Second Day of Christmas

Second Day of Christmas

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and that now you are relaxing this Sunday with your Christmas gifts. We hope no one had the Green Grinch appear on their doorstep yelling stink, stank, stunk!

Last Day For Stocking Stuffers For Christmas

Jeanine Saved The Best For Last

What Is It?

The Label Says

Black Chocolate Stout Beer

brewed by the Brooklyn Brewery of New York

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Well, my gosh, who knew that a chocolate stout had even been invented!

Not me.

Thanks, Jeanine and Bryan.

This will be a sweet treat for Valentine's Day if I can wait that long to try it.

Thirteen Day of Christmas Santa Photo Opt For Jack Aidan

Thirteenth Day of Christmas

Santa Photo Opt For Jack Aidan
and
Feast of the Epiphany

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We Three Kings of Orient Are
Bearing Gifts
We Traveled A Far

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Twelfth Day of Christmas Photo Ken Gariety Family

Twelfth Day of Christmas Photo

The Ken Gariety Family

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This is a family that has an Ohio State Themed Room in their home.

I wonder which student will go to Ohio State like their Mother Ann.

I bet a lot of college applications are being filled out for Ohio State

since they won the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.

One more thing---this is the A Team Gariety family.

All names begin with A.

There is Austin 15, Allison 13, Audrey 11 and Alana 8.

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Twelfth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer

is

a Chenin Blanc white wine from South Africa called Spier

which comes from the vineyards of the Cape of Good Hope.

I like that name Jeanine.

Cape of Good Hope.

Appropriate for the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Thank you.

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But tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany,

The 13'th or bakers dozen or extra day of Christmas

and tomorrow I have a big box to open.

Tenth Day of Christmas Photo Wedding Memories

Tenth Day of Christmas Photo Wedding Memories
of
Monnin / Hoying Wedding

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You must click on the photo card to see these pics in greater detail. Which one is the Mother of the Bride? They all look so young! The lady in the white shawl is the Mother of the Bride and my

godchild Darlene Gariety Monnin. Darlene, you looked fabulous for your daughter's wedding in September of 2009. And Matt, you not only got a son-in-law but someone who bears your first name, Matthew. LOL!

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Tenth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer From Jeanine and Bryan

is

A Maipe 2009 Bonarda Wine from Mendoza, Argentina

Maipe was the Lord of the Winds in Andean indian culture and this wine

comes from a vineyard at the foothills of the tall Andean Mountains of Argentina.

(Maybe I'll need to watch the movie Evita while sipping this wine and

sing Madonna's hit song Don't Cry For Me Argentina.

Eighth Day of Christmas = New Years Day = Adorable Goff Baby

Eighth Day of Christmas = New Years Day = Adorable Goff Baby
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This adorable baby is Noah Goff.
In this Christmas photo our friends new grandson is pictured with
his big brother Caleb Goff.
If you go to September 2008 posts on my blog you will find
photos of Noah's parents on their wedding day.
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Eighth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer
A Spanish Wine
A 2008 Luzon Wine from Jumilla, Spain which
is a vineyard located southeast of Madrid

What will you do today?
Jack and I plan to watch The Rose Bowl Parade
and
Ohio State Play in The Rose Bowl Football Game
Go Buckeyes!

Sixth Day of Christmas Photo of Share Family At Disney

Sixth Day of Christmas Photo

Tracy Thobe Share and Her Family's Recent Visit To Disneyworld

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Who do you suppose enjoyed the park more? The kids or the parents.

I'm betting my money on the parents.

Kids wear out and then have a little meltdown and hissy fit.

Young parents however, keep on trucking even when worn out.

(Click on photo to see the kids with their Disney characters.)

Sixth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer: A Merlot From California's Oak Grove

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On the label it says the rich flavors of blackberries and plum in the wine would go

well with a green peppercorn beef filet. OK, Jack will need to fire up the grill

one evening in Janury. Maybe on his 65'th birthday coming up on January 22'nd.

