12 Days DAY 9: EVERGREEN DAY

 

  Welcome to Day 9 of 12 Days. Traditionally celebrated on January 3rd today was called Evergreen Day. Since the 9th Century the Evergreen tree has had a prominent place in Christmas celebrations especially since the publication of the book Kriss Cringles's Christmas Tree in 1845.  In the book Winter Solstice John Matthews has a retelling of the Cherokee Myth surrounding the Evergreen: " When the Great mystery was creating all the trees and plants he wanted to give a special gift for each of them. He couldn't choose who to give the gift to so he held a contest. he told all the young trees he wanted them to stay awake and keep watch over the Earth for 7 days and 7 nights. The trees were very excited at this and after the first night they all were still awake. As time went on though the trees became tired and more and more of them went to sleep. Finally by the seventh night only a few were still awake: The fir, The holly, The laurel, the pine and the cedar. The great Mystery was so impressed he bestowed a gift on them: 'You shall remain green forever and guard  the forest even in the dead of winter while your brothers are sleeping'" Such a great story!  Here are  my  X-mas Trees I have this year: 

  Today I have an Interview with Angela of Reading Angel I really enjoy Angela's Blog and am participating in her January challenge  

                                                        
 Do you like to read Holiday themed books? If so is there one you re- read every year?
I do like Holiday books. I try to read at least one book that fits the theme for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I don't really have any favorites that I re-read. I just try to find some new ones to fit the bill.


What are some of your favorite Holiday Traditions?
One of my favorite Holiday Traditions is making hard candy with my family. A lot of people just wait until the batch hardens and then shatters them, but we don't like them with all the sharp edges. What we do is grab it as soon as it's done in the pot and start stretching and cutting pieces off. Then we roll them into balls.

It so funny though, because you have to do the whole pan super fast before it hardens. So there are 5 or 6 of us trying to get to the pan at once and all of us yelling and fussing about burning our fingers, but we still do it again and again...lol.


I know you love books :) what other types of presents do you like?
I think my favorite presents after books is games. I love trivia games, so things like scene it, etc to play as a family are so fun! Also TV games, like Deal or No Deal or Family Feud.


What book or books would you like to receive as a gift this year ?
Oh man, there are so many on my list!! So of them (in no particular order)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Freefall by Mindi Scott

Thanks So much Angela! make sure you check out her site and sign up for Reading Resolutions!