celebrations

The Angels on High
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The Angels on High

Hail Brave Hearts

Joy and Peace to all of you on this blessed Christmas Eve.  The Angels on high are with our Lord.  God saves all.

21 Fascinating Facts About Angels in the Bible

It is with great joy that we celebrate this birth.  Joy to all of us, a saviour is born.  Happy days, happy celebrations, happy gift giving and food sharing.  This is a joyous time, filled with fun and good cheer.

The nights are long, the deep chill is here, temperatures drop and wind blows in storms, howling in our ears.  It’s perfect!  That perfect time of the year for decorating our homes in bright lights, finding gifts to give to loved ones so dear and to share with friends and acquaintances as well.  The wallet opens, cash seems abundant, stores offer everything your heart desires.  What could be more special than that fun filled holiday spending.  Spending on gifts, spending on dining, spending on drink, spending on holidays, spend, spend, spend.  The money wheel spins faster and Ho Ho Ho, Santa Clause climbs down your chimney.

Stockings are hung, gifts for Santa, gifts for us.  The retail financial success story made and paid for.  The gift exchange makes us so merry and of course, don’t forget your substantial gifts to the poor,  And while all of this fun and celebration occurs, a child is born.  A child of magnificence, a child of hope, of peace, of goodwill.  A child who will change our lives, not just with a birthday, but with love and forgiveness.  This is the child of the Christmas Story, a story of gifts, of poverty becoming greatness, of a lowly birth becoming a king.  A success story of greatness being born from despair.  The Christian story offers a promise to the world, a promise of hope for all of us, regardless of birth that there will be the opportunity for success.

The celebrations of Christmas unite the community.  Events of caroling, of parades, of Christmas lights, of dinner parties.  Doubts are cast aside, people smile, they hug one another, families unite. The joy of a blessed saviour fills us with hope, charity and community.  Peace amongst us as we enjoy the good company of friends and sometimes strangers.  The season awakens the spirit  of acceptance, of kindness, of  tolerance, of goodwill.  Love eternal.

And then there are Angels.  The heavenly choir makes us sing.  Our voices are lifted in praises for the new born king.  Oh happy day that this Christmas gift was given to us.  Now the teacher teaches us, the student listens.  These lessons learned help and support us during our journey on this planet.  A journey of discovery, of adventure of humanity.  A journey that must be kept worthy, must be kept fulfilling, must be kept in learning.

In the quiet hours of the eve of this great night, comes the greatest gift of love.  Joy to us, there is life. Joy to us, there is Love.

Written by Dr. Louise Elaine Hayes

This Christmas Eve 2025

Parks Day July 19, 2025
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Parks Day July 19, 2025

Hail Brave hearts

Come out and celebrate!  Renewal, rebirth, sustainability, recreation, sports, culture, history, wildlife, and of course, those fabulous parks that we all love and crave.  The great outdoors, with it’s most awesome, inspiring gifts.  Life, health, nutrition, wellness, the joy of living.  For those with cravings to climb mountains, hike in the wilderness, paddle rivers and lakes, and generally enjoy the wonderful nature that surrounds us, Parks Canada is your place.  You can visit a historical site and meet a historical person, take a guided hike, view wildlife in it’s natural setting and explore the untamed wilderness of Canada’s finest treasures. Parks is for people, wildlife and rare species.  It’s a showcase of our finest environmental and historical assets.  It’s an achievement that keeps growing as Canadians rush to explore and unwind in the great Canadian outdoors.

The wilderness is awe inspiring.  The grandeur of great mountains,  the shimmering pristine lakes, the bountiful beauty of endless skies and auroras in the air.  magnificent forests and wildlands, with all of their wild inhabitants.  The Parks are a place of wonder, of joy, of captivating beauty and fun for all of us.  This idea has been one of Canada’s finest achievements, from coast to coast.

Celebrate Canada’s Parks Day / National Parks Day – Nature Canada

The hearty homesteader of yore, who brought his family to these fine lands. Lands laden with hunting, fishing, berries to pick, native fauna and flora to digest and to heal wounds with.  Old traditional remedies to cure what ails you. The human history of the area is a fascinating study of the minds and will of these people.  Ancient old settlers willing to carve a niche in the fabric of the land.  Homesteaders scattering themselves throughout large areas of land.  Forts and lighthouses to protect and save us.  These are the historical ones, the unusual ones, who, through dauntless courage, forge a path for the rest of us to follow.

