
A Thought for Christmas Day

By Jennifer Vishnevsky for Redbook©
Although the winter season gets a bad rap for correlating with flu season and dark, gray skies, there’s also something beautiful happening around the world, all the way from Wyoming to Switzerland. These photos may even inspire you to start planning a winter getaway when it’s safe to do so. If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, the bitter cold temperatures of winter might just be your best shot at catching a glimpse. So grab the hot chocolate, sit back and enjoy a virtual tour to these inspiring winter wonderlands.
(Here is just a tease for those still in their jammies):
© MistikaS – Getty Images
A church and castle on a rock above Lake Bled in Slovenia.
© Michael J. Cohen, Photographer – Getty Images
A polar bear in Kaktovik, a part of northern Alaska
.
© Betty Wiley – Getty Images
A group of horses running in the snow-covered hills of Shell, Wyoming.
© Barcroft Media – Getty Images
A rare snowstorm covers Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.
© Elena Liseykina – Getty Images
An empty Red Square in Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background.
© _ultraforma_ – Getty Images
St. Stephen’s Basilica and Zrinyi Street at dusk in Budapest.
© TONNAJA – Getty Images
Spirit Island, a landmark in Jasper National Park. With a view of the Canadian Rockies, this island is only accessible by boat.
© FEBRUARY – Getty Images
The Northern Lights on display at Kirkjufell mountain
.
© Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography – Getty Images
A snowy owl perched in the sand at Jones Beach in Long Island.
© Provided by jp2pix.com – Getty Images
A fresh coating of ice at Yosemite National Park.
© primeimages – Getty Images
Mount Cook and Mount Tasman reflected in Lake Matheson at sunset.
Source: Awe-Inspiring Winter Scenes From Around the World (msn.com)
By Dana McMahan for Today©
There’s plenty to occupy our minds during the holidays this year — that is if we’re having anything approaching a “normal” family gathering. But somehow, even on top of the 2020 concerns like spreading a deadly virus to family members, we can’t overlook the usual safety issues. I’m talking about keeping your furry family from getting sick.
© Provided by TODAY
Yes, while you’re eating your feelings this holiday you may want to share the bounty with your dogs and cats, but you could unwittingly be putting them in harm’s way. You may already know that dogs shouldn’t have cooked bones that can puncture or damage their digestive tract, but holiday tables can carry many other potential risks for your pets.
The American Veterinary Medical Association shares some guidance on keeping pets safe and healthy this holiday season. It will take cooperation from everyone in the family, so be sure your relatives agree to the house rules when it comes to feeding your pets. (That means no slipping the pup a turkey leg under the table, dad!)
To start, it may be tempting to share some of that platter of leftover turkey, but save it for the turkey salad unless you can pick out a small piece of light meat with no skin. The skin contains spices and butter, said Jerry Klein, DMV, American Kennel Club’s chief veterinary officer. He’s seen a number of patients over the years after a dog snatched turkey off the table or out of the trash can. Fatty foods like poultry skin can cause pancreatitis in pets, he says, a condition that can be life threatening. At minimum, he asks, do you want to spend Thanksgiving cleaning up vomit or diarrhea, or at the emergency vet?
But what about topping their kibble with gravy as a holiday treat? That’s a no from Klein as well. The flour, fat, salt and spices in gravy are problematic. Likewise say no to stuffing, which can have onions, garlic and spices, all dangerous to your pet.
Desserts are also off the table (and should literally be off any table or counter where a curious dog can sniff them out unless you’ve done a stellar job of training them!). Chocolate items can pack a one-two punch, said Klein. While they can recover from the chocolate toxicity itself in 12 to 24 hours, the butter and fat in milk chocolate “can cause them to get sick several days afterwards with vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis.” Oatmeal raisin cookies are also a no-go thanks to the raisins, which — along with grapes — are poisonous to dogs. And while canned pumpkin can be a nice treat for pups, pumpkin pie filling can contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can be deadly to cats and dogs.