Holiday Deviled Egg and Cheesy Shrimp Bake

Recipe

Holiday Deviled Egg and Cheesy Shrimp Bake

I only make this recipe twice a year because it is so rich and decadent. Christmas Day and Easter Morning are the two days that I serve this recipe.

Deviled eggs with sour cream and spice are given a cheesy bechamel sauce with shrimp for this make a day ahead dish. This dish would be great for News Years Day Brunch or for a Supper Dish for houseguests any time of the year.

1. Hard boil 10 eggs in cold water and salt by bringing saucepan with eggs to a boil. Then shut off stove and let eggs set in hot water for 18 minutes. Drain hot water from cooked eggs and replace with cold water at the tap. Do this several times to stop the cooking process. Then let eggs cool.

2. Remove shells from cooled eggs and cut eggs in half lengthwise and scoop out yolks. Mash egg yolks then mix with the following ingredients:

1 teaspoon salt

dash of Worcestershire sauce

3/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 cup of sour cream

pinch of salt and white pepper

3. Fill egg halves with this mixture and place filled eggs in a greased baking dish.

4. Make a bechamel sauce roux with 3 tablespoons butter melted on low heat in saucepan and then stir in 3 tablespoons of flour. Let this mixture cook on low for several minutes to get rid of floury taste and to blend flavors.

5. Now heat two cups of milk or light cream to scalding point in another pan. Slowly add milk to roux in other pan. Cook this mixture until smooth and thick.

6. Now add pinch of salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 and 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Let this melt and blend.

7. Lastly add a 1 pound bag of frozen shrimps that have been thawed in colander at sink.

8. Pour sauce with shrimp over deviled eggs in buttered casserole.

9. Cover and refrigerate over night.

10. Next heat oven to 350 degrees and bake casserole for 25 minutes or till hot and bubbly.

11. Then serve with French croissants and orange mimosa drinks.

Fifth Day of Christmas

Photo of Tammy Thobe Celeste, My Niece and Godchild, With Her Hubby Guy Celeste and Their Daughter Kristina

The Entire Family Spends A Great Deal of Time At Guy's Italian Eatery, Pacentros, in

Monaca, PA. If In Pittsburgh Area, Do Visit This Relaxed Italian Eatery.

Guy Will Treat You Like Family.

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Fifth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer From Our Daughter Jeanine Is

A Belgian Beer Called Delerium Ale
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Jeanine hit this stocking stuffer right out of the ball park because

1. Mom likes all things French including Belgium.

2. Mom likes beer.

3. Jack likes beer too.

4. Jack collects elephants and their is a photo of a Santa Elephant on the bottle

Home Run

The End

Our Most Unusual Christmas Gift

Our Most Unusual Christmas Gift

Second Daughter Jeanine gave us our most unusual Christmas gift this year. She did a wild and crazy take on Mom's old habit of giving each daughter a "Stocking Stuffer" for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas (plus one=bakers dozen=13).

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I loved doing this. What may have not been thought of as great gift on Christmas Day was downright wonderful on Day 3 when no one else was still opening presents and by Day 10 it was totally awesome when kids were heading back to class and my girls were still finding something in their Christmas stockings.

First Day of Christmas

So First Day We Found A Bottle of Penfolds From Australia.

We Shared This With Jeanine and Bryan.

Second Day of Christmas

German Beer

Side Note: First, Jeanine insisted that we open each numbered present on the correct Day of Christmas. Which had me just a little confused and worried. Worry: Jack and I couldn't possibly drink this much alcohol in two months let alone in 13 days. Confusion: Does Jeanine think we have a rather big time drinking problem? Like we must be the ultimate Big Bad Boozers who are some very notorious AA Dropouts

????????????????

Jeanine clarified her intentions. She wants us to open each gift on the designated numbered day but we can save the alcohol to drink later: " Just see what is in your unusual 'stocking' for each of the twelve days." So I am following Jeanine's instructions to the letter.

??????????????

First Day of Christmas We Got Penfolds Shiraz Wine From Australia

Second Day of Christmas We Got German Beer aka Hofbrauhaus (More about that later.)

