Preparing Christmas candy is one of the most important activity done by family members on Christmas days. People enjoy Christmas candy during the holiday season as these have many good uses. Apart from eating it, one might also consider giving Christmas candy as gifts. It is great fun to make Christmas candy as most homemade candy lasts quite a long time, and has the added benefit of being custom made. The recipes can be adjusted to the individual taste of the intended recipient. Early candy canes were intentionally shaped like that of a shepherd's crook to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for humanity. The earliest candy canes were pure white and were invented in the 17th century. But modern day Christmas candy is as extremely colorful and decorat... 12/06/2012

  Merry Christmas!   The Legend of The Candy Cane A humble candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a special gift for the King of Kings, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy to symbolize the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Christ, and hard because the church is built on solid rock, and firmness, for God’s promises are a firm foundation. He formed it in the shape of the letter -J- to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down in to the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. Then ... 12/05/2012

Marissa is in the Middle...of course. Yesterday before church, Marissa comes stomping in the living room in her high heels and pajamas, a scarf and gloves. She looks at me, dead serious and says "Mom, I'm leaving" Me: Where are you going? Marissa: On vacation Me: For how long? Marissa: Umm about 100, 150 days. Me: Oh, okay. Where are you going? Marissa: Well, I've thought about it... and I'm going to Grandpa Dave's. He doesn't have any kids and he misses me. Me: Oh, okay. Marissa: I came here for a little while to be your honey bun but now it's time for me to get a job a move on with my life. — 12/03/2012

  The holiday cookie contest is this Wednesday! Drop off a dozen of your homemade cookies (with their name, recipe, and your contact information) at The State Port Pilot office between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and you could win a salon/spa package ($200 value), a gift certificate and basket to Cat on a Whisk ($100 value ), or a stained glass piece from Anastasia's ($100+ value). What are you waiting for- it's 12 cookies!   A very fun day for those that are at the State Port Pilot.  WE get to sample the cookies after the judging.   I love to do the sampling..   Ginger of Southport 12/03/2012

Today has been an absolutely beautiful day in Southport North Carolina. In Church today, we had a interpretive dance of the Messiah performed for us.  They were so lovely in their day and it was such a pleasure to watch. After Church we came home with the children nd Grandchildren to a delicious Sunday Dinner.   Our Menu: Roast Pork Rice and Gravy Butter beans Corn Eggplant and Onion (Fresh from the garden) Sweet Tea Chocolate Souffle   After Dinner, we sat around and visited while watching a Barney Movie....(Compliments of Marissa, our four year old granddaughter..   Such a delightful Day...Hope yours was fun also..   12/02/2012

Tonight we have the finale of the Charles Dickens Festival in Southport, North Carolina. I was a volunteer at the Amuzu Theatre where the actors were preforming skits of different Dickens stories. WE have a lot of talented folks that live in the area and we were so pleasantly surprised by this performance. This Thretre will only hold 112 folks...we have about 200 lined up for the 6:00 show and had to turn many away. Same thing happened for the 7:00 show. WE should have had at least 4 performances to be accommodating to the folks that wanted to see the performance. Learned something from this year to use next year.   Have a great evening..   Ginger of Southport 12/01/2012

Holiday Parades and Showing Homes Today there were Holiday Parades all over the Brunswick County area as well as outdoor art shows and other holiday activities.Frank scheduled homes to see with our clients that were in the vicinity of parades and holiday activities. He made a point to time then around the parades so we wouldn't have streets closed or blocked off.Our clients were staying in the busy area of Southport but we managed to get in and out before it was too busy. Better than that we had them back in Southport in plenty of time to enjoy many of the Holiday Festivities going on. CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA PARADEOAK ISLAND It was a gorgeous sunny day in the high 60's and our clients were thrilled with the balmy weather. We started at 11:00 am and promised we would drop them back in Sout... 12/01/2012

