Twas The Night Before Christmas

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

by Clement Clarke Moore - Published in 1822

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."



Are You Ready For The Man In Red?

Only two sleeps left!  Are you checking Norad?   Santa tracking set to launch on Christmas Eve.  Check out Norad on my sidebar and you can stay up to date!  Check out Kid's Countdown Village.

The Countdown To Track Santa!

Track Santa Here!

Only six sleeps left

Check out all the fun at the North Pole

How to Prepare Your Artificial Greenery....

...for decorating!




Here is a video showing how to prepare a wreath for decorating.  The same rules apply to any artificial greenery whether it be a tree, garland or wreath.  You should physically touch each and every branch this ensures that you are working with a great foundation which helps to support and show off your lovely ornaments!

Wherever you are in your day, I hope you're enjoying it!
Wishing you many wonderful creations!

A Craft Room

Not far from where I live is one of my favourite designers and someone who I believe to be extremely talented.  I absolutely love the colours she works with, her designs and the results she achieves.  I'd like to share a video with you today of Sarah and her assistant Tommy turning an ordinary room into a craft room.  Do you love Ikea?  Then you're going to love this video!
The Making Of A Craft Room!

Enjoy!

Just so happens we have a room we are finishing downstairs.....hmmmmm!

Wherever you are in your day, I hope you're enjoying it!
Wishing you many wonderful creations!

Some Pretty Good Blog Candy....

...being offered from someone I know!

One of my favourite Blog Friends (shhhh, she doesn't know that) has some amazing candy up for grabs!   Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop is willing to ship her candy anywhere and she's got Spellbinders Classic Hearts up for grabs!!  Who hasn't wanted that to add to their collection (I have and I've entered)?  Di's going on holidays and wants to get it out in the mail before she goes so give her a visit and enter today!  If you stop by....check out last Friday's post, it's the most yummy recipe ever (at least I think so...I''m a chicken freak).  Di's been posting great gourmet type dishes every Friday now for the past while and with the time difference, I get these posts first thing in the morning!  I drool just reading them - not fair cos it's usually breakfast time for me!

I love passing on good information especially when you get the chance to maybe win something!  Why wouldn't I? 

Good Luck!