Old Indian trails to mark the way, historical rivers to paddle. These are connections from place to place, explorations for us to find.  The hikes we take, the trails we follow, the paths around the lakes, all take us to endless beauty and the healing of spending time in a natural environment.  The great good earth supports us in so many ways.

The environmental sustainability and ecological integrity of National Parks and provincial parks, help us to understand and appreciate the land of Mother Earth.  Here she imparts a knowledge of her own special ways.  A beautiful scene carved from a wild natural area, preserved forever for the joy of those who travel to it.  A visit to a special, superior place, of raw, rugged beauty for the adventurer in us all.  These are Canadian parklands, a wonder and wealth of natural and cultural beauty.  Rugged forefathers who braved the perils of the land, unbridled pristine wilderness for us to enjoy.  The National Parks are a wonder of natures finest and the brilliance of those who preserve these fine places.

Come and visit.  Celebrate with us.  Parks Day is a joy of celebration for us all.

Parks Day | Alberta Parks

Written by  Dr Louise Hayes

July 18, 2025

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The Dietary Goodness of Life

Hail Brave Hearts

Happy New Year to all of you.

The feastings of the holiday season has passed and the riches of the gourmet world have been exchanged in holiday recipes, old family favourites, neighbourhood parties and community gatherings.  The sweet and savoury delights to the palate as more and more food circulates with Christmas sharing.  More parties, more alcohol, more food consumption.  More, more and more.  No starvation here.  The requirement to give gifts to the poor, to feed the less fortunate and to stock the food banks, is a necessary part of the holiday season.  Give these gifts throughout the year and add an extra bonus at Christmas time.

Our taste buds revel in the food we consume.  So good to eat, so aromatic to smell, we drool  We’re ready to dine before dinner comes out of the oven.  Delightful Christmas with all of its goodwill, good cheer and seasons greetings.  Dine, consume, share, feed yourselves, feed your neighbours, feed the  poor.

Now its the New Year, with all of the responsibility of loosing those unwanted, unhealthy holiday pounds, unwanted excess inches, bulges and fats.  How on earth do we eat so much?

Those taste buds of ours are part of a nasty body battle,  What’s so good to eat, might be absolutely the worst diet for your fine body. Your fine, trim, well-musceled body, has been besieged by an onslaught of dietary delight.  So much so, that now, the gym calls, with an insistence to save yourself.  Heed the call, or your taste buds win and your mind accepts just a few more pounds, just another cookie at lunch, just another gourmet treat, which supports excess body weight and accelerates aging.  Your fine body must win the fight against those taste buds.  This is a fight that you must win.  It’s the fight of your life.  A fight for your survival as your fine body needs a proper diet for life support.  Those taste buds are tricksters, who play a game, which sometimes completely contradicts the needs of the body and the needs of the body come first. Excess pounds puts strain on the heart and joints ache from the weight.

Canada’s Food Guide

The dietary delight of a good diet and good exercise improves us.  Our bodies respond with flexibility, stamina, endurance, strength, youth, higher energy levels and overall wellness.  A good diet improves skin, hair, eyes, nails and muscles.  Now those sought after recreational activities can be a part of daily life, even if it’s just a walk in the park.  The challenge of controlling those taste buds, is to control that extra unwanted weight.  Chocolate drips with gooey goodness, but it’s not. Icing sugar, refined sugars and candies add up to a calorie count of excess goodness that only the taste buds enjoy.  Your teeth scream and the dentist earns a living as doctors bills and dental appointments rise beyond your pocket book.  The cheaper side of life could be the healthier way to live.  A walk in the park is free, candy cost money.

Of course, the choice is yours, but the recommendations of Canada’s Food Guide provide for a healthy diet with no sugars.  This is the recommendation for us, by our health experts.

Live long and healthy lives, oh Canada.  Praises to your good health.

written by Dr. Louise Elaine Hayes

January 26, 2025

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A Child Arrives

Hail Brave Hearts

Praises!  The blessings of this holiday season abound.  Friends and family, acquaintances and colleagues, all are united in the spirit of holiday giving and sharing.  Joy to all of us during this happy and generous time.  Joy to all of us, all throughout the year.

