Still haven't made that New Years Resolution?

Maybe this is why!

Buona Festa La Befana!

Each January 5th, the citizens of Italy have a special feast known as "La Befana."  This day honors a folklore legend, a kindly old witch who delivers gifts to children of Italy on the eve of this special day.

There are many poems and songs in Italian culture about this beloved character.  Here is an example of one first in Italian, then translated to English.

            Italian:

Viene, viene la Befana
Vien dai monti a notte fonda


Come è stanca! la circonda
Neve e gelo e tramontana!
Viene, viene la Befana

English:

Here comes, here comes the Befana
She comes from the mountains in the deep of the night
Look how tired she is! All wrapped up
In snow and frost and the north wind!
Here comes, here comes the Befana!

(compiled with information from Wikipedia)

Keep Christmas with you all through the year!

This is from "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street." Good advice for all who celebrate this special day!

New Years Resolutions, part 1

2013: Year in Review

Yahoo! did a really good job of the year in review-so, rather than write it myself, I am sharing theirs with you!

Click on the image to go to the story-

Deck the Halls!

Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella

New from Manheim Steamroller this year!

It's December 26th...and why is it called "Boxing Day"?

Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts from their bosses or employers, known as a "Christmas box". Today, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some other Commonwealth nations.

In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed to Day of Goodwill in 1994. In Ireland, the day is known as St. Stephen's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Stiofáin) or the Day of the Wren (Irish: Lá an Dreoilín). In many European countries, including notably Germany, Poland, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, 26 December is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.

In Canada, Boxing Day takes place on 26 December and is a federal public holiday. In Ontario, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday where all full-time workers receive time off with pay.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christmas...humor?

Slient Night..night of silence

Merry Christmas!

The sleigh was was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of his bed,
"Dear Father, " he prayed, "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.
My sack will hold toys to grant all kids' wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I can do all these things, Lord, only through You.
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.
I do this only to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob,
Please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

In the bleak midwinter...safe travels to all!