Merry Christmas!

A message to those who steal others’ Christmas gifts

Holiday theft is on the rise, as Christmas nears–

Dec, 11, 2009

Thieves prey on Bellingham homes, cars and stores for the holidays

HANNAH BOSTWICK / THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM – ‘Tis the season has become ’tis the season to steal.

From late November and throughout December, police typically see an increase in thefts, ranging from vehicle prowls to burglaries, and this year is proving no different, said Mark Young, Bellingham Police Department spokesman.

During Thanksgiving weekend, the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season, Bellingham Police responded to 21 burglaries, 14 vehicle prowls and nine reports of shoplifting, numbers that almost doubled from the same time period one week earlier, according to police records….Read more

Click on the parchment for full resolution image

“A Christmas Carol – Marley’s Ghost” (George C. Scott, 1984)

“The Holly and The Ivy”- George Winston

10 Festive Drinks for Christmas (alcohol)

Important note: Have a look at this page before you prepare any of these drinks!
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APPLE PIE SHOT

Ingredients:

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz apple cider
• 1 Tbs whipped cream
• 1 pinch cinnamon

Preparation:

In a 2 ounce shot glass, combine vodka and apple cider. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

HOT APPLE TODDY

Ingredients:

• 2 oz whiskey or apple brandy
• 1 tsp sugar
• hot apple cider
• lemon wedge for garnish
• cinnamon stick for garnish
• 2-3 whole cloves for garnish

Spiced Stewed Apples

Awesome with roast pork or ham! Also excellent spooned over vanilla ice cream while still warm, with an added drizzle of caramel sauce.

Ingredients:

• 5 large cooking apples*
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 Tbs water

Preparation:

Peel apples and cut into chunks. Combine sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle seasoned sugar over apples until evenly covered. Put seasoned apples, butter, and the 2 Tbs. water into a pot, cover and cook over low heat, stirring 2 or 3 times, for 20 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve hot with meal.
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*Common varieties of cooking apples: Granny Smith, Yellow Delicious, Gravenstein, Jonathan, Gala, McIntosh, Pink Lady

Sweet Potato Pie

Given a possible shortage of pumpkin in various areas by Christmas…have no fear! Sweet potato pie is here!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• ½ tsp lemon extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• An unbaked pie crust

Preparation:

Scald milk and mix all ingredients together. Pour into the unbaked pie shell and bake a t 425° F. for 20 minutes; reduce to 350° F. and continue another 20 minutes or so. Make sure the crust is well-browned. Test filling with toothpick – it should come out clean.

Cool before serving, but keep in mind that many people like it warm.

The 3/50 Project: Saving Brick and Mortar Businesses Nationwide

One possible way to simplify and de-stress your Christmas is to eschew the mobs at the big box stores and the mall in favor of traditional brick and mortar businesses in your hometown. Such businesses will likely be less crowded than the mall, and you’ll also be giving back to your local community.

To many, this seems the right thing to do, for America was founded on brick and mortar businesses.

Enter the 3/50 Project, a nationwide, grassroots movement with the following Mission Statement:

The 3/50 Project “supports independent, locally owned businesses by inspiring consumer loyalty to the storefronts that directly fund their communities.

• To promote and strengthen brick and mortar businesses owned by people in the community

• To thank consumers for their patronage

• To expand local revenue streams by showing how a small dollar amount can translate into enormous financial stability

• To shine a light on the stark contrast between what a locally owned brick and mortar business contributes to the local economy and the paltry amount big boxes, franchises, chains, and internet purchases make.

• To save the local economy…three stores at a time

Visit the official website to learn about how you may help.

“Bringing in the Boar’s Head”*

Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes Domino.
The boar’s head in hand bring I
With garlands gay and rosemary;
Qui estis in convivio.

I pray you all sing merrily
The boar’s head, I understand,
ls the chief service in this land ;
Look wherever it be found,
Servile cum cantico.

Be glad, both more and less,
For this hath ordained our steward,
To cheer you all this Christmas—
The boar’s head and mustard!
Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes Domino.

*Excerpted from The Book of Days: A Miscellany of Popular Antiquities. R. Chambers ed., W. & R. Chambers: London-Edinburgh, 1883

Watch Four Classic Christmas Cartoons Online

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) – Length: 25:17

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – Length: 25:43

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) – Length 52:06

Twas the Night Before Christmas (Rankin  Bass, 1970) – Length: 21:12