Third Day of Christmas We Got A Barefoot Merlot (one of Jack's favorite varietals of wine)

Fourth Day of Christmas----?????????????

Excuse Me While I Jump Up and Go Open With Jack's Help A Twelve Days of Christmas Stocking Stuffer.

Ahhhhhh!

Fourth Day of Christmas We Got a Coastline Paso Robles 2007 Merlot from Santa Rosa California. Interesting.

Jeanine has each stocking stuffer in a brown paper bag that's decorated with a homemade number tag and a little pom pom or braided rope. This truly is a work of love. Check out the photos below.

Jeanine,

You Are The Cat's Meow!

Love,

Mom and Dad
The End

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Epilogue
Do you folks know that the Hofbrauhaus am Platzl (Hofbrauhaus Label) is a symbol of Munich, Germany's hospitality, convitality and socialableness. That Hofbrau is brewed and bottled by Staaatliches Hofbrauhaus in Munchen, Germany from water, barley malt and hops according to the the famous Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) of 1516. So that's what makes it soooooo good. The old world brewing methods of 1516.

Fourth Day of Christmas The Thobes

Fourth Day of Christmas The Thobes of Tipp City, Ohio

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This Is A Photo Of My Only Sister, Mary Ellen Gariety Thobe,
and Her Hubby, Jerry Thobe, On Their Big Trip This Year.
Where Did They Go?
To The Big Apple For Four Days Of Sightseeing
It Was Their Very First Trip To New York City.

Third Day of Christmas Photo Dr. Channing Lowe's Family

These Are The First cousins of the Reagan Family Children.

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Dr. Channing Lowe Is A Teaching Pediatrician At The University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. (Baby #4 Is Due is 2010 and Will be Another Little Girl. Dr. Lowe Lives In A Female Household. LOL!

Second Day of Christmas Reagan Photo

The Second Day of Christmas Photo

December 26, 2009

The Reagans

Jeremy, Norma, Wade and Chyanne

This is Jack's brother's daughter's family who live in Niangua, Missouri. They had a recent addition to the family: little Chyanne. Big brother Wade is smiling while Chyanne is asleep in her red and green Christmas dress. This formal portrait was taken by the wife of Jack's nephew, Glen Dale Colliver. The Collivers live in Camdenton, Missouri near the famous Lake of the Ozarks.

First Day of Christmas Shipley Photo

First Day of Christmas

December 25, 2009

Shipley Photo

There are 12 days to celebrate Christmas---The 12 Days of Christmas. This year for each of the 12 Days of Christmas I will feature an interesting photo received from friends or relatives. Naturally for the First Day of Christmas we must, we simply must feature our grandson Little Jack with the halo he received at church on Christmas Eve. This proves that my little boy is

an angel!

The Tenth Day of Christmas Janury 3, 2009

The Tenth Day of Christmas

Saturday

January 3, 2009

Chistmas Stories at Lake Wales, Florida

This was a forest scene in the upstairs hall at Pinewood Estate.

All the forest animals await Santa's arrival in quiet anticipation listening to the tick tock of the grandfather's clock.

Today I will tell you two brief stories that I played a part in long ago in school. Be fair warned that the stories are now inappropriate. Why? Because I would never in a million years do today in a public school what I did back in the sixties and early seventies in school. You ask what I did that was inappropriate? Well, I celebrated the story of Jesus as if every child in my class was a Christian. In today's diverse world that is not the case.

Story Number One

The Setting: Huffman Elementary School on Huffman Avenue

In Dayton, Ohio

Fresh out of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio I landed my first teaching assignment on the east side of Dayton which was all white at the time. (You would go across a bridge to the west side of Dayton and you would be in Dayton's version of Harlem which was all black.) Anyway Huffman Elementary School was at that time in the fall of 1966 the oldest school building still in use in Dayton, Ohio. By the year 1973 I believe Huffman School would be 100 years old and Miss Tetslaff, the sweet little spinster who taught right next door to me would have taught at that very school for 50 years and of those 50 years 49 would be in the very same classroom! Totally amazing. The first time I walked into her classroom I saw these very faded nursery rhyme pictures nailed to the blackboard bulletin board.The little kids in the illustrations looked like wholesome little kids from Campbell soup ads from the thirties. If you got near these pictures and blew on them, they would disintegrate into small particles and land on the floor. How old was Miss Tetslaff? I don't know but I reckon she was fast approaching seventy five. In fact one of the eighth grade teachers at this K-8 school who was in his mid thirties had her at Huffman as his first grade teacher.

