WORTH WATCHING

I must confess that one of my very favorite things about the holidays has always been the movies (shallow, I know). Who could forget the charm of animations like the nostalgic Polar Express. Movies for adults, such as It's a Wonderful Life and Love Actually (my current favorite), hit the true spirit of the season. The humor and heartwarming moments in movies like Elf and Christmas Vacation are part of our family’s Christmas memories. This year I added the new and wonderful Candy Cane Lane. I love them all!

Several years ago, I picked 25 holiday movie titles that were my favorites. I wrote them down on bits of paper and put them in a pretty Christmas jar by the TV to let the random universe decide what we’d watch. I threw the whole lot away last year because we were ignoring the random picks and I missed arguing with Keith over movies. My holiday watchlist is shorter, but each one makes me feel all toasty inside.

Your “25 Days of Christmas Movies” await you. So grab some popcorn, snuggle up with your gang, and let the holiday movie marathon begin!

Note: Check out the trailer for Candy Cane Lane by clicking HERE

WORTH PLAYING

If you’re looking for a fun gift, I gotcha covered! Keith and I loved board games growing up and still love them today, but it’s challenging to get today’s kid’s to play them more than once — and then it’s usually as a favor. I understand it’s hard for me to compete with the billion dollar online gaming industry, but I still hold high hopes. I think kids might discover the nuances, strategic thinking, team building, interpersonal skills, and, capacity for treachery within board games if they actually invented the game themselves! Keith and I have made several games over the years and found this to be true - although one was really lame.

The Junior Game Inventors Kit let’s you create your own board design! It also offers a lot of other cool things like integrating money or making your own consequence and reward cards, even decorating the game box! In case you can’t read the print in the photo, here’s what you get for under $20!

1 Game Board QUAD-Fold (20"x20" Folds to 10"x10") 

• 1 Box (10.5"x10.5"x3") [includes top 10.5"x10.5"x3" & bottom 10.25"x10.25"x3"]

• 3 Blank Paper Sheets (19"x19") [one for the game board, one for box top & one for box bottom] 

• 1 Set of Pawns (9 bowling pin shape with base) 

• 1 Pair of Standard White 16mm Dice 6-sided (2 total) [2 opaque white dice with black dots]

• 1 Die 12-sided 19mm Red with White Numbers [1 opaque red, 19mm opaque red die]

• 1 Set of Blank Card Deck (56 cards total) 

• 1 Set of Play Money [30 denominations each of 8 denominations in 8 different colors of: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 & BONUS 1,000! Great for International Currencies!!]  
  
  Click HERE to see some of the advanced board game kits too. I may need a kit for myself. So exciting!

WORTH DECORATING

I appreciate four things about cookies, in order of importance: (1) Easy, (2) Fast, (3) Pretty, and (4) Tasty. Coincidentally, these are the same four things Keith appreciated about me when we were dating. *giggle*

When it comes to Christmas cookies, all four are trumped by CLEVER! Consequently, each year, I scour the world for decorated sugar cookies I have not seen before. Cookies that make me smile due to their exceeding adorableness. Here are the 2023 darling finds that most delighted me — and now, hopefully, they will delight you! I have included a photo and link to the baker’s site and her recipe. First, pictured above and perfect for a Bake Sale…

PEPPERMINT CANDY SUGAR COOKIES
Click HERE for the link to Bakerella.

HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIE CUPS
Click HERE for the link to The Gunny Sack

Alas, I probably won’t get to make these until March, at which time the filling will be minty green and have a shamrock on the mug. Something to dream about on those cold winter nights.

MELTING SNOWMAN COOKIES
Click HERE for the link to My Frugal Adventures

And these little sweethearts I have planned for a snowman celebration in January, if the weather cooperates. What am I saying. No worries. It’s Wisconsin.

WORTH TRACKING

People have been asking for decades about the work flow process Keith has developed to make our Christmas cards. Although I have the finished drawings for most cards in file folders, they don’t really show how it evolves from an idea and a blank sheet of paper to the card itself.

I’ve been threatening for some time to take photos as Keith goes through drawing each thing, and showing how it all comes together. This year I am finally doing just that. I have seventeen photos I’ve prepped so far and he is about 90% done with the card. When it’s all completed I will be posting the images with a short narrative on the Christmas Card page on our website (Life at 240) and you will be able to see this magic for yourself. You will be able to view it HERE. Just scroll down the page until you come to the section that says The Project Work Flow.

The photograph above is Photo #12 that Keith uses as reference for drawing. This is the step in the work flow when Keith poses us in the position in which he will draw us. Some years, he even has us simulate the clothes we will be wearing. I am still haunted by the red union suit.

