Lemon Cream Cheese Chippers

Today is the first full day of Spring and next Sunday is Easter! What better way to start the new season than with a tasty new lemon cookie recipe? These would be a lovely addition to any Easter basket or dessert table! To be honest, these are great any time of year!

When I first came up with the idea for this recipe, I assumed that I'd find several similar ones online already. Well, not quite. I found many lemon cookie recipes and many cream cheese cookie recipes. I even found a few lemon cream cheese cookie recipes. The problem was that none of them really seemed to have everything I wanted and never enough lemon flavour! I've played with enough lemon recipes while baking to know that what looks like a lot of lemon in a recipe doesn't always translate to the flavour in the finished product.

So what to do?

After reading several recipes, I actually ended up sort of combining three recipes with a few extra additions!

I already had a great Lemon Pudding Cookie recipe. I also took inspiration from a Lemon Cheesecake Cookie and a Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. I compared ingredients and quantities and came up with a beginning version to play with.

After that, it would just be a matter of testing out various quantities till I got what I wanted!

The first time I made them, the dough was far too sticky! I should have just added a bit more flour but I wanted to see if chilling the dough would improve the consistency. BIG MISTAKE! After chilling, the dough was like glue! It was a royal pain to even drop by spoonful onto the pans! Working with that dough wasn't easy even for a fairly experienced baker like myself! The baked taste was good but could definitely be improved.

Lesson learned! The second time, I added a bit more flour and a smidgen more lemon juice. I also added more chocolate chips!

The results were exactly what I had been imagining when I first started searching! A soft and slightly chewy cookie bursting with lemon flavour and loaded with chocolate goodness!

My taste testers thought these were delish!

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Lemon Cream Cheese Chippers

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 99g (4 serving) lemon instant pudding mix

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large (or 2 small) lemons (You will need the zest and 3 Tablespoons lemon juice)

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup block margarine, softened

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

2 1/4 cups dark or semisweet chocolate chips

Line three or four cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside. (Note: I generally like to use four sheets for recipes that make more than 5 dozen cookies. That way I can keep the baking going while rotating pans in and out of oven. I can have one pan baking, one baked pan cooling, one pan ready to go in and one pan ready to go with fresh dough. The parchment paper can be reused at least two or three times within the same recipe.)

Combine the flour, instant pudding mix, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Zest the lemon and set aside. Juice the lemon. Set aside.

Place the white sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and add the lemon zest. Using your fingertips, rub the zest and sugar together. This releases the oil from the zest and infuses it into the sugar for a more lemony flavour!

Add the brown sugar, margarine and cream cheese, Beat on low speed to combine then increase speed a bit to get the batter nice and creamy. Add the eggs and mix well. Add the vanilla extract, lemon extract and lemon juice. Mix in thoroughly.

Add the flour mixture and combine thoroughly. Add the chocolate chips and mix in. Batter will be quite soft and sticky.

DO NOT CHHILL OR FREEZE THE RAW DOUGH!! That will make it even harder to work with.

Drop by teaspoons about 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets. Flatten slightly as the cookies spread very little while baking.

Bake in preheated 350F oven for 10-12 minutes. These brown very little on top but you will see a bit of brown around the bottom. Allow to cool on pan on a wire rack for a couple of minutes before transferring cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Makes about 7 1/2 dozen yummy cookies! These do freeze well.

 Enjoy!

dn

CNIB ID Card Needs Better Information For Users

Being legally blind, I have a CNIB Photo ID card which allows me to, among other things, ride regular local (Winnipeg) transit for free. The card is good for 5 years. In the past, CNIB clients would get a bit of notice before it expired so that we could get a new photo taken to submit with the renewal form.

In early January. I realized that my card expired at the end of that month and I hadn't gotten my renewal notice. I called the 800 number for the CNIB Helpline to get info on renewal. The man I spoke with was less than forthcoming as to how to renew. Instead he insisted that the only info I would get was through the regional office.

So, I called the Winnipeg office to get details on what was needed. As my number is unlisted and I don't like leaving it on voice mail of people I don't know, it took 3 or 4 tries to talk to a human. I was eventually told that if you weren't on the general mailing list, then notices were NOT being sent anymore AND the onus was now on clients - who of course are VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND - to SEE the small print of the expiry date on the card. Then we have to get a specific size photo taken, get ourselves down to the CNIB and pay a $10 processing fee!