Does Miss Tetslaff figure in the story? No, but she was such a character that I just had to put her into the intro to this story. But this side of Dayton had a sizable Polish population and another teacher at my school was Linda Sobieski who lived right in the neighborhood and went to the Catholic University of Dayton before landing a first grade classroom down in the basement of this school. She liked it down there because the principal seldom made it to the classroom by the boiler room so she and her students could be very noisy at times. Meanwhile, I was next door to Miss Tetslaff and just down the way from the Principal's office, so I had to keep a lid on the noise in my classroom. Oh-ooh, here comes the principal now thru the back entrance to the classroom which was the old, old cloakroom! I swear that many times I felt like I was reliving Laura Ingalls in her teaching days because the school was truly an architectural antique.

So in the fall of my first year of teaching Linda Sobieski approached me and asked if I would like to go in with her class to recreate the Christmas story for the December meeting of the Huffman PTA. I said OK and so we selected students to play all the parts from singing angels and talking shepherds to the three wise men. The leads of course went to Mary and Joseph. Jesus was played by some little girl's doll baby wrapped in a blanket and set in a mock manger filled with straw. Everyone learned their part for the play. It was now very close to Christmas and the last day of school before the Christmas Holiday (that's what the vacation was called in 1966) but the big play production for the PTA was on the agenda for that very day when Linda ran into my classroom and announced that she and I had a major play fiasco on our hands. I remember that I asked her what the problem was and I'll never forget her answer: Joseph, Mary's husband had run off to Kentucky with his parents!

Joseph's in Kentucky! Oh, my gosh, how will the play go on I asked Linda. She replied that quick, we must get a brand new Joseph and he better be smart and learn his part and lines in a flash! We found a new Joseph and he did a fine job in our little play and all was well once more. Linda's parting thought after the play was this. Don't ever Joann choose a child whose parents just came up to Dayton, Ohio to work in the '60's very robust GM auto parts factory in Moraine because those Kentucky folks are only here for the money and they miss their families in the hills and hollows of Kentucky and you just know that they will skip school and head down interstate #75 before school vacation actually starts. Ahhhhhh.....those were the good old days in Dayton, Ohio. The auto parts industry was going strong and it was not inappropriate to stage a Christmas play in a public school or to wish folks a Merry Christmas and a happy Christmas vacation.

Story Number Two

Setting: My first year of teaching first grade to the DOD dependent children and the state department children in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Here's another inappropriate school incident in my classroom. At Frankfurt Elementary School #1 which has since reverted back to being a German school since there are no U.S. military now stationed in the city of Frankfurt which Gen. Eisenhower selected as his Army headquarters in Europe at the famous I.G. Farben Chemical Complex. Now the I.G. Farben Building with its oh, so famous pater noster elevator is a part of Goethe University. My, how the world changes if you live long enough to witness it!

So it is Christmas once again in Germany in 1970 and I have decided to have the students help me decorate my main bulletin board which was located by the door to my classroom so everyone coming down the hall could see this display. I loved having the students create the art work for this bulletin board and we would always come up with something that was both interesting and very attractive. I would line the background of the board with appropriate scenery, create the word heading and assign students to create the figures in front by drawing and cutting out their artistic creations.

Ok, so you guys will create the shepherds, OK, you folks can make the angels, who wants to do one of the three kings?, who wants to draw some cute baby sheep?, we need some shepherds too. So as each child finished his morning seatwork while I conducted three old fashioned reading groups that morning they would place their drawing on my desk for me to later staple on the board. As I was taking the drawings to the board and stapling them into the scene there was one little drawing that I just couldn't quite figure out. Was it a donkey? Was it a sheep? What was it? So I called the child up and asked what his assignment had been. He told me he was supposed to draw a shepherd. But this looks like an animal not a shepherd. Oh, no, Miss Gariety, this does look like a shepherd. A German shepherd!

