Christmas Cookies

I baked a bunch of cookies but most are just regular cookies like the Hungarian Cookies with the fillings. I only made one batch of them this year since I made these but next year I will be making more since everyone seems to like them and as Mark pointed out, he only has them once a year. Next year I will be able to send him home with some to enjoy. I also made Anise Cookies since Christina likes them. Also what you don't see are these Chocolate Balls made with Cream Cheese and Oreo Cookies and of course Chocolate. They sort of sound horrible but they are so good. I will be making them again for sure. They are really easy and would be great to bring to a party. If I ever make these mice again I will be using that recipe instead of the one for the mice which is close only the mice are made with the chocolate inside with sour cream and Oreo Cookies. You have to refrigerate them and boy it is like a brick when you try to take it out and mold it into mice. The other one will be so much easier and it tastes better too.

Merry Christmas!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I pray you have lots of good food and are surrounded by friends and family to share this joyous day.

I was so busy lately I didn't even realize that we had a White Christmas finally. Nothing like what is out west but just a light coating to make everything look pretty and white.

So my dear friend, go enjoy your Christmas and I will post more later.

Merry Christmas!!!

World ending today..

So the world is supposed to be ending today? 
No can't be- I have too many unanswered questions. I still need to know who let the dogs out, the way to get to Sesame Street, why Dora doesn't just use Google maps. I am curious as to why I have never seen the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery", or why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed. Am I the only one that thinks "abbreviated" is such a long word? or why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor yet dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons? Why do they sterilize the needle for a lethal injection and why do you have to "put your two cents in" but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra money going ? And why exactly did Joanie love Chachi? If a deaf person has to go to court is it still called a hearing? Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane legally? Does the alphabet song and twinkle twinkle little star have the same tune? (I know you just tried to sing those two songs). Just what is Victoria's secret? and who is Carmen San Diago and why are we looking for him? You see, the world just has to keep going. I have too much left to learn. I really am this witty, but I am smart too. That is why I stole this from a friend, who stole from a friend, who stole from a friend, ....etc. LOL

Send a Condolence Cards to Newtown

The U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box to allow the public to send condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT last week.

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

“We understand that there is an outpouring of support for everyone in the Newtown area and we hope to make it easier for those who wish to send encouragement and messages of compassion to those affected,” said Kimberly J. Peters, Connecticut Valley District Manager for the U.S. Postal Service, adding, “Through letters and cards, families will be able to hold that friendship in their hands and to read those kind words at a time and place that supports their pace of healing.”

Request From Sandy Hook, CT

We are the teachers who grew up in Newtown and we are asking you to lend a hand.

All teachers know that the first thing a child must have in order to learn is a sense of safety and security.  On December 14th the students, teachers, staff and families of Sandy Hook school had their sense of security shattered.  In the next few days and weeks Sandy Hook students and staff will be settling in to a school building in Monroe, CT.  We're asking you to help restore their sense of security by asking your students to lend a hand.

Here's how...

1.  Gather up some regular old computer paper or card stock in either white or light green and some finger paint.
2.  Let each of your students put their hand print on a sheet and decorate it however they wish.
3.  Ask each student to add their name, city or town and school.
4.  Collect all the handprint pages and send them to the address below.
5.  Once the helping hands are collected our team of volunteers will string them together and hang them in the halls of the new school facility pending district approval.
6.  A poster explaining our mission will be hung unobtrusively at the entrance to the school also pending district approval.

The message will be simple:  You are not alone.  Your are loved.  You are safe.

Please join us!
If you live near Newtown just leave a message in the blog and we'll pick up your helping hands.
If you're far, please mail your helping hands.

Helping Hands
c/o L. Mazzariello
69 Osborne Hill Rd.
Sandy Hook, CT
06482

Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT

By now the whole country has heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The names of the victims were released and I thought I would post them here for you to see and hopefully keep in your prayers. (This is a copy from our local news station WTNH.)

I know my heart breaks for these people especially the children but we also need to remember 6 adults have lost their lives too. Many of them protecting the children from what reports I heard. (Actually, 7 counting the gun man's mother who was his first victim.) Please remember them in your prayers too.

This is suppose to be a joyous time of year especially for children. Yet instead of spending this time sneaking out to buy Christmas presents for their children, 20 families are spending their time planning funerals for them.

Victims of the Newtown school shooting

Updated: Saturday, 15 Dec 2012, 6:04 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 15 Dec 2012, 7:26 AM EST

(WTNH) -- Here are the names of the children and adults killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in Newtown Dec. 14, 2012.

Children (8 boys and 12 girls)

• Charlotte Bacon, 6
• Daniel Barden, 7
• Olivia Engel, 6
• Josephine Gay, 7
• Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
• Dylan Hockley, 6
• Madeline Hsu, 6
• Catherine Hubbard, 6
• Chase Kowalski, 7
• Jesse Lewis, 6
• James Mattioli, 6
• Grace McDonnell, 7
• Emilie Parker, 6
• Jack Pinto, 6
• Noah Pozner, 6
• Caroline Previdi, 6
• Jessica Rekos, 6
• Avielle Richman, 6
• Benjamin Wheeler, 6
• Allison Wyatt, 6

Adults

• Rachel Davino, 29
• Anne Marie Murphy, 52
• Lauren Russeau, 30
• Mary Sherlach, 56
• Victoria Soto, 27
• Dawn Hocksprung, 47

Not on the released list:

• Nancy Lanza, mother of the gunman