I learned that the renewal system was divided into quarters. Notices were sent out every 3 months for those whose cards expired within that time. If your card expired near the end of that quarter, you had LOTS of time to get the card done. If it expired near the start, then you were lucky if you got a couple weeks notice! They either couldn't figure out a way to do advanced notices on a monthly basis - or more likely, decided that they couldn't afford or be bothered to update the system for monthly notices.     

I was also told that if you had taken your name OFF of mailing or call lists, you'd get NO renewal notice at all! You either got the newsletters, surveys, catalogues, donation requests and volunteer requests along with the more critical ID renewal notice or nothing at all! I had taken my name off a few years ago as the only service I do use is the ID card.

You've got to love the irony of this bass-ackwards system! 

Yup! The inefficiency and extreme lack of common sense is amazing! You'd think it was run by a government! And yet, some people still wonder why myself and others don't use CNIB services more than we absolutely have to!

Well, I did get myself down to the CNIB late in the first week of January. I had my photo taken, provided my info and paid my $10 fee. I was told I should have the card in about 10 working days.

The new card arrived the day before my old one expired! Phew!

It should be noted that despite being verbally told that no renewal notice would be sent, the letter that accompanied the new card also stated: "You will be given advance written notice when it is time to renew your card."

Hmm... Really? Yeah, well I'll believe it when I see it!

As luck would have it, I WAS asked for the card about a week after the new one arrived! It's not that I get asked for the card that often - but I always have it handy just in case I'm asked for ID. That happens maybe once or twice a year - usually by a transit driver who doesn't know me or when the drivers know/suspect there is a supervisor/inspector on board. Funny thing is, after 25 years with an ID card,, most drivers say don't bother showing it - we know you. However there are the odd (and I do mean odd!) ones who insist on seeing it every time - even if they see you twice on the same day!

Apparently, there are still some other benefits to the CNIB ID Card

Finding any kind of National list of CNIB ID Card benefits seems to be impossible. The CNIB is National, but most of the benefit listings are regional and hard to source without contacting the regional offices directly. Additional documentation is hit and miss at best for most jurisdictions to access any benefits/discounts

The CNIB website has a page called Planes, Trains and Buses with external links to various national sites that offer discounts or assistance with travel provided certain criteria is met. A travelling companion is required for most, if not all of these benefits.

EasterSeals Canada has an Access 2 Card. The card is renewable every 3 or 5 years depending on which you choose. This card offers discounts for various movie theatres and some entertainment facilities throughout Canada and limited access to USA entertainment venues. Some venues/services require both the Access 2 Card and a CNIB card be presented to obtain any discounts/privileges. As with the CNIB Planes, Trains and Buses, the Access 2 Card also requires a support companion for most, if not all of these benefits.

I should clarify here. that I haven't fully researched or applied for the Access 2 Card. I did look through the Attractions in Manitoba in the Venues section but several links seem to be invalid or broken. There are some interesting options, but I don't go out enough to make the card fees worthwhile. My entertainment money is extremely limited so I choose my options very carefully. To be honest, I can't even recall the last movie I watched in a movie theatre but it was likely about 15 or so years ago. I watch my movies at home either via DVD, VOD or on the internet. It's a whole lot cheaper and I can pause or rewind whenever I want!

That seems to be it for any ID card benefits I've found. They may be helpful for some but as I said, my finances are too limited to take advantage of most of them.

I was going to end my post there, but last week I decided to call the 800 Helpline at the CNIB one more time. I'm glad I did as I had a lengthy and very productive discussion with a woman who took detailed notes on my concerns and suggestions for the card and the site. I explained the frustrations with the renewal process and lack of details/benefits for card uses. She confirmed that there didn't seem to be a detailed listing for card benefits and the renewal notice system was counterintuitive. We also spoke about general web content accessibility - not just on the CNIB site but sites in general.

So, what are MY recommendations for the CNIB ID Card?

- create a dedicated web page(s) for the card on the CNIB site that includes:

    - overall purpose, eligibility and general uses

    - how to apply for the card

    - accessible application form that can be filled out online and/or printed in large print

    - a detailed list of services/venues and the benefits/discounts for the card throughout Canada which is also subdivided by region.

