New Years Eve Around the World

[edit] France

New Year's Eve fireworks in Paris The French call New Year's Eve la Saint-Sylvestre. It is usually celebrated with a feast called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. This feast customarily includes special dishes like foie gras and drinks like champagne. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and family or a much fancier ball (une soirée dansante).

On le Jour de l'An (New Year's Day), friends and family exchange New Year's resolutions and sometimes gifts.

The holiday period ends on January 6 for the Epiphany. On this day, they traditionally enjoy a type of cake that varies depending on where you are in France, resembling king cake in the United States.

Australia


Sydney leads the world in one of the first major New Year celebrations each year.Each major city around Australia holds New Year’s Eve celebrations, usually accompanied by a fireworks display amongst other events. Gloucester Park, a racecourse in central Perth, is the largest and most recognised display in Perth. In Brisbane 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the Brisbane River in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at Southbank. The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia are held in its two largest cities, Melbourne and Sydney. In Sydney the celebrations are usually accompanied by a theme which is displayed in light shows and a large symbol in the middle of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 1.5 million people gathered around Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) for the 2007-08 celebrations, making it the largest yet. The firework display was launched from 7 barges on the water, 10 city buildings, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Bradfield Highway. The display stretched over 6 kilometres and lasted around 14–16 minutes, making it the largest New Year's Eve firework display on the planet. Melbourne's New Year's Eve waterworks are set on from the Yarra river and from city rooftops. There is an average attendance of around 300,000 people. There was a game of poker occurring in Melbourne's Crown Casino where the loser of each round received a pie in the face.

Mexico
Mexicans down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, while making a wish with each one. On New Year's Eve, those who want to find love in the new year wear red underwear and yellow if they want money.

Other traditions include sweeping the dirt out, taking luggage outside as a symbol of future trips, hanging sheep dolls (mainly made out of wool) in the doorknob for prosperity, among others.

They make dolls out of old clothes

Peru
Peru celebrates a unique tradition on the last day of the year. Elaborate effigies, called Años Viejos (Old Years) are created to represent people and events from the past year. Often these include political characters or leaders that the creator of the effigy may have disagreed with. The dummies are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes, with papier-mâché masks. Often they are also stuffed with fire crackers. At midnight the effigies are lit on fire to symbolize burning away of the past year and welcoming of the new year. The origin of the tradition is unknown, but is similar to that of the British Guy Fawkes Night. It is possible the tradition began after a yellow fever epidemic left many dead. The corpses were then disposed of by burning.

Other rituals are performed for the health, wealth, prosperity and protection of each member. These rituals are the following: Twelve grapes: Each person eats twelve grapes before midnight, making a wish with each grape.

Yellow underwear: One of the most popular traditions, yellow underwear are said to attract positive energies for the New Year.

Suitcase: Walking around the block with the suitcase will bring the person the journey of their dreams.

Information furnished by Wickipedia.com.

Happy New Year!!!!

From Around The World!!!

Cheers,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

10 Funny Jokes About New Year's Resolutions

Making resolutions and sticking to them can be difficult. Laugh at these ten jokes and try not to take life too seriously.

Spending more time with family:

Families are complicated enough, but things became even more confusing after my father decided to get married to my brother's mother-in-law. "Now I can't make up my mind whether he's my dad or my father-in- law," says my brother, "or if my mother-in-law is now my stepmother, or whether my child is my daughter or my niece." -- Oscar Reagan

Getting in shape:
A friend of mine had resisted efforts to get him to run with our jogging group until his doctor told him he had to exercise. Soon thereafter, he reluctantly joined us for our 5:30 a.m. jogs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

After a month of running, we decided that my friend might be hooked, especially when he said he had discovered what "runner's euphoria" was. "Runner's euphoria," he explained, "is what I feel at 5:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays." -- Neil P. Budge

Starting that diet:
My friend Kimberly announced that she had started a diet to lose some pounds she had put on recently.

"Good!" I exclaimed. "I'm ready to start a diet too. We can be dieting buddies and help each other out. When I feel the urge to drive out and get a burger and fries, I'll call you first."

"Great!" she replied. "I'll ride with you." -- Katina Fisher

Quitting smoking:
I discussed peer pressure and cigarettes with my 12-year-old daughter. Having struggled for years to quit, I described how I had started smoking to "be cool."

