Sometimes, even that ritual visit to see Santa gets put off until the last minute. So this year, I figured I’d be one step ahead and actually plan the day for our visit. We headed to Lexington Green before 9 a.m. on Saturday. The plan was simple: I’d pick up a few things from the bookstore, and by the time we were done there, Santa would be arriving, Colton would divulge his wishlist, and we’d be outta there before millions of other Lexingtonians were even awake. (OK, so there are a million people in Lexington, but that’s hardly the point. Any city that has to put up “Caution: High accident risk. Do Not Block Intersections” signs in this area lends the appearance of having at least a million people in the vicinity of the mall.

Just so we’re clear, the Santa at Lexington Green is not your average run-of-the-mill, typical mall Santa with a fake beard and suit stuffed with a pillow. Oh, no. He’s the real deal. You can even pull on his beard. If ever there was a Santa who more closely resembled Miracle on 34th Street, I would be shocked.

My scheduling was working without a glitch, and by 10 a.m., we were walking toward Santa’s temporary headquarters.

“Here we are!” I said to Colton. “Ready to go see Santa.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“What?!? What do you mean, ‘you’re good’? We’re here to see Santa! Christmas is a week from today!”

“No thanks,” he said, while peeking in to try to catch a glimpse of the old man. Santa’s “organizer” overheard the conversation and tried to help out, while getting the first of the GOOD little boys and girls – the ones who WANTED to talk to Santa, lined up for their turn.

“Are you kidding me, Colton?? You aren’t going to talk to Santa?”

“Nah – maybe tomorrow. Besides, I don’t really want toys like the little kids. I want cool things, like a bluetooth for the PS3.”

“So you don’t think Santa makes those too?!?!”

“Yeah, it’s just that I’d rather come back tomorrow.”

I wondered if he really meant that. Or if, in a dark stroke of fate, it meant he deemed himself too old for the Santa stuff. To hear him talk about it, he’s the last true believer. But how can that be if he doesn’t want to go see him? Is the age of innocence over and gone? Never to return??

Well, maybe for him (although I’m holding out hope). As for me, I’m headed to Lexington Green to get a couple of last minute requests to Pere Noel. I’m no fool… Santa’s Coming!

It’s difficult to imagine Christmas without music, so as you celebrate this day with family and friends, check out some of our favorite songs or pull out your own favorites. Just be sure to add some musical magic!

“Let It Snow” by Doris Day

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Bare Naked Ladies

Winter Wonderland by Eurythmics

“The Christmas Song” by Johnny Mathis

“Stille Nacht” by Mannheim Steamrollers

Liz and Kate wish all of you the merriest of Christmases. May God bless you and the ones you love.

And don’t forget to ENJOY the wonders of this Christmas season. Happy Christmas Eve!

“Hallelujah”, by Kathy Mattea

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams

“Sleigh Ride” by the Boston Pops Orchestra

“Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire” by Michael Buble

Enjoy! What are your favorite Christmas Songs? Leave a comment below and tell us.

Stop for a moment and try to imagine what the holidays would be like without Christmas music. So many of our traditions and memories are tied to the music of the season.

With that in mind, we’ll be featuring a few of our all-time favorites, in no particular order, today through Christmas. And we are probably gonna think of another 3,000 favorites as soon as we post these. Nevertheless, here are a few of our “never get tired of” tunes that seem to get us through the season.

Meanwhile on to the music:

“Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Zooey Deschanel and Leon RedBone

“Oh Holy Night” by Celine Dion

” Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins

“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” by Mannheim Steamrollers

“Song for a Winter’s Night” by Sarah Mclachlan

So there are a few to get you started. Be sure to drop us a line and let us know some of your favorites, too! And tune in again tomorrow for more of our favorite Christmas music!

This week, we’re featuring five crafts or edible ideas so let’s get to it!

• Susan’s Chicken Tacos
• Holiday Wassail
• Candy Crackers
• Pine Crafts
• Bowls made from vinyl records

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My cousin Susan has been quite an asset to our craftdown. This week, she sent in a recipe that sounds great for those busy holiday nights. It’s perfect for the family, or a dinner party:

Susan’s Chicken Tacos

1 cup frozen corn

15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

16-ounce jar mild salsa

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 1 1/2 pounds)

Place first 3 ingredients in a slow cooker and stir to combine.  Arrange chicken on top.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.  Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with a fork.  Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Serve over rice, in warm tortillas, or with tortilla chips with some of the following garnishes:

• Sour cream
• Shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
• Salsa
• Chopped green onions
• Chopped red, yellow, and green peppers
• Sliced avocados or prepared guacamole
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Sliced black olives
• Sliced jalapenos
• Hot sauce

Set up buffet-style and let everyone create his or her own meal.

Leftovers freeze well. Serves 8-10.