I learned to my surprise that this little boy had a German shepherd as a pet and yes, he had drawn for me a shepherd. So that is how in 1970 a drawing of a German shepherd was the hit of my Christmas bulletin board display. Word spread quickly thru the teacher grapevine and everyone stopped in to see my German shepherd at the nativity scene. Even the Principal, Mr. Mebane came by to take a look and shake his head, have a little laugh and give me a sly wink.

The twelve days of Christmas plus one are fast coming to a close for yet another year. But remember, it is not over, till is over in the wisdom of Yogi Berra so get out this weekend and do something special for the Christmas holidays.

Skywatch Friday On Ninth Day of Christmas

Skywatch Friday

on

The Ninth Day of Christmas

January 2, 2009

Photos of Bok Tower Sanctuary

in

Lake Wales, Florida

Where

The Bok Carillon

and

The Buck Pinewood Estate Home

Reside Next Door to Each Other

Another sky view of the Bok Tower Carrilon


Bok Tower Grove of Live Oaks With Spanish Moss. This is the highest point in the state of Florida .From here you can see the greater Orlando metro area.You need to walk to the edge of this plateau of live oaks to get a view of Orlando.This is quiet and serene place.
A lake reflecting the sky and the Bok Tower Carrilon

White swans are in the water and the palm trees and sky are in reflection.

The very top of the Bok Tower Carrilon that was designed in art deco style by Mr. Bok who wanted to create this massive carrilon that gets played every day of the year. Jack and I got to listen to Christmas carols being played by the carrilon. Magical and magnificent moment!

Little sky in this photo but I wanted you to see the beautiful gold doors that lead to the inside of the carrilon. Only volunteers get to go inside. Some volunteers do work just to get a glimps of the inside and the view of Orlando from the very top of the tower.

Hope you enjoyed my Bok Tower Tour. If you want more info on the Bok Tower, you can go here with a click: http://boksanctuary.org/

Now go visit other Skywatch Friday blogs: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

The Eighth Day of Christmas January 1, 2009

The Eighth Day of Christmas

and

New Year's Day

January 1, 2009

Look at the picture above. This was a sideboard in the Pinewood Estate at Lake Wales, Florida. The dining room was decorated to convey the feel of visions of sugar plums dancing in your head while viewing the faux cakes, pies and desserts that were displayed on Depression glass plates with faux carnival glass lights to denote the era of the 1930's. What can I say but what is old is new again. 2009 the new era of Depression glass plates and carnival glass lights.

I also thought this display looked a little bit like a Rose Bowl Parade Float.

Will you watch the parade later this morning? Or is your mind focused on visions of New Year's football bowl games? I must admit that I watch the Rose Bowl Parade every year because it brings back memories of doing so in Ohio in the '50s and '60s. But when the football games take over all the networks I sit down and make my New Years Resolutions List.

Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

So I raise my cup and salute my special blogging buddies blog sites:

Jenn and Terry

Brookeville Daily Photo

Old Lady Lincoln

Dear Noah

My Life

This Is My Blog

Dragon Quilter

Twobytwobytwo

Brush Strokes From The Heart

Poetry and Photography: The Memory Thread

These Days in French Life

Memories Are Made Of This

Groggyland

The Traveler

Pappy's Balderdash

Wings n Things

Pioneer Woman Cooks

Whistlestop Cafe

Heirloom Gardner

Linda Letters Greetings From Seattle

Wiregrass Musings

The Seventh Day of Christmas

The Seventh Day of Christmas

December 31, 2008

New Years Eve Day

Today A True Story From Pinewood Estate at Lake Wales, Florida

Joann: Jack, do you realize that with our ticket to the Bok Tower Scantuary we can also tour the Pinewood Estate of Mr. Buck?

Jack: Yes, I think we should go and see the house decorated for the holidays. You will get a kick out of it since you were a school librarian and read a lot of these once upon a time stories to the students at your elementary school.