Pass the bread? No rolls for your pup. Yeast dough can cause painful gas for them, and can even cause the dangerous condition known as bloat (such as in a case Klein saw one holiday when a Great Dane puppy got into a plate of rising croissant dough).
Perils don’t end at the table. Unless your dog is one hundred percent trustworthy when it comes to staying out of the garbage, take great care to be sure they can’t go nosing through the trash, said Klein. And if you do have family visiting this year, be aware of open purses or luggage in pets’ reach. Anything from birth control pills to marijuana edibles to xylitol-containing gum can be consumed in a heartbeat.
Be sure to avoid centerpieces or flower arrangements with items that can be dangerous to cats and dogs as well. Among those are amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas and lilies. If you think your pet has been exposed to anything dangerous call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435.
Can they have any food fun this holiday season? We want to show our love through food, but “you can kill them with kindness,” said Klein, when you consider that “obesity is one of the largest problems in canine health.”
If you really have to give them something, stick with plain, skinless, white meat turkey, just a little bit, he said, or maybe a few unseasoned green beans. Better still, keep them away from temptation in a place where they’re safe and happy, like a crate or their favorite bed with a toy they love. It can be harder to train relatives than the dog, after all!
Holiday foods you shouldn’t feed your cats and dogs (msn.com)
By Sarah Crow for BestLife
Whether it’s setting out milk and cookies for Santa or hanging stockings above the fireplace, there are countless Christmas traditions that are integral to the celebrations of families across the United States. However, while some of these traditions may seem as American as apple pie, their origin stories are anything but. From Druid fertility practices to Roman rituals, keep reading to find out which countries are responsible for your favorite Christmas traditions.
© Provided by Best Life
According to History.com, the legend is that the Norse god Odin had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir, who kids would leave treats for in hopes that Odin would favor them with gifts in return. The tradition gained popularity in America during the Great Depression, when parents tried to make children understand the importance of being grateful for anything they might receive on Christmas.
While holiday greetings have been around since time immemorial, the first Christmas card was British in origin. According to the Victoria & Albert Museum, the institution’s founding director, Henry Cole, sent the first known Christmas card, which included a drawing of a family gathering and the words “a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you” in 1843.
While using trees in holiday celebrations is believed to originally be a pagan tradition, more recognizable iterations of the Christmas tree hail from Germany, and date as far back as the 16th century. The modern Christmas tree, however, was popularized in the UK in the 1840s, when German-born Prince Albert displayed the first known British Christmas tree in Windsor Castle.
While Thomas Edison‘s colleague Edward Hibberd Johnson is credited as the inventor of Christmas lights connected on strands, the tradition of illuminating Christmas trees comes from Germany, where it was being practiced as early as the 17th century, according to the Library of Congress. However, the lights back then were a lot less safe than the LED ones we string today—at the time, celebrants would simply attach candles to their trees and light them.
The legend associated with the Christmas stocking is said to date back to the time of Saint Nicholas during the 3rd and 4th centuries in what is now Turkey. According to Smithsonian magazine, Saint Nicholas heard about the plight of a poor widower and his three daughters and wanted to help. He snuck into the house, saw the girls’ recently laundered stockings drying by the fire, and filled them with gold coins before going silently into the night
For more traditions that we Americans “borrowed” from other countries, click below.
Source: 18 ‘American’ Christmas Traditions We Stole From Other Countries (msn.com)
I apologize for the late start this week, so let’s get at it. Remember, English is a difficult language to learn. However, it can be learned if you keep at it and follow along with me. Here we go:
By Brittany Anas for EatThis,NotThat!
Unwrapping presents may be the main event on Christmas morning. But a delicious brunch—best enjoyed in PJs—also brings merriment to the morning. Whether you like sweet (extra syrup, please!) or savory (ham and cheese are a dream team), here are 17 brunch recipes that feel just right for Christmas morning.
