Christmas

[kjguy43]

Ok, what do you hope to find under your tree on Christmas morning?

Me...a new pipe for the 400 EX

[Penny]

A bag full of money would be nice

[Annie]

Diamonds, rubies would nice too. A ticket to Savannah and bottle of Sambucca to share with Kissie.

[rainbowhigh]

I want many things for Christmas... But what I want most is seeing my children's huge smiles on Christmas morning...

[Annie]

I want many things for Christmas... But what I want most is seeing my children's huge smiles on Christmas morning...
Yeah me too... but damn... that's going to be a mighty expensive way to get a smile!!

[Kissie]

Diamonds, rubies would nice too. A ticket to Savannah and bottle of Sambucca to share with Kissie.



Awwww you are so sweet...cant tell you enough how much your friendship means to me!!!!

Only thing I want for Xmas this year and I think I said this on another thread....Is for SGT not to have to go back to Iraq in June!!!!

[kjguy43]

Sambucca is good, but I love Aftershock!


Diamonds, rubies would nice too. A ticket to Savannah and bottle of Sambucca to share with Kissie.

[Kissie]

Sambucca is good, but I love Aftershock!



Black sambucca after it has been in the freezer over night....mmmmmmmmmm

[kjguy43]

Black sambucca and Tequila Rose, make great mind erasers. They really do make you loose your mind for a bit!



Black sambucca after it has been in the freezer over night....mmmmmmmmmm

[Kissie]

Black sambucca and Tequila Rose, make great mind erasers. They really do make you loose your mind for a bit!




Well sometimes that is a good thing!!!!

[kjguy43]

Especially if you are shy, a good ice breaker

Well sometimes that is a good thing!!!!

[cherokeered]

Money...or a Visa and Plane ticket ( One way) For Australia




Cherokee...or a Tiger

[Norfolkdave]

A cheque for a huge inheritance

[pixiegirl]

Under the tree??


Material things for myself aren't really important...I know that sounds a bit sanctimonious but it's true...Like Rainbow seeing my childrens faces when they race downstairs and see the wrapped gifts lit up from the multi coloured lights above...the cookies left out the night before, half eaten...glitter sprinkled where Santa's feet have been...all the wonder and innocence of being 5 and 6 years old...well...no present could ever equal that.

If I had to choose a gift for myself...a party with all the people I love invited.

[MCat]

I'm a boring list writer.....Mine would have to be one of those lovely big 6 burner porcelain stoves - cobalt blue of course :)

I think what I'll end up with is my daughter and her hubby spending the night....which will be fun. She can help me stuff stockings.

[Norfolkdave]

I'm a boring list writer.....Mine would have to be one of those lovely big 6 burner porcelain stoves - cobalt blue of course :)

I think what I'll end up with is my daughter and her hubby spending the night....which will be fun. She can help me stuff stockings.

Heh heh heh you sure it will be stockings LOl:lmao

[kjguy43]

That is what christmas is all about. I remember when my daughter cried at Santa, kicked and screamed. Now she can't wait to sit on his lap and tell him how good she was all year, and then of course all the stuff she wants. Kids and christmas just go so well together!



Under the tree??


Material things for myself aren't really important...I know that sounds a bit sanctimonious but it's true...Like Rainbow seeing my childrens faces when they race downstairs and see the wrapped gifts lit up from the multi coloured lights above...the cookies left out the night before, half eaten...glitter sprinkled where Santa's feet have been...all the wonder and innocence of being 5 and 6 years old...well...no present could ever equal that.

If I had to choose a gift for myself...a party with all the people I love invited.

[Norfolkdave]

This year will be the first as we will be going to middnight mass at our little church at the top of our road, then home and a cofffee and talk about the year with christmas day being a lazy day, and a day to reflect the year and to look forward to the future

[MIGHTY]

...a bit less stress.:whee:

[Norfolkdave]

...a bit less stress.:whee:

Too right less stressful, but its not always possible is it!