As I outlined the arguments kids might make to tempt her to try it, she stopped me mid-lecture, saying, "Hey, I'll just tell them my mom smokes. How cool can it be?" -- Judi Moore

Eating healthier:
The teacher in our Bible class asked a woman to read from the Book of Numbers about the Israelites wandering in the desert. "The Lord heard you when you wailed, 'If only we had meat to eat!' " she began. "Now the Lord will give you meat. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, or ten or twenty days, but for a month—until you loathe it."

When the woman finished, she paused, looked up, and said, "Hey, isn't that the Atkins diet?" -- David Martino

Reducing your debt:
Neighbors of ours had a terrible disagreement over a patio they wanted for their backyard. The wife had rather grand ideas, while the husband wanted costs kept to a minimum. The wife won out, and the construction bill climbed higher and higher.

I dropped by one day, when the patio was near completion, and was surprised to find the husband smiling from ear to ear as the workmen smoothed over the surface. I remarked how nice it was to see a grin replace the frown he had been wearing lately.

“You see where they’re smoothing that cement?” he replied. “I just threw my wife’s credit cards in there.” -- R. Horn

Learning new things:
I was trying to decide what to do for a talent show I planned to enter. Trusting my mother to help me out, I asked, "For the show, what do you think I should do, sing or put on a comedy act?"

Glancing up from her paper, she said dryly, "What's the difference?" -- Kimmie Helk

Better teeth care:
Just because one owns a business doesn't mean it has to be all business. This sign in a dentist's office proves that point: "Be True to Your Teeth, or They Will Be False to You." -- James Wertz

Becoming more organized:
My friend’s husband is always telling her that housekeeping would be a snap if only she would organize her time better. Recently he had a chance to put his theory into practice while his wife was away.

When I popped in one evening to see how he was managing, he crowed, "I made a cake, frosted it, washed the kitchen windows, cleaned all the cupboards, scrubbed the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling and even had a bath."

I was about to concede that perhaps he was a better manager than his wife, when he added sheepishly, "When I was making the chocolate frosting, I forgot to turn off the mixer before taking the beaters out of the bowl, so I had to do all the rest." -- Mary I. Costain

Drinking less
I was waiting tables in a noisy lobster restaurant in Maine when a vacationing Southerner stumped me with a drink order. I approached the bartender. "Have you ever heard of a drink called 'Seven Young Blondes'?" I asked. He admitted he'd never heard of it, and grabbed a drink guidebook to look it up. Unable to find the recipe, he then asked me to go back and tell the patron that he'd be happy to make the drink if he could list the ingredients for him. "Sir," I asked the customer, "can you tell me what's in that drink?"

He looked at me like I was crazy. "It's wine," he said, pronouncing his words carefully, "Sauvignon blanc." -- Christie Eckels

My Tip this Tuesday,

Have Fun and laugh at your resolutions! Go make the life you want, no resolutions needeed. Just change your thoughts to match what you want.

Cheers,

Danna

On The Road Again

Amazing it's the Monday of 2008! As I reflect back on all the On The Road Posts this past year, I picked my favorite one to spotlight for the last week Monday. This particular post came because of a road trip to Fort Worth Texas to attend the Paint World Show. Enjoy!

Take Two, Too Texas

You have heard of storm chasers, well last night Scott and I were storm runners. Our destination Fort Worth Texas, home of American Paint Horse World championships where we will spend our next three and a half weeks. As I shoved the last bit of anything I could find in our 4 door 650 truck, the skies were clear, and it was a balmy 92 degrees. Twenty four hours later not so nice.

If your married you will understand what I am about to say, if you are not married, lucky. When your husband and you disagree about traveling routes he always wins. He knows he is right because he talked to that guy that has drove it fifty times and this way is better. Even when the GPS kept begging us mile after mile to turn around your going the wrong way he wouldn’t listen, her voice is female you know.
Around 30 miles into the new route a two lane highway heading us to Clovis New Mexico instead of a 4 lane interstate heading us to Amarillo Texas, we came suddenly to a complete stop. In front of us are miles of stopped cars in both directions, flashing lights, with barley visible wreckage.

How many hours setting in a hot truck in the middle of nowhere on a road you did not want to take does it take you to surrender. Well all two and a half of them. If any of you know me I try to stay pretty positive, with one exception, disagreements with my husband. But I took my deep breaths decided to make the best of things and got out and stretched and tried to let go of my need to be right.

Since I already needed a potty break before we had stopped needless to say I was uncomfortable. You see Scott only stops when we need fuel and we now have a 100 gallon tank, and for whatever reason his 50 year old bladder is as good as it was 30 years ago.

