Author: Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

Santa Claus!

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The Joy of Santa!

Clement Moore wrote The Night Before Christmas in 1822 to entertain his children. He had nine children! Moore was a religious man whose father was a minister, and he practiced his faith by teaching at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church. I can’t imagine having to say all that when asked where I taught.

I wonder what Moore would think about the effect Santa has had on America. Being a religious man, would he be appalled that Santa reigns at Christmas and not Jesus? I think that he created a character that represents love and generosity. Jesus taught that loving others was the greatest gift. Santa loves all children and doesn’t discriminate. As an adult, I cherish the joy of Santa Claus and I hope Clement Moore would be proud of his Saint Nicholas.

Jesus is the reason Christians celebrate Christmas, but there are many people who aren’t Christians who demonstrate the love for others that Jesus talked about. They show love, kindness, and generosity and give credit to Santa. Santa embodies love, and I hope you all receive an extra dollop of love this year. Happy Christmas to all and to all a joyful new year!

Christmas Snow

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December Snow is Special!

Anytime it snows in December it becomes Christmas snow. I like snow, so it’s a good thing I live in Ohio. Snow has a magical quality in December. It seems to sparkle more in the sunlight and it becomes the background for all things Christmas.

I like to think it quiets the earth in preparation for the joy of Christmas and the love and kindness that is shared. So many give freely to help others and celebrate the season by being with loved ones. That truly makes the season special, being with loved ones.

It is a time of memories and reflection. As we get older we have more memories. I remember being in the Christmas pageant as a child and seeing my own children wearing angel wings and crowns. My grandchildren are now in a Christmas program. The years pass quickly, but what wonderful memories I have.

Christmas snow is special, but by the end of February I’m done with it. March snow is not a welcomed sight. I’m hoping for a little snow on Christmas, but I’ll be with my family and that is more important than snow!

A Cradle in Bethlehem

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The Maple Grove Players Present!

Christmas in Pine Grove will be performed this Saturday night at Maple Grove Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00. The show ends with this scene which is what Christmas in all about.

We had a small audience last night during rehearsal, and I loved hearing how lucky I am to get to work with such talented people! It is true, and I am blessed. There were several comments about the nativity scene. My friend said she was so moved by the scene she couldn’t bring herself to applaud. Believe me, that’s okay! The scene is formed while the song A Cradle in Bethlehem is being sung. It’s on Nat King Cole’s Christmas CD. Google it! It is a wonderful song that many people aren’t familiar with.

After many weeks of rehearsal we are ready to share our God given talents. The show has lots of laughter and lots of music. I hope to see many of you there!

Christmas in Pine Grove

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Rudolph will be there!

This is my fourth year to write the Christmas show for Maple Grove Methodist Church. The show will be performed on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. This year it’s a story about two angels who visit Pine Grove. They find that people do a lot of singing!

In the show, Rudolph has a bad case of fleas. Yes, I know deer don’t get fleas, but it works. His agent Saulie is frantic because he has scheduled many events for Rudolph. It’s a good thing there is an angel in town!

There are serious moments in the show and there is lots of laughter. Particularly from grumpy, old Ed who insists on cream in his coffee. That part is based on my need for cream. The show is very entertaining because the cast is so talented. All are welcome and tickets are only $5.00. I consider the show a gift to the community. I hope to see you there!

Beginnings of a Feast!

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So many calories, but sooo good!

The Consumer Report said the average Thanksgiving dinner has 3,000 to 4,500 calories. That didn’t include my cranberry salad which is loaded with sugar. That’s just sad! I read a reduced calorie Thanksgiving dinner menu that had 2000 calories and I thought why bother? I might as well go for the whole thing since it’s a holiday tradition.

I think it’s important to be considerate of the guests who contribute their homemade dishes to the meal. I wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings by not eating what they worked so hard to make. It is also important to sample the dishes I prepared so my guests know I think they’re worthy of being on the table. Besides, I favor my own cooking.

I’m curious what some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes are. Does your family like green bean casserole? We haven’t had it for years because no one likes it. I love the dressing! It’s the only time of the year I have dressing which is kind of crazy since I like it so much. Please share your favorites, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Old Tin Canisters are filled with stories!

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Many uses and many memories!

My tin canisters are very useful. They are decorative in themselves and look great with dried flowers in them. I keep my chocolate chips in the Nestles one and brown sugar in another. They brighten my pantry with color and memories. I remember my mom had buttons in one, thread in one and coins in another. Obviously, tin canisters are great for organizing household items.

