IRCLE
OF 
RIENDS
elcome
to our Christmas 2004 and thank you to Daphne from the Argentina for the graphic you see at the top of this newsletter.
(Bigsis Original Design)
Online Newsletter
Hello everyone!
I would like to start this week's issue off with The Twelve Days Of Christmas sent in by Marie Linder from Florida.
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.
Messages from Members
Thought you might want to hear about this Wonderful day I had, Friday 17th, It certainly was a one of a kind.
Oh my new name is now :
"THE LOCK OUT QUEEN!"
What a day yesterday!
- Got up & had a massive headache to begin with.
- Then on my way to the grocery, just over the bridge where I have to go, there was an accident and had traffic held up for at least 20 minutes. Gas tank almost on empty because I didn't pay attention when I left.
- Got through that then went to post office & got stamps, Almost got run over from my car to the building,
- then when I was going down the back way to Walmart, some guy ran a stop sign & almost hit the side of my car.
- I went grocery shopping and when I was ready to use my bank card it had a scratch on it so the manager had to come & key it all in. This took about 30 minutes.
- I was on my way out the doors & the buzzers went off like I took something! The guy walking next to me was stealing a CD! Of course we all got stopped.
- Then I went to the car...put my purse & cell phone in first because a couple of guys looked suspicious and I didn't want them to get my purse. I turned around to start getting the groceries & my "BIG BUTT," hit the only unlocked door so I was locked out with No Purse, No Cell Phone, No Money but a whole basket full of groceries! Tried to make the window go down with NO LUCK.
- Went back in Walmart (me & groceries) to call John for help. They wouldn't let me call long distance! So a wonderful Lady gave me her cell to use.
- I then went out and waited on the bench for John....guess what? I forgot to tell him where I was! So here he is going to Winn Dixie & Food Lion looking for me and finally to Walmart.
- I was almost in tears and a lady about 70 years old, came by & said how are you? I said locked out of my car. She said I know what you mean when "WE" get "OUR AGE"....it is easy to do!!
- I started laughing so hard....now I must look her age!!
PS. The reason I am now the Lock out queen is because I did almost the same thing at Mom & Dad's during a family gathering a few months ago, only John & I both had our keys in the locked car! Oh how we had fun!!
FEATURED SITES
- Dorothy from Ontario Canada sent in this beautiful story about Peace, Faith, Love & Hope
- Carol from New York, USA tells us that Victoria and David Beckham's wax doubles have been given starring roles in a celebrity nativity scene at Madame Tussauds in London.
Fun Tests & Quizzes & Games
Belinda from Ontario, Canada sends us this Disco Dancing Santa fun page.Have fun with the Dancing Santa!
- Change the background by clicking on the snowballs under Trees.
- Change Santa's dance by clicking the snowballs under Dances.
- Change the music selection by clicking on the snowballs under Music.
- Use your arrow keys to take Santa to his goal of complete alcoholic oblivion!
- Use your arrow keys to guide Santa Clause to his liquor without getting hit by the toy train or touch the electric tracks.
- Occasionally you have to catch a cupcake or two to sober him up a
bit.
Crafts
Bea from Florida, USA wonders if we know what exactly is Funky Shui? Well, if feng shui is the art of arranging objects to promote harmony, then Funky Shui is the art of arranging objects to make your home and your life fun.
The WWWCOF Craft of the Month is coming our way January, 2005. Crafty Jayne from Kansas, USA and Loretta from Texas, USA are hard at working putting this together for us and I can't wait to see it get started. What fun we will have! Keep your eye on this section for updates.
Be sure to check out all the wonderful craft ideas in the WWWCOF Craft Site and add your own favourites or email Crafty Jayne who will be happy to add them to our ever growing collection.
Recipes
Christmas Fruit Cake for Diabetics
This is really good. I made it and i am going to make another this week for christmas because the first one is gone. Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c .[375 ml]chopped candied fruit
- 1/2 c. [125 ml] raisins
- 1/4 c.[50ml] rum or strong cold coffee
- 1 1/4 [300ml] all purpose flour
- 3/4 c. [175ml] SPLENDA granular
- 2 tsp[10ml] baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. cinammon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 c. vegetable oil
- 1/2 c. coursely chopped nuts [pecans walnuts filberts ]
- Combined candied fruit ; raisins and rum. let stand 30 min. or until most of liguid is absorbed.
