A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-19-06 .... Finest Christmas Poetry and Poetry

12-19-06 | JustAmy and Mama_Bear

[JustAmy]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Christmastime Is Friendship Time

At Christmastime our hearts reach out
To friends we think of dearly
And checking through our friendship lists,
As all of us do yearly,

We stop awhile to reminisce
And to pleasantly review
Happy little happenings
And things we used to do,

And though we've been too busy
To keep in touch all year,
We send a Christmas greeting
At this season of good cheer.

So Christmas is a lovely link
Between old years and new
That keeps the bond of friendship
Forever unbroken and true.

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

Roast Pork with Cranberry Glaze

INGREDIENTS
2 (16 ounce) cans jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
4 pounds pork roast
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
salt to taste

DIRECTIONS
Mash cranberry sauce with a fork or a potato masher. Stir in sugar, cranberry juice, mustard, and cloves.
Place pork roast in a large, roasting pan. Pour cranberry sauce mixture over the roast.
Cook at 275 degree F (135 degrees C) for 6 to 8 hours, or until meat is tender. Remove roast, and keep warm.
With a metal spoon, skim the fat from the liquid in the roasting pan. Pour 2 cups of the remaining roasting liquid (add water to fill out the measure if necessary) into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Blend cornstarch and cold water to make a paste; stir gradually into boiling liquid. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Add salt to taste. Serve with the roast.

Decorations in the Air

Gaily bedecked, only slightly henpecked, we have triumphed in spite of the storm.
Now even our house, and a put-upon spouse, can rest easy and be safe and warm.
Yuletide treasures decorate, from the start to the end of the hall,
And each little one will be finding a gift, for we haven’t forgotten at all,

That the littlest ones are believers, and they know that the best gift by far,
Was a seemingly helpless child of God, in a package adorned by a star.
We’ll celebrate giving to others, and receiving with thanks and a prayer,
All the miriad ways of our blessings, at a time when there’s frost in the air.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . December 14, 2004

Christmas Lights
By Marie Irish

Bright Christmas stars shine on high,
Golden stars in the wint'ry sky;
Christmas candles in windows bright
Send a greeting into the night;
While in our hearts the Christmas flame,
Glows with a love like His who came,
The infant Christ of lowly birth,
To bring good will and peace to earth.






Bring Us Home Again

He slowly came awake today
and he lumbered to his feet,
for it was just two hours
before that he faded off to sleep.

He donned the day's attire and
grabbed his M-16.
He headed off to breakfast to keep
him strong and lean.

As he walked down to the chow line
he kept a watchful eye.
He didn't want the enemy
to take him by surprise.

As the chaplin said a special prayer
on this very special day,
he kept thinking of his family
that is oh so far away.

He rubbed his left breast pocket
where he keeps a picture of his wife
and a letter from his daughter that
he reads most every night.

He fought back a single tear
as he stared out at the sand,
wishing he could be back home
with his family close at hand.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts
and then be on his way.
He's defending our great country
and has little time to play.

When he got out to the fence line,
his buddy by his side,
he exchanged a "Merry Christmas"
followed by a tired sigh.

He climbed upon the watchtower,
his mouth a tiny grin.
He said, "Merry Christmas to the world"
and "God, please, bring us home again".

~Bradley A. Peraino~

God bless our troops





you see a fat man ...
Who's jolly and cute,
wearing a beard
and a red flannel suit,
and if he is chuckling
and laughing away,
while flying around
in a miniature sleigh
with eight tiny reindeer
to pull him along,
then lets face it...

Your eggnog's too strong!

Author Unknown








Apricot Baked Ham

INGREDIENTS
1 (5 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
20 whole cloves
1/2 cup apricot preserves
3 tablespoons dry mustard
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

DIRECTIONS
Score the surface of the ham with shallow diamond-shaped cuts. Combine preserves and mustard; spread over ham. Pat brown sugar over apricot mixture. Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes per pound or until ham is heated through and thermometer reads 140 degrees F.

