SUPER SUNDAY FUN

Anyone who has the patience and diligence to do some hardcore collecting holds a soft spot in my heart, so when I saw the HUGE collection that caused this guy to enter the the World Guinness Book of Records in 2011, I was thrilled.  Jean-Guy Laquerre, who lives in Canada, has a whopping collection of close to 26,000 Santa pieces that include figures, stuffed toys, calendars and more, and the list is still growing.  Can you imagine having that many Santas in one place?

Photo by James Rahe

Meanwhile this year, everyone is raving about James Rahe's collectible Santa figures which exceed just over 4000 in Commerce City, Colorado.

Photo by James Rahe

His collection is rumored to be worth about $100,000!

CHICKEN DINNER
On Christmas in Japan, most people aren't celebrating by eating ham, roast or turkey as we do in the states. Their food of choice is fried chicken, but not just any chicken. A Kentucky Fried Chicken Dinner with wine and all, is eaten by almost  3.6 million people, and costs about $52.00.

OOPS!
I've seen Boxing Day on calendars and always assumed it was a day to honor boxers in Canada, but it actually has nothing at all to do with the sport.   It originated in the United Kingdom, and is also celebrated in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

This holiday of giving started around the 19th century with the opening of alms boxes in the local churches and giving the contents to the poor and needy.  It was also a way for servants of the rich to spend time with their own families.

FREE APP
If you don't already have enough apps on your phone, here's another one to add called Fooducate.  

Fooducate Weight Loss Coach - Android Apps on Google Play

Use it to scan food package barcodes to get the nutrition grade and information,  as well as a healthy alternatives if needed.

IN NEED
Miracleflights.org/miles is a great way to give back to kids who have rare or life threatening health issues which require them to travel for medical care far away from home.

CRUNCHY SALTY LEMONY SALAD
I thought this was an unusual salad, and I love lemon, so it sounded like a good one to try.  Even better, you can add lettuce, sunflower seeds or fruit if you like.

INGREDIENTS
2 Small Beets, any color (trimmed & peeled)
2 Persian Cucumbers
1 Medium Watermelon Radish, trimmed
1 Oz. Parmesan, Pecorino, Asiago or other hard cheese of your choice, thinly shaved
1 Lemon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Drizzling
Sea Salt
Black Pepper

DIRECTIONS
Very thinly slice the beets, cucumbers and radish crosswise into coins on a mandoline, then toss to combine in a medium bowl.  Arrange on a platter, and scatter as much cheese as you like on the top.  Graze some lemon zest over the salad, then halve the lemon and squeeze on some juice.  Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.  If you like heat, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Do you remember reading Hans Christian Andersen as a kid?  The Danish writer arrived in Copenhagen with lofty plans to become an actor, singer and dancer.  Unsuccessful, he wrote children's stories instead, eventually publishing his first volume (there were 3) of  Fairy Tales for Children in 1835, and included the Princess and the Pea.  

All 3 volumes with a total of 9 classic stories were eventually sold as one book for 72 shillings in 1837.  How much is that in American dollars these days?  About 70 cents.  If you decided to purchase it today (the 1932 version) from www.biblio.com, it'll set you back $2750.00, and they'll be nice enough to not charge tax!

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
In Mederra County, CA many police officers spent time performing random acts of kindness.  They included giving away Christmas cards with $100 bills inside versus traffic tickets, purchasing groceries for an elderly couple, cutting firewood, and lots more.

PAYING IT FORWARD
Many of you may remember how a homeless Marine veteran named Johnny Bobbitt, who used to sit on the road on Hwy I-95 every day with a sign. He saw her run out of gas, told her not to worry and to lock her doors, and he would be right back. Using his last $20, he returned with a gas can to help her get back on the road.  She could have thanked him and forgotten all about it. Kate McClure wasn't able to repay him then, but she kept coming back to give warm clothing, food and small amounts of cash.  Then she set up a GoFundMe page, asking for $10,000.  Even though funds are no longer being accepted, people are still commenting about the almost $403,000 raised to help this selfless man.

Kate McClure, Mark and Johnny

What is he doing with the money? He had 2 trusts set up to help him manage the money. He recently purchased a home, so he'll never be homeless again, plans to purchase a truck, and finally, he'll pay it forward to a student who started a GoFundMe page for another homeless veteran who he spoke with every day.