Watch your mailbox for this year’s card. If you don’t get our card and would like it, just reply to this email with your home address and let me know. And when you get your card, just use the above link to see how it was created. In the meantime, have a hot cocoa to keep your beautiful self sweet and warm.

WORTH SIPPING

I mentioned in my last letter that I was taking an online class devoted entirely to The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It was through this course I learned Dickens is not only known for his great contributions to literature, but also for being a bit of a party animal and great lover of drink. Among the many traditions associated with Dickens is the creation of Charles Dickens Punch, a libation that “encapsulates the spirit of festive cheer and camaraderie.” He included the recipe in a letter to a friend, but I got this one from the internet. The original recipe is a mix of cognac, rum, citrus and sugar. Dickens required the drink to “cook” by setting the mix on fire.

Here is a recipe to help celebrate your Christmas, to warm you on a cold and snowy winter nights, or simply to toast the New Year.

CHARLES DICKENS PUNCH
(Yield: 8 cups)

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup sugar (preferably demerara, whatever that is?)
3 lemons
2 cups rum (preferably Smith & Cross)
1-1/4 cups cognac (preferably Courvoisier VSOP)
5 cups black tea (or hot water)
heat proof bowl or enameled cast-iron pot
garnish: lemon and orange wheels, freshly grated nutmeg

DIRECTIONS
1. In the basin of an enameled cast-iron pot or heatproof bowl, add sugar and the peels of three lemons.
2. Rub lemons and sugar together to release citrus oils. For more greater infusion, let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Add rum and cognac to the sugar and citrus.
4. Light a match, and, using a heatproof spoon (stainless steel is best), pick up a spoonful of the spirit mix.
5. Carefully bring the match to the spoon to light.
6. Carefully bring the lit spoon to the spirits in the bowl.
7. Let the spirits burn for about three minutes. The fire will melt the sugar and extract the oil from the lemon peels.
8. Extinguish the bowl by covering it with a heatproof pan or tray.
9. Skim off the lemon peels (leaving them too long in may impart a bitter flavor).
10. Squeeze in the juice of the three peeled lemons, and add hot tea or water.

If serving the punch hot, skip to the next step. If serving cold, cool punch in the refrigerator and, when cooled, add ice.

Garnish with citrus wheels and grated nutmeg.
Ladle into individual glasses.
And I added this one: Raise your glass and lead the toast:

GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE!

EDITOR'S NOTE
A heatproof bowl (enameled cast-iron is your best bet) and a heatproof spoon (stainless steel will do) are highly necessary to this process.

WORTH HOSTING

Here is a fun idea to get kids through the holiday. Way back in the olden days, I bought an elf doll from the Dollar Store so we could use it to torment the little grandchildren (the concept is shamelessly stolen from the “Elf on the Shelf”). Prior to working for Santa, our elf worked for the NSA so he has mad spy skills.

Here’s the deal. The kids will lose one gift for any hateful act they fail to confess with heartfelt remorse to the elf. Each day after school, our youngest grandchild Lilly used to take the elf into the bathroom, lock the door, and whisper her misdeeds from the day. It cracked me up, but also was slightly alarming, how long it would take.

Especially good deeds will earn a peppermint chocolate kiss accessed from the elf’s tummy by unscrewing his head. (Top that, Elf on the Shelf)!

In the photo, after scouring the house, the elf was found hiding in one of our closets. We made faux stained glass elf ornaments to memorialize him for eternity.

Ornament-making was one of the tasks assigned to the kids from North Pole University where they were taking Elf Class Level III. Completion of the craft earned them a portion of a an eggnog cupcake.

Our elf promised to relay to Santa all their circled toy requests from the Fleet Farm toy catalog. Meanwhile, Santa gifted the children with special elf socks to help them learn to walk silently like real elves. I think the kids are making a sound career choice.

FORMULA: Craft + Treat + Little Gift + Crazy Premise* = Kid Gold

* I explain “crazy premise” in more detail in the next block.

WORTH AWARDING

Thhe kids would probably have an amusing afternoon with a pair of Dollar Store Elf socks, paint & paper, a cupcake, and a cheap toy elf - but it wouldn’t feel very magical and might even be forgotten. To make it extraordinary, you need a crazy premise - or two - or ten. Referencing the Welcome the Elf party in the prior block, here’s some of the story elements that packed the day with purpose, passion, and magic.

ELF STORY: His name is Seven. He is from the North Pole, worked for the NSA, and is now a spy for Santa, making sure they are worthy, rectify their errors, and have grateful hearts. In this way, they can get certified as elves, which is a fantastic job! The girls must report to the elf each day to keep their slate clean.

NORTH POLE UNIVERSITY: This is Santa’s college, and all the students must pass their Elf studies in order to move up to Toy maker, Magical gnome, List keeper, etc. They are enrolled in Elf School at the North Pole University.

