Why shop? Oh, I know you must. It's tradition. There are loved ones you care for. They care for you. But during this busy season take a moment to ponder that you can put free gifts on your Christmas list and, in the spirit of recycling, keep giving each and every day, week, month, and year.
While others may think of many more, for this Christmas season I've compiled the following seven free gifts. And, for those of you who are not conversant in the Bible, there are added references you must check out to fulfill your experience. Let's start:
1. The gift of LISTENING. This gift is especially prized by those individuals you know who live alone. Offer to listen face-to-face. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no pre-planning your responses. Just sit or stand there and listen with, not only, your ears but your accepting heart. (Proverbs 18:13)
2. The gift of AFFECTIONS. If not listening, be generous to others with your hugs, kisses, and gentle squeezes of the hand. Let these tiny, often not received, actions of gentle affection be the true indicators of the love that dwells inside you. (Proverbs 15:30)
3. The gift of a NOTE. No, not musical, but that would be okay, too. This gift is of written words on a piece of paper and could only say three words: "I love you." If so inspired, be Shakespearean and compose a sonnet that expresses love and more. Mail or, better yet, hand-deliver your heart-felt creative expression. (Proverbs 15:30)
4. The gift of LAUGHTER. Remember that cartoon that moved you to laugh. Cut it out; share it. Spend time and money to find a humorous card. You'll share yourself and generate a common bond that could say to the recipient that there's an uplifting side to life. (Proverbs 17:22)
5. The gift of a COMPLIMENT. Be honest and say what comes to mind. "You look good in that outfit." "Great meal, honey." "I'm happy to see you in church." (Proverbs 15:33)
6. The gift of a FAVOR. Help with any task. Clear the dinner dishes. Open a door. Offer to run an errand for a shut-in or an at-home recent hospital patient. There is no requirement that you know the person. Be anonymous, it's okay; but personal contact is best. (2 Samuel 2:6)
7. The gift of a GAME. Offer a child, a shut-in, a senior, or a loved one an opportunity to play their favorite game. Be sincere, but even if you lose, you'll be a winner. For this is a great opportunity for everyone to be a winner when quality TIME is shared. (Proverbs 21:21)
Please enjoy. It's not a simple request. Experience says you, whether giver and receiver, will find a glow of happiness within. And, isn't that the Christmas miracle?
(Please note: Voting closed January 3, 2014. Thank you all who participated.)
If you've a mind, you can vote, no obligation, for the author's book cover during the December Cover Wars. There'll be no blood spilled, nor spears thrown, but stealth and two clicks are required. 1) Click on the following: http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com/2013/12/17-covers-to-choose-from-in-Decembers.html , and 2) Click on the Cover Wars logo. (Ignore warning that page does not exist. It was likely put there to dissuade errant reindeer and mischievous elves.)
These two blogs are not related. Donan Berg in 2012 wrote them a guest post entitled "Q is for Quack." Other than to say it was a writing tip, it's hard to explain without repeating the entire
article. Taking a gander at 17 book covers in one easy look could be fun.
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
Chocolate - Oh How We Love It
With Halloween a distant twenty-four hour memory, how can the mind not turn to chocolate?
Theobroma cacao --A barbarous concoction or noxious drug? Delicious indulgence or cause of migraines? Aphrodisiac or tonic?
The journey of the magical cacao bean and its chocolate byproduct begins, some say, in 200 B.C. Worshiped as an idol my Myan Indians over 2,000 years ago, the bitter seeds of the cacao bean have been transformed into sweet chocolate. The Spanish conquest of Central America introduced chocolate to Europe, where it first became the stimulating drink of kings and aristocrats. Industrialization in the 19th and 20th century made chocolate a food for the masses.
When first brought to the U.S. in 1765, it was available only as cocoa or liquid.
Sixty years later, a Dutch chemist invented a cocoa press that enabled confectioners to make the first chocolate candy. World War I made chocolate popular with the returning soldiers and The Hershey Chocolate Company finally mass produced a quality chocolate bar at a price affordable on public street corners. While it may have stayed available to the masses, it has often been revived as a "luxury item" and graces many a gift basket.
One can not get too much of a good thing for a bar with a higher concentration of cocoa is often bitter to the taste.
Godiva, Lindt, and Ghirardelli are three popular well-known makers of the gourmet product. But throughout the country, there are smaller companies producing quality chocolates to meet the many different needs of chocolate lovers everywhere.
We've, over the years, have heard of California-based Bodega Fudge and Chocolates and Adams Place located in Washington state. Kosher chocolates are not out of the question. The end product is not only for Jewish consumers. They are sought after by others, which include vegetarians and those who buy for various allergy and health reasons. Nor are claims to using a copper kettle process.
