Send a Christmas Newsletter

Just as long letter writing gave way to sending Christmas cards back in the mid 1800’s; so it is that trying to write individual notes inside of Christmas cards have given way to an annual Christmas newsletter, printed in mass quantities for distribution.

The purpose of a Christmas Newsletter

The purpose of the Christmas newsletter is to update friends, family and loved ones with whom you have had little contact over the year.  It is a way to keep in touch with each person, in the midst of a very busy lifestyle.  Although some were initially offended by receiving a form letter rather than a handwritten personal letter or note in the card, acceptance is now widespread.  It is now the norm to receive several family newsletters throughout the season.  They become treasured keepsakes, just as Christmas cards do.

Newsletters are typically printed from home computers, on holiday stationery.  Most writers search on sites such as here at (MyExpression.com) for stationery that matches their personality and the content of the newsletter, much like shoppers who search for unique cards that will strike a cord of appreciation and stand out from the rest.   Mothers are likely to pick stationery that has Santa or snowmen or gingerbread cookies on it.  Bird lovers will choose a winter scene with cardinals on it, while an older person might choose a Victorian paper.  Devout Christians will likely choose stationery with Scripture or a Nativity scene on it.  Colored envelopes and seals add to the air of expectancy that the recipient feels when the letter is received. 

Formatting the Newsletter

The newsletter can be formatted in a number of ways.  Below are some ideas:

Depict the year in photos. You can select thumbnails of 5-6 pictures and write captions, or you can do a collage and write a paragraph or two about the collage. Information is limited in this type of format; however people enjoy looking at the photos.  

Have each family member type a “journal entry”, about one paragraph in length.  The content should highlight interests, achievements or a job. Usually the format allows the writing to be done youngest to oldest, ending with the parents entries.  An example might be “Hi, this is Alyssa.  I am 15 now and a sophomore in high school.  I spent the summer working at Dairy Queen, and played field hockey this fall at Central High. We won the State Championship.  I will be taking Driver’s Ed this winter.  I need to buy a car.”

Assign one family member to write about the events of the year, from their viewpoint.  It will be interesting and amusing to see which things get highlighted.  One child wrote “One time, we ate cold spaghetti with mustard, and it was good”. MMMM. No editing allowed in these newsletters, unless inappropriate material is put in!

The more traditional newsletter is written by the mother, on behalf of the family and is a narrative chronicle of the previous year.  Included are highlights of the life of each individual, family vacations, births and deaths and weddings. 

This article was originally published in 2007 as internet content no byline given to me as I was ghostwriting for them.   I did, in fact, write hundreds of text blocks for their site...

The Timeless Tradition of Sending Christmas Cards

In the mid eighteen hundreds, a person in Britain could send a letter for one penny. Letter writing became very popular during this time, particularly during the holiday season.  The tradition of exchanging holiday greetings with those both near and afar was birthed during this time.  Although sending a letter was an inexpensive way to stay in touch, it was time consuming.


An Englishman by the name of Henry Cole found that he was too busy to write individual letters to each person that he wanted to send greetings to. He hired an artist to design a card that would combine the religious aspect of the season, as well as values such as gathering with family and aiding the poor and needy.  1,000 copies of the card were produced and sent to friends and family, and is thought to be the first Christmas card.

The original purpose of sending a holiday card was to stay in touch with friends and relatives who live too far away to attend gatherings during the holidays.  In the 21^st Century; cards are given to coworkers, service providers, business associates, church family members, and loved ones.  Distance is of no consequence, as cards are given not just to keep in touch, but primarily to express love and caring toward the recipient.

The looks of  the Christmas cards have changed over the years. By the end of the late 1800’s, the tradition of sending Christmas cards had gained in popularity and several stationery companies had hired artists to design cards.  As companies competed to win the business of customers, cards became quite lavish.

The Depression in the United States created a need for people to have an outlet and to think of more lighthearted things.  Popularity of cards depicting animated characters like Popeye and Mickey Mouse grew during the 1930’s. 

The 1940’s brought added sentiments and styles to choices in Christmas Cards.  Word War II played a major role in the development of themes such as “Missing You” and “Across the miles”.  Patriotic messages were also developed, as thousands of cards were mailed overseas to servicemen. Cards also reflected technology advances in printing, and four colored cards were very popular.

Cards designed during the second half of the 20^th Century depicted the ever changing world. Cards created in the 1950’s were filled with artwork of such artists as Norman Rockwell and spoke to the every day life of leisure, strongly contrasting the war torn prior decade. The 1960’s began an era of nontraditional cards, as peace cards became a growing theme. With the 1970’s Jesus Movement came a resurgence in the popularity of religious cards, as born again Christians spurred an interest in reverting back to the original intent of the Christmas card.  Sophisticated corporate cards emerged in the 1980’s. Cards of the 1990’s depicted home and family life, as traditional values once again became a lifestyle quest.

With the 21^st Century comes the technology that allows for individuals to send cards from smart phones or other electronic devices. (Just a few short years ago, the cutting edge was creating cards at home or sending photo cards) The cost of buying cards and stamps, and the time it takes to write each one out has all but rendered the timeless tradition of paper cards a relic of the past. Some people, myself included, still love the feel and touch of the cards send through 'snail mail', hung around the doorways to be enjoyed over and over again.