    - wherever possible, provide DIRECT hyperlinks to external services/venues rather than to an external home page which leaves the user searching for relevant info.

    - F.A.Q. (quick answers to cost, photo requirements, replacement, updating info, etc)

    - Include a "Report Broken/Invalid Link"

- ALL content and external links checked on an annual basis for validity/relevance

- renewal notices should be sent 2 months before expiry to allow for a reasonable time to coordinate renewal and receive new card.

As for mailing lists from the CNIB, there needs to be a way to opt in or out of specific types of mailings. If someone only wants to receive the renewal notice for the ID card then that should be all that they receive. The onus for renewal should not be left entirely to the client.

Until such realistic, practical and logical changes are (hopefully) made, I'll just stick to using my CNIB ID Card to ride Winnipeg Transit. Hopefully, I'll remember to check for the renewal date every once in awhile as I may or may not receive a notice from the CNIB!

dn

Cream Corn Soup

I've never been an overly big soup lover. I enjoy a bowl now and then - especially when it is really cold out! I will occasionally order it in a restaurant but generally, I just buy a few cans of soup every year. I just don't like making big quantities of homemade soup - nor do I have the freezer space for it. Finding good soup recipes that I would enjoy AND that only make 3 or 4 servings isn't always easy.

Admittedly, I do "tweak" the canned versions a bit. I will sauté a bit of onion and bell pepper to add to chicken noodle soup - and of course add more chicken! I'll add some leftover cooked meat or additional veggies to vegetable soup.

The most creative I get though, is with a simple recipe my mom used to make! She simply poured a can of cream corn into a pot, then filled the cream corn can with milk and stirred that into the corn. Sprinkle a bit of black pepper on it then brought the whole thing to a boil over medium heat. She usually had a tray of various crackers, fresh biscuits or buns/breads to serve along side. Some people didn't really consider this a real soup but it was a favourite in our house!

I've made cream corn soup at least a couple of times every winter but over the years, I've made it a bit more elaborate. I started with just adding some chopped onion and red pepper then started throwing in some crispy bacon. Eventually I started sautéing the veggies in the bacon drippings and adding a few other ingredients. 

This only makes 4 servings, so not enough for me to get tired of before I eat it all. I've never tried freezing it though as creamed soups don't tend to freeze that well...

So, here it is my own version of Cream Corn Soup!

Cream Corn Soup

8 slices bacon

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1 1/2 - 2 cups diced potatoes

1 cup kernel corn (thawed and well drained if using frozen)

1 398ml/14.8oz can cream corn

1/3 cup sour cream

2 cups milk

freshly ground black pepper

green onion for garnish

Cut the bacon into small pieces and place in large deep skillet. Cook over medium heat till extra crispy. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.

Drain all but about 1-2 Tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan - but leave the brown drippings in! Add the onion, red pepper and potatoes to the pan and sauté till onions are translucent. Add the kernel corn and sauté another couple minutes.

Add about 1 or 2 Tablespoons of water and stir just to combine and lift some of the drippings from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the cream corn, milk, sour cream and then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium (or slightly lower) and simmer uncovered - stirring every few minutes to prevent burning on the bottom of the pan. Simmer about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender

Crumble the cooked bacon and stir about 1/2 of it back into the soup. (Reserve the other half for garnish) Add freshly ground pepper to taste. NOTE: There is NO need to add salt to this recipe as there is more than enough salt in the bacon and some in the cream corn.

Divide into 4 soup bowls and garnish with remaining bacon and chopped green onion.

Serve with crackers, biscuits, buns, focaccia or other breads.

NOTE: IF you are not serving it all at one time, the soup can be stored in a covered, air tight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat you can either heat the soup in a small pot over medium heat or place each serving in a microwave safe soup bowl, partially cover and heat on medium power for about 3 to 3 1/2 minutes - then garnish with the bacon and green onion just before serving

Enjoy!

dn

My Fave Christmas Music

I have always had a bit of an eclectic taste in music and that is even more so when it comes to Christmas music. I've never been a big fan of the choral or old traditional hymn versions of songs. For the most part, I prefer fairly mellow, easy listening holiday music with a generous dose of more modern standards that have been made popular by performers of the last 75 years. Like other music genres, there are certain singers and songs I avoid like the plague. There are also artists that I truly love!