No cars are moving in either direction, right, so I climb between the truck and trailer with barely enough room to fit decide nature has called long enough. Just as I am to the can’t stop now stage mostly standing because there is not enough room to squat the gentlemen that owns the car directly in front of us decides to come visit. He looks with amazement as our eyes meet with some delay between what is she doing in between the truck and trailer to what is that running out from underneath there truck. Needless to say when it all came together for him our greetings were brief.

About an hour into the patience growing seminar things were looking up, a nice breeze picked up and clouds began to form. The temperature dropped noticeably and I softened ever so slightly and mentioned to Scott that at least the weather was bearable, and I am so grateful we were delayed at the Taco Bell while someone spilled there 64 oz coke, and that women directly in front of us went postal at the clerk for giving her the wrong change, I know a few words in Spanish and she used all of them. But with my new found attitude of gratitude life wasn’t so bad. After all that could be us in the wreckage, or oh yeah we could be on the interstate.

In Texas in June when the weather cools quickly it usually means take cover and leave your mobile home, and for heaven’s sake don’t drive around on roads you have never been on in county’s you don’t know the name of listening to the radio that list the county’s that have tornado touch downs.

In Utah we are a four season state, but usually the season’s space out every three to four months. Not mixed together and elevated to the tenth power and delivered on your windshield. You can imagine my terror when on the radio was word of softball size hail, one thing I do know is different sizes of balls. Golf ball, baseball, maybe, but never softball size hail. Four and a half inch rockets sent from 65,000 feet up are not considered gifts from heaven. Every town we just had passed was reporting softball size hail. Reports of half naked men lay out on their couch as suddenly big white rockets shoot through the ceiling of their 1972 mobile homes.
Mobil e homes if there is a bigger magnet to disaster I would like to know. Mobile to move off foundation be turned over by a gust and oh yeah did I mention people usually put tires on the roof to keep it attached. Or maybe all this time it has been bumpers for hail stones. If a mobile home park moves next to you, best call the realtor.

Well after 14 hours in the truck and one all beef hot dog at the truck stop we finally found the last room in Snyder Texas, a heavy smoked in hundred dollar foxhole. I put a towel down on the ground, dropped to my knees and thanked God I get to live for another day.

Safe, tornado less journeys,

Danna

Inspire Me

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found.
Was blind but now I see.

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear.
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear;
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone
And all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for ev’ryone,
And there’s a cross for me.

John Newton never really thought of himself as a poet but rather as a sea captain turned to God. His conversion took place in the midst of a wildly fierce storm at sea: somehow in calming a terror stricken crew and looking after a piteous horde of African slaves that were his cargo, he found the peace of God. When the storm subsided, the 23 year old captain made a decision, no more sailing, no more slaving, and after 16 years of studying at night, for he had no education, religious or otherwise, he was ordained a minister and preached the gospel of love and freedom in word and example. He decorated his colorful sermons with verse and ultimately published nearly 300. Amazing Grace is the best known.

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Inspirational Movies:

Here are some of my top picks for Inspirational Movies to Watch and give as gifts this Holiday Season.

The Ultimate Gift:

Powerful Warrior:

Mr. Hollands Opus:

Gandhi:

The Lion King:

Angels in Outfield:

A Beautiful Mind:

Rudy:

Patch Adams:

The Karate Kid:

Forrest Gump:

The Secret:


Five People You Meet In Heaven:

August Rush:

Serendipity:

Add popcorn, favorite beverage, a good inspirational movie on a winter night is good for the soul.

Cheers,

Danna

Funny Friday

None of that Sissy Crap

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, But never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card- Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.

9. This is my oath.. I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask; 'because you are my friend'.

Had this sent to me by one of my friends, it made me laugh, so I had to share it with all of my friends.

Day after Christmas we all need to Cheer!!!!

Happy week off for some of you lucky --------, same word as was used in #1.

Danna

MERRY CHRISTMAS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sseRlBDDVaU

Alan Jackson's, Let It Be Christmas is my new favorite Christmas Song. I found this on youtube and felt compelled to share.

Have the best Christmas Ever!

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

My Christmas Eve Traditions:

As I set here writing my Christmas Eve blog the snow is lightly falling, the bright colored lights sway with a slight breeze, I think to myself, wow this is what the Christmas Spirit feels like.

As a child the most perfect Christmas Eve's came with snowfall. The excitement would overtake my essence with each flake that fell. A white Christmas is the best Christmas'.

