Tookshire

Hey...Update to the biggie Christmas post

[Originally entitled: Durn it all Maria]

Update:  I've come to a place where I think I'm finished!! Nice!  I'm reviewing right now for places to add links, and it'll be slapped out here on the Inet for everyone.

Yippee

Teehee

You know I rabbit trail all over creation.  I am...I am trying to write my post...but one thing leads to the other...so either I make this a mega post you have to wait on or I do a series...which may mean that I take just as long and rabbit trail even further.

Dedicating a huge portion of my time today to finish it...if I don't get finished, I'll chop it up and post a section this evening.  (My posts this and next month will largely be posted in the evening...except for a couple of preposted Christmas themed things).

Shirley Temple

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six.
Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.

Experimenting with different blogging spots

For the last five months I've dropped here and there about how much I want a change (ref: blog).  I purchased the ridiculous account on typepad which promised multiple blogs...unfortunately, what they really meant was lots of sub-blogs.  Why that bothers me, I don't know.  I've also remained unhappy about how terribly generic typepad sites are for someone (like moi) who can't grasp CSS for typepad and has no functioning software for creating backdrops, etc. 

I've decided to wander, yet again...and I didn't want to return to my Xangian roots quite yet.  I've searched around my "registered only to comment on non-typepad" type blog spots, and registered for a new blog at vox.  I've only placed a preliminary "this is a test, only a test" type entry thus far.

My typepad subscription is up in February 2007.  Not clear on if my blog disappears once I resign as a member.  So, over the next month or so, I've really got to get crackin' and choose a site.  If you have a suggestion that will allow a little Creativity for Dummies...and is free to cheap, drop me a line.  I'll check it out.  I'd like to find a home quick because there are quite a few things here I'd like to pack up and take with me.

The Ghost of Christmas Past was never the scary one

Christmas TV Specials 2006

I'm combing through tv guides at the moment.  Everything is Eastern Time...so check your local listings for time/channel numbers.  If you know of any I've missed that is not "On Demand" television, please let me know.  There were tons of specials I look forward to watching that simply weren't listed anywhere I could find.  Enjoy!

November 27
8p A Holiday To Remember (ABC Family)

November 28
7p Dear Santa (ABC Family)
8p A Charlie Brown Christmas Special (ABC)
8p Scrooged (ABC Family)

November 29
8p Christmas in Rockerfeller Center (NBC)

November 30
8p Santa Claus: The Movie (ABC Family)

December 1
7p Frosty's Winter Wonderland (ABC Family)
8p Polar Express (ABC)

December 2
811:30a Santa Clause: The Movie (ABC Family)

December 3
9p A Smoky Mountain Christmas (CMT)

December 4

December 5
7:30p The First Christmas Story (ABC Family)
8p Santa Claus is Coming To Town (ABC)

December 6
7p Santa Claus is Coming To Town (ABC Family)

December 7

December 8
8p Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reigndeer (CBS)
9p Frosty the Snowman (CBS)

December 9
9a - 7p Holiday Christmas Classic Marathon (ABC Family)
8p Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen (ABC)
9p How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carey Version) (ABC)

December 10
8p Santa Baby (ABC Family)

December 11
8p The Wizard of Oz (TNT)

December 12
8p How the Grinch Stole Christmas (classic cartoon version) (ABC Family)

December 13
10p Christmas in Washington (TNT)

December 14

December 15

December 16
8p It's A Wonderful Life (NBC)

December 17
8p National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (TBS)

December 18

December 19

December 20
8p A Christmas Carol (Patrick Stewart) (TNT)

December 21

December 22

December 23
8p Elosie at Christmas Time (ABC Family)
8p The Sound of Music (ABC)

December 24
8p A Christmas Story (Marathon! Alternating between black and white versions) (TBS)

December 25
10a Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade 2006 (ABC)
8p Peter Pan (FOX)

December 26

December 27

December 28
1p News Radio's Christmas Episode (TBS)

December 29

December 30
5:30a A Christmas Story (an old "Lassie" episode) (Discovery Kids)

December 31

Pick-Up Line Used By Santa's Elves (A)

"No, no, I don't bake cookies. You're thinking of those dorks at Keebler."