Over the last few years, I've made a point of listening to a fair bit of seasonal music - and made lists of artists and songs that I liked. I thought I'd end up with enough to burn a couple of CD's but I was wrong! Turns out, that I liked more than I thought I did! I had enough for 7 CD's!

The next decision was to figure out the best way to truly enjoy the music of the holiday season. Luckily, I had a few options. The speakers on my desktop computer have very good sound so I could just put the playlist on shuffle. I could also transfer the list to my mp3 player. However, I chose to burn the entire collection to a Data CD. Pretty much any computer with a disk drive can play a data CD. Some DVD and CD players will also recognize the format. Last year, I treated myself to a Bose Wave III which, as most people know, has EXCELENT sound! Bose systems also recognize Data CD's!

This collection has a bit of everything! Instrumentals, groups, male and female artists. There is easy listening, pop, light rock, country, jazz, folk, swing, big band and a bit of blues. There are a few quirky or off the beaten track tunes that you may never have heard before. I've no doubt, you'll recognize most of the titles but not necessarily the versions I've chosen. Some are full of joy and others are a bit melancholy. Some are very mellow and some are quite upbeat - but they all blend together to create great background music for a gathering where you can actually talk to other people without shouting over the music! The collection is 151 songs from just over 70 artists and almost 8 hours long so more than enough to last for most gatherings. Yes, there are more than one version of certain songs but I felt they were different enough in style. Okay, I admit it - I just couldn't decide which version I liked best for some but I limited it to a max of three versions of any one song.

My taste in holiday music may not be the norm this time of year but the list below (alphabetical by title) is me - unique and eclectic!

Title (Length) Artist (Album)

The All-Purpose Christmas Carol (3:28) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Mood

Amazing Grace / Jesu Joy (3:33) Jim Brickman (A Christmas Celebration)

Angels (3:18) Jim Brickman (The Gift)

Angels We Have Heard On High (2:42) David Ian featuring Acacia (Vintage Christmas Wonderland)

Aspenglow (2:24) John Denver (Rocky Mountain Christmas)

Auld Lang Syne (2:08) Guy Lombardo (--)

Auld Lang Syne (3:52) Tom Ouimette

Ave Maria (2:17) Susie Ariolli (Christmas Dreaming)

Away In A Manger (2:17) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

Baby It's Cold Outside (2:52) Bing Crosby (Gold Christmas Collection)

Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem (3:08) Emmylou Harris (Light Of The Stable)

Bittersweet (3:33) Jim Brickman (Winter Solstice)

Blessings (2:29) Jim Brickman (Peace)

Blue Christmas (3:31) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

Blue Christmas (3|00) Jill Barber (New Kind Of Light)

Brahms' Bethlehem Lullaby (2:45) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Present)

Brahms' Lullaby (3:14) Kenny G (Miracles: The Holiday Album)

Carolling, Carolling (2:02) Nat King Cole (The Christmas Song)

The Carols Those Kids Used To Sing (2:45) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Wishes)

Christmas Bells (2:40) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

Christmas Bells (3:16) Jill Barber (New Kind Of Light)

The Christmas Blues (2:58) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

Christmas Cannon (3:51) Transiberian Orchestra (--)

Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away (2:59) Eddie Arnold (--)

Christmas Can't Come Too Soon (2:29) Matt Kiersch (--)

Christmas Country Style (1:59) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Present)

Christmas Dreaming (2:38) Harry Connick Jr (When My Heart Finds Christmas)

Christmas Dreaming (3:27) Susie Ariolli (Christmas Dreaming)

Christmas Is Leading Me Home (3:22) Haley Sales

Christmas Kiss (3:04) Meaghan Smith (It Snowed)

The Christmas Song (4:24) Diana Krall (Christmas Songs)

The Christmas Song (3:10) Nat King Cole (The Christmas Song)

The Christmas Song (3:18) World's Greatest Jazz Band (--)

Christmas Spirits (3:39) Alex Pangman & Her Allieycats (Christmas Gift)

Christmas Time Is Here (3:35) Diana Krall (Christmas Songs)

Christmas Times A-Coming (2:55) Emmylou Harris (Light Of The Stable)

Christmas To Me (4:12) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

A Christmas To Remember (3:41) Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (Once Upon A Christmas)

The Christmas Waltz (2:45) Rosemary Clooney (White Christmas)

Christmas Wish (3:41) Tuck & Patti (Winter Solstice)