Christmas Eve traditions, are warm wonderful memories that last forever. When I was a very small girl we would walk over to my Great Grandma's house for the celebration. We always ate, and opened a present. Food was definitely not what I had in mind. Christmas Candy and the present was what kept me asking can we open the presents now! My family from California would come down, bringing with them See's Candy, in the 60's in Salina, that was a real treat. Also from California would come fancy packages wrapped from the big stores, again a pleasure when you lived in a town of under 2000.

As you grow up the Christmas Eve parties change, we moved our next parties to my Grandma Lenna's house. She would spend a month decorating her home. It was outrageously beautiful. Shadow boxes with small Christmas figurines tens of thousands of lights both inside and out. Frozen ice sculptures in the front yard with lit up color wheels. People would come from all over to see my Grandpa and Grandma's house. She would fix fancy appetizer's, and delicious punch. She was my step grandmother and had lived in the city all her life, she knew how to entertain and that was certainly a new experience for a bunch of Cowboy's. Her presents were so pretty I never wanted to rip the paper. They always had matching bows and trinkets on them.

Then the parties moved to Mom's house. My Mom can cook! Working retail we all show up starving and exhausted. The feast is always delicious and through the years it moved from my little kids running around spilling food and drink on her white carpet to now my five grandchildren doing the same thing.

This year is my first Christmas Eve in 50 winters not spent in Salina. Certainly a life change.

The new Park City store will be bustling with people on their ski vacations. We always closed early on Christmas Eve at the Salina store, this year in Park City we will be open late. Like the song says, I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.

I love my family, we sacrifice a lot for the success of Burns Saddlery and Burns Cowboy Shop. Six Generations and never in 132 years has our family been without supplying Christmas for Cowboys throughout Utah, and now throughout the world.

Our family will all get together first thing in the morning, as Scott and I head South to see the twinkle and excitement in those grandchildren's eyes. Taking me back to my inner child that is as much a believer now as I was over four decades ago.

Have A Wonderful Christmas,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

Ten Tips for Thriving in This Economic Winter

Many of you have read and commented on our recent conversation about how it's a season to sow, how there's so much fear in our world right now and how it's related to some of the universal laws that modern society has forgotten.

Clearly define what inspires you.There's a big difference between taking action out of inspiration versus desperation. Use this season as an opportunity to hibernate into the recesses of your own mind and define what you choose to create in your next spring.

Control your focus.Energy flows where attention goes. Are you focusing on lack or opportunity?
Feed your mind.What's your constant mental diet? Do you spend hours in front of the scare news or are you reading good books, attending more positive seminars, watching uplifting DVDs and listening to powerful CDs?

Strengthen your body.Your physical health and vitality have a tremendous impact on your performance as well as your mental and emotional fitness. Exercise releases stress as well as strengthen your body and mind.

Inventory your friends.Doom and gloom attracts more doom and gloom. Jettison those "energy vampires" around you and surround yourself with opportunity seekers.

Quiet your mind.Take time to meditate daily and to slow down if only for a few minutes. Ten to fifteen minutes of meditation will relieve hours of stress and increase creativity and resourcefulness.

Rid your life of escapist activities. Overindulgence in TV, sleep and alcohol only accelerate the problems you're attempting to avoid.

Make a daily gratitude list.Focusing on all the good, gifts and God in your life puts you in the right line of thought, feeling and their subsequent actions, which will attract and create more good, gifts and God.

Change your attitude.Realize that everything that's happened in your life thus far is here to serve you, teach you and help you grow. Find the lessons in your past results, forgive yourself for anything you could have done better and apply the lesson to move forward and create a better future.

Get resourceful.For the next three days, go to a place where you can have uninterrupted time... Come up with 20 new ideas to grow your income, create new results and improve your life. You cannot leave your spot until you have twenty. And no editing! All ideas are good ideas. Do this for three successive days with 20 new ideas each day.Now take your list of 60 unique ideas and pick the three to five most powerful and leveraged ones to put into action. Pick these three to five based on: ease of implementation, rate of return and speed of return.

And so during this winter season, remember: It's not about resources... there are plenty of them. It's about resourcefulness. Get resourceful and get busy.

This was sent to me by James Arthur Ray. I reviewed his book Harmonic Wealth, a couple of months ago, again it is outstanding, I have listened to the audio version at least six times. This book is for forward thinkers that want to progress in every stage of their lives, the result will be Harmonic Wealth!

The Happiest of Holidays,

Danna

On The Road Again

Christmas Week!!!

It's here, the week every child that has been imprinted to it's meaning yearns for. The countdown and anticipation of all those gifts, candy and toys!!!