[mrscvdr]

Best thing for me would be to find out we will be having a child to share next christmas with... been trying a while. Mr CVDR loves to see little kids happy at christmas I know it would mean the world to him. He and I even volunteer as santa and I am one of his "ho's" ....as we are known... too young and hot to be mrs clause!!!:lmao

[longnhard32]

the only thing i want is happy times for all !!!! my we all get every thing we want. like peace & joy

[Jy]

My family and friends don't buy my gifts because I asked them years ago not to. At the risk of sounding sanctimonious, I ask them to make a donation to their favourite charity instead, because I really do have everything I need. All I really need is to sit and watch my son's face light up when he opens his presents.

[Annie]

Tickets for Wicked .... but I'm thinkin I might have to buy those for myself.

[OICurready4me]

It really has gotten so commercial where we all go out of our mind to buy this and that, get ourselves in debt and then take the next year to pay it off. That takes some of the joy away from it. However, I really enjoy the family time, that is the best part of it as far as I'm concerned. My nieces are a joy to be around seeing their face and then playing with them later on. That is what christmas is about.

[OICurready4me]

I'm sure everyone has some secret family recipes that have been handed down over the years and have become tradition. What are some of those that you are especially proud of and would love to share with others? I will dig out some that I have (I love to cook and do most of the "heavy lifting" in the kitchen with my wife, who's pretty good herself)

[rainbowhigh]

I've never really had to cook during the holidays. My grandmother is the take charge kinda gal - she still insists on cooking EVERYTHING even though her grandkids are now parents. We try to take the burden off of her, but she won't have anything of it. She'll be 76 on Christmas Eve this year. She's an amazing woman.


The only thing I make with any regularity is Hominy Casserole. My grandfather loves it. And it's really easy to make.

2 cans of hominy, drained
1 jar (larger size) of Cheez-Wiz (the hot kind if you can find it. If not, I add some hot sauce)
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla chips

Mix it all together and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly around the edges. When it is done, take it out of the oven and crumble the tortilla chips over the top and put back in the oven for just a few more minutes. Then - voila! You're done! Easy, cheap, and quick... And very tasty!

[MCat]

I got this recipe from Taste of Home magazine a few years ago. These are the only sweet rolls that turn out well for me. Enjoy...

[OICurready4me]

I've made this a couple times and comes out excellent. You can dip them in white chocolate also, if you want.

White Chocolate-Cranberry Biscotti


http://recipes.tasteofhome.com/images/spacer.gif
INGREDIENTS


http://recipes.tasteofhome.com/images/landingPage/img_1pxorange.gif

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup vanilla or white chips

http://recipes.tasteofhome.com/images/spacer.gif
DIRECTIONS



http://recipes.tasteofhome.com/images/spacer.gif
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in cranberries and vanilla chips. Divide dough into three portions.
On ungreased baking sheets, shape each portion into a 10-in. x 2-in. rectangle. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a cutting board; cut diagonally with a serrated knife into 1-in. slices. Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

[SirFox]

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the traditional birthdate of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas combines Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus with various secular traditions and customs, many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule[1] and Saturnalia. Christmas traditions include Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time.

Christmas is traditionally on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. These dates are merely traditional and neither is thought to be the actual birthdate of Jesus.[2]

Christmas is celebrated in most countries around the world, owing to the spread of Christianity and Western culture, mixed with the enduring popularity of existing winter celebrations. Various local and regional Christmas traditions are still practiced, despite the widespread influence of American and British Christmas motifs disseminated by film, popular literature, television, and other media.

Christmas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SirFox]

Origin of Christian festival

It is unknown exactly when or why December 25 was originally associated with Jesus' birth; the New Testament does not name a specific date. [13] Sextus Julius Africanus popularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his Chronographiai, a reference book for Christians written in 221 AD.[13] This date is nine months after the traditional date of the Incarnation (March 25), now celebrated as the Feast of the Annunciation.[17] March 25 was also considered to be the date of the vernal equinox and therefore the creation of Adam.[17] Early Christians believed March 25 was also the date Jesus was crucified.[17] The Christian idea that Jesus was conceived on the same date that he died on the cross is consistent with a Jewish belief that a prophet lived an integral number of years.[17]

The identification of the birthdate of Jesus did not at first inspire feasting or celebration. Tertullian does not mention it as a major feast day in the Church of Roman Africa. In 245, the theologian Origen denounced the idea of celebrating Jesus' birthday "as if he were a king pharaoh." He contended that only sinners, not saints, celebrated their birthdays.[7] His criticism may be inspired by his contact with Egypt as Origen was born in Alexandria.