Christmas Without You (3:50) Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (Once Upon A Christmas)

Christmasland (2:24) Tony Bennett (Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album)

Church Bells Ringing / Christmas In The City (4:04) The Skydiggers (Angels)

Count Your Blessings (3:41) Diana Krall (Christmas Songs)

Deck The Hall (1:08) Nat King Cole (Christmas Songs)

Deck The Halls (2:56) Jim Brickman (Homecoming)

Early Snowfall (3:05) Jim Brickman (Peace)

Everybody's Waiting For The Man With The Bag (2:51) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

The First Noel (2:25) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

The First Noel (3:20) Jim Brickman (Christmas Collection)

Frosty The Snowman (2:21) Perry Como (Greatest Christmas Collection)

Frosty The Snowman (4:06) Glenn Miller (In The Christmas Mood)

The Gift (4:09) Peabo Bryson (Winter Solstice)

Go Safely Into The Night (3:08) The Ennis Sisters (It's Christmas)

Good King Wenceslas (2:30) Glenn Miller (In The Christmas Mood)

Greensleeves (3:29) Kenny G (Miracles: The Holiday Album)

Greensleeves (3:14) Coleman Hawkins (Christmas Songs)

Grown-Up Christmas Wish (3:41) Michael Buble (Let It Snow)

Happy Christmas (3:36) John Lennon (The Best Of John Lennon)

Happy Holiday (1:57) Peggy Lee (Christmas)

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas (2:16) Burl Ives (Have A Holly Jolly Christmas)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (4:19) Dianna Krall (Christmas Songs)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (3:57) Kenny G (Miracles: The Holiday Album)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (4:32) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

The Holly And The Ivy (4:20) Jim Brickman (Christmas Romance)

I Believe In Santa's Cause (2:57) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

I Just Want A Prairie Christmas (4:12) Connie Kaldor (--)

I Never Spend A Christmas That I Don't Think Of You (2:41) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

I Want You For Christmas (2:39) Alex Pangman & Her Allieycats (Christmas Gift)

I'd Like To Hitch A Ride With Santa Claus (2:18) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

I'd Like You For Christmas (2:16) Julie London (Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails)

If Every Day Was Like Christmas (2:54) Elvis Presley (--)

If I Don't Make It Home This Christmas (2:38) Megan Schroder (--)

I'll Be Here For Christmas (4:24) Meaghan Smith (New Kind Of Light)

I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:30) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

I'll Be Home For Christmas (4:06) Jim Brickman (Christmas Romance)

I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:30) Rosemary Clooney (Let It Snow)

I'll Be Home With Bells On (2:42) Dolly Parton (--)

In The Bleak Mid Winter (2:42) Meaghan Smith (New Kind Of Light)

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (2:57) Dave Young (--)

It Just Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You (3:43) Connie Kaldor (--)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (2:47) Bing Crosby (Christmas Carols)

It Snowed (3:44) Meaghan Smith (It Snowed)

It's A Marshmallow World (2:40) Dean Martin (--)

It's Christmas Everywhere (3:05) Paul Anka (--)

It's The Most Wonderful Time (2:25) Johnny Mathis (The Christmas Music Of Johnny Mathis)

I've Got The Blues For Christmas (3:44) Russell de Carle

Jingle Bell Rock (2:13) Bobby Holms (Jingle Bell Rock)

Jingle Bells (1:56) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

Jolly Old St Nicholas (2:31) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

Joy Ride (3:13) Mark Snow (Winter Solstice)

Let It Snow (2:52) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (3:10) Kenny G (Faith: A Holiday Album)

Let's Share Christmas (3:57) John Pizzarelli (Let's Share Christmas)

Light Of The Stable (2:19) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit(

Light Of The Stable (2:24) Emmylou Harris (Light Of The Stable)

Little Toy Trains (2:05) Roger Miller (Country Christmas)

Magic Forest (5:03) Ensemble (Winter Solstice)

The Man With The Bag (3:56) Alex Pangman & Her Allieycats (Christmas Gift)

Mary Had A Baby (4:42) Bruce Cockburn (Christmas)

My Favorite Things (3:21) Carole King (A Holiday Carole)

New Kind Of Light (3:24) Rose Cousins (New Kind Of Light)

New Year's Day (3:55) Carole King (A Holiday Carole)