Talking to my grandchildren on the phone you hear the excitement and anticipation in their tiny voices.

The spirit of the Holidays vibrate highest this last week, gracious gifts for people in need are handed out in the tens of thousands. People opening their hearts and their wallets for others less fortunate than they.

On the road for me this week takes place on Christmas morning, travel home to Salina visit with the family then drive back the same day to new home in Park City.

Biggest week so far at Park City takes place on December 26th- January 1st. Ski vacation paradise awaits many. With perfect conditions now and fuel and flight costs down this will be an exceptional year.

This is the crunch time at Burns, all you last minute shoppers, (Men) call us or stop in one of our two locations, we will help you find the perfect gift and wrap it free.

Happy Holidays,

Danna

Inspire Me

Winter Solstice Today!

The ancients:huge efforts to observe the solstices An utterly astounding array of ancient cultures built their greatest architectures -- tombs, temples, cairns and sacred observatories -- so that they aligned with the solstices and equinoxes. Many of us know that Stonehenge is a perfect marker of both solstices.

But not so many people are familiar with Newgrange, a beautiful megalithic site in Ireland. This huge circular stone structure is estimated to be 5,000 years old, older by centuries than Stonehenge, older than the Egyptian pyramids! It was built to receive a shaft of sunlight deep into its central chamber at dawn on winter solstice.

The light illuminates a stone basin below intricate carvings -- spirals, eye shapes, solar discs. Although not much is known about how Newgrange was used by its builders, marking the solstice was obviously of tremendous spiritual import to them. Here's more on this incredible ancient site.

Maeshowe, on the Orkney Islands north of Scotland, shares a similar trait, admitting the winter solstice setting sun. It is hailed as "one of the greatest architectural achievements of the prehistoric peoples of Scotland."

Hundreds of other megalithic structures throughout Europe are oriented to the solstices and the equinoxes. The blossoming field of archaeoastronomy studies such sacred sites in the Americas, Asia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Recent research into the medieval Great Zimbabwe in sub-Saharan Africa (also known as the "African Stonehenge") indicates a similar purpose. In North America, one of the most famous such sites is the Sun Dagger of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, built a thousand years ago by the Chacoans, ancestors of the Pueblo people. Even cultures that followed a moon-based calendar seemed also to understand the importance of these sun-facing seasonal turning points.

I am infatuated with solstices and equinox's. I love reading how ancient cultures studied and built sacred observatories, I have been to a few of this ancient historic marvels, there all on my list to do.

Shortest day of the year holds magic, go experience it!!!

Namaste,

Danna

Found this information on:

http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Baker's One Bowl Million Dollar Fudge

5 dozen pieces or 60 servings, one piece each

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine

4 1/2 cups sugar

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

3 packages (12 ounces each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks

1 jar (7 ounces) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme

3 cups PLANTERS Chopped Pecans

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PLACE butter, sugar and milk in heavy 4-quart saucepan
. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.
Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
REMOVE from heat.
Gradually add chocolate chunks, stirring until chocolate is completely melted after each addition. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. POUR into greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan. Cool completely. Cut into 60 pieces.

Only 5 more days!!!!

Call us we can overnight your unique gifts, all wrapped and ready for the big day. We love last minute shoppers!!!

Danna

Funny Friday

Great response last week on Budweiser Snow Ball Fight.

This week Budweiser Sleigh Ride!!!

Both should be a holiday tradition.

Great weekend for a Sleigh Ride, position yourself properly.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Zen Horse

Horse Tip of the Week
By Clinton Anderson

I tie all my horses up for three or four hours everyday after I work them. Doing this accomplishes a couple of things: it teaches your horse patience and helps him retain the exercises that you worked on that day.

If you turn your horse out with his buddies immediately after you finish riding, he’s more likely to forget everything you just taught him. It’s kind of like the kid in class who runs out the door with his friends the minute the bell rings; most of what he just learned is lost. Once you get done working your horse, it’s better to let him sit and relax a bit before you turn him back out.

