A Christmas Quiz

Grab a nice glass of wine or warm tea, some cheese and crackers, and take this Christmas Quiz:


1.  What two words are normally pre-printed on a gift tag?
2.  Where did Santa land his sleigh in “The night before Christmas?
3.  Who wrote Christmas Carol?
4.  What were the names of the three Kings that went to see baby Jesus?
5.  Why do people give water globes at Christmas?
6.  What was the name of the angel that appeared to Mary?                                                                                          
7.  What is the 12th day after Christmas called?
8.  Why were Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem?
 9.  Who was the first English monarch to have a Christmas tree?
10.  According to the bible in which season was Jesus born?
11.  How many sides does a snowflake have?
12.  What is the all-time best-selling Christmas recording?
13.  When were electric Christmas lights first used?
14.  How many candles are on a Hanukkah Menorah (candelabra)?
15.  At Christmas, it is customary to exchanges kisses beneath a sprig of which plant?

Stay tuned tomorrow for the answers…and stay warm!  It is C.O.L.D. in paradise, y'all...9!

Let it Snow!

And so it has, since about 10a yesterday.  We have now accumulated about 3" and more is falling.  All the schools in north Georgia are closed.  It is only 21 outside...brrr...

Where's our snow?

Snow was promised.  There is no snow.  Not here in the valley, that is.  I am sure the mountains are all beautiful and frosted over (this is an old photo), since we had rain during the night...but it is ABOVE freezing here on the lake, therefore, no snow.  Yet.  It's coming, so we are warned, and the skies are definitely looking snow laden. 

One of the local churches is presenting their Christmas Contata tonight, so I'd like the weather to cooperate so I can attend.

I have made a little Christmas prep progress--a couple of gifts made, packages mailed, Christmas cards almost finished...now I need to find my list and check it twice.  Time is running out!  There is still much to do...where has the time gone???

Stay warm.  Enjoy your Sunday, y'all!

Polar express is coming to Paradise!

This was our view two days ago before it got above freezing.  That is ICE forming along the edges of our cove.  Rain and falling temps are coming in tonight, with the promise of snow tomorrow, even in Atlanta.  We’ll be below freezing until Wednesday.  At least.  And the irony is that we probably won’t have a white Christmas in two weeks!  That’s just wrong, I tell you! 

Dick and I will attend a Christmas party tonight…tomorrow is Haley’s scrapbook club final gathering for the year…so that is my weekend.  I plan to put on a pot roast in the crock pot before heading over to Haley’s house.  I love crock pot cooking!  Easy peasy, and done when you want it to be.

Ho, ho, ho…enjoy your weekend, y’all!  Stay warm…

Of health and other things...got yours?

Having a sense of humor sure helps with this particular test.  December is health month for this gal.  Guess where I'm heading today?  Got yours (gals only)???

And then the Dell Dude arrives this afternoon to replace my snaggle-tooth keyboard, and my BFF in India calls me tomorrow to make sure all is well, and we are D fer done...to live happily ever hereafter.  And if you believe that, you don't know computers!

Last night was the first of two Christmas band concerts for Ansley.  It was awesome listening to the progression of ability from 6th graders on up to the high school students.  We are mighty proud of our gal, and of all the students.  Umm, wonder how many of these concerts we've sat through over the years?!  Love it.

So, after my big test, it is a trip to the post office and other Christmas related stuff.  Not 'holiday' related stuff.  Christmas.  Make no mistake about that.

Have a great Friday.  Life is good...but COLD!

Of wine and winners…

winemaker's notes:

"Bright red.  Smoky cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented by candied licorice, dark chocolate and zesty minerality.  At once silky and lively, with impressively complex cherry and dark berry flavors joined by an exotic floral pastille quality on the finish.  This boasts remarkable focus and persistence for the price."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
89 Points

So this is the bottle of wine that got rated Best at the wine tasting last Saturday (note the rubber band holding the voting slip). 

There must have been a dozen different reds for our sipping and tasting pleasure—and NO duplicates!  I’m sure there were an equal number of whites upstairs, but I never ventured up there, being quite satisfied with the variety on the lower level—and the food.  This little number cost under $7 at Costo, according to Maureen.  Quite the bargain!  Garnacha de Fuego.  Let me know if you try some.

Runner up was a bottle of red that had a big orange question mark on it.  That’s right—no name—just a big orange question mark!  Easy to remember.

We are currently enjoying a California merlot from Bogle Vineyards that sells for just under $10.  And an old fave: Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon (even cheaper than the Bogle).

We always enjoy trying something new and different, so tell me:

What’s your favorite ‘cheap’ wine? 

Got fever...poor baby!