  Charles Dickens Christmas Festival is taking place here November 30 - December 1.  It is a time in our town when we dress up like the characters in the Dickens books.  So much fun to see the town with folks in period costumes dress up and doing their thing.  Tomorrow I will be the hostess at the Amuzu Theatre and will be showing folks around and telling them more about Dickens and the books that he wrote. I have seen Tiny Tim in Town today..   So much fun. Ginger       11/30/2012

Oh Boy... I have hung in for 30  days..Tomorrow is December 1, right? It has been a wonderful experience and if you just write about what is happening with you each day, you will find plenty for a blob a day.  I did not have any great informatiion to share, but the fishing at Thanksgiving was unbelievable.  WE caught over 30 large fish (large to me) ranging from 3 to 7 pounds.  That is a lot of fish...Finally we were doing catch and release.  Thanksgiving was great, having 25 family members around for the better part of a week. Now, It is time for Christmas...(Remember the Reason for the SEASOn) Tonight, I will be singing at the "Lighting of the Tree" on Oak Island, NC.  This is always a special time of the year..   Hope you have a wonderful Day. 11/29/2012

This year has been a lot better than I have anticipated.  Is it going to be a good year for us in 2013? Seems like I have been working harder than ever trying to maintain a level of business that allows me to succeed and grow my business in 2013.   I find that it is harder and harder to obtain and maintain my market share in Brunswick County.  My goal is to stay on the 1st page of agents.  I think I am #54 for the county with about 750 agents.  Guess that is not that bad. I think that I am understanding that it is going to be very much like the last half of 2012. That is ok with me....I did most of my business then. Have you had similar problems, please share with me your ideas on how we can move forth in getting our share and more.   Ginger of Southport NC   11/28/2012

This day started out a bit unclear but as the morning went on, I found myself at a board meeting with other bankers and Realtor's to discuss the housing industry and what we can do to make it better.  No solutions were met but a lot of great discussion took place and I am excited to learn more. Next, I found out that two of my precious grandchildren were in the emergency rooms with high fevers...so off to the hospital I go...to see what a Grandmother love can do to make things better. Now, I am at the office to find out what needs my attention the most and try to put out any fires that may have popped up.  Working on multiple offers on 3 lots and they are all short sales.  What great fun.. After I solve these problems, I will go and practice for our Christmas Cantata that will be next w... 11/28/2012

It was such a fun day.. After Thanksgiving...it is now a tradition to bake Christmas Cookies for the Family to have and to Share with one another. We had five of our Grandchildren and 2 cousins to join us in the baking. The recipe for the dough is so simple...   1 stick of butter 2 cups of sugar 2 cups of flour 2 eggs tsp of vanilla.   Mix like you were working with biscuits - with hands   Roll out with rolling pin on floured surface...(as you can see, I am using a very old Tupperware rolling sheet) Cut dough out with cookie cutter and decorate anyway you like..  Sprinkles, chips, nuts, anything... Bake at 375 for about 10 to 12 minutes.   Best used when chilled. Our Grandchildren are too impatient to wait,   Enjoy..   11/26/2012

11/26/2012

  Today is the last day that we will have company.  Our first arrivals were last Tuesday.  Next on Wednesday and then on Thursday we had 25, most went back home and then on friday more arrivals.. To say the very least, we have  had a great time.  But.... Fixing all of the meals and doing the washing and Ironing has taken a toll on me to day.  All I want to do is sleep.   It will be the same next year and I love it...but I feel like slowing down a bit.   Hope that you are at peace in your home tonight..   Ginger of Southport 11/26/2012

I know that I have told you over the past few days that we were going to have a seafood dinner from the  creek.  Over the past 3 days, we have caught over 25 fish off the dock.  WE caught Trout, Black Drum and Puppy Drum.  Ranging from 3 pounds up to about 6 pounds.  The Black Drum is the tastiest of all of the fish that we ate. I cooked 7 large fish tonight along with boiled and fried shrimp, Cole slaw, french fries, hush-puppies, lemon pie and sweet tea. What a feast we have had. Now we are all sitting around, talking and having a great evening.   Wish you were here..       11/24/2012

