One year something
funny happened. I ordered my aunt a box of
Christmas Ornaments and forgot I had sent them directly to her. The
company forgot the gift card and she had no idea who sent them
to her. So, on Christmas Eve she took them out and was showing
everyone and we had a great time singing Christmas songs. These
are from Lillian Vernon. They also
have Advent Calendars.
Crèche: St. Francis put up the first Christmas Crib
after obtaining permission from the Pope. It was a simple manger
with a doll in it, to which children brought their gifts and elders their
prayers. Later, animals borrowed from neighbors, were added to
the scene. Today the nativity scene is often a part of the front
yard decorations complete with reindeer prancing across the
roof.
Cross: More appropriately used as the Easter symbol, but in some
countries a cross, made of straw, is placed in front of homes to keep away
evil. Lighted crosses, indicating the living Christ as the light of
the world, are used on many churches in America. Have you ever
noticed how the star over Bethlehem looks like a cross.
Edelweiss: The beautiful star-shaped pure white blossom of
the Alps is used in homes there as the Christmas flower, as well as the
white representing the purity of Christ.
Feast: Christmas feasts seem to be popular in all
lands. In some countries the feast consists of twelve courses
representing the twelve apostles of Christ. It is becoming
increasingly popular for those who have much, to share with those who have
little, thus symbolizing the gifts of the Wise Men. Go to Christmas
Recipe if you are looking for more ideas.
Firecrackers: These are used widely in the southern
part of the United States as well as in the Orient and Australia, to celebrate the
arrival of Christmas.
Fireplace: In England and America children hang their
stockings by the fireplace and Santa Claus enters the house by the chimney
and fills the waiting stockings with gifts. It is also the gathering
place for family and friends especially at Christmas time.
Fire
in a fireplace
Warmth of home and friends
Frost covered windows and
Starlit nights
I hope winter never ends.
Realistic Fires in Natural Settings, December 14, 2006
The "Video Fireplace" presents two natural settings for
campfires and a Colonial Fireplace. The indoor fire has lovely
crackling sounds (although the image is rather dark) and the
Rustic Campfire is in a lovely lush grassy setting with trees in
the background. The Beach Bonfire is intriguing with waves rolling
in to the shore and the sun setting in the distance.
In all the fireplaces, the heat is very realistic with heat waves
rising from the burning wood and the wind at the beach whipping
the flames around at will. I think the natural settings enhance
the mystery of fire and these are lovely to view or to have on in
the background when you are reading, cooking or just spending time
relaxing.
Unlike many fireplace DVDs, this one is almost interesting enough
to keep watching without doing much of anything else. The Beach
Bonfire is especially relaxing while reading a book. You can look
at the ocean waves for a few minutes and then go back to reading.
Advantages of this DVD include:
Natural settings
No frames around the picture
Focus is entirely on the fireplace and the
picture is stable, no zooming in and out
The only thing I guess I'm looking for is this quality with a
fireplace that instead of playing continuously, gives me the
option to watch a fire from start to finish, complete with burning
embers at the end. I will say, however, that the Beach Bonfire is
a true find. So, I think of all the fireplace DVDs I've been
viewing lately, this is one of my favorites.
Crèche: St. Francis put up the first Christmas Crib
after obtaining permission from the Pope. It was a simple manger
with a doll in it, to which children brought their gifts and elders their
prayers. Later, animals borrowed from neighbors, were added to
the scene. Today the nativity scene is often a part of the front
yard decorations complete with reindeer prancing across the
roof.
Cross: More appropriately used as the Easter symbol, but in some
countries a cross, made of straw, is placed in front of homes to keep away
evil. Lighted crosses, indicating the living Christ as the light of
the world, are used on many churches in America. Have you ever
noticed how the star over Bethlehem looks like a cross. 
Edelweiss: The beautiful star-shaped pure white blossom of
the Alps is used in homes there as the Christmas flower, as well as the
white representing the purity of Christ.
Feast: Christmas feasts seem to be popular in all
lands. In some countries the feast consists of twelve courses
representing the twelve apostles of Christ. It is becoming
increasingly popular for those who have much, to share with those who have
little, thus symbolizing the gifts of the Wise Men. Go to 
Firecrackers: These are used widely in the southern
part of the United States as well as in the Orient and Australia, to celebrate the
arrival of Christmas.
Fireplace: In England and America children hang their
stockings by the fireplace and Santa Claus enters the house by the chimney
and fills the waiting stockings with gifts. It is also the gathering
place for family and friends especially at Christmas time.
Realistic Fires in Natural Settings, December 14, 2006