Today is National Poinsettia Day!

According to Nationaltoday dot com, "What we refer to as National Poinsettia Day is called 'La Flor de la Nochebuena' — or Flower of the Holy Night in Mexico. Poinsettias are revered there because of a legend which recounts the story of a poor little girl who despaired of having no gift for Jesus' birthday. When an angel appears to tell the child the most important thing is to give a gift with love, the child gathers weeds from the side of a road to place in the baby's manger. Miraculously, the weeds bloomed into gorgeous red star flowers."

National today also shares some fun Poinsettia facts - did you know . . . 

My Christmas Carols - Blue Christmas by Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire

This may not be a combination you would have thought of, but Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire sing Blue Christmas in a most beautiful way - you will find it at this link.

This was a song Elvis didn't want to sing because he thought it was too, too, sad, but he did and now it is a favorite. If you would like to sing along, you will find the lyrics here . . .

My Christmas Carol for Today - Carol of the Bells by Pentatonix

I did not think it was possible to love the song - Carol of the Bells more than I do, but listening to Pentatonix sing it I realized I now love it even more! You will find it at this link.

just for fun - Silly, but Real Laws in Arkansas

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in  Arkansas, I realized once again we were likely to get a good laugh from these laws and have something funny to share with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in Arkansas . . . 

Christmas Traditions

Each year after Thanksgiving dinner we put up our Christmas tree - either that evening, or on the weekend when my grandsons come over for a sleepover. They help decorate the tree and I am always so happy with the final look.

grandma's Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest - Peanutbutter Mice by Nikki!

Eleven years ago I had a Christmas cookie recipe contest - today I want to share with you again a recipe sent in by a reader - Peanut-butter Mice by Nikki Lancaster! Nikki says this is her children's favorite cookie! Thank you Nikki for sharing the recipe with us!

Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures - Try a Month for Free!

One of the most powerful things we are able to do for the ones we love is to pray for them. Some of us are seasoned prayer warriors, but some of us struggle with praying - what do we pray? How do we pray? Whether you - or someone on your gift list - is a seasoned prayer warrior or someone who struggles with prayer,  Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures is a book which will be used every day to guide whoever uses it through praying Scriptures for their own walk with God and for the walks of those they love.

Today I am happy to share with you one month of Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures to help you see what it is like -  

grandma's Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest - Ritz Peanut Butter Snowflake Cookies by Lori

Eleven years ago I held a Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest and today am happy to share with you some of the recipes submitted by readers - today . . . Ritz Peanut Butter Snowflake Cookies - sent to me by Lori Layne! Lori said, "This is one of my favorite recipes.  It is so simple I don't even need it written down to remember it." This recipe looks like it is very simple to make - and tasty! This should be a simple treat you could involve your grandchildren in making, too! Thank you Lori for sharing it with us! 

Christmas Carol for Today - Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys

Just for fun I have to include Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys in my Christmas carols for this year - you will find it at this link.

These are the lyrics if you want to sing along - 

My Christmas Carol for Today - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Acappella

Acappella has long been one of my favorite groups, so listening to them sing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas had to be part of my Christmas Carols, you will find it at this link. Enjoy!

Just For Fun - More Christmas Fun Facts!

Christmas is just a couple weeks away, so I thought it would be fun to look up and share some more Christmas "fun facts" which you could share with your family and friends as you celebrate Christmas! Did you know . . . 

Cacao, Peanut Butter, & Chocolate Chip Brownies - Enjoy!

Yesterday was National Brownie Day, but my grandsons were not at my house yesterday. They will be here in a few hours, so today I am baking brownies to put in bags under our Christmas tree for their treat this weekend. Each weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas I put a small treat in gift bags under my  tree so when my grandsons, and grown children visit, they are able to enjoy a special treat. This weekend it will be brownies.

grandma's chuckles - "He Cheats Because He is Three"

I love remembering the things my grandsons said and did when they were younger - today I'm remembering a time nine years ago when they were at my house and they wanted me to make a hide-out in the living room for them, so I grabbed some chairs and blankets and made it. They were sitting in their hide-out with my oldest grandson who was six at the time listing all the "rules" for the game he wanted to play, but my youngest grandson who was then three was just busy playing. All of a sudden, my oldest grandson hit his brother on the head and said, "He is cheating! He is cheating! He isn't following the rules!"

My Christmas Carols for You - TobyMac & Tasha Layton - Christmas Hits Different

Christmas tends to be a time of joy with family and friends, but for some of us, Christmas is a sad time, difficult time, challenging time - if you struggle and if Christmas is different for you this year, this song is for you. You will find TobyMac's and Tasha Layton's song, Christmas Hits Different at this link. If your Christmas is "hitting" "different" this year, please consider this song a big hug.