great Gifts
Check out some of these books, you may find you’ll be adding these to your wish list.
Quality Book Reviews 