- Mix flour, SPLENDA, baking powder, cinammon, nutmeg, allspice and salt and set aside
- Whisk together eggs, applesauce and oil until smooth.
- Stir in fruit mixture, flour mixture and nuts until well blended.
- Spread evenly in greased 8 by 4 by 12 in pan.
- Bake at 350 for 45 to 50 min. or until tester comes out clean. Cool for 30 min.
- Wrap and put in fridge
Enjoy! It is good Maxine from Ontario, Canada! Merry Christmas
Do you have a recipe for us to enjoy? We would love for you to add it to all the wonderful recipes being collected in the WWWCOF Cookbook or email The Recipe Lady aka Claudia who will be happy to add them for you.
Members Questions & Answers
Send in your questions to be posted here!
News & Announcements
- Silent Night
- I think one of my favorites would be Silent night. It is a very old and traditional song. I also like a song that was put out a few years ago. It is called Mary did you know. It makes me think of why we celebrate Christmas for. There is my 2 favorites but on a lighter note I like to listen to the Chimpmunks music. Have a very Merry Christmas to all my WWWCOF and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. Love, Jayne from Kansas, USA
- It is really hard to pick just one, I like them all. But if I can name only one it would be "Silent Night". Fran from Tennessee USA
- Silent night is my favorite, why? because I had a tape of it, sung by my sister who passed but had to let it go as, I gave it to my sister's daughter . So every time I hear it I think of my sister, Bea from Florida, USA
My favorite christmas song is "Silent Night" with "Little Drummer Boy" a close second. Irene from Ontario, Canada
- My overall favourite is Silent Night, with I'm Dreamin' of a White Christmas a close second love Daphne from Argentina
- My favorite Christmas song is "Silent Night". Besides baking different types of cookies, and figuring out where to put all the people that will be here on Christmas Eve, nothing else is going on. Just trying to keep up on everything. Carol from New York, USA
- my favorite is SILENT NIGHT Maxine from Ontario, Canada
- so is Pami from New York, USA's favourite Silent Night -- the goofy Pami likes Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer with Adam Sandler's Hannuhhak song in second place.
- Oh Holy Night
- Oh Holy Night & Winter Wonderland are a couple of my favorites. I would like to wish all of our WWWCOF friends a Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. Linda from Alabama, USA
- My favorite has always been "Oh Holy Night". Just love it. Cindy from USA
- Ruth from Michigan, USA's favourite is O Holy Night.
- Winter Wonderland
- Favorite Christmas song; Walking in the winter wonderland. Marie Linder from Florida, USA
- - Winter Wonderland........"In the meadow we can build a snowman then pretend that he is Parson Brown...He'll say "are you married" we'll say "no man but you can do the job when you're in town". Shirley from Vancouver Island, Canada
- War is Over
- I love - War is over - it goes - so this is Christmas and what have we done - another years over and a new one coming on - you will know it I am sure - love Jeanette from the Land Down Under
- Little Drummer Boy
My favorite Christmas song of all is LITTLE DRUMMER BOY. I would just like to thank everyone for their friendship and when needed, prayers this past year. Also my site will be opening in January 2005. A very Safe and Merry Christmas to all with the Happiest of a New Year to come. Love Charla from Florida, USA
- Santa Baby
Santa Baby is Sheena from Nassau in the Bahamas' favourite
My personal favourite has to be It is beginning to look like Christmas everywhere we go... Merry Christmas Everyone! Love from my family to yours! Sharon - Vancouver Island, Canada.
Mystery Member
Clue: Time for another clue for our Mystery Member. She is from the United States of American, married and has one son. She collects Campbells, Angels, Victorian stuff, Cat Figurines!Remember, at any time you think you know who the mystery member is please email me!
The clues can be found throughout the Circle of Friends Members site and elsewhere on the many online sites.
If you think it might be you..........you never know it could be!!
Good Luck and.........
Have Fun!