© Provided by Eat This, Not That!
Your muffin tins are multi-taskers. Not only can they bake your favorite muffins, but they can also make individual quiches to wow your brunch crowd. This recipe is especially great for Christmas morning because you can dice up some leftover ham from a Christmas Eve dinner, then mix in the vegetables. A generous serving of Gouda gives them a creamy, buttery bite.
© Waterbury Publications, Inc.
Psst, this bread pudding recipe with chocolate and sweet cherries may look and taste like dessert, but it’s just as great as a brunch dish.
© Beth Lipton/ Eat This, Not That!
For a delicious brunch, bake this flavor-packed and filling breakfast casserole that’s made with caramelized onions, baby kale, and mushrooms.
© How Sweet Eats
Here’s a genius idea: Make a charcuterie board for brunch on Christmas morning so that your family can wander in and out of the kitchen, enjoying a completely customizable and leisurely breakfast.
Easy-to-assemble, a charcuterie board is a perfect place for your favorite brunch staples. The possibilities are endless, but you can start with cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, sliced ham, waffles, fruit, vegetables, and more.
Speaking of more, to see more brunch idea’s, click below:
By Matt BeckerPosted October 25, 2019
Note: This article is somewhat dated but still contains worthwhile information for this year end. DH
We’re closing in on the end of the year, which means it’s almost time for family, friends, travel, stress, fun, and everything else that comes with holiday season.
It’s also a great chance to take stock of your financial situation, reflect on what’s gone well this year, what could be improved, and what you need to do to put yourself in the best situation possible going into next year.
But let’s face it: you don’t want to spend the holidays handling your finances. That’s no fun for anyone. So instead of waiting until the last minute, and potentially missing some important deadlines, I’d like to help you get a bit of a head start.
Here are 10 moves you can start making right now to improve your financial situation before the end of the year.
If you set some financial goals at the beginning of the year, now is a good time to check back in on them and ask yourself some questions:
Block some time off in your calendar to review those goals, update them as needed, and set new goals for the coming year. Your life and your circumstances have almost certainly changed over the past 12 months, and your goals should reflect those changes.
In the end, your financial plan can only be as good as the goals you set. Make this review a priority, block the time off in your calendar, and set yourself up for success in the coming year.
The easiest way to reach financial independence as soon as possible is to save more money. Nothing else you do will have as big an impact.
So it makes sense to take stock of how much you’ve already saved this year and whether you should be making any special moves to maximize your contributions to accounts like your 401(k), IRA, and HSA.
There are some limits and deadlines to consider here, so let’s walk through them quickly.
With both your goals and your savings still top-of-mind, you’re in prime position to make a least a rough savings plan for next year.
Here’s a little cheat sheet you can use to set up automatic contributions that max out each of your tax-advantaged investment accounts:
401(k)
Traditional or Roth IRA
Health Savings Account
But of course financial independence shouldn’t be your only goal. Back in Step 1 you might have set goals like buying a house, traveling, building an emergency fund, switching to a single income, or starting a business.
Those shorter-term goals are just as important as the long term ones, so make sure to set aside some regular savings for those as well.
The end of the year is open enrollment season, which means your employer will probably be sending you a big packet of information about your 2019 employee benefit options. That might sound pretty boring, and it kind of is, but it’s also a big opportunity to make sure you grab every last financial incentive available to you.
Here are a few of the things you might be able to take advantage of:
One of the tricky parts of a medical FSA is that the money is often use it or lose it. That is, any money that’s still in your account at the end of the year is gone forever.
So, while there’s still time left, check your FSA account balance and think about how you might be able to use it before the end of the year.
Do you need new glasses? Do you have any medical care you’ve been putting off? Maybe your child could use a trip to the dentist?
See if you can find a use for this money before the end of the year so that it doesn’t go to waste.