It is with joy that we surround ourselves with the festive season.  The lights, the trees, the singing, sharing, praises to one another and to the joy of humankind.  Gifts from God.  Love eternal.  Love and kindness.  Oh Holy One.  Love from most high.  All Heavens and Earth rejoice.  Praises to the Lord, our King.

During these cold winter days, when the wind blows from the North, where Santa fills his sleigh and the elves prepare the parcels of toys and movies and delights galore.  Reindeer in harnesses to fly in the sky.  Myth and fantasy to light up your life.  Stockings by the fire with the world all aglow.  This is when the Holy family travel.  That long and difficult journey over many days, with child.

The cold blast of winter, reminds us to think of others.  Gifts of warm clothing and blankets to the shelters, the thrift shops and the churches.  Gifts to food banks, charities and the poor.  Gifts to family and friends.  The gift of a child.  Gift giving and singing, all praises to our King, a gift as well, a gift from God.

Oh that the world is so cold and downtrodden.  Of that the world is blessed with a savior.  Oh that this great planet is unique, with life, with living, with joy and giving.  Oh that holy night, when the angels sing.  Blessed are we to share this great Earth.  Blessed are we to rejoice in God’s world.  All heaven and Earth rejoice.

The animals are quiet as the child lies sleeping.  The angels sing and a star shines bright.  This bright beacon from heaven guides the Maji from afar.  Oh holy night, we will all be blessed.

There are many stories to tell of Christmas, of how this holiday season comes to pass,  of saints in our midst who follow a path of  direction, discerned from teachings of wondrous works and guidance.   The miracle of birth, the joy of the child.  Happy are we to be a part of the celebration.

A Look at Popular Christmas Traditions Around the World

Jingle bells, Christmas parades, candy, baking and special recipes.  A joy of a holiday all throughout the world. As the season fills with gladness, sharing and community gatherings,  the special sounds of the season, fill the air.  The Angels sing.  The Christmas Choir is exuberant.  Joy.

The Best Old Christmas Songs with Fireplace 🎅🏼 2 Hours Best Classic Christmas Hits, Original

On this very Holy day, of Christmas, may your world be filled with joy and laughter.  Praises to you, all of you for the blessed gift of this genius child.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

written by Dr.  Louise Elaine Hayes

December 18, 2024

 

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Rebuilding

Hail Brave Hearts

Long days of travel, uncertainty, but awe for this fine country and the beautiful people who inhabit this special place. An unusual turmoil of reckless abandon, as the world turns in an uproarious manner.  Escape, run for your live, the wildfire has destroyed my home and a third of the townsite with it.

The adventure of relocating has had its moments, some superb, some a concern, some planned, some chaotic, we’ve landed now, all is well   The sightseeing tour around the province, visiting and housesitting has been a joy.  The planned trips and spontaneous gatherings have been a special time of hope and recovery.  Emergency services have been a delight to work with and relief and recovery are saving us.  A new home for me, in a community close by, filled with friendly, caring people, who are helping.  Adjust, learn, recovery is a process, now to rebuild.

My home was a 1928 old home is Jasper, with some classic historical features, typical of the time.  The grounds were landscaped with berry bushes and fruit bearing trees, perfect for my organic juices and liqueurs.  They’ve also  provided some herbal cures and  I’ve sought the ones that saved my knees, saved my eyesight and put fresh organic nutrition into my body.  This and vitamins have been keeping me disease free and my immune system resilient.  I was ingesting a lot of organic juice.  The edible flowers were on the plate as well.  The yard had it’s delights.

So now is the time, for the long process of rebuild.  The house will go up relatively quickly.  The same footprint with the same house plans make the rebuild more simple.   The itemized list of contents is a challenge, but the debris removal is straight forward.  Some things are manageable, some things are difficult, not all is lost, focus on the gain.