Regardless of how times and the looks of the cards have changed over the years, exchanging Christmas cards remains a timeless tradition, and many a lonely person has been cheered by the cards they receive during  December. 

The clock is ticking. Whatever your preferred mode, don't forget to send a few cards this year!




This article was originally written as internet content for a top selling greeting card company, then reworked and later published under my birth name of MaryEllen Smith, in the Maine print paper SV Weekly, in 2007.

The Meaning of Traditional Christmas Symbols

People love the timeless symbols that are associated with Christmas, yet few know what the meanings of the symbols are. Below is a list of symbols found during the holiday season, and what the meaning is.   

Angels- Represent God’s protection over his people throughout the ages.

Apple-Today, symbolizes health.  In the middle ages in Germany, it was used to hang on the Paradise Tree (Christmas Fir Tree) during the retelling of the story of the Garden of Eden.

Bows on Packages-Remind us of how we should be tied together in love.

Gifts and Packages- Remind us of the gift God gave through Christ, as well as gifts   the wise men brought to Christ when they visited him.

Holly-The thorn like leaves symbolize the crown Christ wore at crucifixion and the   red berries symbolize the blood he shed.

Nativity Scene- Reminds the world of the scene that the Bible tells of the night that Christ was born.

Poinsettias- Plants native to Mexico were originally brought as gifts for the Christ child, to a village Nativity scene. 

Santa- Reminds us of the Bishop of Myra centuries ago who was known for his kindness and generosity and concern for the welfare of children.  He wore a red robe and sports a white beard.

The Bell- Symbolizes the announcement of the birth of Christ.

The Candle- Friendship, Unselfishness. It also mirrors starlight.  It was first used by Martin Luther after he walked home one evening and noticed the stars shimmering through fir trees. 

The Candy Cane-first introduced by a German choir director in 1670, as a white confection resembling a shepherd’s hook and handed out to children during the Christmas pageant, as a bribe to keep them quiet.

The Color Red-Symbolizes Christ’s blood, thought to be the first color used in Christmas celebrations.

The Fir Tree- Is representative of everlasting life.  The needles point to heaven. It was first used in Germany in the Middle Ages, during plays depicting the Garden of Eden.  It was popularized in the late 1800’s in England, after a photo was published in the paper of the Royal Family around the tree which was brought from Albert’s native homeland of Germany.

The Star- Represents the hope of prophecy fulfilled and pointing us to look  heavenward.

Wreath-The never ending circle has no beginning and end and symbolizes God’s love for us.

Below are some less traditional holiday symbols that have emerged over the past sixty years and are gaining in popularity.  

Bird-Happiness                                          Snowman -Patience     

Cat-Affection                                             Dog-Loyalty

Sheep-Devotion                                         Lion and Lamb-Symbols of Christ

Church-Faith                                              Dove-Purity                             

Flower-Good Wishes                                 Grape-Friendship

House-Shelter                                            Patriotic Theme-Military


First published under my birth name, MaryEllen Smith, in 2007 for print paper in Maine-SV Weekly

10 Easy Steps to Throwing an Amazing Holiday Party

I love hosting parties and entertaining. Many of my friends find the concept of hosting a holiday party completely overwhelming. For that reason, I developed this simplified party planning guide a few years ago and shared a copy with my friends. 

           

10 Easy Steps

1. Decide your basic guest list. 

2. Decide what the theme of your party will be. 

3. Choose an invitation that best expresses the theme of your party.  Will it be a trim-a-tree, a cookie exchange, or a holiday meal? Your invitation will be the first glimpse your guest has into your party. The invitation should create an anticipation will sway him to make attendance a priority.

4. Do a complete set of checklists. Be sure that your menu is planned, the grocery list is made, and an action plan for the day of the party is done.  Purchase gifts for party favors, gift exchanges and contest winners.  Decorate your home, inside and outside.

5. Keep a running list of RSVP’s to your party.  This will aid you in purchasing the correct amount of food and drinks. 

6. Three days prior to your party- Follow up with any of the invited guests who have not yet RSVP’d.  Let them know you are looking forward to their attending and you are just doing a final headcount.  Go over your menu again, then double check your cupboard and grocery list.

7.  Two days prior to the party- Go to the grocery store.  Clean your house.  

8. One day prior to the party-Make all food items ahead that will keep overnight.  Set up your buffet or dining area.  Put slips of paper in serving dishes to make the setup quick when it is time for the party to begin.

9. The day of the party- Take a nice hot shower or long bath.  Pamper yourself as you prepare for the party.  Congratulate yourself on planning a party that will be remembered by all of your guests. 

10. After dressing in an elegant outfit, go and complete the last minute party preparations.  When the doorbell rings, invite your guests inside and relax.  Enjoy spending quality time with each one.

Originally published 2007, SV Weekly-Maine newspaper, under birth name of MaryEllen Smith

Electronics-How Much is Too Much?