While the shelf life of chocolates can be four to six months without refrigeration or up to one year when refrigerated.
A major enemy of chocolates is heat. During the summer months, companies that ship chocolate often rely on two or three day air with frozen jellpacks to keep the chocolate cool.
So let that Halloween chocolate melt in your mouth. The cherry cordials don't come until Christmas.
Ps, Don't forget that this blog has a page two, top of the page tab, where one can read Author Dona' Berg's last excerpt of a yet to be published novel by the three-time winner in the 2013 Dixie Kane Memorial Contest. See details below in October 4 blog post.
Theobroma cacao --A barbarous concoction or noxious drug? Delicious indulgence or cause of migraines? Aphrodisiac or tonic?
The journey of the magical cacao bean and its chocolate byproduct begins, some say, in 200 B.C. Worshiped as an idol my Myan Indians over 2,000 years ago, the bitter seeds of the cacao bean have been transformed into sweet chocolate. The Spanish conquest of Central America introduced chocolate to Europe, where it first became the stimulating drink of kings and aristocrats. Industrialization in the 19th and 20th century made chocolate a food for the masses.
When first brought to the U.S. in 1765, it was available only as cocoa or liquid.
Sixty years later, a Dutch chemist invented a cocoa press that enabled confectioners to make the first chocolate candy. World War I made chocolate popular with the returning soldiers and The Hershey Chocolate Company finally mass produced a quality chocolate bar at a price affordable on public street corners. While it may have stayed available to the masses, it has often been revived as a "luxury item" and graces many a gift basket.
One can not get too much of a good thing for a bar with a higher concentration of cocoa is often bitter to the taste.
Godiva, Lindt, and Ghirardelli are three popular well-known makers of the gourmet product. But throughout the country, there are smaller companies producing quality chocolates to meet the many different needs of chocolate lovers everywhere.
We've, over the years, have heard of California-based Bodega Fudge and Chocolates and Adams Place located in Washington state. Kosher chocolates are not out of the question. The end product is not only for Jewish consumers. They are sought after by others, which include vegetarians and those who buy for various allergy and health reasons. Nor are claims to using a copper kettle process.
While the shelf life of chocolates can be four to six months without refrigeration or up to one year when refrigerated.
A major enemy of chocolates is heat. During the summer months, companies that ship chocolate often rely on two or three day air with frozen jellpacks to keep the chocolate cool.
So let that Halloween chocolate melt in your mouth. The cherry cordials don't come until Christmas.
Ps, Don't forget that this blog has a page two, top of the page tab, where one can read Author Dona' Berg's last excerpt of a yet to be published novel by the three-time winner in the 2013 Dixie Kane Memorial Contest. See details below in October 4 blog post.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Halloween Candy Whimsy Part II Answers
Here's the answers from this corner on the Halloween Candy Whimsey, Part II.
1. Babe Ruth
2. 5th Avenue
3. Mr. Goodbar/Millionaire/SugarDaddy
4. Milk Duds
5. Skor
6. Hollywood
7. Kit Kat
8. Hershey
9. Almond Joy
10. Candy Kiss
Thank you all for comments, tweets, and having fun.
1. Babe Ruth
2. 5th Avenue
3. Mr. Goodbar/Millionaire/SugarDaddy
4. Milk Duds
5. Skor
6. Hollywood
7. Kit Kat
8. Hershey
9. Almond Joy
10. Candy Kiss
Thank you all for comments, tweets, and having fun.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Halloween Candy Whimsy, Part II
We tried this a week ago with success and suggestions. The encouragement strained our minds to expand the test to identify Halloween candy treats. (Ps, the answers at the bottom of this post relate back to the prior October 17, 2012 post.)
1. Famous former baseball player.
2. Famous New York street.
3. Single women look for him.
4. Dry cow.
5. Determines who wins the game.
6. Home of movie stars.
7. A feline.
8. Two female pronouns.
9. Nut happiness.
10. A sweet sign of affection.
Good luck. The only sought after prize is your enjoyment.
(Answers to October 17, 2012 post: 1. Three Musketeers; 2. Mounds; 3. Milky Way; 4. Bit O Honey; 5. Life Savers; 6. M&M's; 7. Mars Bar; 8. Snickers/Chuckles; 9. Butterfingers; and 10. O'Henry. If you guessed me for the author, I blush, but you're wrong. Don't you think, however, that a nice candy name could be made from the book title A Body To Bones changed to be called "Body Sweets" so it isn't too ghoulish. Happy Halloween, and parents check your child's candy just to be safe.)
1. Famous former baseball player.
2. Famous New York street.
3. Single women look for him.
4. Dry cow.
5. Determines who wins the game.
6. Home of movie stars.
7. A feline.
8. Two female pronouns.
9. Nut happiness.
10. A sweet sign of affection.
Good luck. The only sought after prize is your enjoyment.