Relaxing Snowfall Nighttime Jazz Instrumental Music – Exquisite Piano Jazz in Winter for Deep Sleep

It’s essential to keep your mind out of that dark place.  The cursed place that consumes your mental health and causes despair.  That place, that dark and deadly place, that will ruin everything, if it takes control.  Focus, remain intact, pursue the positive result, nurture and care.   Your mind is your strongest ally, keep it well, remain sane, as hard as this is, it will pass.  The world will correct itself, as time and healing pass, as community and sharing take hold, as love and kindness comforts.  Avoid that dangerous place that needs to be medicated, enjoy your life.  Embrace the smiling community and give thanks for the opportunity to share the world with new friends and experiences.  This is your life, joy to you.

The pleasure of the holiday season is upon us.  It resonates with goodwill, joy to all of us, love one another.  The lights, the song, the sharing and caring, good cooking, gifts, bright lights and happiness.  This is the Christmas season, with all of it’s warmth and beauty.  The winter world comes alive and festivities abound.

Lucky are we to be the recipients of Christmas carols and holiday parades, holiday fun and holiday cheer, make this season sought after all throughout the year.  Fortunate are we to be fed, sheltered, clothed and warm.  To be befriended and accepted into a new world of strangers, who are now our companions and our lifeline.  Fortunate are we, since regardless of disaster, there’s still so much life to be lived.

Praises mankind and joy to the world.

Written by Dr. Louise Elaine Hayes

December 7, 2024

Earth Day
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Earth Day

Hail Brave Hearts

April 22 is Earth Day and who deserves it more?  The fabulous creativity of this great planet, so full of awesome wonder.  A place for all of us, great and small.  This magnificent planet, orbiting in a universe of immense space, with no other planet as creative.  No one, but our own great planet, with the perfect combination of everything, to give life like the life we live.  We are the fortunate ones, who live so bountifully, in a universe otherwise devoid of life.

A planet which takes care of us, from nutrition, to clothing, to shelter.  A planet which provides adventure, excitement and discovery.  A planet which feeds our brains with discovery, curiosity and aptitude.  A planet with feeds our bodies with nourishment, mastery and skills.  The ability to care for ourselves and each other, not just the human, but all of the Earths creatures, adapting to their environments and thriving in a world for themselves.

Earth 101 | National Geographic (youtube.com)

But the dark side of life is looming, as war, climate change and global warming threaten us.  Pesticides, pollutants, emissions and spills, make us and the environment unhealthy.  Environmental agencies race to save a species in peril, but environmental change and disasters are increasing, leaving destruction in their wake.  Costly clean up efforts abound, as earthquake, volcanic eruptions, hurricane and tornadoes, sweep across the planet, ruining much.  It leaves us in peril.

Our responsibility in saving ourselves is immense.  Our duties are the highest.  We must act in a manner which protects the Earth and the environment, in order to save ourselves.  Our actions are loud and sometimes scary.  We plunder and fight, killing much and leaving destruction all around us, destroying ourselves, the environments that save us, the soil, water and air.  War is killing so much.  Our obligations are high.  We are not alone on this great planet.  We share with so many other creatures, that all of our self destruction, ruins other species as well.  Sometimes nothing can be repaired.  The loss of a species, the vanishing rivers, increasing deserts, soil erosion and increasing glacial melting.  Once gone, these might never return.

Our duty of care is enormous.  Only one great planet, only one place in this universe for us.  This is our home and our destiny.  Live and die.

The escalating loss of wildlife and wilderness torments us.  Forest fires and drought ruin habitat necessary for natural species and for us.  The natural world is Earth’s world.  Plunder and die.

Of course, there’s always the bright side of life.  The wholesome side, where each of us makes that important decision to save our planet, every day.  Some small initiatives like reduce, reuse, recycle can make large impacts if supported by large numbers of people.  Reducing the square footprint of housing,  turning down the thermostat, driving less and walking more or taking public transport.  Clean air and clean water are healthy for us, and are healthy for the Earth as well.

Celebrate this Earth Day with gladness.  Planetary health is essential for us.  Saving our world saves ourselves.

Happy Earth Day.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

April 21, 2024

National Wildlife Week
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National Wildlife Week

Hail Brave Hearts

It’s National Wildlife Week and of course, we celebrate!  We  celebrate what is good for all of us.  The fabulous great wild and all of the wonders of nature that it supports.  The landscape, the sea, the air, the land, the wilderness, the wildlife and that fabulous, awesome view.  That incomparable view of a mountain, a lake,  prairie, field, river,  stream, swamp, forest, marsh, rock, ocean, beach, waterfall,  jungle, icebergs, sky and sometimes just thin air.  The view, and all of the wild that it supports.  Our wildlife are the living, breathing, existence in such beautiful places, that we strive with all of our being to get to.

