We were brain-storming what movies we've seen on Christmas Day. After my mom died in 2007 we started going to a movie as a complete "change". Trying to get three completely different people from three different generations to agree on a movie has been a challenge some years.
2007: National Treasure 2
2008: we didn't see a movie because I forgot to buy advance tickets. The only tickets available were for Bolt or Twilight--- uh no, so we went home!
2009: Sherlock Holmes
2010: Burlesque
2011: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2012: The Guilt Trip
Daddy-O fell asleep during movies in '07 and 09. Mac gagged his was through 2010, punctuated with lots of eye rolling, gagging sounds, and mutterings of "you've got to be fu****g kidding me." All three of us were happy with 2011, except for the uncomfortable rape scene. 2012 left us all smiling and laughing; Mac and I were also a bit freaked out because it was like watching a version of us! OMG!
Who knows what we'll see this year? Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle or Saving Mr. Banks get my vote!
Maggie
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Monday, November 19, 2012
An idiot lost her village
So...
My mom painted an entire Christmas village for me. I also acquired people, a "pond", lights, and all other manner of tids and bits to round out a Christmas village. I have about 30 pieces.
Because it's so huge, I haven't set it up in years. The last time I can remember putting it up was Christmas of 2000. And that's the last time I remember seeing it.
I was going to loan it to Alcatraz to put on display this year for the holiday season and Daddy-O and I cannot find it anywhere, and I'm just sick over it. He and I spent several hours last night going through the entire attic and basement, the garage and shed, and every closet and crawl space in the house where it might be. And we can't find it anywhere. And obviously, it's not some small box that can be misplaced- it's at least 2 good sized boxes; I thought it was packed into 2 Rubbermaid containers! But we can't find them anywhere. We even started opening all other boxes and bags in case I'm wrong about how it was all wrapped up. We found my snowmen collection, all my various trees and their ornaments, lights and my nativity scene. We just can't find the village.
I've wracked my brain and I can't come up with much. I canNOT believe I would've given it away since my mother painted the whole thing. I also can't fathom that I would've loaned it out and not remembered to whom I loaned. I know it did not go to the Wild West with me and it didn't go to Armpit with me. I've moved so, so many times in my life, trying to remember a time line of where it could be is rough. But again, this was a HUGE box (or boxes) so I don't think it could easily be left behind. Also, it's a huge village so I haven't always had space to set it up every time I've moved so I think 12 years ago is the last place I lived where I had a large enough space.
After much brain power, we've brainstormed the possibilities of where it could be:
The village is gone. Breaks my heart...
Mags
My mom painted an entire Christmas village for me. I also acquired people, a "pond", lights, and all other manner of tids and bits to round out a Christmas village. I have about 30 pieces.
Because it's so huge, I haven't set it up in years. The last time I can remember putting it up was Christmas of 2000. And that's the last time I remember seeing it.
I was going to loan it to Alcatraz to put on display this year for the holiday season and Daddy-O and I cannot find it anywhere, and I'm just sick over it. He and I spent several hours last night going through the entire attic and basement, the garage and shed, and every closet and crawl space in the house where it might be. And we can't find it anywhere. And obviously, it's not some small box that can be misplaced- it's at least 2 good sized boxes; I thought it was packed into 2 Rubbermaid containers! But we can't find them anywhere. We even started opening all other boxes and bags in case I'm wrong about how it was all wrapped up. We found my snowmen collection, all my various trees and their ornaments, lights and my nativity scene. We just can't find the village.
I've wracked my brain and I can't come up with much. I canNOT believe I would've given it away since my mother painted the whole thing. I also can't fathom that I would've loaned it out and not remembered to whom I loaned. I know it did not go to the Wild West with me and it didn't go to Armpit with me. I've moved so, so many times in my life, trying to remember a time line of where it could be is rough. But again, this was a HUGE box (or boxes) so I don't think it could easily be left behind. Also, it's a huge village so I haven't always had space to set it up every time I've moved so I think 12 years ago is the last place I lived where I had a large enough space.
After much brain power, we've brainstormed the possibilities of where it could be:
- left in the attic/ crawl space of the place I lived where it was set up last (and the odds of it still being there 12 years later isn't good obviously)
- left in a long ago friend's garage who left me store my belongings for 6 months
- a long ago ex might've taken it by accident..
The village is gone. Breaks my heart...
Mags
Sunday, January 15, 2012
I love the Christmas Tree!
The Christmas tree is still up and it's all my fault. I LOVE Christmas trees. I do. Daddy-O was going to take it down before he left 'on vacation'. He was going to take it down on Christmas day or the day after and I couldn't bear it so I promised I could take care of it. Then he left a few weeks later and he was going to take it down and again, I got him to leave it and promised it would be down before he comes home- bwahahahahahahaha- and he believed me!
I'm notorious for leaving my tree up for.... well, for long after Christmas is come and gone. And Chinese New Year is over. And often Valentine's Day is over and my tree is still up. I think Christmas trees are so pretty and just magical. They make beautiful nightlights. The world seems kinder when I can sit in a room with no other lights than those on the Christmas tree. The ornaments are usually reminders of fun times from the past. I just like a Christmas Tree.
One time, when I lived in Northern Civilization, I had my tree up. It was beautiful that year. My condo had a fireplace and my whole house was perfect the whole holiday season. I even had a holiday open house that year. Things were good and like I said, I'm a fan of the Christmas tree. So, one day, many weeks after Christmas, there was a knock at my door and three girlfriends showed up with food and drinks! They said we were having a party. O thought that sounded great! I was game for a party! They said it was a tree "untrimming" party. Well. Ok. They said it was time. So we undecorated the tree and had a party... with a St. Patrick's Day theme since it was March 17...