(Answers to October 17, 2012 post: 1. Three Musketeers; 2. Mounds; 3. Milky Way; 4. Bit O Honey; 5. Life Savers; 6. M&M's; 7. Mars Bar; 8. Snickers/Chuckles; 9. Butterfingers; and 10. O'Henry. If you guessed me for the author, I blush, but you're wrong. Don't you think, however, that a nice candy name could be made from the book title A Body To Bones changed to be called "Body Sweets" so it isn't too ghoulish. Happy Halloween, and parents check your child's candy just to be safe.)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Can You Identify the Following Halloween Candy Treats?
Halloween is always a good time for whimsy. And, candy, candy, candy. Test your
sweet tooth memory with the following clues that identify candy brands.
Example: Superman's favorite hangout; answer: Clark Bar.
Now it's your turn:
1. A favorite swashbuckling trio
2. Indian burial grounds
3. Galaxy
4. What bees make
5. Round flotation device
6. Twin letters
7. Red planet
8. Not laughing out loud
9. Can't hold on to anything
10. A famous author
Answers will be forthcoming.
sweet tooth memory with the following clues that identify candy brands.
Example: Superman's favorite hangout; answer: Clark Bar.
Now it's your turn:
1. A favorite swashbuckling trio
2. Indian burial grounds
3. Galaxy
4. What bees make
5. Round flotation device
6. Twin letters
7. Red planet
8. Not laughing out loud
9. Can't hold on to anything
10. A famous author
Answers will be forthcoming.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Happy 4th of July
Celebrate the Fourth of July, U.S. Independence Day, with resolve and compassion. Stay safe, and if you have a moment, lend helping hands to others and support those in need. Heat, as well as cold, kills.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Oh, that Christmas Jolly or was it Jelly
Twas the fifteenth of January in O' twelve, no willpower be.
No Ides would I fret, nor feet somewhere down yonder could I see.
The arm's once easy keyboard stretch now had fingertips barely touch;
The stomach plumped by Christmas berry pies, raisin pudding and such.
In upstairs closets and attic trunks I'd searched for a shirt and pants.
The only pants that circled the waist came from verbal "why, why" rants.
I'd eaten and eaten, no stop to my glorious holiday food intake folly.
Hams and potatoes, yams and jams, all entirely delicious, by golly.
A toast for the merry; glorious eggnogs, all whiskey or bourbon laced.
There was no thought to the dusty scale with the pound record I faced.
Another day I'd fast; for the next eleven months promised plenty of days.
Without holiday friends, no way could I exist, couldn't be me, no ways.
So today I cry, grunt and strain to tap keys to write this celebration lament.
Thank the bountiful cheer of Christmas, I do, good friends, family, and Lent.
May all enjoy a very Merry Christmas and the blessings of a New Year. Here's a thanks to the inspiration of Mr. Moore for this humble jumble of words. Enjoy novel A Body To Bones click here in 2012. And, The Bones Dance Foxtrot, Abbey Burning Love, Baby Bones. A preview of all are at http://www.amazon.com/ .
And, to all a good night. Oh, guess you heard that before. May the road rise to meet you. Oh, that's an upcoming celebration. Let's go back. And, to all a good night. Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza, too.
No Ides would I fret, nor feet somewhere down yonder could I see.
The arm's once easy keyboard stretch now had fingertips barely touch;
The stomach plumped by Christmas berry pies, raisin pudding and such.
In upstairs closets and attic trunks I'd searched for a shirt and pants.
The only pants that circled the waist came from verbal "why, why" rants.
I'd eaten and eaten, no stop to my glorious holiday food intake folly.
Hams and potatoes, yams and jams, all entirely delicious, by golly.
A toast for the merry; glorious eggnogs, all whiskey or bourbon laced.
There was no thought to the dusty scale with the pound record I faced.
Another day I'd fast; for the next eleven months promised plenty of days.
Without holiday friends, no way could I exist, couldn't be me, no ways.
So today I cry, grunt and strain to tap keys to write this celebration lament.
Thank the bountiful cheer of Christmas, I do, good friends, family, and Lent.
May all enjoy a very Merry Christmas and the blessings of a New Year. Here's a thanks to the inspiration of Mr. Moore for this humble jumble of words. Enjoy novel A Body To Bones click here in 2012. And, The Bones Dance Foxtrot, Abbey Burning Love, Baby Bones. A preview of all are at http://www.amazon.com/ .
And, to all a good night. Oh, guess you heard that before. May the road rise to meet you. Oh, that's an upcoming celebration. Let's go back. And, to all a good night. Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza, too.
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