A remote location, with that rare beauty of a flower.  The locations of fossils, in high, alpine places.  A rock turned over by a hungry bear.  An early crocus peeking out from nearly frozen land.  Waves cresting on the beach.  Our love for these special places, of play, sport, solitude, and curiosity.  This is the marvelous world of wildlife.

Watch them swimming in the oceans and scurrying along on the sand.  Some have shells to pick from the ever changing tides, washing them ashore.  The hungry birds swirling in the air, looking for the catch of the day. A dainty butterfly lands on a hand   The brilliant colours of it’s wings, shimmer in the sun.

Wander along the stream, picking a route along the rocks,  to the tumbling waterfall with a  view of the tumultuous torrent of cascading water.  This could be a swimming pool in an untouched area, preserved for enjoyment and fun.

A chattering squirrel sits on a branch and a robin passes by.  A deer springs onto the road and sails, speedily to the other side.  A massive bison blocks the way.  Outstanding!  Fortunate are we, to have these places of preservation, to appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

Canadian Wildlife Federation: National Wildlife Week 2024 (cwf-fcf.org)

It was with foresight of our needs as human beings, that natural areas are protected.  Those special places, housing an intricate ecosystem of life beyond our doorstep.  The wondrous life, for curious minds, who delve into the environment of anthills, snakes, pond life and more.  The experts, still looking for birds,  animals, fish and amphibians and all of the terrain that they occupy.  An educated mind, wandering to find that rare species and to count again it’s population in its wild domain.  The amateur,  just enjoying the sparse knowledge they have, but feeling the pride of a trail to walk, with diggings, droppings, prints and maybe a sighting of an elusive creature, hiding shyly in the bush.

This is the wonder of nature, a world so impressive it requires protection and education.  The perseverance to come forward, to research and publish and demand the ongoing right, to the privilege of enjoying the environment, that supports the life of the Earth’s creatures.  World Wildlife Week is not a week, it’s a lifetime.  A lifetime of supporting the care of the planet and the brilliant wonders of the natural world.  The world that supports our very existence through sport, play, relaxation and enjoyment.

Our world is a fragile place.  It’s environments are in dire need of care.  Walk the great wild with compassion for it’s creatures.  They belong here.  This is their world.  This planet Earth belongs to them as well.

Written by Dr. Louise Hayes

April 11, 2024

Bunnies and Eggs
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Bunnies and Eggs

Good Day Brave Hearts

Happy Easter to all.

The Easter Bunny is hop, hop, hopping into our world again, to help us celebrate the Easter story, with a twist.  An animal twist that supports the rabbit as a part of the celebration of life.  The resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday and the traditional Easter Egg hunt.

Regardless of your faith, Easter is celebrated by most of us, in a manner of religion, or fun.  The furry animal, with eggs and candies kind of fun.  A bunny, or a rabbit, maybe a hare, of noteworthy cuteness, bringing Easter eggs in many colours and many candy forms.  Chocolate, for the chocoholics, who cherish the world of chocolate treats.  Chocolate bunnies and eggs, hollow or filled,  jelly beans and cream centred eggs, a dietary delight of candy.   Lovely candy, full of richness and sugar, the confectioners delight.  Easter is a booming business in the candy trade.

Of course, there’s also flowers, with the traditional flower of Easter being the  Calla Lily, which blooms at Easter time and gives us a  festive tradition to participate in, whether you believe in the Christian story of resurrection or not.

Spring is here, the wild crocuses are in bloom and the Easter bunny is hopping along, spreading Easter eggs in hiding places for us to find.  It’s a fun story, which capitalizes on an ancient story of death and resurrection.  The rise of Jesus of Nazareth from the tomb, which  coincides with the passing of winter into spring.  A symbolic passing from the dead of winter to the new life of spring, immortalized by the death of the Savior on the cross, to the revelation of a vacant tomb and new life.  The new life of rebirth, of being reborn, of the passing of death to life.  It’s a symbolic time, a holy time, a time to cherish the Lord and the representation that all life will live.