A special message to Maria regarding Christmas Posts

Yes, I could email - silly.  But anyone wandering into Tookshire-land might wonder what's up, too...so I'm making this public.

Once upon a time Maria said she would be interested in a "Why I celebrate Christmas" post (I offered).  I think I sprinkled a little here and there in previous holiday postings, and thought that I actually posted a more direct article to my blog...but either I didn't, or I haven't found it quite yet to link to.  My brother is leaving town this evening, and I'm putting my house back in order tomorrow.  Tuesday is photography and a science lecture for the kids...so in the next few evenings I'm pulling together my thoughts for the "Why I celebrate Christmas" post...and if I have the opportunity, I'm thinking of linking to some earlier articles to give it some depth...but I'm not certain that links are all that popular where my blog is concerned...so I'm not quite sure of good alternatives.

Anyway...it's coming, and because I want it to be involved, with detail, I don't want to slap a simple "because I'm free to" type thing...particulary because regular readers know I don't find Easter nor Halloween kosher for celebrating.  Christmas is set apart differently, and how it is set apart will be the focus of the article I'm composing. 

Christmas Coloring Pages

Just found this on the Inet, and wanted to share.  Scroll just about to the bottom section, and you'll find links to coloring pages depicting the biblical version of the Christmas story.  Next to each coloring page link, you'll also find a link to the accompanying scripture.  I thought it would be cute for a mom or dad of youn'uns, to read the Christmas story and then present the little ones with the coloring sheets to open up a discussion. 

Today is my Thanksgiving

House to clean (I thought it was clean yesterday...oh, what a difference a morning makes, LOL).  Not gonna due the truly spiffy clean...but must get folded laundry off living room floor and do dishes so I can begin cooking.

First, I'm running errands.  Yesterday I filled most of my grocery shopping for the Thanksgiving meal, and already have a few smoked turkey breasts in the fridge for warming.  Today, I'm running out to Penera's for a miche of Sesame Semolina bread.  And then hitting Pier-1 and/or Target to look for a white, square-ish serving platter (I'm treating myself to a little gift...every winter I purchase something for my holiday table.)

Back home again to make some homemade cornbread stuffing.  Wasn't planning on this, but everyone has asked for some form of stuffing. 

The mashed potatoes have been precooked...and I purchased turkey gravy.  I picked up cranberry-orange sauce from the deli department, plus a can of the good stuff (Oceanspray's Cranberry Jelly...I can't stand the texture of real cranberry sauce).  And a jug of tomato juice is chilling in the fridge, to boot.

I will make my Meditteranean Green Beans (recipe to post later) and some patches of cookies for my young niece who has requested the peanut butter variety.  (Pecan and Pumpkin pie already on the serving hutch).

Let the Trumpets Sound...Christmas time is near

Every year I try to fill up the post-Thanksgiving days of the year with something centering on Christmas.  This year, rest assured, I plan on doing the same thing.

I have lots of goodies in store for you...links, quotes, stories, insights, history (you knew I had to throw education in there for you...don't worry, it'll be good for you...like vitamins) and of course scripture. 

Today I wanted to start you off with a simple link...so you'll have it bookmarked and can play with it through the Christmas season. 

NORAD Tracks Santa 2006

On Christmas Eve, you can pull this site up and know exactly where Santa is thanks to a global positioning program.  But, don't wait until Christmas to check this site out.  There's tons via its side bar links.  A favorite of mine is the 60 second commercial via the "Things To Do" link.  There's wonderful music provided by various American military branches, holiday coloring pages, and more.  Don't forget to read the NORAD Tracks Santa history (starts at the link provided above).  It's so cute.

Enjoy!