(Kiki's Corner by Kiki Angelos - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

It is unbelievable that another year has passed and once again December has arrived being probably the busiest month of the year. If you stop and think about everything you have accomplished in 2024, both good and bad along with unfinished business and the to-do list you have not finished as of yet.

Of course one can always carry over and finish the so-called to-do list but this also presents a problem because the new year also comes loaded with new and more things to do and take care of.

The new year continues with things that must be done, including work, family, various responsibilities all which needs to be taken care of if you want to succeed and remember the saying “no money – no fun” LOL. Most of us have finally realized that money does not grow on trees as many think. It would be fantastic if we all had such a thing as a money tree and when I ask my husband for money he always tells me to go out in the back yard to our money tree. I always remind him that I have not seen anyone take money with them when they pass and he always replies that he is going to die trying too. LOL.

Let’s face it — many females especially love to shop. Shopping is one of my relaxations and especially shopping for jewelry, clothing and shoes. If I am shopping for someone else and can not find the right thing etc. I do not get discouraged because I always find something to buy for myself.

I always say “what is the point of having money if you do not spend it?” I am joking because a person needs to put back money for a rainy day and I also make sure I do that also.

Before COVID we always went to our home in Athens, Greece, for at least a month and I always have to buy an extra suitcase to be able to bring all the purchases I made. Following the month or so in Greece we would go to our condo in Las Vegas not to gamble but to relax and once again I end up needing to purchase an additional suitcase for items I buy in Vegas. The negative of all that however is that the airlines charges a substantial fee for the extra luggage.

On the serious side I do enjoy shopping for items especially when I know the person will like and appreciate what I am giving them. However that becomes very difficult when all our families and grandchildren that have such different tastes and likes,

Wishing you all the best on your shopping adventures.

One more thing, the older I get and I’m serious I enjoy shopping for others besides myself.

Especially the ones in need, families that have lost their jobs, people with medical bills and no insurance, sicknesses in a family, children that if we don’t help them, they will not have anything under the tree and it will break my heart.

It is not going to be fair, no child deserves that and we as citizens need to help everyone if possible.

Now on the bright side:

1) I want to thank all my West Virginia Symphony League-Parkersburg members for ringing bells with me for the Salvation Army in front of Sam’s Club this past Tuesday.

2) In appreciation of all the West Virginia Symphony League members, I chaired a friendship luncheon last Wednesday at the Blennerhassett Hotel, it was a lovely lunch.

We had West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Charleston member Jessica Silber sing two beautiful Christmas songs along with Jane Kincheloe playing the piano.

Mary Ellen Dearth led us in Christmas carols .

There is nothing more rewarding than to share my talents with others and I baked baklava and honey cake for all my guests to take home with them. Plus, I handmade a wreath ornament for each one of my friends and to top of everything else I gave each one a fresh pot of red poinsettias for their home to let them know how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate each one of them for all they do for the League through the year.

If any group is to succeed, it takes a village of people that are willing to share their talents and ideas and time with others. And I have to say, we’re so blessed to have so many ladies like that in our Symphony League. The reason for all that is to help the WVSO to come to Parkersburg, for us to enjoy classical music and also educate our great school students.

Do you know that all our students up to 18 years old can enjoy any concert of the year with free admission, what a treat. I hope many parents encourage their children to come and on Sunday we do have a concert that everyone would love and enjoy and bring you into the Christmas spirit.

Plus, you will experience something that we do only once a year around this time. All of us are baking dozens and dozens of homemade cookies and everyone that will be in the concert at intermission, we will treat them to delicious cookies. (No charge.)

I am very excited and honored to say that I was asked by our West Virginia Symphony conductor Maurice Cohn to be part of the Christmas carol “Twas the Night before Christmas.” I will read it and the orchestra will play. What an experience for me and I look forward to being part of that, so please join us.

Till next week.

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CHERRY CRANBERRY SALAD

1 pound cranberries

2 cups of sugar

1 1/2 cups of water

Two packages cherry gelatin, in 2 cups hot water

1 number 2 can of crushed pineapple, undrained

2 apples, diced

2 oranges, diced

1 cup nuts chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

Grated rind of one orange

Put cranberries and 2 cups sugar with 1 1/2 cups water and cook until done. Dissolve the gelatin in 2 cups hot water and add the remaining ingredients. Pour in mold or an oblong pan and put in the refrigerator to congeal. Serve with whipped sour cream