Here are some dances, choreographed by our own Ruth Hyde, performed at the Rochester Friends Meeting House at 84 Scio Street, Rochester, NY.

Our batteries died half way through the dance, but we got most of it!

Enjoy,
Rebecca Wolf

Here is a video of some of the stars in our Christmas celebration at the Rochester Friends Meeting.

Enjoy,

Rebecca Wolf

Christmas Celebration 2008

We went to a Solstice party today (we got snowed out last week) with a groovy Indian food theme. I made mango lassi, a Pomander salad, which is not Indian but seemed seasonally appropriate, and Indian rice pudding (aka Kheer). We also sampled some delish samosas, Chana Masala, dahl, Aloo Gobi and a chicken dish. Here is the recipe for Aunt Tracy’s killer Indian fudge:

Quick Nariyal Burfi (Indian Coconut Fudge)
3 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 1/2 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon ground cardamom (optional)

1.   Grease a 9×9 inch pan. Stir together the coconut and condensed milk in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Cook on High in the microwave for 7 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. When the coconut mixture is hot and bubbling, stir in the almonds and cardamom. Pour into the prepared pan, and smooth the top with a spatula.
2. Cool for 1 hour in the refrigerator, then cut into 1 inch squares with a greased knife.

Oh what fun it is to sing carols and eat like a pig with your friends — hey!

Rebecca

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I’m totally addicted to gift bags because who has time to find the tape and the darn wrapping paper with 2 kids running around? Plus, they are REUSABLE.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Artifical, for same reason as #1

3. When do you put up the tree?

This year, it was last Tuesday, during an atypical lull. As with most things, we have no set schedule.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Sometime after New Year’s and before Valentine’s Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Only if it’s spiked.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

A diary with a lock and key.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

Everyone, when I am forced to do it. Call me Ebenezer.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

Myself, of course!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Nope.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Usually mail because the only gift long distance relatives receive is our family photo. (In lieu of basking in our glorious presence, of course.)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Striped socks with individual toesies.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Not a fan of any.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Christmas Eve.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Hell yeah.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Cookies, duh.

16. What decorations are on your tree?

Pinecones my mom and I harvested, spray painted gold and then glued beads, ribbon and flowers onto; styrofoam fruit painted gold, burgundy bows, and assorted shreds of paper hung by Arianna.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Anything by the Carpenters.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

Go to my parents.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Aren’t there 8 of them?

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

Had a star until DD broke it. Now using an angel my cousin made me.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

In WNY, the cold and the piles of snow when you’re trying to travel.

23. What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

Burgundy and gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

Lots of food.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

Peace on Earth (I know, cop out, but I can’t reveal ALL of my secrets to the public at large). If you really care, send me a gift card, traveler’s checks, or cold, hard cash! Oh yeah, and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Here’s a Christmas Meme that’s going around some of my fave blogs, so I thought I’d share it with you!

Enjoy,

Rebecca

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

2. Real tree or Artificial?

3. When do you put up the tree?

4. When do you take the tree down?

5. Do you like eggnog?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

7. Hardest person to buy for?

8. Easiest person to buy for?

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

16. What decorations are on your tree?

17. Favorite Christmas song?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

23. What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?