Quick note: Not all FSA plans are 100% use it or lose it. Some offer a grace period where you’re allowed to use the money for a certain period of time after year end. Others will let you keep up to $500 for next year. Check your specific plan details to see what leeway you’re allowed here.
The holidays can be a lot of fun. Time off from work. Time with family. Maybe even some traveling.
They can also be a HUGE money drain. Between gifts, food, plane tickets, hotels, and all the rest, the money you spend during the holidays can throw you way off your other goals, and potentially even leave you with a new pile of debt to handle.
The best way to avoid all of that is to plan ahead.
Make a plan for how much you want to spend. Set a gift budget, a food budget, and a travel budget. Save ahead for the things you know are coming.
I’m all for traveling to see family and spending on things that matter. And the holidays are a great opportunity to do just that.
With a little bit of planning, you can do it in a way that keeps your other goals on track.
I like to be pretty hands off with my investments.
As long as you pick a good enough investment strategy, minimize your costs, and automate your savings, you should stop worrying about it and get back to the rest of your life.
But there IS a small amount of regular maintenance that helps keep things on track, and rebalancing your investments is one of those pieces.
Rebalancing is essentially this:
You chose to invest in a particular way with a particular mix of investments. This much money in stocks, that much in bonds, etc.
But over time the markets will move and that mix will naturally change. When the stock market is up, that part of your investment account will increase in value and you’ll have a bigger percentage of your money in stocks than you originally planned. The opposite is true when the stock market is down.
Rebalancing is how you bring everything back in line with your personal goals. It’s simply the process of resetting your investments back to your original plan.
Of course, there are also a number of investment options that automate the process of rebalancing so that you don’t have to worry about it.
Life moves fast, and as your circumstances change you may find yourself with new things to protect, or maybe even things that no longer need protection.
Which means it’s a good idea to review your insurance and estate plan from time to time to make sure it’s still covering what you need it to cover, and nothing more.
Here are three things in particular you’ll want to review:
If you’ve been tracking your spending for the past year, now is a good time to look at the full year’s worth of information and ask yourself some questions:
There’s nothing like looking at the cold, hard numbers to get a real sense of where your money is going, what you’re prioritizing, and what you’d like to change.
Your net worth is your single most important financial number for the simple reason that just about every good financial move you make serves to either increase it or protect it.
And that means that tracking your net worth over time will help you gauge whether the financial moves you’re making are actually working. If your net worth is increasing, you’re making progress. If not, it might be time to re-evaluate the decisions you’re making.
So no matter what, recording your net worth now is a good idea. And if you can, compare it to your net worth at the same time last year to see how it’s changed, think about what worked and what didn’t, and use that information to influence your plans for the coming year.
What will you do to improve your financial situation?
You certainly don’t have to hit all 10 of these by the end of the year (though it would be great if you did!). That’s a lot to take on.
But as you look at this list, try to find at least 2-3 things that you can commit to handling before December 31, and maybe another 2-3 that you can commit to at the start of next year.
This isn’t about getting EVERYTHING right. It’s about making consistent forward progress one step at a time.
What next step will you take?
Source: 10 Financial Moves to Make before the End of the Year – Mom and Dad Money
By Richard Evans for BestLife
As we near the end of the year and look back on the last 12 months in film, it becomes clear that calling 2020 a weird time for movies is something of an understatement. Theaters have been closed in parts of the country for most of the year, leading to a resurgence of drive-in movies and sending major studio releases to streaming services. No matter how you managed to watch them, there have been some real standout films this year—and, of course, some total turkeys. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 10 worst movies of 2020.
So here are the 10 worst of the worst movies of 2020. Seen them?
Metascore: 31
Metascore: 30
Metascore: 29
Metascore: 29
Metascore: 28
Metascore: 27
Metascore: 26
Metascore: 22
Metascore: 22
Metascore: 15
Source: The Worst Movie of 2020, According to Critics (msn.com)