Christmas For Cowboys

Tall in the saddle we spend Christmas Day,
Drivin' the cattle on the snow-covered plains.
All of the good gifts given today;
Ours is the sky and the wide open range.

Back in the cities, they have diff'rent ways,
Football and eggnog and Christmas parades.
I'll take the blanket; I'll take the reins;
Christmas for cowboys and wide open plains.

A campfire for warmth as we stop for the night;
The stars overhead are the Christmas-tree lights,
The wind sings a hymn as we bow down to pray;
Christmas for cowboys and the wide open range.

It's tall in the saddle we spend Christmas Day,
Drivin' the cattle on the snow-covered plains.
So many gifts have been opened today;
Ours is the sky and the wide open range,
It's Christmas for cowboys and wide open plains.
~Steve Weisberg

10-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #17

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-18-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess; dollycali;The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty Gonzo ........... Son-in-law varina davis............ Grandson Rivendell............ daughter Americaninfidel0 .. active duty txradioguy .......... active duty USMCWife6869 ...... husband 2ndDivisionVet........brotherinlaw

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead................... grandnephew tongue-tied ............ active duty W.W.Smith........................... son Vigilante2 .......... #2 Soldier David Jaxter ................. son-in-law AgThorn & Lily4Jesus ........ son 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter

[Diver Dave]

Good Evenin' Amy. Brrrrr!
We've got overnight frost predictions this week. Sure hope it doesn't damage our orange and lemon trees. Lost a grapefruit tree a few years ago to the frost and the tangelo hasn't produced good for a couple of years.

[JustAmy]

CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

Christmas shoppers in our town
See colorful displays all around,
Not general stores like earlier times,
But specialty shops of every kind.

To the flower-shop to buy a wreath,
Then the candy-shop for something sweet.
Around the corner, to my surprise,
Was a greeting-card shop...they specialize.

Now it's all so easy with this huge display,
I'll find what I want and be on my way.
First, for my parents, a religious theme
Like the wisemen, three, or the manger scene,

Of the shepherds watching their flocks by night,
Awe-struck by the star of Heavenly light,
Or any card to reverence the name . . .
Of the One who Christmas, His name contains.

There were rows of Santa and his elves,
And snow scenes covered several shelves,
There were reindeer, sleds, and Christmas trees,
And, at last, in a corner . . . the Wisemen, three.

My joy was brief, for when I turned the leaf,
It said to minister and his wife so sweet.
With empty hands I sought the door,
Our Lord's birthday had been traded for...

A sled of toys, and a holly-spray,
Every sign of our Saviour swept away,
Rudolph and Frosty rule the Inn,
And Christ is turned away again.

His name in Christmas is all that's left,
That too, is vulnerable to theft,
For some today . . . may God forgive us,
Let "X" take the place of Christ in Christmas.

- Wallace D. Honley -

[JustAmy]

Good evening, DD.

Mighty cold tonight. We have water running in our oranges. I think we already lost the two avocados.

Hopefully it is too cold for dense fog.

[JustAmy]

My Christmas Tree

My little Christmas tree has known,
On a vast and stony height,
The quiet hours of noonday peace,
The glowing silence of the night.

It drew its strength from God's own hills
And deeply drank of rain and dew,
Resisted stormwinds, sleet and rain,
And through them all grew straight and true.

Now as I decorate my tree
With wreaths and bells and candle light,
I'll lift my eyes unto the hills
And hear the stars sing peace tonight.

By Laressa Cox McBurney
Published in Always The Prairie in 1949

[NicknamedBob]

What The Elves Do, Christmas Eve

I wonder what the Elves do,
When Santa gets on his sleigh?
Do they play with toys and all make noise,
While the Big Guy is away?

Do the Elves get a chance to breathe easier,
Or do they just collapse?
Do they rush to the phones to call relatives,
Or catch up on their naps?

If I were an Elf at Christmas
I’d take in a good breath of air,
I’d kneel down in a quiet corner,
And I’d offer up a prayer.

