Monday, December 20, 2010

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE

Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.

The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,

“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”

Reposted from I'm Not Wiccan, I'm a Witch's blog.

Enjoy your Super-duper, Magickal Yule! What with the full moon and an eclipse tonight!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Favorite Christmas Songs Part Trois

Remember back in the day...well actually I don't since I wasn't born yet. But do you remember seeing this great version of Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth with David Bowie and Bing Crosby? Well it's been redone by Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.

Here's a refresher for you.

David and Bing's original version.



New "Hilarious" version.



So which one do you like better? I'm kinda diggin on the new one. But the original will always have a warm, fuzzy place in my heart.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

This is by far the best gingerbread cookie recipe I've found. I found it on some recipe site a few years ago. It's my staple for the Holiday Cookie swaps. And so far most everyone likes it! Feel free to share.

2 1/4 c flour
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c margarine/non salted butter softened
1 c. sugar
1 tbs water
1/4 c. molasses
2 tbs sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.


2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tbs sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.


The recipie says it makes 2 dozen. But I can stretch it to 3.
Enjoy

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Favorite Christmas Songs Part Deux

Okay, so on with the cheesy videos but great songs. Sheesh Mariah....you're singing about how the only thing in the entire universe that you would ever want/need for Christmas is your boyfriend, stud muffin, boy toy...and all you show in the video is you.

Maybe it's you singing to yourself in the mirror. Then it makes sense. All you want for Christmas is yourself.

Oh well, it's a great song, even if the video sucks.



Hope you are all doing well. I'm really glad the weekend is over and we're into the week. I had to deal with the Wee One and the Hubs both puking. Ugh. So gross. I really hope I don't get it....so far I'm okay. But we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Favorite Christmas Songs

So I thought I'd share some of the wonderful Yuletide joy that I've been experiencing with a fun Christmas music video. This is one of my favorite songs. Yes, it's cheesy and quite hilarious. But I can't help it. I have to sing along at the top of my lungs.

Such hilarity...such hair....



Keep your eyes peeled...there's more to come.