When Susan sent this recipe, she also asked for a long-time favorite drink recipe. No dinner would be complete without a beverage, so here’s a little holiday cheer:

Holiday Wassail

1 c. fresh lemon juice

2 c. fresh, frozen concentrate, or packaged orange juice

2 c. unsweet pineapple juice

½ gallon apple cider

1 t. whole cloves

1 stick cinnamon

¼ c. sugar

Pour all juices into large pot or crockpot. Place cloves and cinnamon in cotton or cheesecloth bag and add to juices.

Bring to a simmering boil over medium heat. Cover and simmer one hour. Dissolve sugar in hot wassail before removing from heat. For an extra kick, add one pint of Apple Jack or hard cider. (Don’t boil after liquor is added) Makes about 4 quarts. Reheats nicely, assuming it lasts…

Let’s finish off the meal with a treat for your sweet tooth, Candy Crackers submitted by reader, Karen Smith-Morganti.

CANDY CRACKERS

2-3 sleeves of Club Crackers (regular or whole wheat, your choice)

1 ½ cup granulated sugar

2 sticks butter

3 tbsp. white corn syrup

2 tsp good vanilla

1 large package fresh Pecans – (chopped or pieces, your choice)

Line jelly roll pan with non-stick foil.  Spray foil with non-stick spray (just in case).   Spread out your crackers evenly, covering the bottom of the jelly roll pan (you may have to break a few crackers here and there).

Combine first 3 ingredients (sugar, butter and corn syrup) in sauce pan and bring to a boil.

Pull from heat and add vanilla.  Stir.

Pour over crackers and spread as evenly as possible.  Quickly sprinkle on pecans.

Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Let cool and break apart.  Store tightly covered.

No need to calorie count or watch fat.  They’re too good for anyone to care!

I don’t know what’s overcome me, but I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time creating over the past week. Saturday, I decided I needed a wreath for the front door, but didn’t want to pay for one. So I dusted off one of those wreaths made of twigs and set out in search of decorations.

Pine Crafts

After a good deal of time searching in vain for something to put on it, I happened to glance out the window. To the pine trees. Eureka!

Pruners in hand, I scalped several branches and turned to come back inside – until I noticed a bush underneath my daughter’s bedroom window, loaded with clusters of red berries. Enter the pruning shears – again.

I don’t own a glue gun, so I decided to just weave the pine branches and berries into the twig wreath and hope for the best. So far, so good. I’d gone a little crazy with my pruning, so I started looking around for other uses for the leftover berries and branches. Next thing I knew, I’d created four more Christmas decorations – and it didn’t cost me a penny. Hooray for me.

And now for the grand finale…so easy you won’t believe it!

Vinyl Record Album Bowl

I ran across this nifty retro idea that looks like the perfect thing to make for one of my brothers. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vinyl record album (available at most thrift stores)
• Oven
• Bowl

Heat the oven to 200 to 250 degrees. Invert an oven-proof bowl of choice and place on a cookie sheet. Place album on top of bowl and bake for 5-8 minutes. The album will begin to warp over the bowl, making it pliable for shaping.  Once it gets good and warpy, remove from oven and work quickly to shape it to the bowl. The album will be warm, but  you’ll be able to use your bare hands on it.

There are two ways to do this. If you shape the album around the outside of the bowl, you’ll get a larger interior.

You can also flip the bowl upright, push the album into the bowl, and shape that way. Albums are so cheap that you can try several of them. I couldn’t really find a way to screw this one up, so I think however you do it will be fine.

That’s it! Can you say simple? The bowl is perfect for fruit, candy, whatever your heart desires.

And I think it’ll be the perfect fit for Vespa Lexington’s show room.

Old albums can also be made into wall clocks, by simply adding a clock kit (you really only need the hands, but could likely come up with cool ways to add the numbers around the perimeter). I may try a clock, too. I think the kits are less than five bucks.

Okay kids, that’s it for week five. Hope you enjoy the delicious recipes from today’s craftdown.

~Liz & Kate

Enjoy your Coffee Break

“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” ~Buddy the Elf

Somehow last year I was able to avoid fulfilling the oft repeated request until the Christmas season was over and Buddy the Elf’s strange eating habits were lost in the shuffle of the New Year.

This year I was not so lucky.  My son caught me at a weak moment, and before I even knew what had happened I was standing at the stove cooking some spaghetti noodles.

He added some syrup and topped the dish off with a crumbled brown sugar poptart. Sounds pretty disgusting, doesn’t it?

He gave it a thumbs up and actually ate most of the plate. And then he begged me to taste it. Really, really begged. Pleading puppy-eye begged.

Guess what? It’s not totally disgusting. I didn’t even gag.

Enjoy getting ready for the holidays. Here’s a few of my very favorite Buddy the Elf quotes to help you get through your day.

