The holidays can be challenging. If you need someone to talk to, come talk to a mentor. One Christmas, I came across an article in a local newspaper by an articulate columnist named Bill Johnson. His column was titled, "A Lesson in Catching the Christmas Spirit." Johnson began his search for the Christmas spirit at the Christmas tree lots,...

The holiday season is traditionally a busy time filled with happiness and good cheer. With celebrations, family gatherings and office parties, it represents the most social time of the year. The holiday-party season and the gathering of family during the holidays can produce a tremendous amount of stress and tension - two key triggers in the onset...

Ingredients: 2 cups creamo 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons baking powder 1 1/2 cups shortening (creamed) i.e Crisco vegetable shortening 2 cups sugar 8 cups flour Directions: Cream shortening.  Add sugar and mix until fluffy.  Add creamo and milk, baking powder and 7cups of flour (use 1 cup for rolling out dough). Mix until well blended.  ...

Evening wear this Christmas has a relaxed feel. Popular fabrics of the season are Georgette, sheer, lace, polyester, satin, silk, chiffon, and velvet. Essential colors include wine, gold, silver, bronze, red, teal and turquoise and any type of limestone sequence. Tops Satin tops blend style with comfort and make great evening wear. A bias...

Looking for that special outfit for the Christmas party? Go further than these great ideas to dress it up for some Christmas flare! This season’s look comes in classic shades.  Black, deep reds, rich burgundies or purples, royal blues, glittering silvers, or a rich array of greens are all perfect for a special holiday look. The little black...

This is supposed to be a season of joy and happiness, but I don't feel it. Is it common to get depressed over the holidays? What can I do about it? Advice: Many people suffer from bouts of depression or the blues at different times during the year. During the holiday season people encounter memories of loved ones they have lost through death or...

Centuries ago in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), a boy named Nicholas loved the story of the Magi, the wise men who traveled from afar to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. He admired that they came and left with no fanfare. Years later, after Nicholas became a priest, he showed the same humility by quietly distributing food and gifts among the poor....