Teacher, teacher it snowed last night! Did it snow where you live? Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window to see enormous snowflakes floating down from the sky. Do I have pictures? Noooo, it was too dark for my camera to detect anything. Maybe next time, I’ll get a shot for the classroom. Now for my “E” post assignment.

I can’t think about Christmas without thinking elves, Santa’s little helpers!

Did you know there are particular names associated with some elves and their responsibilities?

Bushy Evergreen is the inventor of the magic toy-making machine.

Shinny Upatree is Father Christmas’s (Santa’s) oldest friend and co-founder of the secret village in Lapland.

Wunorse Openslae designed Father Christmas’ sleigh and maintains it for top performance. (It is believed that the reindeer reach speeds faster than Christmas tree lights.) He also cares for the reindeer.

Pepper Minstix is the guardian of the secret to Father Christmas’ village location.

Sugarplum Mary is Head of the Sweat Treats, and assistant to Father Christmas’ wife, Mrs. Claus, also known as Mary Christmas.

Alabaster Snowball is very important. He is the Administrator of the Naughty & Nice list.

* See: The names of the Christmas elves

Every since our children were really young, I’ve made eggnog every Christmas. We used the recipe from The Little House Cookbook by Barbara M.Walker

Ingredients:
6 eggs, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 quart of milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Beat the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl until thoroughly blended. Slowly beat in the milk, then stir in the cream. Refrigerate this mixture while you beat the egg whites until they form white peaks. Pour the cold egg-milk mixture into the punch bowl and scrape the egg whites onto the surface, blending some in with a few deep strokes of the spoon. Sprinkle the nutmeg over the foamy surface and carefully dip into cups so as not to disturb the foam. Yields 6-cups.

This is a simple recipe. It bothered me to serve raw eggs to small children so I modified the recipe.

I mix all the ingredients in a kettle on the stove top while simmering over medium to medium-low heat for 15-minutes, stirring nearly constantly to keep the bottom from scorching. Just before I remove from the burner I add one or two teaspoons of vanilla extract and nutmeg. Cool, refrigerate, and serve chilled now boiled custard with a little extra nutmeg on top of each serving.

I know that it’s traditional to serve eggnog during the holidays but did you know it was also served to the sick and feeble? Recipes for both always called for rum, brandy or both. Now, I understand the origin spiked eggnog. What puzzles me is why give it to the sick and feeble?

Elegant Christmas tree…our family Christmas tree photographed in 2009. We bought this beautiful 6.5′ artificial beauty from Christmas in America after Christmas 2008 at half off. Christmas in America are the same folks who made our previous tree. It endured 21 wonderful Christmases. This fake Douglas Fir tree, like the one, before was made in the good ole USA, which we absolutely love!

Decorating for Christmas has always been a fun, meaningful tradition for us. We’ve chosen some elaborate decorations to express our Christmas spirit of joy.

Pictured here, you’ll see a pewter Christmas bell on the left. This became a regular tradition for us for many years until Helix Pewter and Copper in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee closed their showroom door. Owners, Dan & Chris, became a part of our extended family for several Christmases. The darling baby shoes belong to our oldest daughter, Brittany. What tiny feet she had! We display all three of our kiddos baby shoes on our tree year after year.

The Lenox porcelain bear ornament pictured announces the year I was found to be with child. In this one, the year is 1989. I was expecting our second DD, Nicole. We have three of these precious ornaments on our tree.

In the early 90s, my DH bought the New England Dept 56 Christmas Village for me.

You can see Craggy Cove Lighthouse and the Captain Quarters with a little girl building a snowman. The street lamp lighter was a part of another Dept 56 collection but I liked it and my DH got it for me.

This is McCrebe’s Cutters & Sleighs. There is a man cutting wood on the left and on the hill, you can see the kids sledding.

One of my favorite pieces is the Old North Church. To the right of the church is a Christmas tree and at the base is a small nativity scene. You can’t see it well in this photo, but I like that piece very much, too. On the right, you’ll see Christmas carolers in front of Abby’s Bed & Breakfast.

Amidst all the fun of Santa’s elves, the tasty goodness of eggnog, the beauty of an elegant tree and heart warming elaborate decorations, our focus remains on the one true reason we celebrate this magical holiday season… our Savior, Emmanuel’s birth!