“Happy Birthday, Jesus!
The year is nearly past,
We’ve been almost too busy,
To think of you at last.”

“Enjoy your birthday, Jesus,
We’ve tried for Peace once more,
We haven’t had much better luck,
Than we have had before.”

“But we will keep on trying,
To give the gift you’d like,
Much better than Susy’s little doll,
Or Tommy’s brand new bike.”

“You know the children love you,
And we do what we can.
Someday we know it will come true,
We’re following your plan!”

NicknamedBob . . . . December 19, 2006

[JustAmy]

Thank you for allowing me to use your Christmas poem. It is wonderful.

Merry Christmas from the Finest!

[JustAmy]

Thank you, NnB.

You've produced another winner. Also thank you for Decorations in The Air.

I always look forward to your posts.

Merry Christmas and thank you from the Finest.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

I received this poem in an email recently, and am happy for the opportunity to share it with you all.

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch o ver me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there some thing I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S.service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

[stopem]

Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas!

[beachn4fun]

OMG.....look at that lovely thread. And, the graphics...........

.....gasp.......I am so jealous!

Good morning, everyone. 6 more days to Christmas eve. Hope you've all been good lil boyz and galz

And, my eternal gratitude to our AWESOME Military and our allies.

THANK YOU

[The Mayor]

December 19, 2006

Name Above All Names

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Philippians 2:5-11

You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. —Matthew 1:21

If you knew for certain that you were going to lose your voice and that you would never be able to speak again, what would you want your final words to be?

A man with throat cancer faced an operation that would save his life but not his voice. Just before surgery, he spent time with his wife telling her of his love. He did the same with his daughter.

Then he asked his doctor to let him know precisely when the anesthetic would make him unconscious. As the man was slipping off to sleep, he said distinctly, “Jesus! Jesus!” That was the last word he chose to utter in this life—“Jesus!”

How meaningful is the name of Jesus to us? Other names, like the names of those we love, are inexpressibly precious. But for those of us who are redeemed by God’s grace, the name of Jesus is the most meaningful. And it is to our heavenly Father as well. He “has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

Throughout the rest of our lives and into eternity, let’s magnify that wonderful name—Jesus. —Vernon C Grounds

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Let all heaven and earth proclaim:
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there’s something about that name!  —Gaither
© 1970 by William J. Gaither

The name of Jesus is precious to those who know Him and profane to those who spurn Him.

Bible in One Year:   Jonah 1-4; Revelation 10

[MEG33]

Thank you for this beautiful thread.
I love the graphics,poems and recipes,too!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning Just Amy.

[luvie]

~I'll Be Home For Christmas~
Michael Buble

Bring Us Home Again

He slowly came awake today
and he lumbered to his feet,
for it was just two hours
before that he faded off to sleep.

He donned the day's attire and
grabbed his M-16.
He headed off to breakfast to keep
him strong and lean.

As he walked down to the chow line
he kept a watchful eye.
He didn't want the enemy
to take him by surprise.

As the chaplin said a special prayer
on this very special day,
he kept thinking of his family
that is oh so far away.

He rubbed his left breast pocket
where he keeps a picture of his wife
and a letter from his daughter that
he reads most every night.

He fought back a single tear
as he stared out at the sand,
wishing he could be back home
with his family close at hand.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts
and then be on his way.
He's defending our great country
and has little time to play.

When he got out to the fence line,
his buddy by his side,
he exchanged a "Merry Christmas"
followed by a tired sigh.

He climbed upon the watchtower,
his mouth a tiny grin.
He said, "Merry Christmas to the world"
and "God, please, bring us home again".

~Bradley A. Peraino~




GOD BLESS AMERICA
~~~~~~~~~~
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning ARepublican.
Thanks for sharing this heart warming poem.:)
(My screen is all blurry)

[luvie]

Good morning! (((hugs)))

Only had a minute to post my poem. Gotta get ready for the craziness at work.

Have a wonderful day! See ya later!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Morning Beachy.{{{HUGS}}}