I read some staggering statistics in a survey result today. Staggering to me at least. Here are the stats:

Among the survey’s key findings:

• 42 percent of children under 8 years old have a TV in their bedroom.
• Half (52 percent) of all zero- to 8-year-olds have access to a new mobile device such as a smart phone, video iPod, or iPad/tablet.
• More than a third (38 percent) of children this age have used one of these devices, including 10 percent of zero-to 1-year-olds, 39 percent of 2- to 4-year-olds, and more than half (52 percent) of 5- to 8-year-olds.
• In a typical day, one in 10 zero- to 8-year-olds uses a smart phone, video iPod, iPad, or similar device to play games, watch videos, or use other apps. Those who do such activities spend an average of 43 minutes a day doing so.  (Source)

Am I the only one who finds these statistics bothersome? Read on: 

The following excerpt is taken from the book “Return to Eden: Exposing the Lies that Are Destroying the Family”, authored by MaryEllen Smith (C) 2007.  Amazon: Return to Eden 

Note: MaryEllen Smith is actually my birth name, so 'tis me who authored the book!

“Americans live an on-the-go lifestyle that many would say is normal. In this land of opportunity, there is seemingly no limit to the activities available for us to be involved in that consume the twenty-four hour day. Our insatiable appetites for more have driven the industry to develop technology and services that allow us to see, experience, eat, and accomplish more in a twenty-four hour day than ever before. 

We live in an instant society, which has caused our length of patience to wane over the years. We find waiting for two seconds for the Web page to load bothersome. We have become so dependent on having cell phones that we will no longer tolerate being in a “dead zone.” Shopping is done at chain grocery stores, with little desire on the part of the shopper to do anything but get in and out as quickly as possible. A person in front of the shopper in the express checkout immediately equates to an extra couple of minutes in the store and is barely tolerated. The average American is scheduled right to the minute and cannot afford the extra five minutes that the wait is costing them. 

If the only lasting value in life is the relationships that we have built, then it will never have been the wrong choice to choose to live more simplistically, allowing for more family time. Is it possible to have a family be involved in a plethora of activities and still stay connected? The answer lies in how the family functions. If the family does the activities together, and relates to one another throughout the activity, then yes, I believe it is possible. I don’t believe that it is easily achieved, and it requires determination to be fully present.

Recent data shows that it is the norm for many families to share space yet never connect. It is nearly impossible to go to a restaurant anymore without hearing other patrons chatting on their cell phones, while those they are with eat in silence. Parents or siblings attending a child’s sports event often bring a laptop to multitask and do unfinished work, and beach goers take routinely take their iPods or MP3 players and sit side by side with those accompanying them for a day of leisure. It’s true that they are in the same space at the same time, but each is preoccupied with his or her own interests, or is multitasking, rather than giving the needed attention to developing relationships with the ones that they are with. Call me old fashioned, but the rule in our house is that we are to be fully present when with someone, and that includes listening to each other and making eye contact.” Smith concludes.  (Smith, like I said, is my maiden name-so actually, I concluded the comments)

I can't say that my stance has changed in the past 4 years. Actually, with the technological advances, I see that things are getting worse, not better. I witnessed the 'family disconnect' just this fall, at the football field-where I was enthusiastically watching practices and games. Can't say the same of all parents there. I go to the mall and I see the same. And, gasp...I even witness kids using the devices at church. And no, they aren't reading the Bible on it. Some do. You can always tell who is and who is using the device for other purposes.

"Get with the times, Mel" I have often been told. "You're too old fashioned. This is the way it is, now." Oh really? I always think to myself-and sometimes say aloud...

I love statistics, research and the like. Well, here is some research that backs up reasons to stick to my old fashioned thinking....

"In a typical day, zero- to 1-year-olds spend more than twice as much time watching television and DVDs (53 minutes) as they do reading or being read to (23 minutes). And some young children have already begun media multitasking—23 percent of 5- to 8-year-olds use more than one medium “most” or “some” of the time."  YIKES


How about this excerpt from one of my favorite mommy e-zine sites. And no, it isn't plagiarizing, if I site the sources....
http://mommiesmagazine.com/13479/american-pediatric-association/  



"If you have very young children, under the age of four, spending too time in front of the television can be harmful for their developmental health. Although experts have in the past warned parents of the dangers, the American Pediatric Association issued a new warning this week. The New York Times reported on the story, stating: 


‘The new report strongly warns parents against putting a TV in a very young child’s room and advises them to be mindful of how much their own use of media is distracting from playtime. In some surveys between 40 and 60 percent of households report having a TV on for much of the day — which distracts both children and adults, research suggests.”


The APA had issued a previous warning in 1999 which was much more severe. The first warning recommended that parents ban television completely for young children, and that doctors record and monitor young children’s screen time. The latest warning is less drastic, and is an effort from the APA to be more realistic about the fact that screens in the 21st century are all but unavoidable.


Considering that young children learn much more quickly from interacting with people and objects in the physical world, too much television exposure can stunt their early learning. Of course, there are times when you may be too busy to constantly engage with your child, which makes having them view television an easy way to keep them entertained."



Another source,  which further confirms that I am not 'completely old school and needing to get up with the times'.

The kids in the study, average age 14-and-one-half, were all treated at the JFK Medical Center Sleep Laboratory in Edison, N.J. About 77 percent had trouble falling asleep; others had daytime sleepiness.
And it's no wonder: Turns out they sent an average 34 texts or e-mails a night, according to the study, to be presented Monday at the meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Vancouver, British Columbia. Texts were sent anywhere from 10 minutes to four hours after bedtime.