Buddy: I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.

Buddy:“I’m sorry I ruined your lives, and crammed eleven cookies into the VCR.”

Buddy to Jovie:I think you’re really beautiful and I feel really warm when I’m around you and my tongue swells up.

Buddy to the fake Santa: You stink. You smell like beef and cheese! You don’t smell like Santa.

Buddy: The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.

[On seeing the mail room]

Buddy: It’s just like Santa’s workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms… and everyone looks like they wanna hurt me…

Kate

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Get a shelf elf. That’s right. A shelf elf.

Every night, when the kids go to bed, move the elf to a different spot in the house, making it appear that the elf sneaks off to the North Pole to report to Santa while your little angel sleeps, and returns to “spy” on another area of your home.

When the kid gets into trouble, you present their options, for example: either take a time-out or go tell the shelf elf what you’ve done, so he can go tattle to the big man in red. (Kinda brings new meaning to “don’t be a tattle tale,” don’t you think?)

The elf has other rules, too. While your children can talk to the elf freely, the elf is forbidden to speak to the children. He (or she) is, however, granted any and all communication with the parents and North Pole.

The shelf elf (or Elf on the Shelf) even has its own website, if you can stand it.

While I’m all about the most wonderful time of the year, and even though I still believe in Santa (you better believe it!), this whole elf-on-a-shelf concept seems just a little creepy.

First, it’s always watching you. As if it has eyes in the back of its head or something. What about when you’re taking a bath? Is it watching then, too? EEWWWWW!

Second, these elves, as presented on the above website are tiny. Which makes me wonder if they perhaps are not elves, but goblins (which, as we all know, is what happens when gnomes and leprechauns get drunk… on a beach… at night…). I have to wonder if they’re really bad seeds – not elves at all. And if that’s the case, why in the world would I want one of these in my house? Watching my every move?

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that my third reason for skepticism would be the notion that some of these parents seem to count on the elf to incite good behavior in the first place, which is a whole other roll of wrapping paper as it were.

Moreover, I should probably watch every word I utter. Because the elves are watching… The elves are always watching…

-Liz

Be sure to tune in Friday as  our Craftdown to Christmas continues!!

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Colton takes on the "deranged Easter Bunny" look!

Can you guess how our family kicked off the Christmas season? If you think it involved A Christmas Story, you’d be right! Except that we didn’t watch the movie.

On Sunday afternoon, Colton and I, along with Mom, Dad, my brothers, sister-in-law and nephew, hit the road and headed to Actors Theatre in Louisville for the stage version of the story I consider a staple of the season – a classic Christmas story (ergo the name?) that’s a must-watch at least a dozen times between Turkey Day and Christmas. We were convinced that it would be a great afternoon, leaving us with plenty of Christmas spirit and even more to talk about.

It didn’t hurt that our tickets were on the first, second and third rows, either. Most of us were bouncing off the walls (ok – especially me, Dad and Ben). But my nephew went into the whole deal thoroughly unimpressed. He’d never seen the movie, and had no idea what to expect. If you’ve seen the movie, though, (and if you haven’t, go rent or buy it today!!!), you can probably imagine the fun of watching Ralphie, Flick, Scut Farkus and the gang come to life a few feet away.

Holding true in many ways to the movie, we got the tongue-on-the-flagpole scene, the old man’s melt-downs over the furnace and the dogs, and the lamp – the major award! Straight from Italy We got the Santa scene – complete with giant slide. And of course, we got that famous line on numerous occasions – You’ll shoot your eye out!

But as irony would have it, that was not the line that had my nephew going when we went to dinner at Bristol’s. While the rest of us discussed the strength of the actors, the funniest lines, what held true to the movie and what parts we’d like to have seen that were omitted (hint: fa-rah-rah-rah-rah), my nephew wanted to argue one simple point: Did Ralphie or didn’t Ralphie use the f-word.

As he was sitting across from Colton, he of course had a willing audience.

“He never says the f-word,” Colton said.

“Yes, he does. He says the f-word.”

Over and over and over the argument continued, although interrupted every 10 seconds by my brother and I.

Now, we all know he never really says it. Never says the f-dash-dash-dash word. Never really says THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words.

“Yes, he does,” my nephew insisted.

At least he has something to talk about…

-Liz

Don’t forget to do your Christmas shopping right here – order a pound of Liz’s favorite coffee and a copy of Practically Painless Recipes for all the elves on your Christmas list!

Just when I’m ready to give up faith in humanity, you guys pull through with another splendid idea for the Christmas season. I knew I could count on you guys.

This week’s fare features both edible and non-edible goodies. I recommend making the eats first, so you have something to munch on while completing the other project. A glass of that Cranberry Wine could be a nice touch, too. Anyway, on to the craftdown.