The earliest reference to the celebration of Christmas is in the Calendar of Filocalus, an illuminated manuscript compiled in Rome in 354.[3][18] In the east, meanwhile, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus as part of Epiphany (January 6), although this festival focused on the baptism of Jesus.[19]

Christmas was promoted in the east as part of the revival of Nicene Christianity following the death of the pro-Arian Emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. It was introduced to Constantinople in 379, to Antioch in about 380, and to Alexandria in about 430. Christmas was especially controversial in 4th century Constantinople, being the "fortress of Arianism," as Edward Gibbon described it. The feast disappeared after Gregory of Nazianzus resigned as bishop in 381, although it was reintroduced by Saint John Chrysostom in about 400.[3]

Middle Ages

In the Early Middle Ages, Christmas Day was overshadowed by Epiphany, which in the west focused on the visit of the magi. But the Medieval calendar was dominated by Christmas-related holidays. The forty days before Christmas became the "forty days of St. Martin" (which began on November 11, the feast of St. Martin of Tours), now known as Advent.[20] In Italy, former Saturnalian traditions were attached to Advent.[20] Around the 12th century, these traditions transferred again to the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 26 - January 6).[20] The evening of January 5 was called Twelfth Night, a festival later celebrated in the play of that name by William Shakespeare. The fortieth day after Christmas was Candlemas.

The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800. King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066.

By the High Middle Ages, the holiday had become so prominent that chroniclers routinely noted where various magnates celebrated Christmas. King Richard II of England hosted a Christmas feast in 1377 at which twenty-eight oxen and three hundred sheep were eaten.[20] The Yule boar was a common feature of medieval Christmas feasts. Caroling also became popular, and was originally a group of dancers who sang. The group was composed of a lead singer and a ring of dancers that provided the chorus. Various writers of the time condemned caroling as lewd, indicating that the unruly traditions of Saturnalia and Yule may have continued in this form.[20] "Misrule" — drunkenness, promiscuity, gambling — was also an important aspect of the festival. In England, gifts were exchanged on New Year's Day, and there was special Christmas ale.[20]

Often the "misrule" got quite out of hand. According to the History Channel's documentary, Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas, there was even a Christmas custom pre-dating trick-or-treat, in which revelers would knock at a door and demand the best portion of their host's food and ale, with "severe consequences" if he did not agree.

The Reformation and the 1800s

During the Reformation, Protestants condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast". The Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in an even more religiously oriented form. Following the Parliamentary victory over King Charles I during the English Civil War, England's Puritan rulers banned Christmas, in 1647. Pro-Christmas rioting broke out in several cities, and for several weeks Canterbury was controlled by the rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and shouted royalist slogans.[21] The Restoration of 1660 ended the ban, but most of the Anglican clergy still disapproved of Christmas celebrations, using Protestant arguments.

In Colonial America, the Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas; its celebration was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. At the same time, residents of Virginia and New York celebrated the holiday freely. Christmas fell out of favor in the United States after the American Revolution, when it was considered an English custom.

By the 1820s, sectarian tension in England had eased and British writers began to worry that Christmas was dying out. They imagined Tudor Christmas as a time of heartfelt celebration, and efforts were made to revive the holiday. Charles Dickens' book A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, played a major role in reinventing Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion over communal celebration and hedonistic excess.[22]

During the early part of the 19th century, interest in Christmas in America was revived by several short stories by Washington Irving in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon and "Old Christmas", which depicted harmonious warm-hearted holiday traditions Irving claimed to have observed in England. Although some argue that Irving invented the traditions he describes, they were imitated by his American readers.[23] The numerous German immigrants and the homecomings following the American Civil War helped promote the holiday by bringing with them continental European Christmas traditions still upheld in Catholic and Lutheran countries on the continent. Christmas was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1870.