"Across the board, all of the children admitted to using electronic media - texting, computers, gaming - after lights out," says co-author Peter Polos, a physician at the JFK clinic.
Kids texted an average of four people a night. Electronic media woke them up once a night, when they were texted or called by a friend.  Young people who used the most bedtime media - from phones  to playing video games - were more likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression and learning problems during the day.

Well, that pretty much convinces me that my old fashioned thinking is O.K.  Am I saying that all electronic usage is bad? No!  The word that comes to mind is balance. Using technology in limited quantities, in doses appropriate for the age is OK. Using electronics to keep children occupied, thereby 'babysitting' the kid....may seem like a good idea in the short term. In reality, the long term detrimental impact makes the short term benefits pale in comparison. In addition to being disconnected from the family, teens overusing cell phones and other devices are dealing with a host of issues.


Balance.

Working for a Living-Looking Forward to 2012?

Life is …

“Leaving the house in the morning, dressed in clothes that you bought on credit card for work, driving through the traffic in a car that you are still paying for, putting in fuel that you cannot afford, in order to get to the job that you hate but need so badly so that you can pay for the clothes, car, fuel and the house that you leave empty the whole day, in order to live in it”

 

Are you laughing? Crying? Just nodding your head in hopeless agreement?  It seems like the life you're supposed to have, doesn't it? Isn't that the way the world works? Aren't we taught from birth that this is our purpose in life? Here in America, isn't this touted as the American Dream? 

 

I used to think that too. Then, back about 15 years ago, the whole concept started bothering me. Alot. I spent six months searching my heart and soul. Sitting at my desk in corporate America, looking at pictures of my kids that were growing up way too fast. I'd ponder things like "What is the point of having a family, if I never get to see them?" "What is the point of earning all this money, if I'm going to expend most of it in bills?" "Why do I work all these hours, just so I can have a vacation a couple times a year?" "Why am I expending all of my years doing everything I don't want to do, so that I can retire? By then, kids will have grown up and I will have missed it. Parents will have died and I will not have had the time to spend with them....." Nothing made sense anymore. I found myself in an internal battle, unwilling to accept the norm that had been fed to me, yet unsure of how to break free.

 

During this time, I sought much counsel. Biblical counsel. I read every book that I could get my hands on. I prayed much. I spent alot of time with the elderly folk I knew, asking them about how life was 'in their day'. I struggled with being torn between all I'd believed my whole life about the purpose in life and the reality in which I was living. The fact was, it just wasn't lining up. I knew I didn't have my priorities in order and my kids didn't come first. The job came first. It had to. Our daily lives were ruled by the almighty buck. 

 

"There has to be a way", I kept thinking to myself.

 

I started thinking "What if...what if.....I just walked off the job? Gave my notice, and never looked back?" I  started running some numbers. First I looked at all of the expenses that were created by me going to work, just as the beginning quote states. Extra car (new one, at that). Fuel and insurance on the car. Suits. Heels. Haircuts. Lunches and coffees while I was on the road. Un-reimbursed travel expenses. Daycare.  

 

Next, I took a hard look at which budget items were really luxuries and not something that we needed. That was hard to swallow. Vacations. Wants-not needs. Sigh. Admission tickets to entertainment spots. You know, all the things that allow us to escape the reality of the rat race we are living in or the lives we are living that we are not satisfied with.

 

As I continued crunching numbers, I began to research ways to cut expenses. I started thinking things like "What if I just went back to living the way people lived 50 years ago? I wonder what would happen then?" "What if I found ways to cut even basic expenses, like paper products and heat?" Could I do it then?

 

By the time I was done with my budget books and with my soul searching, I knew it was time. I called my boss and said "I am done. Finished. Giving my notice." Because of my position, it took me awhile to transition out. I agreed to stay in the position, as long as they agreed to let me move my office home and begin working from there. Agreed. 

 

All said and done, it took about 18 mos for me to finally be out from under that job. They had to find someone to replace me. I had to train the person. They kept me on as a consultant for another year. During that time, I paid off debt that had accumulated.  I did things like buy household appliances and blankets and whatever else I thought we might need but would no longer have the income to buy. I had another baby, which as you know-brings a whole raft of expenses. Over the next 10 years, I took on a variety of contracted jobs, to supplement the household income. At one point, I  went back into the workforce for a short time, after my then husband was injured and unable to work. I was miserable. It wasn't working for me. I quit the workforce to come home, again. My great-grandmother used to say "Make do or do without". I decided that was good advice and adopted it as my life mantra.

 

When I went through my divorce, I knew I needed to find something to do from home that would fulfill the need to bring in some extra cash for the rent. In my career, I'd worked many admin positions that required me to do extensive writing, so I decided to start freelancing. That was five years ago. It works for me. When I need more money, I take on more work. If the bills are paid and the budget is on track, I cut my hours back. I was blessed to meet my amazing hubby and marry him three years ago, and he is a hard worker. We have an agreement that unless I NEED to work, I won't. The time may come when I need to be earning more. If that is the case, I will step up the freelancing. I don't know if I will ever be able to return to corporate America. I've been spoiled this past 15 years and enjoy the simple things of life. Having tasted the freedom of living simplistically, I'd have to think long and hard about what expense is so critical that it requires me to return to work 'out there'.

