The Christmas Onion

Christmas is a time for family, joy, and peace. A season of love and giving. However, is it possible to give too much?

When I was a younger mother, my holiday season started by decorating the entire house.

As the season progressed, endless hours were spent shopping, days were gobbled up by the cooking of multi-course feasts, and late nights were spent wrapping piles of Christmas presents. My life and calendar was full. However, the holiday season was also filled with stress, plagued by sore feet, and an inexplicable feeling that something was missing.

Please ask yourself.

Would you enjoy the season more by limiting your events or having fewer decorations? Perhaps, it is better to serve a few favorite dishes instead of a full feast. That way you can spend the holiday with family instead of in the kitchen. Would you give more by limiting the gifts you give? How about giving something needed, something wanted, and a sentimental gift that will teaches the true meaning of Christmas.

Now that I am older and a bit wiser, I realize that holiday traditions are like the layers of an onion. Each layer surrounds the core, the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of God's ultimate gift: the birth of Jesus, the Christ child.

--- Sugie Bee

Red Velvet Bourbon Cake Balls

This trendy treat with a New Orleans flair is simple to make, perfect for entertaining, and sure to be raved about at your next party. The velvet cake gives this treat a delicious cocoa flavor, and the bright red color makes it a festive addition to Holiday parties. GATHER YOUR GROCERIES: Red Velvet Cake - baked but not frosted One cup of Cream Cheese Frosting. (recipe below) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - 1 bag One fourth cup of Whiskey THE WAY TO DO IT: Cook the red velvet cake following the directions on the cake mix package or your favorite from-scratch recipe. Cool the cake completely. Do not frost. Crumble cake into a large mixing bowl and drizzle the whiskey onto the crumbled cake. Dollop the cream-cheese frosting into the cake and whiskey mixture and combine thoroughly—chill mixture for one hour. Roll the chilled whiskey cake into quarter-sized balls and place it on a cookie sheet. Chill the balls until they are firm. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, foll...

Cajun French Language Dictionary

Cajun French is different from the language spoke in France. Acadians migrated from France over 300 years ago. Just as Americans speak English differently after being separated from England for hundreds of years, the same is true of the Acadians. Here is a few of my favorite Cajun phrases: Bon Appetite! Enjoy! Bonjour Mes Amis Good day my friends. Ca c'est bon That's good! C'est magnifique That is great! Faire des commissions buy groceries, making grocery bill Fais do do Traditional Cajun dance or party Lagniappe An unexpected nice surprise. Laissez les bon temps roulet Let the good times roll! Mamere Maw maw or Grandma Merci Beaucoup Thank you very much. Mon cher My dear. Mouche a mielle Honey bee...

My Irish Great Great Grandfather

My Irish Great Great Grandfather Frank Lawrence was a milkman who delivered milk to the fine homes of New Orleans during the early 1900s. Milk would be delivered every day, except Sunday. My grandfather milked his dairy cows early each morning, then loaded his supply onto a small wooden buggy, pulled by his horse. He would then make his way along his route, knocking on his customers' doors. The lady of the house would come to the door bringing whatever container she kept the family's milk in, and Frank would take his ladle and scoop out the amount of milk she had ordered. Then he would go to the next home. One day Frank wasn't feeling well, so he asked his neighbor Joseph to run his route and deliver the milk. Joseph answered, "I will help you, but I don't know your route." Frank replied, "don't you worry, the horse knows the way." The neighbor wasn't too confident in Frank's horse, but to his surprise, the horse starte...

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