The 20th century and after


In 1914, the first year of World War I, there was an unofficial truce between German and British troops in France. Soldiers on both sides spontaneously began to sing carols and stopped fighting. The truce began on Christmas Day and continued for some time afterward.[24] Although many stories about the truce include a soccer game between the trench lines, there is no evidence that this event actually occurred.

In the later part of the 20th century, the United States experienced controversy over the nature of Christmas, and its status as a religious or secular holiday. Some considered the U.S. government's recognition of Christmas as a federal holiday to be a violation of the separation of church and state. This was brought to trial several times, including in Lynch v. Donnelly (1984)[25] and Ganulin v. United States (1999).[26] On December 6, 1999, the verdict for Ganulin v. United States (1999) declared that "the establishment of Christmas Day as a legal public holiday does not violate the Establishment Clause because it has a valid secular purpose." This decision was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court on December 19, 2000.

Concerns regarding Christmas' combined Christian and secular nature continued into the 21st century. In 2005, some Christians, along with American conservative commentators such Bill O'Reilly, protested against the perceived secularization of Christmas. Some believed that the holiday was threatened by a general secular trend, or by persons and organizations with an anti-Christian agenda. The perceived trend was also blamed on political correctness.[27]

Christmas, from Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia

[SirFox]

Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts


In Western culture, where the holiday is characterized by the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of the gifts are attributed to a character called Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Joulupukki, Weihnachtsmann, Saint Basil and Father Frost).

Santa Claus is a variation of a Dutch folk tale based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, who gave gifts on the eve of his feast day of December 6. He became associated with Christmas in 19th century America, and was gradually renamed Santa Claus or Saint Nick. In 1812, Washington Irving wrote of Saint Nicholas "riding over the tops of the trees, in that selfsame waggon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children."[31] The connection between Santa Claus and Christmas was popularized by the 1822 poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, which depicted Santa driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer and distributing gifts to children. The popular image of Santa Claus was created by the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902), who drew a new image annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast's Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.[32]

Father Christmas, who predates the Santa Claus character, was first recorded in the 15th century, but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness.[33] In Victorian Britain, his image was remade to match that of Santa. The French Père Noël evolved along similar lines, eventually adopting the Santa image. In Italy, Babbo Natale acts as Santa Claus, while La Befana, is the bringer of gifts and arrives on the eve of the Epiphany. It is said that La Befana set out to bring the baby Jesus gifts, but got lost along the way. Now, she brings gifts to all children.

In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter. In other versions, elves make the toys. His wife is referred to as Mrs. Claus.

The current tradition in several Latin American countries (such as Venezuela) holds that while Santa makes the toys, he then gives them to the Baby Jesus, who is the one who actually delivers them to the children's homes. This story is meant to be a reconciliation between traditional religious beliefs and modern day globalization, most notably the iconography of Santa Claus imported from the United States.

Although many parents around the world routinely teach their children about Santa Claus, some have come to reject this practice, considering it deceptive.[34]

Christmas tree and other decorations

The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianization of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs,[35] and an adaptation of pagan tree worship.[36] The English language phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835[33] and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century.[36] From Germany the custom was introduced to England, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. Around the same time, German immigrants introduced the custom into the United States.[37] Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.

Since the 19th century, the poinsettia has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage.

In Australia, North and South America, and to a lesser extent Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners may be hung from street lights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.[38]

In the Western world, rolls of brightly-colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season.

Christmas is typically the largest annual economic stimulus for many nations. Sales increase dramatically in almost all retail areas and shops introduce new products as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies. In the U.S., the "Christmas shopping season" generally begins on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, though many American stores begin selling Christmas items in October and early November.[39] In the United Kingdom, the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 prevents all large shops from trading on Christmas Day.

Most economists agree, however, that Christmas produces a deadweight loss under orthodox microeconomic theory, due to the surge in gift-giving. This loss is calculated as the difference between what the gift giver spent on the item and what the gift receiver would have paid for the item. It is estimated that in 2001 Christmas resulted in a $4 billion deadweight loss in the U.S. alone.[40][41] Because of complicating factors, this analysis is sometimes used to discuss possible flaws in current microeconomic theory.