 

Am I saying that it has been an easy road, to leave corporate America? By no means. It has and continues to require sacrifice. Things like pulling the kids from the private school and committing to homeschooling them these past 15 years. That hasn't been an easy road, but it has been the right decision, for us. The kids have not enjoyed all the technological gadgets that others their age have. I am not convinced they are deprived on that count. More than what they've missed out on, are the experiences and opportunities they've gained, because I walked out of my corporate office. Living on less requires creativity and a willingness to find alternatives to the things that used to suck the life out of the budget. You learn to seek out free community events, like art gala opening receptions. Hey, it is free admission that night AND a premier! God even provided a way for me to take each of my  girls to Florida for a vacation. They've been to El Salvador on a missions trip. They've traveled New England. They are rich in experiences, which are now carrying them in their adult lives.

After Joe and I got married, he lost his job. I was only working as a part time freelancer. We had 4 kids in the house. We were on a bare bones, no frills budget. He's working again now, and we're finally able to start setting aside monies in our family fun budget line. Even so, most would say we are being frugal about our expenditures while having fun. Let me tell you some of the fun things we've done just this summer as a family (now only 1 kid at home). 

 

We went to Six Flags for $50, gas included. How? My son earned the passes for him and I, by reading. Yep. They have a program that encourages kids in K-6 to read and reward those hours of reading with free passes! I bought Joe's at a discount, packed our food and drinks and went for the day. It was just as much fun as if we'd spent a couple hundred! 

 

We went to see a minor league team that plays afew miles from us. We even took another teen, to 'hang' with our son. The four of us enjoyed hot dogs and drinks, while watching the game behind home plate, for just $20. The boys even got free hats and the opportunity to be out on the field with the team, because we arrived early.

 

We went to Fenway to see a Red Sox game. Ok, admittedly--that was $150, all said and done. Still, because we were willing to sit in seats with an 'obstructed view', we got the cheaper seats. We all enjoyed the hot dogs, crackerjacks, peanuts and usual fare, but Joe and I were splitting ours-figuring we really didn't need all that food, anyway. It was a great day at the ball park.

 

We had a 4 day beach vacation, for under $500 for the family. We stayed at a great bed and breakfast right on the beach there in Rhode Island. World famous beaches for $500? Oh yeah. I had to do a lot of searching to find the B & B, and we went during the week and off season in June, before the real tourist season started. We borrowed boogie boards instead of buying them. Breakfast was provided. We bought lunch food and snacks for the fridge. We ate dinner out, but at modest local places that allowed the 3 of us to eat for under $25 (no it was not fast food!)

 

We've enjoyed much of the summer foods that everyone else has enjoyed. The difference is that I make the food myself. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. We look at the plates and say "This would have cost us $50 or $100 if we'd gone out. This is healthier and cost only a fraction of the price." I don't think I often spend more than $20 for even the biggest celebration dinners. Most of the time-if I shop the sales, I can do a 3 course meal for $10!  We had lobster and steak for our anniversary this year. We could have gone to one of the local restaurants, many of which are 4 stars. That anniversary dinner would have cost close to $200. We went to the local grocer and had them cook the lobsters (for free) and enjoyed an amazing meal for under $50-while our son was at football practice-complete with the black dress, candlelight and dancing to our favorite music. Really, would the restaurant have been any better? 

 

The list goes on. We had a great summer. And a great fall. And, we will have a great winter. Christmas? Right. We love Christmas.I'll save my frugal gift giving topic for another time....

 

Am I saying that it is bad for you to be working? No! Did I write this to put you on a guilt trip about working? Not at all. My purpose in writing this is simply to say "If you are sick of getting up and going to work to pay for all the stuff that you have no time to enjoy because you are working, there is hope. If you are sick of spending your life working instead of living and you wish that you could just be DONE, or at least cut back your hours or change jobs, there is hope! It IS possible, even in 21st Century America, to live a simple life. To take a hard look at your budget, decide what you NEED for an income and then only work the hours necessary to meet the budget."

 

I know the economy is tough. I know you may be in debt. I've sat with hundreds of men and women over the years, and have also been a team leader of financial classes. I say the same to everyone "There are ways to trim and downsize"  I've yet to meet a person who was not able to achieve their goals and dreams, if armed  with a diligent spirit and a willingness to make sacrifices. Even the dream of leaving the job behind or reducing the number of hours worked. 

 

 

Laughter is Good Medicine For Holiday Lonliness

The phrase “laughter is good medicine” has merit, according to mental health professionals and physicians. Author, Chuck Swindoll, wrote “10% of life is what happens to you and 90% is your attitude about the event”.

Suicide rates and depression hit a high during the holidays, and the ability to laugh becomes critical. Humor is a powerful emotional medicine that can lower stress, dissolve anger, and unite families in troubled times. Mood is elevated by striving to find humor in difficult and frustrating situations. “Laughing at ones self and the situation helps reveal that small things are not the earth-shaking events they sometimes seem to be. Looking at a problem from a different perspective can make it seem less formidable and provide opportunities for greater objectivity and insight”, states the Alliance for the Mentally Ill. “Humor also helps us avoid loneliness by connecting with others who are attracted to genuine cheerfulness. And the good feeling that we get when we laugh can remain with us as an internal experience even after the laughter subsides.”