I have tie-rings or patience polls all over my ranch so that whenever I finish working a horse, I can tie him up and let him sit. Not only does this help him retain the exercises we worked on and increase his patience, it also helps him learn to relax wherever he is.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

It is hard to imagine celebrating Christmas in the modern world without thinking about giving gifts.
But, have you ever thought to yourself, “Why do we give gifts at Christmas?”
In some ways, the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is a very ancient tradition.
In other ways, giving gifts at Christmas is a relatively new development, as well.
In the Christian religion, the practice of giving gifts at Christmas is traced back to the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that were given to the Christ child by the three Magi.
The magi were kings from the East, wise men who traveled a great distance following a star, to find the Christ child and to bring him gifts.
The visit of the Magi to the Christ child was originally celebrated on the Feast of Epiphany on January 6th.
Over time, the tradition of giving gifts came to be more associated with Christmas than with Epiphany.
It is the time from Christmas to Epiphany in the Church calendar - from December 25th through January 6th - that is recognized as the “twelve days of Christmas” from the old Christmas carol.
To be certain, the ancient Church did not “celebrate” Christmas as much as it “observed” Christmas as a holy day.
It wasn’t really until the modern era.
The tradition of giving gifts to loved ones at Christmas became more and more popular as the middle ages ended and the modern era began.
Various countries and peoples began to make gift-giving a regular part of the holy day (or “holiday”) over a period of time.
By the time the Americas were settled, giving gifts at Christmas was practiced by many of the settlers.
The early Dutch settlers to America introduced St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, to the new world. The early French and English settlers, in contrast, were more likely to give gifts at New Year’s or at Epiphany.
Ultimately, a common Christmas culture developed in which gifts were given on Christmas.
In the nineteenth century, the idea of gift giving took on new dimensions, as the works of O. Henry, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Nast all helped to shape our concepts of Santa Claus and other aspects of the holiday.
Today, we all give gifts at Christmas for our own reasons.
For some, it is a way to celebrate the Christian holy day.
For others, it is a special time to let family and friends know that you care by giving gifts.
At times, giving gifts at Christmas becomes almost mechanical, and a chore; when this happens, it is worth stepping aside for a few moments to consider why exactly you give gifts at Christmas.

Posted in Christmas, Holidays

Gift Giving,

Damn Good Stuff!

7 days left, I would be glad to assist you in picking a perfect timeless gift, call or email me.

Cheers,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, 'My son, the battle is between 'two wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.'

'The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, 'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

Today would have been my fathers 78th birthday.

He was 8th Cherokee, making me 16th .

I am intrigued by Native American Wisdom .

Having some roots in the Cherokee lineage this story has always been one of my favorite.

Native American Wisdom, Great Tip's any Day, Especially this Tuesday!

Happy Birthday Dad.

Thanks for all the great memories.

Fly High!!!!

All My Love,

Wissy

On The Road Again

Well another one's in the books.

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

What an amazing show!!!

It was so wonderful to see everyone again, all my team members friends, and clients.
The atmosphere is unlike anything you have ever experienced. It truly is a Cowboy Christmas. This year I flew out of SLC, Scott and I crossed paths as we traded off duties. Now we just did the same thing Saturday, I flew back to Park City and he flew to take down NFR today.
It is hard to find the words to thank all the Burns team members that made the show such a huge success. Your enthusiasm and attitude attracted the masses. How wonderful it is to be able to work with so many incredible people for two weeks. I am so honored to be a part of the Burns Saddlery/Burns Cowboy Shop Team.

As far as getting on the road again it will be some time know. Burns Cowboy Shop Park City will be my destination until spring.

We still have some really great product at fantastic prices, we will ship and wrap free. We appreciate all your patronage this past year, but most importantly we appreciate your friendship.

Thanks again everyone for making NFR the best ever.

Gratefully,

Danna

Inspire Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEqdr_Awdak

The Law Of Attraction

Each one of us does have it.

The ability to lead and inspire.

Fear keeps people small.

Get out of the stands.

And get on the court.

Be positive, what you think is what you become.

Whatever your dreams are go for it.

When someone does something good, Applaud.

I love inspirational youtube video's, pass them on.

Blessings and Light,

Danna

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Christmas Candy, always brings back memories...My Mom is a great cook and her Divinity is one of my favorites. I have yet to make a batch because she always spoils me, and I don't want to spoil the recipe. My Mom is a amazing cook she learned well from my Grandma who was an Outstanding Cook who never used a recipe. Me I review...

My review... Five Stars for my Mom and Grandma's Cooking!!!!

Gratefully,

Danna

Divinity Recipe

2 2/3 C. sugar

2/3 C. light corn syrup

1/2 C. water

2 egg whites

1 t. vanilla

2/3 C. coarsely chopped nut

Cook sugar, corn syrup and water (use 1 tablespoon less water on humid days) in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved.
Continue cooking, without stirring, to 260° F. on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a hard ball that holds its shape but is pliable.
Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Continue beating while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites, beating constantly on medium speed.
(For best results, use electric stand mixer, not a portable handheld mixer since beating time is about 10 minutes and mixture is thick.)
Add vanilla.
Beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull.
(Mixture may become too stiff for mixer.)
Gently stir in nuts.
Drop mixture from buttered spoon onto waxed paper.
Let stand at room temperature at least 12 hours, turning candies over once, until candies feel firm.
Store in airtight container.