Other deadweight losses include the effects of Christmas on the environment and the fact that material gifts are often perceived as white elephants, imposing cost for upkeep and storage and contributing to clutter.[42] This is mitigated by white elephant gift exchanges in which participants make the best of their white elephants, and by alternative giving. Some people have taken to selling their unwanted gifts shortly after Christmas on online auction sites.

In North America, film studios release many high-budget movies in the holiday season, including Christmas films, fantasy movies or high-tone dramas with rich production values.

Commercialization of Christmas

Since the late 1800's the economic importance of Christmas has lead to concerns over what is seen as the increasing commercialization of Christmas. The 1822 poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" had popularized the tradition of exchanging gifts and seasonal “Christmas shopping” began to assume economic importance.[43] In her 1850 book "The First Christmas in New England", Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a character who complained that the true meaning of Christmas was being lost in a shopping spree. [44]

The importance of the economic impact of Christmas was reinforced in the 1930's when President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed moving the Thanksgiving holiday date to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy during the Great Depression.[45] Religious leaders protested this move, with a 1931 New York Times roundup of Christmas sermons showing the most common theme as the dangers of an increasingly commercial Christmas.[46]

In 1958 Stan Freberg and Daws Butler recorded the audio theater satire Green Chri$tma$, recasting Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in the rolls of advertising executives. Due to the controversial nature of the piece, it recieved no commercial airplay until 1983.

Christmas, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

[SirFox]

Christmas worldwide

Christmas celebrations include a great number and variety of customs with either secular, religious, or national aspects which vary from country to country:

In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas occurs during the summer. This clashes with the traditional winter iconography, resulting in oddities such as a red fur-coated Santa Claus surfing in for a turkey barbecue on Australia's Bondi Beach. New Zealanders also commonly celebrate Christmas at the beach, coinciding with the vibrant red flowering of the coastal Pohutukawa or "New Zealand Christmas Tree".

Japan has adopted Santa Claus for its secular Christmas celebration, but New Year's Day is a far more important holiday. In South Korea Christmas is celebrated as an official holiday, and in India it is often called bada din ("the big day"). Celebrations revolve around Santa Claus and shopping.

In Poland, Santa Claus (Polish: Święty Mikołaj) gives gifts on two occasions: on the night of December 5 (so that children find them on the morning of December 6), and on Christmas Eve (so that children find gifts that same day). In addition to the major observances of Christmas, German children also put shoes out at their doors on the night of December 5, and find them filled with candy and small gifts the next morning. Santa Claus (Hungarian: Mikulás), or Father Winter (Hungarian: Télapó) also visits Hungary on December 6, bringing small gifts, and is often accompanied by a black creature called Krampusz; while on Christmas Eve (Holy Night - (Hungarian: Szenteste)) the Little (Baby) Jesus (Hungarian: Kisjézus or Jézuska) delivers the presents.

In Spain, gifts are brought by the Magi on Epiphany (January 6), and in Scotland, presents were traditionally given on Hogmanay, which is New Year's Eve. In recent times, both countries have also adopted gift-giving on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.

The Declaration of Christmas Peace has been a tradition in Finland from the Middle Ages every year, except in 1939 (due to World War II). The declaration takes place in the Old Great Square of Turku, Finland's official Christmas City and former capital. It is broadcast on Finnish radio and television. Sauna bathing has an important role in Finnish Christmas, often after the visit of Joulupukki on Christmas Eve.

Saint Nicholas' Day remains the principal day for gift giving in the Netherlands while Christmas Day is a more religious holiday.

In Russia, Grandfather Frost brings presents on New Year's Eve, and these are opened on the same night. However, after the Russian Revolution, Christmas celebration was banned in that country from 1917 until 1992. Even today, throughout the U.S. and Europe, several Christian denominations, notably the Jehovah's Witnesses, Puritans, and some fundamentalists, view Christmas as a pagan holiday not sanctioned by the Bible.

