Life...A Changing Kaleidoscope December 2023

December 2023 Issue

Wishing you and yours — joyful holidays, good health, and dreams fulfilled this New Year. — Nancy

How well do you know Christmas song lyrics?Q: What brings Frosty the Snowman to life?

Q: In “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” how many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh?

Q: What does Alvin the Chipmunk want in “The Chipmunk Song?”

Q: Who had a button nose?

SEE ANSWERS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.

Hello Friends,I’m going down memory lane today, recalling Christmas during a much simpler and perhaps a bit kinder time. There are two Christmas types — the morning package openers and the evening ones.  I suspect we evening ones are becoming extinct.Our tree was always in the corner of our living room, totally bare on Christmas Eve. After we had dinner my brother and I and were sent to bed right after listening to the Lone Ranger on the radio. 

Around 10 PM we’d wake up to stomping sounds, ho-ho-hos, and lots of jingle sleigh bells. Well, it was really our old antique cow bell but what did we know. We’d jump out of bed and the bare tree had magically turned into a wonder of glowing lights, sparkling tinsel, ornaments and presents. I remember being so stunned by it all that it took us moments to realize there were gifts to open. As I became older, I was more involved in the whole Christmas process.First came cookie making — the batches seemed endless.  I was appointed the nutcracker and would sit in front of our fireplace cracking almonds and hazelnuts for the cookie ingredients.Next came the selection of a tree. Now the trees were around $3, BUT, if you held out until the day before Christmas, they went down to a bargain $1 ­­–– of course these were usually the rejects. Since our tree was set up in the corner of the living room only the front mattered –– and if worse came to worse, my Uncle Hans would be out in the garage cutting branches, drilling holes and turn it into the perfect tree.We went through “tree decorating phases.” There was the year of the spray can of fake snow. Another year we decided on all blue lights. We even did our outside large blue spruce tree in the front and outlined our porch in matching blue. When three cars pulled into our driveway thinking we were a restaurant we scratched that idea. Tinsel garlands were very “in”, but we never liked that one. We finally stuck with colored lights (those big bulbs), SHINEY BRITE ornaments, and tinsel — lots of tinsel.The tinsel came in a pack and my Aunt Mary insisted that each strand had to be hung one at a time. Need I say more? My blond Toni doll would suddenly vanish weeks before Christmas. On Christmas Eve she would be sitting on top of the packages with a new handmade dress, coat, hat, and handbag.We listened to holiday records – Gene Autry singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Later when we had TV, we watched a program about the young Catholic priest in Oberndorf, Austria who went into a panic because the church organ was flooded. He and his friend quickly wrote Silent Night, which they sang without the organ. After two years of watching this program, we knew all the lines by heart, so it was on to something new.After Christmas all our usable wrapping paper, ribbons and get this, each strand of tinsel came down — all to be used the next year. Is it any wonder I am compulsive about reusing aluminum foil? I’ll spare telling you my fruitcake stories.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

YOU CAN CHAT WITH ME.JUST CLICK BELOW. I ALWAYS ANSWER.

Christmas Tree Trivia

Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of tress on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania who continued their German tradition. As late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.

Art by Stephanie Piro

Holiday Caution for Your Furry Pals 🐶😸

Pets are curious, so make sure your tree is properly secured. If you know your dog or cat likes climbing in trees, anchor the treetop to the nearest wall using a rope or strong cord. Make sure the water in the tree stand is inaccessible to your pets — preservatives, sugar and aspirin additives in the water can cause your pet to have a very upset tummy if ingested.

Holiday PlantsWhile poinsettias are beautiful, they are very tricky to get to bloom a second year. I vote for the Christmas cactus, available in a kaleidoscope of colors — red, white, pink, cream, and fuchsia. Long-lived (mine given to me by daughter Kathleen is over 20 years old) they simply need cool night temperatures starting early November. They thrive on a summer vacation outside in a shady spot. Careful, do not overwater — they don’t tolerate soggy feet.

Our Backyard BirdsDon’t forget to feed our feathered friends during this cold season. For inspiration look at this lovely video and enjoy a close-up view of our endangered birds.

A Gathered Feast 

🥐 🧀 🍸 🍷

For many years Bob and I threw large parties, and I would plan, replan, cook and by the time our guests arrived I was exhausted.  finally discovered what I call a “gathered feast.” You just need a plan, a phone and spend one dizzying day gathering everything up. Try it and enjoy your own party!

Consider adding one of the best gifts you can give this holiday. The gift of giving which can change lives. The following are reputable organizations where you can make a difference in the true spirit of the holidays.OneGoal — Begins working with students in the 11th grade and helps disadvantaged students here in the US.Camfed — the Campaign for Female Education helps tens of thousands of girls in African countries the chance to attend school. For just $150 you can support a girl for one year to become a teacher, nurse, or doctor.Heifer International — One of my favorites. You can purchase a flock of chickens, honeybees, goats, etc., which will help a family around the world begin their journey to self-reliance.Those without funds to donate perhaps have the time for volunteering or another option.Welcome.US — provides all the guidance to sponsor a refugee.

Check out my new and improved website!nancyhungerford.com

A: Magical hat

A: 9

A: "Me, I want a Hula Hoop!"

A: Frosty the Snowman

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