Funny Friday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qccLJ-slFI

Budweiser, hands down has the best advertising department in the world. I love there Clydesdale commercials. This holiday season I get to share my favorite Clydesdale Snowball Fight.

Never mess with the Old Alpha Mare. Trust me on this one.

Happiest of Friday's to Ya, (Blackburn Irish coming out in me)

Danna

Zen Horse

Horse Tip of the Week
By Clinton Anderson

When you take your horse on a trail ride, don’t put him on auto-pilot. Horses are just like kids, if you don’t give them something to do, they’ll find something to do!

Trail riding offers the perfect opportunity to work with your horse outside the arena. Do post-to-post exercises with a couple trees or try the serpentine exercise using different obstacles.

Riding outside the arena also means your horse will encounter obstacles that he may be afraid of. Rather than just letting him sneak by them, do roll-backs there and make him use the thinking side of his brain. Doing exercises like these in an open area or on trail rides will help increase your horse’s respect because he learns that no matter where you are, you require the same amount of responsiveness.

A big plus to riding outside the arena is it keeps your horse interested. If you only ride in an arena or enclosed area, your horse will get bored a! nd sour. Taking him outside and on trail rides gives him variety and helps keep his attitude good.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

Free Gift Wrapping

We have offered free gift wrapping at Burns Saddlery for as long as I can remeber, let's see I am 49 so I can remeber back aproximately 45 years, really I can remeber back 45 years!

I have wrapped more saddles, hats, lariets, boots, rocking horses, bouncey bulls, chaps, saddle bags, home decor, texas long horns, chairs, benches, pants, shirts, halters, saddle blankets, horse blankets, jewlery, and yes even put ribbons on horses we sold for someone to give for Christmas. Last year we even wrapped a horse trailer in a big bow.

So this year as I am wintering in Park City my skills are down to needing just to wrap shirts, jackets, hats, boots, jewlery, belts and handbags.

Much easier than all that horse tack. However hats are still a pain in the butt. But after 132 years in business we still offer free gift wrapping, always have and always, I guess will.

And if your wondering what to get someone for Christmas lots of hints just included in this text.

Anytime you can get free Gift Wrapping it's Damn Good Stuff.

Happy Holidays,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

Life is not a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming---
WOW--- What a Ride!!!!

My tip today is Ride!!! Ride the journey in this amazing vessel we call body, travel in it, discover in it, love in it, and most importantly appreciate it.

During the Holiday Hustle I know my body and mind gets ridden long and hard, I am so grateful for the strength and energy I have to accomplish all of my life's journey's.

I live and ride for today, not for a better after life!

My Tip for Tuesday, Ride the Journey!!

Danna

On The Road Again

December 8th only Monday of WNFR...(Wrangler National Finals Rodeo).

I am here in Las Vegas Nevada surrounded by Cowboys, Cow boys and Cowgirls with long wish lists for Christmas.

Does it get any better than that.

This year our selection is incredible. All our new Lucchese Boot Designs have been so well recieved it fills like we will run out before the end of the show. How can that be, I always overbuy.

Cowboy Christmas is amazing, if you have never experienced it book a flight today, it runs through this Saturday.

Come and visit me in booth 1615...at Convention Center or Braydan at Mandalay Bay Booth # 927 or Destiny in our Lucchese Booth at the Sands #719.

Great Fun, on the road in Las Vegas!!!

Danna

Inspire Me

Teddy's Story:

Dr. Wayne Dyer is one of my favorite mentors and authors, this story so moved me when I read it, then again when I heard it, then again when I found this on youtube.

Felt the need to share it with you.

Nice Story for this time of year. We do make a difference with our encouraging words.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSK7MZAsSAw


Many Blessings,

Danna

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

SUBMITTED BY: EAGLE BRAND® "The one and only! EAGLE BRAND® makes this traditional dessert the perfect ending to a Holiday feast."

PREP TIME
15 Min
COOK TIME
55 Min
READY IN
1 Hr 10 Min
Original recipe yield 1 - 9 inch pie
SERVINGS

Servings

US
METRIC
INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust



DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Funny Friday

Here are some holiday quotes both funny and serious, enjoy your holiday season!