I didn’t realize that tin cans were being used in America as early as 1820. Being able to store food in tin cans made a tremendous impact on the food industry. Products could be sent a long distance safely and food lasted! Aluminum cans weren’t produced until 1965. This is an invention we appreciate still today. One can’t beat a can of tomato soup on a cold day!

Think of the stories that could be written about items found in a tin can. Keys are always a good item because they lead to something. Come to think of it, I think one of my aunts kept keys in a tin can. I’d love to hear your tin can stories! Please share!

Indian Corn’s Secret

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The secret is Revealed!

In my last blog, you read that wild turkeys used to have bright colorful feathers and some thought they were related to peacocks. In fact, I read that Christopher Columbus thought that. I have the answer for how those feathers were so colorful. They ate Indian corn!

There is no research to prove this, but I’m going with it. The settlers saw bright colored turkeys and the Native Americans introduced the settlers to corn. They go together! I think the bright corn kernels created the bright feathers. It’s possible!

Another fact about Indian corn is it can be used for wishing. Shell a handful, hold it in your hands and make a wish. Then toss it into the fire. The white kernels might pop because they can be used for popcorn, but that might enhance your wish! It’s worth a try and you’ll enjoy sitting by a cozy fire at the same time.

It’s Turkey Time!

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It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving dinner if we didn’t have turkey!

Thanksgiving has been an American holiday since Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation in 1863. Much has been written about the first Thanksgiving and what was eaten. For sure they ate venison and turkeys were likely on the menu because they were in abundance during that time period. My brother has many wild turkeys on his farm and none of us would eat one. They look scrawny to me, but historically they were beautiful, magnificent birds.

Ben Franklin was so impressed by them he wanted to make the turkey America’s national bird. I read they had bright colors and some thought they were related to the peacock. Wild turkeys not only fly; they fly fast! They can fly up to 55 mph. I would have been impressed too, Ben!

I love reading picture books at every holiday and most of the Thanksgiving books involve Tom escaping the farmer’s ax. Our domesticated turkeys are so fat they can’t run and certainly can’t fly. They also have lost their previous thinking ability. Unfortunately, they don’t have a lot of brain cells working for them any more. However, in children’s books they always outwit the farmer. I wouldn’t want it any other way!

My turkey is quite cute and no one would want to eat a turkey that looked that cute. To be honest, I like chicken better than turkey, but it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without turkey!

All Hallow’s Eve

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Soul Cakes anyone?

Don’t these look good? Soul cakes were given to children who went souling on All Hallow’s Eve. They were given in exchange for the promise of prayers for the deceased. It was believed that souls went to purgatory when a person died and prayers were needed to get them out. The Soulers carried hallowed out turnips with candles in them that supposedly represented a soul trapped in purgatory. It was also a good lantern!

The Irish immigrants brought this custom with them when they came to America in the mid 1800’s due to the potato famine. Like many customs, it changed to a night of song and treats. It took awhile for Americans to adopt the idea but they did. Trick or treating became popular throughout America in the 1950’s. Since costumes had been worn by the early Soulers to ward off spirits, that custom was borrowed too. Of course it was Americanized!

I don’t know why the veil between heaven and earth is thought to be thin during this time of year, but if you believe this, then it’s a good time for fortune telling. The early settlers celebrated the harvest with hard cider and fortune telling. My uncles told me stories of upsetting outhouses and buggies on Halloween. For these farm boys, it was a night of mischief which drove my grandmother crazy! I think they were letting off steam after working so hard to get the crops in.

I wish you all a Happy Halloween! Lots of candy will be given to children in costumes, but there will be no Soulers. There are recipes online for soul cakes for you bakers! But I’m sticking to raisin oatmeal.

Don’t text and Fly!

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She landed in my tree because of texting!

Witches and Halloween go together. A witch costume continues to be one of the most popular. Little witches in capes and pointy hats will be seen on Halloween and adult sexy witches will be at Halloween parties. I wonder what a modern witch would really wear? Yoga pants? Handwoven sweater? A cool hat of some kind?

Witches were originally considered wise women and healers. They did know how to use herbs and other organic materials for healing. Healings didn’t always work, so it is likely that was when they began to be blamed for all misfortune in the village. Witches also called upon the spirit world to help. Saul consulted the Witch of Endor according to the Bible. She accurately predicted the deaths of Saul’s sons and his. I’d say she was psychic!

I plan to wear my witch hat and enjoy hot cider this Halloween. I never learned to ride a broom, but it does sound like fun. If you do fly, watch out for the bats and don’t text while flying!