Social aspects and entertainment

In many countries, businesses, schools, and communities have Christmas parties and dances in the weeks before Christmas. Christmas pageants may include a retelling of the story of the birth of Christ. Groups may visit neighborhood homes to sing carols. Others do volunteer work or hold fundraising drives for charities.

On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, a special meal is usually served. In some regions, particularly in Eastern Europe, these family feasts are preceded by a period of fasting. Candy and treats are also part of Christmas celebration in many countries.

Another tradition is for people to send cards to their friends and family members. The traditional greeting phrase on these cards is "Merry Christmas". Cards are also produced with messages such as "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays", so as to include senders and recipients who may not celebrate Christmas .

Christmas, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

[MCat]

I've made this a couple times and comes out excellent. You can dip them in white chocolate also, if you want.

White Chocolate-Cranberry Biscotti



I love making biscotti.....

[Barkiss]

I've made this a couple times and comes out excellent. You can dip them in white chocolate also, if you want.

White Chocolate-Cranberry Biscotti


Damn...that sounds good....I think I'll try it.

[Barkiss]

Strawberry Dream Cake - I made this cake this past weekend, and it didn't last through Sunday.

INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1 1/2 cups frozen sweetened strawberries, pureed
12 ounces cream cheese
8 (1 ounce) squares white chocolate
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 pint sliced fresh strawberries
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9 inch round cake pans.
Make cake per directions except substitute the 1 1/2 cups of strawberries for the water and add 1 extra egg, (if cake mix calls for 2 eggs add 3), and 8 ounces of the cream cheese at room temperature. Beat well and pour into the prepared pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center will not come out clean when this cake is done since it is so moist. Let cake cool fully before frosting.
To Make Frosting: Heat the heavy cream until just beginning to boil. Pour it over the white chocolate (chopped) and the remaining 4 ounces cream cheese. Mix well and let cool. Once cool fold into the whipped topping. Use to frost cooled cake and garnish with sliced fresh strawberries.

[MightymeatyMatey]

I,ll get our chef to write his dishes out if he has time.

[hoss]

Thought we could share what we got for Christmas.....

I got some new boxers ..( think santas trying to tell me something )
a Andy Griffith Box set
a couple of books ..( yes i do read )
a new monitor for the pc ...

but the best present i got was watching my son open his presents and seeing the big smile on his face ......

Momma gave me pics of my mom and dad when they were young and also photocopies of my dads correspondence to his mother during the war...which i never knew exsited until now...

[Sandy]

mine was watching the kids, nothing makes my day more.

[Rmb]

[QUOTE=Sandy]mine was watching the kids, nothing makes my day more.[/QUOTE

Watching my grand kids on my webcam with their gifts . Listening to their happy greetings as they wave and grin :) :)
Then being with friends for dinner tonight, and having lots of wine and laughs :) :)

[MightymeatyMatey]

I got from my friends, new socks Lol and the hotel staff clubbed together and brought me a silver neck band, I was touched, merry christmas to everyone.

[cherokeered]

I got a few things...more than I thought I would...A gift card...some lottery tickets...Scrabble


Cherokee.........:whee:

[SaltyLime]

chinese rice bowls and chopsticks, drinking glasses, steak knife set, general things like that for the kitchen and a new car =D

[Zpanther]

Yeah, I never get tired of watching the little kids open their presents. But the best gift this year was probably my youngest son and his wife getting back together after beng divorced for a year or so. Their 2 boys are so much happier too.

[hoss]

I got a few things...more than I thought I would...A gift card...some lottery tickets...Scrabble


Cherokee.........:whee:

if u let me play scrabble with u .i'll let u play boggle with me ....