To many people holidays are not voyages of discovery, but a ritual of reassurance.

A good holiday is one spent among people whose notions of time are vaguer than yours.

Marry an orphan: you’ll never have to spend boring holidays with the in-laws.

To a joyful present and a well remembered past. Best wishes for happy holidays and a magnificent New Year.

Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Like ornaments, thoughts of special people brighten the season and warm our hearts.

I have had a holiday, and I’d like to take it up professionally.

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.

Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.

The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.

No self-respecting mother would run out of intimidation's on the eve of a major holiday.

A perpetual holiday is a good working definition of hell.

Come, woo me, woo me; for now I am in a holiday humor, and like enough to consent.

Wishing you the blessings of warmth and good cheer this Holiday Season.

Danna

Found these quotes on www.sayings.funnyjunkz.com

Zen Horse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnsWQ4kNG-w&eurl=http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1993

This segment should be called Camel Zen....amazing stuff, I have ridden a camel a few times and it is rough. Can't imagine the hours required to train one to do all of the maneuvers in this video.
My friends Lisa and Loren Skyhorse just recently returned from a humanitarian project in Mongolia, Lisa said she rode a camel a few day's and it was excruciating, opted for the little horses after that.

Youtube, you can see it all.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

Wherever you are,
it is your friends who
make your world.

William James said that and he was right.

The friends and relationships we form with each other create our world.

To share the joy and awe of a beautiful sunrise.

Or sit around a campfire after a long horse ride and share stories of the day.

When you pick up your phone and get excited when it says you have unread messages, as you open them and find they are words from your friends.

To be happy and overcome with excitement for your friends accomplishments, and they feel the same for you.

To share, support, and love, unconditionally.

Now that's Friendship ,and that my friend is Damn Good Stuff!!!

Namaste,

Danna

P.S. Happy Birthday Grandpa Wayland, Best Dad and Papa in the World!!!

Tipsy Tuesday

Holiday Season is here.

You can either buy today or take a gamble and wait for a sale.

Tod Marks, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, says consumers should consider buying clothing early in the shopping season while there are plenty of sizes and colors.

But waiting to buy electronics might pay off because if sales of items such as flat-screen TVs are slow, retailers may cut prices closer to the holidays to clear out inventory.

A word of warning, however: The credit crunch has hit retailers, too, so they are stocking smaller inventories to avoid unloading unsold items at clearance prices after the holidays.
What’s there today may be gone tomorrow.

Do you feel lucky?

My therory is when you find it buy it.

You can always make more money, you can't always find the perfect gift.

I would love to help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones. Come Visit me and my team at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, held December 4th-14th.


Flying to Las Vegas today to set up and sell, sell, sell, at our 3 booths at WNFR. Come and visit us at our booth #1615 Convention Center. #719 Sands, #927 Mandalay Bay.

It's the best time of the year, shop and have fun, no remorse.

Happy Trails,

Danna

On The Road Again

The next two weeks are the busiest most exciting weeks of the year for me and my companies. Scott, Braydan, and the team of 30 are down in Vegas this morning sitting up all three large booths for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Cowboy Christmas gift shows.

I fly out tomorrow to arrange displays and get ready for the best Cowboy Christmas in Burns Saddlery's history. This year we have over 4000 pairs of Lucchese boots to offer in all 5 locations. That's right 5 locations going at once.

Sands booth will be totally Lucchese Boots Destiny Crane and her outstanding team will be set up in booth number #719.

Mandalay bay our largest booth is sized up to a 40X60 the team leader is our GM Braydan Shaw, the booth is right inside the door from the parking lot side and the booth # is 927. We have the largest selection of hats, boots, saddles, clothing, Montana Silversmith jewelry, and home decor.

Convention Center (Cowboy Christmas) that is where you will find me all our great staff. Products include Lucchese Boots, Burns Custom Hats, Saddles, Powder River, Panhandle Slim Clothing, and Montana Silversmith jewelry and home decor. My booth # is 1615.

Amanda will oversee all operations at the mother ship Burns Saddlery in Salina, with our excellent team, they will be selling, wrapping and shipping out hundreds of gifts per day.

Our website will be the busiest ever and it is oversaw by Tonia Lewis and her capable staff.

Scott will fly back to Park City as I fly out to Vegas where he will tend our Burns Cowboy Shop in Park City Utah for the next 10 days.

On the Road Again between Las Vegas, Salina, and Park City, Utah!!!

Come by, you will say WOW!!!

Happy Trails,

Danna