Easter Symbols and Traditions – Easter Bunny, Eggs & Lilies | HISTORY

Julius Caesar noticed that in old England, no one would eat hares.  Hares had been connected to the Virgin Mary, Jesus and the Holy family.  The prolific rabbit, sends a message of fertility to us, with large families.  So does the egg.  Painting eggs is part of the Easter past time and egg painting is a celebrated art in some countries. The tradition of painting eggs in bright colours, so that we can find them under pillows, in the yard, hiding in trees and in plants, is a joyous part of Easter celebrations, but it also sends a message.  Eggs are fertility  It’s spring and rebirth is all around us.

The fabulous Savior, who survives death and is resurrected into this world, only to ascend to Heaven, is a story of awesome wonder at the miraculous life of Jesus.  The miracle of death and resurrection, life and death, rebirth.   It is also a time of family holiday and a celebration of the impossible.  Rising from the dead, speaking to people, walking streets.  It’s a mystery still unsolved.  It’s a mystery of faith.

The easy way to resolve Easter, is to paint Easter eggs and adore the bunny, who comes hop, hop, hopping along.

Written by Dr. Louise Hayes

March 30, 2024

 

Oh Happy Day
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Oh Happy Day

Dear Brave Hearts

The glory of this special holiday season surrounds us.  Joy!  The world is filled with merriment and hope, love everlasting, the eternal spirit of goodwill is with us.  It is Christmas time, the time to rejoice in gladness that God is with us.

Praises to the world.  A joyous world.  A wondrous world.  Oh wondrous Love that adores us.

It is during this festive holiday season, that we sing, give thanks and remember that child that brings love into the world and joy to our lives.  It is with gladness that we praise this child and the special message that He brings.  The gifts, the joy, the singing, the angels, the Christmas tree and lights, the fabulous food.  A message of love and humanity for all of us.  Praises to this King.  Not a king of a kingdom, but a king of our hearts.  Oh Holy One, Oh Blessed One, this birthday of Christ the King.

Oh joy to us, all the world of God’s creation.  Not only to mankind but to the animal world as well.

Top Christmas Music Playlist 🎅🏼 Best Christmas Songs Playlist 🎄 Merry Christmas 2023 (youtube.com)

For now, while we play and smile, visit with family and friends and join in the fun of a fabulous holiday, we give thanks,  Thank you for the season, thanks for the Love, the joy, the happiness of having a time to rejoice.  A time for us.  A special time of prayer.  A time of rest, of peace, of remembrance.

Oh save us, great saviour!  This weary world rejoices.  It is Christmas time.  We live.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

December 24, 2023

The Weather Outside is Frightful
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The Weather Outside is Frightful

Hail Brave hearts

Brave the snow.  It’s wintery Christmas outside and the warm glow of Christmas inside.  It’s the happiest time of the year!

 

Frank Sinatra – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Official Music Video) – YouTube

The dear birth that gives us so much joy.  The angels, the choirs, the carols, heartwarming stories, this season is a gift. It’s a gift of love, of charity, of goodwill.  The joy that fills our hearts this season, blessed child.  The Adoration.  The gift that never stops giving.

Oh most beautiful life, oh blessed savior, come to us.  In our prayers there is hope in our minds there is light.  Shine brightly.  Shine for all of us, this holiday season.

The warm cozy fire, is a Canadian tradition.  Hot chocolate, sweet treats, candy and cookies.  The smell of a Christmas dinner baking in the oven.  All of the good things of the home.

Its an exciting time of friends, family, parties and laughter, new recipes to try:

Peppermint truffles

1 package of candy canes, ground. divided in half

1 package of cream cheese softened

2 heaping tablespoons of icing sugar

2 heaping tablespoons of flour

1 package of white chocolate melted

Cream the cream cheese in a bowl, add half of the ground candy canes, sugar and flour.  Mix together,  form into one inch balls.  Dip the balls into the melted chocolate and then coat with the remaining ground candy canes.  They’re ready to eat.

The joy of the season is upon us, good eats, good company, good treats.

Traditional Christmas Carols – YouTube

Written by Dr. Louise Hayes

December 23, 2022