My cousin Susan submitted this great idea for personalizing Christmas cards. Her idea reminds me of Sandra Lee’s cooking show – both of these fine ladies know the art of taking store-bought goods and making them their own. Thanks, Susan!

Low Cost Christmas Cards

To me a Christmas card without glitter is just not worth sending. Fancy glittered boxed Christmas cards are way too expensive. I tried making my own on the computer and then adding touches of glitter, but these end up costing just as much for expensive ink, paper, envelopes and craft supplies.

My solution is to search for inexpensive plain un-glittered boxed cards and add touches of glitter to them. Study them carefully before you buy to decide where you can easily add glue and glitter to jazz them up. You don’t want to choose a very complicated design.

I’ve also done this with Valentines and birthday cards.

Be sure to shop after Christmas sales to find inexpensive cards for next year.

Now for the food. This is a staple around our house every Christmas season. To say this stuff is addicting is an understatement (just ask Kate, who made a batch of her own last weekend). I have no idea where this recipe originated. Mom has been making it for years and years, though. It is my humble opinion that once you’ve tried these Nuts and Bolts, you’ll never go back to a bag of Chex Mix.

Nuts and Bolts

Ingredients:

• 3 sticks butter or margarine

• 1 T. garlic salt

• 1 T. onion salt

• 1 T. celery salt

• ¼ c. Worcestershire sauce

Melt in saucepan, but do not allow it to boil. Stir frequently.

In a large roaster or dutch oven, pour in:

• 1 box Rice Chex

• 1 box Cheerios

• 1 bag pretzel sticks

• 1 can mixed nuts

Pour butter mix over cereals, etc very slowly, stirring thoroughly and often (this is really a two-person job, although I do it by myself when I must).

Bake, covered, at 225 for one hour. Remove cover and stir. Return to oven uncovered and bake another hour, stirring about every 20 minutes.

While I do like them right out of the oven, I really like them once they’ve cooled for several hours. After they’ve cooled completely, move them to an air-tight container like Tupperware. They keep for a few weeks, easily. Assuming they last that long…

OH – and for any of you who may have missed it (shame, shame) Kate got into the spirit this week too, when she posted this. Sometimes I have to wonder if she’s secretly scheming to undermine the craftdown, heehee. But I’ll let her explain herself…

OK – that’s it for this week. Be sure to get your ideas in for next week ASAP! Just send us an email (lizandkate@live.com) or leave a comment (which will also register you for this week’s giveaway!).

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Maybe we should call it what it is for me. Procrastination. Avoiding the inevitable as long as possible. Because as my kids get older, I find it increasingly harder to stay within a reasonable budget. Which means I tend to put off spending the money. What if they change their minds on what they want? What if I find something on sale for a better price next week? Don’tcha just hate the what-ifs of life sometimes?

Anywho, I started thinking about what the “big ticket” items were when I was a child versus the “big ticket” items of the 21st Century. My, how times have changed. I also wonder where my head was on some of my Christmas requests…

Here are the biggies I remember (and I don’t really remember that much to be honest). One year, I got a pogo stick. Another year, it was a unicycle. I must’ve had dreams of joining the circus at some point… I remember getting an Easy-Bake oven one year, lots of Barbies, and a phone. (I’m sure that to this day, Santa still rues that gift, although he mistakenly thought that

This was my first phone. No, I'm not kidding...

getting me a Lily Tomlin phone would slow me down. HA!)

Back then (you know, back in the Dark Ages), Santa could do a lot  with a Ben Franklin. A hundred dollars could be stretched in myriad ways. Today, not so much.

Let’s take Colton’s Christmas wish list:

• I-Touch
• Lego Boba Fett ship
• Air Hog Hawkeye with camera
• Playstation 3 Move bundle
• Three PS3 games
• PS3 bluetooth
• Camcorder

I’m not even gonna address the other things, like a few books, movies and the like. Just a rough cost estimation on the above comes in at no less than $650 – and in reality, my estimation is probably at least $100 shy. By simply purchasing the PS3 Move bundle, Santa’s C-note is spent.The whole wish list thing is really not that different for my other children, either. But with my youngest, the quandary is a tad more complicated, because he’s still a believer, if you know what I mean. And Santa’s purse is endless… right???

Note that we haven’t even addressed stockings. Clearly (in case there’s any question), Santa doesn’t spend upwards of $500 per child – at least not at my house. So where does one begin? Well, that’s what I try to figure out every year. And $100 just doesn’t seem to cut it, anymore.

At the risk of going off on the materialistic state of society (and don’t get me wrong – I like material things, too), I’ll end my rant here. I’m really hoping you guys will let us hear from you, though. I’d love to know what you’ll be doing, how you make ends meet, and other creative ways of making the most magical time of year come to life. So bring it on- Kate and I are waiting!

-Liz