|
Counting My Blessings
By:
Special K
When I was a kid, it seemed like an eternity for Christmas to arrive, as well as seeming like it took a lifetime between Christmases. As an adult, I scarcely feel like I can get thru one Christmas season, only to take a deep breath and - here it is again. Not that I am complaining. I love Christmas and the reason we celebrate it. And there is still much to be thankful for. The current economic situation in America, and the world for that matter, has forced almost all of us to take stock of what we value. To that end, I would like to share some things of lasting value in my life.
Obviously, it’s a given that we value our families, friends, and health. It shocks people when I tell them I have been married (to the same man) for 27 years now. These days, that’s really an accomplishment. Yes, I am married to the fearless, unwavering, driven, intense, focused, tenacious Ernest Hancock - which many of you know and LOV3. Without getting too deep, Ernest has challenged me to be…better. At just about everything. And for that, I am thankful. (Nothing worth having is ever easy). Then there are the children (technically not children anymore since they are now 22 thru 26 - two girls, two boys). I am not sure who grew up more over the years - me or the kids - by the time they were all thru high school. They certainly taught me, well, more than I ever expected to learn. So once again, I am very thankful for that, and grateful for the experience of being a mom. Motherhood was my biggest freedom oriented philanthropic experience - teaching the kids to be lovers of freedom and to possess the ability to think for themselves. And now, we are into the next phase - having grandbabies (one granddaughter, one grandson, and one granddaughter on the way). It’s going to be a real job keeping the ever invasive government away from this next generation, but it is worth the effort.
Ernest and I have been activists for freedom, trying to free as many minds as possible, since 1989. We have met a boatload of wonderful people along the way, and they have enriched our lives in ways we did not expect. And for that, we are very grateful for each and every one. So far, our health is still intact and with all the information out there on the internet, we have learned a great deal about what is beneficial for us to stay healthy and what is not. Not exactly the 4 good group pyramid thing we were all taught in (government) schools. So just having the information available has been a great blessing in our lives since we will have a better chance of surviving the calamity that is before us - just because we are healthier now.
We all have our ‘favorites’ (movies, Christmas songs, cookies, traditions), so I will share with you some of my favorites that I hope you will enjoy.
Favorite Christmas Song
Little Drummer Boy (by Jars of Clay):
Favorite Christmas Movies
While You Were Sleeping (click for trailer):
A Christmas Story (click for trailer):
Favorite Movies Astronaut Farmer (click for trailer):
Firefly Series/Serenity (click for trailer):
Open Range (click for trailer):
Favorite Christmas Treats
Toffee
1 Cup Walnuts
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
Butter a 9x9 pan. Spread walnuts in pan. Heat sugar and butter til boiling, stirring constantly for 7 minutes. Spread mixture over walnuts. Sprinkle chocolate chips over sugar/butter mixture. Cover pan for a couple of minutes til the chocolate chips can melt. Then remove cover and spread melted chocolate. Cool, cut into small bars, and enjoy!
Ginger Snaps
Cream together:
3/4 Cups Shortening
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg 4 TBSP Molasses
Sift together:
2 Cups Flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
2 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp. Ginger
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Mix sugar mixture and flour mixture together.
Chill 2 hours. Roll into balls. Roll into sugar. Bake of foil lined pan at 400 for 6-8 minutes.
I hope that all of you have the opportunity to take time out this Christmas season to relax and enjoy what is important to you.
Merry Christmas from the Hancock’s!
|
