sweat-er / ˈswe-tər   noun   a knitted garment, usually with long sleeves My mother, for as long as I could remember, made at least one sweater every month…She would give us each a hand-knit sweater every Christmas. Until she died, those zipper sweaters that I wore on the Neighborhood were all made by my mother. Fred Rogers, 1928-2003   a person that perspires... Read More

mer-ri-ment / ˈmer-i-mənt   noun   gaiety; laughter Cultivate solitude and quiet and a few sincere friends, rather than mob merriment, noise and thousands of nodding acquaintances. William Powell, 1892-1984   lively celebration or festivities Christmas is more than a time of music, merriment and mirth it is a season of meditation, mangers and miracles. William Arthur Ward, 1921-1994

holy   ho-ly  /  hō-lē   adjective (holy, holier, holiest)   sacred; divine; pertaining to God or a deity O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Saint Augustine, 354 – 430   regarded with reverence or designated for religious use They are not all saints who use holy water. English Proverb   godly; filled with spiritual devotion and high morals Holy wisdom confounds... Read More

gar-land / ˈgär-lənd   noun   a wreath or other ornament made from flowers, leaves, etc., used for decoration or bestowed as an honor To have ideas is to gather flowers; to think is to weave them into garlands. Sophie Swetchine, 1782-1857   (archaic) a collection or anthology of literary works The editors subject the Garland of Philip – an ancient anthology represented in... Read More

me-no-rah / mə-ˈnȯr-ə   noun   a candelabrum with between seven and nine arms, used for worship in Judaism In terms of my religious preference, if a year goes by and I don’t have a Seder or I don’t light the menorah, I feel a loss. Jason Robert Brown, 1970-

naugh-ty / ˈnȯ-tē   adjective   ill behaved Once you begin being naughty, it is easier to go and on and on, and sooner or later something dreadful happens. Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867-1957   in poor taste Don’t write naughty words on the wall if you can’t spell! Tom Lehrer, 1928-   archaic, wicked So shines a good deed in a naughty world. from... Read More

nice / nīs   adjective   pleasant It is sad to grow old but nice to ripen. Brigitte Bardot, 1934-   kind Nice words are free, so choose ones that please another’s ears. Vietnamese Proverb   executed in a good manner A lot of hard work is hidden behind nice things. Ralph Lauren, 1939-   fine; fancy We need to steer clear of this... Read More

rap rap  /  răp   noun   a quick knock or tap Knock, indeed, he did at the door, but not with one of those gentle raps which is usual on such occasions. From The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, by Henry Fielding, 1707 – 1754   a knocking sound A little later, after the stir and sound of voices had died away,... Read More

adjective   of, relating to heavenly beings This is the highest point of philosophy, to be simple and wise; this is the angelic life. Saint John Chrysostom, c.349-407   like or resembling heavenly beings, with regards to beauty, virtue, etc. Angelic happiness is in service, from service, and according to service. Emanuel Swedenborg, 1688-1772

bake / ˈbāk   verb   to fully cook things by heating in an oven Baking cookies is comforting, and cookies are the sweetest little bits of comfort food. Sandra Lee, 1966-   to cause to dry by exposing to heat The same heat that melts wax, bakes clay. French Proverb   to make food by cooking in an oven, especially of sweet treats... Read More