If you have not completed your WWWCOF Survey yet please take a visit over to the Survey Page where you can easily complete and submit it online.
Tips & Recommendations
Do you have any tips or recommendations that you would like to pass along to the other members. Email me and I will get it published.
DISCLAIMER: Tips reflect member suggestions and are not verified by the WWWCOF.
Member of the Month Nominations
Nominations are arriving for the December Member of the Month so be sure to cast your ballot here today!
Swaps
Keep your eye on section of the newsletter for our International Swap Information. Questions? Need additional information? Email our Swap Queen, Ruth. These exchanges are a lot of fun, they are inexpensive and are a great way to get to know the fantastic people who belong to this wonderful circle.
Have a wonderful time doing these swaps!!!
Newspaper Articles
Department of Vital Statistics
I've just added the Pets Album to the Photo Album site. We are now up to 8 (count em eight!) albums. We still have lots of room, if anyone has any ideas for any other uniques albums, I'd welcome them. And, as always looking for photos from members.Use the following instructions to login:
- You'll see three grey tabs just below and to the left of the My Photo Album logo: ALBUM LIBRARY; LOGIN; and HELP
- Click on LOGIN
- Another screen will popup that says "Login to Gallery "
- Beside Username type: bigsispat(all in lowercase)
- Beside Password type: circle (all in lowercase)
- Then click on the Login button below.
luv & hugs BigSisPat from Ontario, Canada
Do remember to visit the Vital Statistics Department December Celebrations Gallery.
Birthdays and Anniversaries for December include:
- Justine Broatch (Brit Pat’s daughter) on the 25th
- Erika Fryer from the USA also celebrates on the 25th
I wonder if these two young ladies are the same age. Rumour has it that Erika is turning the big 16 -- how old will Justine be on Christmas Day? - Harve Skaines on Dec 28
- Cosby Wilson on Dec 31
- Kathy Newport also on Dec 31
- Haley Mathena (Loretta’s granddaughter) also on Dec 31
Haley is in the same age bracket as our two Christmas Birthday members Justine and Erika). Looks like we are going to have to get the next chapter of the WWWCOF in the works soon - the 13 - 25 age group. Any volunteers to organize this chapter? - Jayne & Darrell Melstrom will be celebrating their anniversary on the 16th
- Mary & Bill McWhinnie will be celebrating their anniversary on the 30th
Grab a coffee and enjoy the updated Trivia Page.
From the Trivia Page you can link to the Countdown Page where I’ve included only Christmas Trivia
And from there to the Holiday Recipe Page where you can find a few not so usual Holiday recipes I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone one of you a Happy, Healthy and Joyous Holiday Season as well as a prosperous 2005.
I hope you enjoy the December Trivia pages as much as I did putting them all together.
Luv & hugs BigSisPat from Ontario, Canada
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Our Travelling Mascott
RUBY HAS ARRIVED!!! at Becky's home in Ocean City, Maryland, USA. WOOHOO!!!.
Here she is with Becky making stockings, she said for Christmas. Ruby would like to know why people want such strange stockings for Christmas. After all, this is her first one. So come on someone. Just what is this tradition of Christmas Stockings and where does it come from?
Ruby also said she was glad she got a picture with Jay. He has such a nice furry face.
Read all about our globe trotting mascot in her journal by clicking on the picture of her logo!
Email Ruby and don't be surprised when you see your message in her online journal! I know she would love to hear from you.
If you want to get your name on the list for Ruby to visit you, just drop a line to Daphne from Argentina and she will add you. Who knows, yours just might be the name little Agos picks out.... as she is the one in charge of the draws.
Let's Do Lunch
Back Row - left to right - Patsi, George, Ruth & Rob
Front Row - left to right - Dee & Caroline
Love from Ruth from Michigan, USA.
Just for Fun
David from Jolly ol England says Christmas wouldn't be the same without these:
- Good Day and
- Santa Power
Here is a Wacky Winter Maze to try to complete.
Be sure to visit our Computer Humour site! Email Daphne from Argentina with any computer jokes you have and she will happily add them to this collection.
I do hope you have enjoyed this week's issue and a very Merry Christmas to all.
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