A Volunteer at Pinewood: You won't be able to use this powder room. That's why we have it blocked with ribbon. As you can see the holiday fairies have come out of the plumbing to prepare you for a whimsical journey thru Christmas stories. There is a decorated tree in the sink and Mr. and Mrs. Claus are hiding under the sink in the shadows.

Joann and Jack: Oh, No! Joann to Jack: There is probably another bathroom upstairs that is available. Let's check it out.

Jack: Alright, Joann.

Volunteer on Landing of Second Story of Pinewood: As you can see this we have decorated this thirties bathroom in a Carnival style with purple ornaments on the tree in the shower and purple wrapping on the presents.

Joann: Oh my stars! Oh my stars!

Jack: Oh no! Who would put a fully decorated Christmas tree in the bathroom shower?

Joann: Well, let me think a moment. Hmmmmmmmmm............ Volunteer at Second Bathroom of Second Floor Landing of Pinewood: Well, as you can see this bathroom is ready for December 31'st, New Years Eve.

Joann: Well, what for heaven's sake is floating in the tub? Is that bathtub gin?

Volunteer: No silly. That's champagne for toasting in the New Year: 2009.

Joann: Well, this is a fine estate so I suspect that champagne is high quality Moet Chandon from Epernay, France, the birthplace of champagne bubbles.

Jack: I wonder if the Champagne Bubble Man, Lawrence Welk, ever put champagne in his tub for New Years Eve.

Joann: Oh, now there's a thought I could maybe use for our New Years Evening in Virginia: We could soak in a bubble bath while drinking champagne and listening to Lawrence Welk on the phono play Auld Lang Syne!

Jack: Oh my God! I'm not starting the New Year in a tub of bubbles drinking Moet Chandon and listening to Lawrence Welk! I would rather dance the polka!

Joann: Oh, ok! Let's polka. A one, and a two, and a three, ........watch your steps!

Joann and Jack: Happy New Year Everybody!

Drink Sensibly.

Drive Safely.

Watch the Ball Drop.

And most important, dance the polka to the accordian of Myron Floren! And if you can't find Myron Floren music on YouTube dance the polka to Come On To My House, My House Come On that you can find on Joann and Jack's playlist.

December 30 The Sixth Day of Christmas

Look At This.

Look At This.
The Sixth Day of Christmas
Once upon a Time...a Storybook Christmas
at Pinewood Estate in Lake Wales, Florida

Ok, did you figure out the title of the this storybook tale? Have you heard of the baker's daughter who married a prince and is awaiting the birth of her firstborn child. She needs to spin all the straw into gold. There is a crazy little man who lives deep in the medieval forest who says he will do it for her. But he exacts a terrible price for his services. He wants her firstborn child! The baker's daughter can only save herself and her baby if she can rightfully name the crazy little man. What's his name? Is it Jack? Is it Tom, Dick or Harry? Is is George, Leo or Edward? Final guess for you and the baker's daughter. It's Rumpelstiltskin!

Thought for the day: What would you say if your child wanted to name your grandchild Rumpelstiltskin?

Second thought for the day: What would you say if your child wanted to name your grandchild Adolph Hitler? The media has recently reported on this strange and bizarre development somewhere in the world.

Third thought for the day: The middle name that more American male prisoners have than any other is Wayne. Were the parents thinking rugged man like John Wayne when they were naming their son?

Fifth Day of Christmas Present

Very Important News Flash!

I Got A Special Present On The Fifth Day of Christmas!

I Have A New Blog Friend!

Max Lives in Beijing, China.

He Has Given Me His Blog Site.

Unfortunately It Is All In Chinese So I Can't Read The Script.

However, I Do Understand The Language of Music.

Max, I Like Chopin!

And I Do Like Cute Baby Girls!

And Max Has A Cute Baby Girl!

Oh, What Chubby Cheeks That Baby Has!

I Wonder What Her Name Is?

So You Can Share My Christmas Gift By

Clicking Here:

http://hanhuzi.blog.sohu.com/