                                                                        Thanksgiving 2012       How could I ever say this?  This was one of the BEST Thanksgiving Days that we have ever celebrated.. Usual suspects... Wife, Husband, 4 children,3 grandchildren, 2 sons in law, 2 brothers, 6 cousins.  3 friends.   I think  that totaled 22 for Thanksgiving Dinner.  What a fun day.   Started out with 2 on the Dock..Catching Drum (Puppy and Black)  18 to 20 inches each.    Then the food Prep starts. Anna  our daughter helped with the cooking.   Menu: Roasted Turkey Roasted Ham Rice and Gravy Oyster Dressing and Plain Dressing Corn (put it up this past summer) Peas Butterbeans Garden Peas Cranberry Sauce Cranberry salad Broccili and Cheese Casserole   For  Dessert: Pumpkin Pie Peacan Pies Lemon ... 11/22/2012

Nine myth-busting tips you need to cook your bird with confidence. by Kemp Minifie, Gourmet Let's dispense with the regular turkey gobbledygook that permeates the media at this time of year and get down to basics: You've got a big, raw bird sitting in your fridge, a bunch of guests coming with holiday-high expectations in tow, and you need help. Sure, you may have heard all kinds of rules, lore, and even a few horror stories, but here's what you really need to know to successfully roast a turkey on Thanksgiving. 1. Don't Wash the Turkey
 This directive alone will probably shock you. And it holds true for chicken, too. Would you believe it comes directly from the super-cautious folks at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a division of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA... 11/21/2012

THIS BLOG WAS FROM GREGG PAUL AND I WANTED TO REPOST IT..BUT I COULD NOT DO IT.  SO I COPIED IT FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO USE..   As we move towards the end of the year, it time to put pen to paper about what worked (and what didn’t) this year, and our goals for next year. There’s no perfect recipe for success, but after a dozen years in the business, I can truly attest to the fact that “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Do you have a business plan? If not, or if you’re looking to be more focused in 2013, here’s a list of questions that might help clarify what parts of your business to focus on in 2013. 1.Do you have a centralized database of names, addresses, phone numbers and other information on your clients readily available at a moment’s notice? 2.How many do you talk to each week... 11/20/2012

I know that there is a Group that we can post our recipes to but I can not find it.  So thought I would post this for YOU to enjoy.  Not hard to make and will receive Wonderful Comments..I can't even begin to tell you how good it is.. *****************************************************************************    Beaver Dam Creek ~ Holiday Shrimp Dish               Ingredients: 2 pounds of Shrimp (Peeled and devaned) boil till just turn pink--Drain (Best to use Fresh Shrimp) 2 boxes of Uncle Ben Wild Rice (cook as per instruction on the box 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup 1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 small can of Mushrooms 1 Stick of Butter 1 small Yellow Bell Pepper 1 small Red Bell Pepper 1 Medium Onion Tabasco Sauce Worcheshire Sauce Salt and Pepper 　 In a sauce pan, melt 1 stic... 11/19/2012

    WEll,  I am the Grandma of 6 and Love  every minute of it.  From Youngest to oldest: AngaElla, 2 years old,  a firey redheaded, blue eyed beauty, a Dancer Marissa, 4 years old,  the Blue eyed Blong Beauty, a Dancer Joshua, 7 year old, brown hair and blue eyed handsome young man that is enjoying Scouts Jonah, 10 year old, blonde hair, blue eyed handsomed young man that is a wrestler Clay, the 16 year old, blonde hair, blue eyed 6ft 4 in. , 325 lb. Football Player..(Guess the Position0 And Kathleen, our 19 year old Blonde hair, blue eyed beauty that attends College of Charleston. in South Carolina.   And tonight I will hae the 4 and the 7 year old with us for a sleep over.  We are going to roast hot dogs in the fireplace and then flame some Marshmellows..   Hope that you all have as m... 11/16/2012