O Christmas Tree (2:39) Kenny G (Faith: A Holiday Album)

O Little Town Of Bethlehem (3:17) Oscar Peterson (--)

Old Fashioned Christmas (2:33) Dick Van Dyke And The Vantastix (Put On A Happy Face)

Old Fashioned Christmas (2:49) Guy Lombardo (--)

Old Toy Trains (2:34) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Present)

Please Come Home For Christmas (3:00) The Eagles (Christmas Of Hope)

Please Come Home For Christmas (3:17) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

Pretty Paper (3:43) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

Pretty Paper (2:47) Roy Orbison (Time-Life Treasury Of Christmas - Holiday Magic)

The Quiet Gift Of Love (2:58) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

River (4:04) Joni Mitchell (Blue)

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (2:05) Brenda Lee (Rockin' Little Christmas)

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (2:10) Burl Ives (Have A Holly Jolly Christmas)

Santa Baby (3:25) Eartha Kitt (Billborad Greatest Christmas Hits)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2:48) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

Sending You A Little Christmas (4:06) Jim Brickman (Peace)

Silent Night (3:30) World's Greatest Jazz Band (--)

Silent Bells (3:04) Bing Crosby (Bing! His Legendary Years 1931 - 1957)

Silver Bells (3:10) Meaghan Smith (It Snowed)

Skating (2:57) George Winston (Winter Solstice)

Sleigh Ride (2:58) Ella Fitzgerald (Wishing You A Swinging Christmas)

Snow (2:43) Bing Crosby (White Christmas)

Snowbound For Christmas (3:20) Jackie Gleason (--)

Snowfall (2:50) Tony Bennett (Stars At Christmas - Volume 2)

Snowflake (3:12) Jim Brickman (Christmas Romance)

Song For A Winter's Night (3:02) Gordon Lightfoot (The Way I Feel)

Star Of Night (2:36) Jim Brickman (Christmas Celebration)

Starbright (Jim Brickman (The Gift)

Thanksgiving (3:31) Jim Brickman (Homecoming)

There Is No Christmas Like An Old Fashioned Christmas (3:17) Perry Como

There Is No Place Like Home For The Holidays (2:58) Perry Como

This Christmas (3:55) Jeffery Osborne (Winter Solstice)

Two Thousand Miles (3:31) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

Warm December (1:57) Julie London (Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails)

We Need A Little Christmas (1:57) Johnny Mathis (The Christmas Music Of Johnny)

We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1:56) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (4:19) John Pizzarelli (Let's Share Christmas)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (3:02) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (3:34) Ella Fitzgerald (Wishing You A Swinging Christmas)

What Child Is This (2:47) John Denver (Rocky Mountain Christmas)

When My Heart Finds Christmas (2:32) Harry Connick Jr (When My Heart Finds Christmas)

White Christmas (3:07) Bing Crosby (Greatest Hits)

Winter (5:00) Phil Perry (Winter Solstice)

Winter Solstice (1:56) The Wyrd Sisters (--)

Winter Wonderland (3:01) Louis Armstrong (Christmas Collection)

Winter Wonderland (2:53) Susie Arioli (Christmas Dreaming)

WinterskøL (2:02) Dan Fogelberg (First Christmas Morning)

Wonderful Christmas Time (3:48) Paul Mc Cartney

Yesterday's Rain (4:29) W G Snuffy Walden (Winter Solstice)

Merry Humbug!

dn

Much Ado About A Red Cup

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last week or so, you've no doubt heard that Starbucks new holiday cup for the 2015 season seems to be going over like a lump of coal. In the past, the coffee giant has offered a variety of designs to celebrate the festive season. This year, the design is a simple red cup with the chain's logo on it. No snowflakes, snowmen, trees or other holiday symbols.

For the record, I don't even drink coffee and can almost count on one hand the number of times I've even splurged or been treated to one of Starbucks other overpriced beverages. Truth is, I rarely go to "coffee shops" of any kind. I have more important, life sustaining things to spend my limited finances on. That being said, I know a number of people who make an almost daily pilgrimage to a Starbucks or a Tim Horton's for their java fix.

The loudest outcry against the simple design that Starbucks has introduced seems to be coming from those who are devout Christians. For some reason, they feel that this is corporate America and political correctness trying to ban their holiday traditions and religious freedoms.