Mental health professionals point out that humor can also teach perspective by helping patients to see reality rather than the distortion that supports their distress. Humor shifts the ways in which people think, and distress is greatly associated with the way people think. It is not situations which generate stress; it is the meaning that is placed on the situations. Humor adjusts the meaning of an event so that it is not so overwhelming.

Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect people against a heart attack, according to the study at the University of Maryland Medical Center. A recent study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease. According to the research, people who laugh heartily on a regular basis also have lower standing blood pressure than the average person. When patients have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper which sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.

The American Association of Physical Therapists advocates the use of humor in the overall healing process in the body. Laughter increases infection fighting antibodies that the body needs in order to heal. It can be a great workout for the diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles. It massages abdominal organs, tones intestinal functioning, and strengthens the muscles that hold the abdominal organs in place. Not only does laughter give the midsection a workout, it can benefit digestion and absorption functioning as well. It is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike.

Professionals working with patients who have brain dysfunctions often incorporate the use of humor into treatment plans. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information.

The holidays offer ample opportunity during social gatherings to find humor. Bring humor into conversations. Ask people, “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you today? This week? In your life?” Some other ways to get a daily dose of laughter are: watch comedy DVD’s and TV shows (Remember classics like the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges), go to comedy clubs, listen to comedy while driving, read comic authors, seek out funny people, and spend less time with overly serious people. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh, or even simply a smile, can go a long way in helping a person  feel better.

             

Originally published in print paper, Sebasticook Valley Weekly

“Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire”

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is the title of the popular music and lyrics composed by Torme and Wells in 1946. The most popular recording of this truly great Christmas song, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” was recorded by Nat King Cole. The strong imagery in the words to this Christmas song are also complimented by such sentiments as reflected in one of its lines "from kids from one to ninety-two" which encompass the essence of the family Christmas.

The tradition of roasting chestnuts dates back to the old world. Research revealed that there are ways to roast chestnuts in modern homes that are void of open fireplaces. A campfire ring or a barbecue pit will do serve as an adequate roasting fire.

Steps for Roasting Chestnuts Over an Open Fire (combined instructions from several websites)

1. The most important item to have when roasting chestnuts is the proper pan. Although any type of frying pan with a lid will do, you will have to modify it for roasting purposes. Specifically, you will need to drill holes into the bottom of the pan. This allows the chestnuts to roast properly. For a 12-inch pan, there should be about 25-30 holes in the pan, each hole having a 3/6-inch diameter. The holes should also be spaced apart evenly. Once you have modified your pan, wash it and set it aside. You now need to prepare the chestnuts.

2. When purchasing chestnuts at a store, select chestnuts that are similar in size. For a more flavorful dish, you can purchase the larger "Maroni"-type chestnuts. Bear in mind, however, that due to their size these chestnuts will take longer to roast. Once you have purchased your chestnuts and have them at home, wash them in cold water and allow them to dry. When dry, sort the chestnuts again to further categorize them by size for cooking.

3. When you are ready to roast the chestnuts, take chestnuts of a like size and place them into the pan ensuring that the bottom of the pan is covered in a single layer with the chestnuts. Next, you will need to take each chestnut in the pan and place a cut into its skin using a sharp knife.. This is done so that the chestnut releases steam while cooking and does not explode. To prepare a cut in the chestnut, hold the chestnut in your hand with its tip facing upward and its flat surface towards you. Take a small, sharp, and pointed knife and slice into the chestnut's skin from left to right making sure that you do not cut into the chestnut's meat. The cut should be no larger than 3/8 to 1/2-inch in length.

4. Once the chestnuts have been cut, prepare your campfire or barbeque grill. If you are using a campfire, make sure that you have something to support the pan -- do not place the pan directly into an open fire. Also, the campfire or grill must be very hot before placing the pan onto it and a flame must not be present. When the temperature is correct, place the pan with the chestnuts on the grill or campfire.

5. Note that you do not need to add any oil or grease to the pan because as the chestnuts roast they will release steam and their own cooking oils. Cover the pan and roast the chestnuts for a few minutes. After awhile, remove the lid and stir the chestnuts so that they do not roast only on one side. This process of covering, roasting, removing the lid, stirring, and re-covering must be repeated frequently throughout the roasting process. For an average size chestnut, about the size of a U.S. half-dollar coin, the roasting time is approximately 20-25 minutes. You will know when the chestnuts are cooked when they appear darker in color and if, when you remove a chestnut from the pan, its skin breaks easily making a crackling sound.

6. Once the chestnuts are roasted, take a large bowl and line it with paper towels. Place the roasted chestnuts into the bowl and cover them with a cloth. The chestnuts should sit in their own heat for approximately 2-4 minutes as this makes them easier to peel. After they have sat awhile, they are ready to be eaten. Chestnuts are best when served hot and when accompanied by apple cider.

Originally published in print paper, Sebasticook Valley Weekly

Hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange

One of my favorite holiday traditions of days gone by is the Cookie Exchange. It is an easy way to get people together, create variety platters of cookies, and create holiday memories.

Inviting people to a Christmas Cookie Exchange is about swapping cookies and recipes, while sharing quality time with people that that may not have been seen for awhile. The people who love to cook are first on the list of invitees. These people (usually women) will outdo themselves in an effort to create the most delicious creations at the party. The artist type will have spent large quantities of time meticulously decorating each cookie. The career woman will have a quick and easy recipe to make. 

