I’m glad the days are slowly getting longer and brighter. The busyness of shopping, decorating, cooking is over. The week between Christmas and New Year is a time of rest, reflection and change. A time to reset, look in the mirror, plan for the future. These are dark days. Goodness and ...

My Mom grew up during the 1930s in a secular home. She had little concept of special holidays or religious celebrations of any type. When she was four, walking to the market with her nanny on a cold December day, they stopped at her fiance’s home, where she was mesmerized by the sight and ...

Hanukkah is a feast of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for God’s protection, kindness and blessing. Short, dark December days cause us to welcome this festival of lights, regardless of religious or cultural tradition. A national rather than a religious holiday, Hanukkah commemorates ...

In December, many Americans embark on a shopping frenzy. Many feel obligated to spend money on useless, over-priced trinkets for friends and family. This year, with the economy tanking and prices rising, try a different approach: make food gifts in the peace and quiet of your home. Everyone ...

However, whenever, whatever you do — December is the time to celebrate! Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Most Americans eat the same basic menu of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad and pie. In December, we gravitate to our own traditions. Some celebrate Christmas. Some, ...

On Thanksgiving Day, turkey, squash, potatoes, pie gobble, gobble, gulp. For food, fun, friends, family, give thanks today, and always. Thanksgiving — a time to be grateful and give thanks — is an American tradition. We give thanks for the blessings we’ve received: blessings of food and ...