COURSEWORK: To be certified as an Elf, they must successfully complete the curriculum: ornament decorating, candymaking, gift shopping, cookie decorating, present wrapping, carol singing, gingerbread house building, hiding elf location, storytelling the Christmas Story, and complete a surprise challenge. Four classes will be held in December during which their teacher will help them succeed.

SNOWPLOMA: This is one of the first tangible things introduced in this role-playing adventure. The previous devices and premises are imaginary, only in their minds, like telling them they are wearing an invisible hat made of a piece of the rainbow. The Snowploma is different because you can touch it. It is not necessary, but it sells the North Ple University idea - sort of like the real socks that help you learn how to walk quietly like an elf.

THE FORMULA: And for a couple bucks, they have matching Christmas t-shirts and matching felt Elf hats - a school uniform, if you will. So with a piece of paper, a shirt and hat, and a bunch of silly stories, we have made an epic adventure for the children we love. It might sound a little intimidating, but. if you are stumped for ideas, ask the kids to “guess what’s happening” and run with whatever they say until your heart remembers how to play. Then you can join in too.

FORMULA: Craft + Treat + Little Gift + CRAZY PREMISES
= Kid Gold + Playtime for You Too!

WORTH WRAPPING

When I retired eight years ago, I found more time for creative endeavors and invented this little Christmas tradition: KEITH’S ADVENT BASKET! It is 25 goodie bags just for him, each with a gift from the tool, toiletry, or treat categories. I also made little number tags which included one of my heartfelt holiday sentiments. My top 3 refined favorites are...

 - let’s go crazy and eat candy out of our socks

 - you are so worth the credit card debt

 - love that dead tree you put in the living room

This year I was just too slammed to get it done, so I invented KEITH’S 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BASKET. Half the gifts but twice the fun!

WORTH MAKING

CHUBBY HUBBY NUT CLUSTERS

Aside from being the easiest candy you will ever make (thank you, Crock Pot), it combines two of Keith’s favorites: chocolate and nuts! It packs up beautifully for gifts and bake sales. I got the recipe from my Mormon sisters who never let me down. You can visit their website HERE. They have loads more great recipes where this came from.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds white chocolate almond bark (also called candy coating)broken into small pieces

1 pound milk chocolate almond bark (also called candy coating) broken into small pieces

4.65 ounces Hershey's Milk Chocolate Candy Bars broken into small pieces (3 – 1.55 ounce candy bars)

32 ounces dry roasted peanutslightly salted

16 ounces whole almonds

INSTRUCTIONS

• Turn slow cooker on high and add all the ingredients into the slow cooker.

• Cook on high for 45 minutes (don't peek or stir) during that time. 

• When 45 minutes is up, take off lid and stir everything together. Place lid back on, reduce heat to low, and let cook for 1 hour.

• When 1 hour is up, take off lid and stir everything together. Keep stirring until all the chocolate is melted.

• Spoon mixture into mini muffin liners (to make a little nut cup) or on a baking sheet lined with wax paper (to make them into cluster shapes).

• Let chocolate set up for about 30 minutes or until hardened.

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days or place on trays for holiday gifts.

 WORTH REMEMBERING

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE BREAKFAST
December 16, 2017

Paw was so alarmed when the little kids arrived for breakfast. Granny had left to give Kallie a ride to school so he was alone. Just before the kids arrived, the Grinch had scurried through the house and purloined breakfast! Now all Paw had to feed the kids was pizza and hot dogs. Everyone knows that is NOT good breakfast food (but kids loved it).

Then they heard a slam! The kids suspected the Grinch was still in the house hiding somewhere. He was probably planning to steal more of Granny and Paw’s excellent stuff. He’s a mean one!

The search was on. They tip-toed from room to room, opening cupboards and peeking behind furniture — until they found the green culprit curled up in the foyer closet! The Grinch screamed so loud that the little girls screamed too. Lilly said it was the loudest she ever screamed in her life and Presley said she almost had a heart attack.

But over the course of the rest of the morning, they made friends with the Grinch and turned the festivities into a party, enjoying Jim Carrey as the Grinch in one of our favorite Christmas movies. Lilly couldn’t keep her hands off the Grinch’s top knot. It was so soft and fluffy.

The Grinch had so much fun he stayed for our Christmas Workshop and taught us how to make something special: Grinch Pretzel Sticks!

We think his heart grew a little bit that day. Too bad Granny missed it.

Remember to memorialize your happy holiday moments in images and stories. I make these little collages which you can print in scrapbook sizes. I use a product called Project Life by Becky Higgins. It’s a highly versatile app that allows you to add text as well. It makes a nice Christmas gift. You can explore it HERE