Be sure to explain to guests that they should bring at least 3 dozen cookies and an equal number of 8 ½ x 11 photocopies of the recipes to be compiled into a scrapbook. Stationary can be purchased at an office supply store or created on a home computer.  Let the guests know that their cookies will be judged for creativity, baking ease, and ethnic appeal (Swiss, Polish etc). 

Once guests arrive to the exchange, have them put the cookies that they brought on the dining room table (use the entire circumference).  Assign each type of cookie a number, using paper cutouts made from tracing cookie cutters.   Also write the name and description of the cookie on the paper. 

Hand out pre-made ballots to each guest and ask them quietly circulate the dining room table and view the cookies.  Have them vote for one in each category.  Tally the votes and award prizes for each category. Prizes can be cookie presses, a recipe book, tubes of icing, or a baking sheet.  These can be purchased at a dollar store.

Provide each guest with a decorative platter (purchased at a dollar store) and have them circle the table, putting one of each type of cookie on their platter.  If there are extras, the guests may make a second circle.  Once everyone has completed making their platters of cookies, provide saran wrap and tags for each guest to wrap and identify their platter.

Next, create the recipe scrapbook. Have each guest choose a seat.  Hand each guest a 3 ring binder pre-filled with sheet protectors. One at a time, invite each guest to hand out their 8 ½ x 11 stationery with copied recipes on them (be sure she includes herself).  After everyone has handed out their uniquely styled stationery, have each guest insert the recipes into their sheet protectors.  A scrapbook will automatically be created because of the variety in the stationery paper used.  Take a digital photo of the group and then excuse yourself, leaving guests to chat.  Add in the text (date, occasion) and print it off a copy for everyone on stationery.  Hand them out to each guest to put in the front of the binder. 

Originally published in print paper, Sebasticook Valley Weekly

“Here We Come, A Wassailing”

What does “Wassailing” mean? It is sung throughout the season, but few people know what it means.  

Wassailing though usually thought of as being something akin to carol singing, is actually a set of customs going back more than 500 years in which groups of villagers wished health to the crops and animals of their neighbors as well as to the people of the village themselves.  

The most common form of wassailing recorded concerned fruit trees, in particular, apple trees and a true Wassail Cup, the drink carried round by the wassailers, contains apples cooked till they are fluffy and bursting from their skins. Traditionally, the Wassailers walked round the orchards, blessing the trees and asking for good crops and around the farm animals, blessing them and asking for the herds to continue. They then knocked on the door of the house, were admitted by the youngest woman in the household and then drank the health of all those in the house with the Wassail Cup they had brought with them in the wassail bowl.  (usually wooden ).

The drink was a liquor made with ale, spirits, sugar, eggs and spices....and full of roasted apples bursting in the steaming cup.  It was often the custom to float a piece of bread on top - hence, our expression "to propose a toast". 
 

 Research done on the internet yielded a recipe for a 17^th century wassail.
" Boil: 3 pints of ale; - beat six eggs, the whites and the yolks together; set both to the fire in a pewter pot; add roasted apples, sugar, beaten nutmegs, cloves and ginger; and, being well brewed, drink it while hot "  ( from the Royal Household of 1633 )

A  punch bowl has long since been the centerpiece of modern Christmas parties. Here is a modern wassail recipe that will appeal to guests of all ages:  

1 gallon apple cider ( add about 4oz sugar if it's very dry ) 

12 small apples peeled and cored
1/8  teaspoon ground nutmeg      

16 fl oz whipping cream
1/4  teaspoon ground cinnamon                                                            

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2  teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Slowly heat 3/4 of the cider till warm, but not boiling. Put remaining cider in another pan with the apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger and bring it to the boil. Simmer vigorously until the apples lose their shape and become ' frothy '. Combine the two liquids and pour into a heatproof bowl. Whip the cream with the salt and brown sugar until it peaks and spoon it onto the wassail or add some cream to each drink as it's served. Drink Hot.

Originally published in print paper, Sebasticook Valley Weekly

Classic Toys Top Some Shopping Lists

Not all shoppers will be searching for electronic devices or the latest fad toy released by toy makers this season!

According to a Toys-R-Us website, shoppers are looking for classic pre-school toys such as kitchen sets, wooden blocks, wagons, and play-doh.As doctors, therapists, and education experts increase the advocacy and awareness of the need for children to return to basic play, retailers are taking advantage of the trend back to classics.

Elementary age girls can expect to find Easy Bake Ovens, tea sets, dolls, and hula hoops under the tree this year. Boys can expect to find Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys, Tonka Trucks, and GI Joe’s under the tree. Older kids will not be exempt from receiving classics. Topping the list are classic board games such as Monopoly, Sorry, Battleship, and Scrabble.

There are several factors attributed to the resurgence of classics versus fads or technology. The first is that parents are reaching a saturation point with the electronics and battery operated toys. One parent, declining to be named, was expressing frustration at a store recently. “It seems that every time I turn around, the electronic thing stops working. Beyond that, I spend more on batteries than I did to buy the toy.”

Grandparents are inclined to nod in agreement with the experts, who say that children do not know how to play anymore. It is not simply that they do not have the toys, but that many have become desensitized to the point of needing therapy to develop sensory integration skills that are lacking.

