The Christmas Train

A few days ago a beloved toy came out of the attic.  My young son absolutely adores it.  It is only available about 3 months each year.  The rarity increases its value and magical appeal.   It’s his Christmas Train.  This particular train arrived one late December morning.  This glorious contraption has many pieces, that when fully assembled can circle easily circle a 7 foot pine and the wrapped packages beneath it.  The train is red and green, has lights, whistles, tooting and chugging sound.  There is even a flint that sends out a thin plume of smoke like a burnt match.  Ah, the wonder of it all!  We set it up with the tree sometime in mid-December, and it goes into the attic soon after my son’s birthday in early spring.   One of my favorite Christmas memories involves this toy train.  The morning it arrived, carols played while I cooked in the kitchen. Wrapping paper was all over the floor, with spilled contents of stockings.   I looked up over the counter to the family room, where three generations of  boys laid with their bellies on the ground.  No heads were visible, only three pairs of legs sticking out from under the tree, along with endless ooh’s, ah’s, and giggles.   Our dear Papa has gone, fallen just over a year ago to cancer than came on hard and strong.  Christmas will never be the same for either my son or my husband, having lost the giant of a man they both adored.  So, this year, as we put up the tree and the train, and we giggle and we sing, and we cry a little too.

Crock Pot Chicken Marsala:

• 1 small whole chicken (about 5 pounds)
• 1 cup white table wine, if you use “cooking wine” don’t add salt
• 1 cup water
• Several carrots, sliced into coins
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Put the veggies and garlic in the bottom of the crock pot, cover with water & wine, stir in the salt.  Set the chicken on top of the veggies, poke holes in the top with a knife, baste chicken about every half hour. Cook on high.   After chicken reaches an internal temp of 140 degrees F, add the lemon juice to the stock, then rub the still condensed soup over the top of the bird, then let stew for about another hour, until internal meat temp is about 160 degrees F.  Total cooking time is roughly 4 hours, longer if use use a low setting or start with frozen meat.  Serve with starch of choice, I used chicken flavor rice-a-roni.  

FBCA Christmas Extravaganza

On Saturday, December 1^st Fernandina Beach Christian Academy hosted their inaugural Christmas Extravaganza.  Children and families enjoyed more than a dozen activities including story-telling, games, crafts, food, sweet treats, a bouncy house, picture opportunities and festive decorations.  Live music was presented by local children’s choirs and soloists. The Santa Shop offered gifts and home goods, ranging in price from 50 cents to over $50.  This event is scheduled to occur first Saturday of each December.  FBCA thanks the many volunteers and businesses who supported the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the school.  FBCA is currently enrolling new students for this academic year.  Scholarship applications are available. For more information about the school, call 904-491-5664 or look online at www.fernandinachristianacademy.com

If You Ask

If you ask for help, don’t be surprised if you get an answer. Also, don’t be surprised if the answer is not what you were looking for. This weekend I answered a post to a group on Facebook. A parent of a special needs child had asked for help with a particular issue. I answered, giving my professional advice, based on training, experience, and the limited information I had available to me at the time. I was shocked by the intense anger of her reaction. If you want a few suggestions from sympathizers, post to Facebook. If you need customized solutions, consult appropriate professionals who can examine your individual situation.