Welcome to Awakenings

Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

'Tis the Season to be Jolly


Awakenings touched on the Sights and Smells of Christmas so it is logical to follow up with the sounds of Christmas. Jolliness naturally accompanies Christmas Time mainly because of the music ever present on the scene...along the sidewalks, down the city streets, ringing from church steeples, within the comfort of our own homes, permeating the air like the aroma of freshly baked bread or cinnamon-laced apple pies.

As you listen to some of the ageless Christmas songs of the past, see how many you recognize and perhaps include in your own Christmas music collection. Then, compare the classics with the more modern Christmas tunes and decide which of the newer ones you think will be remembered in future decades. Will they last through the century?

Vintage Christmas Songs from the 1900s & 1910s



 Vintage Christmas Songs from the 1920s & 1930s


Vintage Christmas Songs from the 1930s & 1940s



12 Vintage Christmas Songs from the 1950s


1950s Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Songs


1960s Swingin' Christmas Songs



An All-Time Christmas Favorite from 1965

http://www.youchoosemusic.fm/717/5-best-christmas-songs-kid-70s
 5 Best Christmas Songs For A Kid Of The '70s
 


Christmas Songs From The 70's


A Very 80s Christmas - Christmas Music from the 80s


Studio album by NSYNC

12 Very ’90s Christmas Songs


Top Ten MODERN Christmas Songs

MORE Christmas songs of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s


Last but by all means NOT least...



Top Ten Christmas Songs of All Time


Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Is it Winter yet?

For many parts of the country, it appears Ol' Man Winter and Jack Frost have delayed their normal visits. Warmer temperatures for the season make the winter seem more like an early spring. Of course, some will still experience a white Christmas...somewhere in the nation! 

Regardless of the weather, however, Winter Solstice is here! This is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the least amount of sunlight in declaration of the first day of winter. It marks a pivotal point in the earth's rotation around the sun. The time may vary, the country different and different names...Yule, Midwinter, Jól...but the meaning is still the same.
  

Wednesday, December 21
Winter Solstice 2016

First day of Winter: everything you need to know about today's Solstice 

Along with the shortest day comes the longest night! Okay, all you nocturnal creatures get ready to romp and play - parta-a-a-ay -  a few hours longer while you day dreamers must dream a bit less during the shortest hours of sunlight. Get those bonfires burning in preparation for singing, dancing and feasting to generate new light and merriment in the midst of winter.
And, don't forget the 'zoup' for warmth and nourishment!   
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulecooking/r/TomOraRoseSoup.htm 
Celebrate this festival of light with a nice rich bowl of Sun King Soup -- the bright sun colors and smooth texture are just the thing for either an appetizer, or a light meal at Yule.
http://www.popsugar.com/food/Slow-Cooker-Taco-Soup-31831494 
Forgo Tacos For a Slow-Cooked Taco Soup
Let it simmer away as you go about your day, and then, as if magic, you'll return home to a powerfully intoxicating, hearty-as-hell taco soup. Try garnishing a bowl with crumbled tortilla chips, sliced avocado, chives, or cilantro for added flavor and texture.
 http://princesspotatopudding.blogspot.com/2013/12/winter-solstice-special-tang-yuan.html
 Tang Yuan (湯圓), or Chinese Dumpling Soup

Not into soup? What about a savory pie?

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/savory-winter-solstice-pie.html 
Topped with golden crust or creamy mashed potatoes, Savory Winter Solstice Pie is bursting with tender winter vegetables, a nourishing celebration of the return of longer days after the shortest night of the year.
Need a special brew?

 http://frugallysustainable.com/2014/11/magical-winter-solstice-brew-a-recipe-for-holiday-yule-wine/
What a truly magical + blessed gift to bring to any holiday party and/or family get-together!
 AND, don't forget the dessert...

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/winter-solstice-cake
Bring some rays of sunshine to your table with this Winter Solstice Cake. This dessert will brighten up any dreary winter's night.