Sensory integration is the ability to take in information through the senses of touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing, and to combine the resulting perceptions with prior information, memories, and knowledge already stored in the brain, in order to derive coherent meaning from processing the stimuli.

The National Occupational Therapy Association, in part attributes the lack of creative play opportunities to the rise in sensory issues in children. Child experts agree that children need to be stimulated from birth. Replacing an infant’s rattles and cloth books with a television is often the beginning of a childhood of problems. As the child ages, playing outside in a sand pile has been replaced with sitting in front of a computer screen. Riding bikes has been replaced with riding a virtual bike in the “gaming” world.

It is difficult for seniors to understand how it is that an occupational therapist would need to prescribe a sensory diet for a child, mandating that the child engage in activities that were once commonplace, yet that is exactly the trend that the country is in.

Craft fairs are an excellent source for locating classics such as wooden planes, trains, and automobiles. Handmade doll outfits are also found in most of the craft fairs. Smaller department stores and general stores, themselves reminiscent of days gone by, carry most of the classics that are topping the list this year. Larger stores also are carrying the classics; however shoppers will need to navigate through aisles of barking dogs, talking robots, shooting tanks, and crying dolls to find the toys that require the child to use their imagination and create the play script.

Originally published in print paper, Sebasticook Valley Weekly

           

Clearing the Roof During Winter In New England

Stores are out of roof rakes, and managers don’t know if or when more will arrive. That didn’t stop my husband from getting the job done. A little Yankee ingenuity and we were set to clear the roofs.

Being a lifelong resident of Maine (until 2 years ago), I am all too aware of the danger of leaks and roof collapses. The presence of snow and ice on a roof can cause roofs to bow or sag. The horizontal force of the extra weight can cause walls to buckle. Caught early enough, chances are that removing the weight will remove the sagging. In extreme cases, permanent damage occurs, such as a roof collapse.  The heavier the snow, the more danger there is. Right now, Connecticut residents are dealing with heavy snow loads.

Patch has been reporting all week, of problems throughout the region, and I know that we are not exempt from the possibility of having our house develop a problem. We watched the news last night, and knew the only choice to make was to get up this morning and finishing cleaning up the mess the series of snowstorms has left behind. More snow, and a chance of rain, is headed our way.

Someone stopped in the street, while we were on the roof shoveling, and asked if we had a leak. I replied that we do not. The question was then posed as to why we were bothering to clean it off. My response was “We don’t want to find out the hard way, that it was too much weight for our structure to bear.”

Was it necessary? We don’t know. We worked all day. Even now, while I am writing this up, my husband is out putting tools and ladders away, under the street lights.We are tired and our muscles are sore. Was it worth it? Absolutely. When the snow and rain comes, as it surely will, we will have no worries.

What about you? Are you ready for the rain and snow that is being forecast? Are you worried when you watch the news and see the number of buildings collapsing? The good news is that there are still two decent days of weather ahead, which gives you plenty of time to get ready. And, don’t forget….a little duct tape and you can make your own roof rake!

This article was published in the Middletown Patch during the winter of 2011.
http://middletown-ct.patch.com/articles/taking-time-to-clear-off-the-roof

Purpose of Return to Eden Blogspot

I am passionate about helping people live simplistically in the 21st century. There is an ever growing discontentment with this current life and the demands to keep up. Standing up and saying no to the rat race, in a time when life is running at warp speed, may seem to be impossible. It is not. It is my experience, from the thousands I network with each week, that people are looking for a way to jump off the wheel and step back to a space in time where life was more simple, more meaningful.

Family time has become a thing of the past, replaced by the frenzied life of running from activity to activity, all in the name of enrichment. Employees are working 9-5 and then some, but often sit wondering if it is really worth all the stress, to get to the top. "Top of what?", they wonder. Even this week, we are watching the global economy continue to crumble. I strongly believe times are going to get tougher. As the economy continues to teeter on shaky ground and the cost of living continues to climb, hopelessness and despair sets in.

People sit and ponder the purpose of life. It is hard to say what I will post on here. I am sure I will post some of my family heirloom recipes-you know, the ones that require cooking from scratch? You can expect some gardening tips and musings, for sure. Book reviews. Excerpts from my own books that I write. Tips of how to create simple celebrations. No doubt, I will link in some of my favorite other sites, too. Perhaps I will even post links to the one book that I have managed to finish writing, that released in 2007. I've written thousands of articles over the past 5 years, many of which I still own the copyright to. I imagine I will build an article library here.


Some of the articles will just be basic common sense. Some will be filled with statistics (I happen to value statistics) and many will offer truths found in the Bible. Why the Bible? Well, in a world that seems to be spinning out of control-it is my experience that I need something that doesn't shake/rattle/roll/fall apart/change. The only constant is God himself, unmovable. Unshakable. Unchangeable. Faith in Christ gives me light in what can be a dark world. Hope in times of despair. It would be wrong of me to not offer that same hope to you.

I desire to bring hope to what seems like impossible times. Infuse a little joy into your lives. Share some basics of debt free living. Celebrate the small things with you.  Help you Return to Eden-to a life enjoyed rather than expended. 

Ready to be done with the rat race? Ready to live a more simplified life, reminiscent of times our grandparents enjoyed, with the added benefit of using modern conveniences for the positive points they offer? Come then, let us journey together.