[cherokeered]

if u let me play scrabble with u .i'll let u play boggle with me ....

deal..we can play together...no problem...lol

[Lena]

Yeah, I never get tired of watching the little kids open their presents. But the best gift this year was probably my youngest son and his wife getting back together after beng divorced for a year or so. Their 2 boys are so much happier too.
That is great news ZP!:)

[surfnchat]

The best thing I got was a note from the wifey that she wanted some hot sex tonight. :sex

I assume she meant with me, so I'll run with it... :D

[haggisbasher]

i've been back to bed twice already today, i've had a bath & a shower ! (my real presents were just perfect. the kids had a great time, it was joy to see beloved's surprised smile. i saw every member of my clan over the weekend. for christmas this year, i got all that i wished for)

[Cotties]

I got an umbrella...it looks like its for a chick...not impressed

[SaltyLime]

I got an umbrella...it looks like its for a chick...not impressed

i'm sure you make it look good ;)

[Annie]

After 15 Christmas's together he finally bought me ring. The most beautiful one I have ever seen.

[cherokeered]

After 15 Christmas's together he finally bought me ring. The most beautiful one I have ever seen.

How nice hun...what a great surprise huh?

[cherokeered]

I got an umbrella...it looks like its for a chick...not impressed

Hmmm...I wonder what it means?



:D :sc

[Annie]

i'm sure you make it look good ;)
I'm sure he would... have you seen his pics?

[Spooky13]

I got the normal, Cash, clothes and car stuff.

[Cotties]

you see what being nice to a man can bring....damn you must be good in bedAfter 15 Christmas's together he finally bought me ring. The most beautiful one I have ever seen.

[Cotties]

it makes me look like I stole it:sc i'm sure you make it look good ;)

[Annie]

it makes me look like I stole it:sc
you make it look like you are worth her giving it up for you!

[Annie]

you see what being nice to a man can bring....damn you must be good in bed
He remembers what it was like... I think he wants me to play with the ice chunks again... I'd say he's getting pretty darn close!

[SaltyLime]

I'm sure he would... have you seen his pics?

just had a peek, i'd hit that with or without the umbrella:sc

[OICurready4me]

My wife knows I like to cook so I got various cooking items, a GPS for my car, new dvd/vcr, radar detector, clothes, gift cards.

[Cotties]

sounds like a good chrisi for you:55 My wife knows I like to cook so I got various cooking items, a GPS for my car, new dvd/vcr, radar detector, clothes, gift cards.

[Leyna]

My husband and I decided to just give each other money this year-so we each got $100 to spend on things we needed.

I've only spent $25 of mine so far-got a pair of jeans and a skirt.

A friend of mine is going to sell me her iPod for $50, so that will be considered Christmas for me. lol

A girl at work got me a cute pair of socks.

One of my managers made me a bead necklace.

My mother in law got me a pink towel set.

[Cotties]

I gave you a kiss;)

[dartgirl]

I got 2 bottles of perfume (red door and white diamonds, my favorites), a pair of earrings, some new weights, vacuum (from my son, he hated seeing me vacuum the stairs with the big heavy one. Of course he has never volunteered to to the vacuuming himself) and a card for lattes at my favorite coffee stop (and no it is not starbucks).

[Spooky13]

I got some bills for after Christmas to go along with my gifts...

[sweet]

I got some gift cards to a few of my favorite stores, a purty new watch from my hubby, and a necklace that says Mom on it from my daughters. But, I'll have to agree with many of you, seeing the smiles from my kids as they opened up their presents was the best gift of all.

[Spooky13]

No kids, but my dogs looked happy.

[pointofnoreturn]

I got to see my family at the beach this weekend. Evryone came. Gifts don't matter if you can have some family around that cares.

[Dmy]

I got to see my family at the beach this weekend. Evryone came. Gifts don't matter if you can have some family around that cares.

Thats the best kind Point! I kinda bought my own...a tool box for work...I blew mine on my wife...bought her a leather couch,etc..oh, I also got a electric knife to cut our prime rib for Christmas. ;)

[Penny]

I love watching the smiles on the kids faces :)

[G...G]

The most important thing that I got was to spend some much needed time with my family

[MIGHTY]

I got some new body sprays and lip glosses from Victoria's....watch out everyone! Lol. Son said " This is the best Christmas ever!" Sais that every year...but I love to hear it. Also said he was lucky cause he got to spend time with me and dad....that makes it all worth it!