Despite what many of the "offended" want to believe - let alone acknowledge - is that there is more than one religion and a number of those religions also have major celebrations that often overlap with the Christian observance of Christmas.

Regardless of your religious beliefs - or lack thereof - the holiday season is supposed to be about love, peace and giving.  Yet, many Christians have chosen to get their knickers in a knot over an apparent blocking of their religious beliefs. Even some Christmas traditionalists are crying foul over the lack of symbolism. People are screaming from the top of their lungs - and their social media pages - about the supposed slap in the face from Starbucks for removing "holiday symbols" from their coffee cups. They've deemed this a "War On Christmas".

Really?

Here's the deal people. IF you can afford the beverages at Starbucks you are better off financially than many people in this world. If you are offended that Starbucks is now offering a simple red cup that doesn't acknowledge your specific holiday beliefs and traditions then you need to find a way to be more accepting and tolerant of other religions and beliefs. Despite what you may want to believe, this time of year is a celebration for many religions. It ISN'T all about you and your beliefs.

Not to mention, that a red cup from a mega corporation that doesn't feature "your" particular holiday themes is a pretty minor thing to complain about in the grand scheme of life!

There are millions of people in this world who are homeless. Millions who are risking their lives fleeing from war torn countries. Millions who don't even have clean, safe water to drink.

I highly doubt that many of them would gripe about the type of cup their beverage was served in. They'd more likely just be grateful for the beverage within,

Expressing your religious views through your own decorations is entirely within your rights. Implying that your personal beliefs are more important than others is just selfish and inconsiderate.

Complaining because a company chooses to be more inclusive and tolerant of other peoples beliefs than what you are willing to acknowledge is just plain ignorant and intolerant on your part.

Luckily, for the majority of (Starbucks) complainers, you live in countries with countless options of where to get your beverages. If you want your overpriced beverages in a holiday themed cup then buy a thermal or reusable cup with the symbols on it and - if you must - parade it in front of all those who choose to be more tolerant and accepting of other peoples beliefs or those who have other beliefs.

Slowly sip your beverage while sitting atop your self-righteous high horse.

Then, try taking a careful step down from your pious perch and think about just how truly fortunate you are.

You have to make a choice. The taste of your beverage or how it is served. You have choices in beverages, where to obtain them and how they are served to you.

If you still feel the need to complain then perhaps you could try a different approach.

Buy your coffee somewhere else. There are any number of other places to buy your pricy drinks. Though not as pricy or as diverse in choices and varieties, you could buy a beverage at Dunkin' Donuts as they have introduced a holiday themed cup for this season with the word "Joy" on it.

What's that? Dunkin' isn't up to your standards? Then why not skip the big chains and support a local coffee shop? Some of those independent or local chains serve some rather fancy brews. Not to mention that supporting small businesses is good for the local economy.

Better yet, make it at home and carry a more environmentally friendly thermal mug. With all the varieties of coffees and coffee makers on the market, surely there must be at least one that could help sustain your caffeine fix!

Purchasing your beverages at another business or making it at home probably won't make a big difference to Starbucks bank account. However, the money you save will add up and can - no, should be used to help others less fortunate than yourself.

The money you save can be donated to a homeless shelter, a food bank, a toy drive for under privileged kids or any number of other worthy charities. No doubt they would be truly grateful to accept your donations.

BTW, your coffee cup protest may also create a side benefit! By not purchasing those expensive blends you may also cut back on a few calories! A regular cup of coffee - even with a bit of cream and sugar isn't nearly as high in calories as the specialty concoctions! That is, assuming you can also resist all the donuts, muffins, shortbread and other holiday treats that are often served alongside those beverages! A refillable bottle of water and some fresh fruit would save even more money and calories but that would probably be asking most of you for too much saving and giving!

As I said, the choice of how and where to obtain your beverages is up to you.

Personally, I don't believe there is a war on Christmas.

Declaring a war on anything is NOT the answer.

I believe that we need to find ways to work together. We need to find ways to bring cultures and religions together without killing each other in the process. We need to make a conscious effort to learn about other people's beliefs and cultures. We need to find ways to be more tolerant of our differences and more accepting of those who don't have the same beliefs.

Respect, understanding, acceptance, inclusiveness, tolerance and love should be our goals. It is the only way we will ever bring peace to this sorely troubled world.

dn