The other time I think my tree might have been up too long was.... well... I almost hate to admit this. Let's see... I moved from the Wild West back here to Civilization in December 2008. As a welcome home gift and surprise, Daddy-O and Curley put up a beautiful pink Christmas tree for me. I finally took that down... in September 2011. Hey don't judge! It was pink! With high heel shoes as decorations! And it had a tiara as a tree topper! And it was pink! It made me feel happy!
So... the tree is still up. I should probably find out when Daddy-O is coming back. I hope he gives me a couple weeks of a heads up.
I've never had the chance to hide Easter Eggs in the Christmas tree, though...
Mags
I'm notorious for leaving my tree up for.... well, for long after Christmas is come and gone. And Chinese New Year is over. And often Valentine's Day is over and my tree is still up. I think Christmas trees are so pretty and just magical. They make beautiful nightlights. The world seems kinder when I can sit in a room with no other lights than those on the Christmas tree. The ornaments are usually reminders of fun times from the past. I just like a Christmas Tree.
One time, when I lived in Northern Civilization, I had my tree up. It was beautiful that year. My condo had a fireplace and my whole house was perfect the whole holiday season. I even had a holiday open house that year. Things were good and like I said, I'm a fan of the Christmas tree. So, one day, many weeks after Christmas, there was a knock at my door and three girlfriends showed up with food and drinks! They said we were having a party. O thought that sounded great! I was game for a party! They said it was a tree "untrimming" party. Well. Ok. They said it was time. So we undecorated the tree and had a party... with a St. Patrick's Day theme since it was March 17...
The other time I think my tree might have been up too long was.... well... I almost hate to admit this. Let's see... I moved from the Wild West back here to Civilization in December 2008. As a welcome home gift and surprise, Daddy-O and Curley put up a beautiful pink Christmas tree for me. I finally took that down... in September 2011. Hey don't judge! It was pink! With high heel shoes as decorations! And it had a tiara as a tree topper! And it was pink! It made me feel happy!
So... the tree is still up. I should probably find out when Daddy-O is coming back. I hope he gives me a couple weeks of a heads up.
I've never had the chance to hide Easter Eggs in the Christmas tree, though...
Mags
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Giggles
From my house to yours, Happy Christmas!Peace and joy to you all this season!
Pink lipsticky kisses to you all,
Maggie
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas eats
We had our family Christmas a few days ago since my brother drew the short straw and work on Christmas day. This isn't really a big, ugly deal or anything and it was a wonderful day.
My niece and nephew just crack me up with their silly antics and they must've known about Santa's naughty and nice list because they were extra nice and so sweet. I got lots of hugs and kisses and cuddles and smiles and even some high 5's from Fab Finn (who isn't much for kisses for anyone but hi mommy!).
We opened awesome presents and then went out for dinner at a steak house. I loved that I didn't have to cook!
Though today I decided I would cook stuff for the next few days so I could keep on relaxing. I didn't want to spend all of tomorrow cooking even though we're only going to see a movie. I have to work my weekend receptionist job- which I am doing right now!- so my brain was in work mode already. So I got up this morning, and none too early mind you, and tackled cleaning the kitchen first so I could cook.
I boiled and deboned chicken for a chicken casserole, which I stirred up after said chicken was cooked and... de-boneable (I know that's not a word and it even sounds sorta dirty...). I also fired 2 pounds of bacon and made 2 breakfast casseroles. I fried up hamburger for tomorrows chili, then I made 2 dips/ spreads: cheese dip for crackers or veggies, and a dill dip which we put on small slices of pumpernickel bread. I didn't get the brownies baked or the sour cream coffee cake made so those are on tomorrow's agenda. And the corn muffins (those are better hot so they had to wait, in my personal opinion. But it's not that hard to open a box, add eggs and pour! Right?)
By the time I got to work (and I volunteered to work so no pity parties!) and I put up all the mail here and then I got things situated for the rest of the night, I was wiped out! Who knew that pre-working could take so much time?
And you know when you cook lots of stuff and you think you have everything? Well, I thought I was out of eggs but found a dozen had been shoved to the back of the fridge. I ran out of bread but Daddy-O had hid an extra loaf. I had just enough milk plus a glass. The only thing that was messed up with dill weed. We have a shelf in the pantry that has about 50 different types of spices on it. NO DILL WEED! I went through them several times and made Daddy-O look because I could be blind and there was no dill for the DILL DIP. I said screw it but Daddy-O ventured out to Wally World in search of said spice. And he found the LAST ONE in all of town (he called to see if dill seed would work. I had to call my friend with the recipe who said that would no be an acceptable substitution and had to text him back. He prevailed and found one anyway!) You know me and holiday food- it's almost the point for ANY holiday!
So, it's Christmas eve and almost all the food is prepared and stockings are hung and the children are gonna be snug in beds... and I don't have to cook on Christmas. Unless I want coffee cake. And brownies. And corn muffins...
Happy Christmas,
Maggie!
My niece and nephew just crack me up with their silly antics and they must've known about Santa's naughty and nice list because they were extra nice and so sweet. I got lots of hugs and kisses and cuddles and smiles and even some high 5's from Fab Finn (who isn't much for kisses for anyone but hi mommy!).
We opened awesome presents and then went out for dinner at a steak house. I loved that I didn't have to cook!
Though today I decided I would cook stuff for the next few days so I could keep on relaxing. I didn't want to spend all of tomorrow cooking even though we're only going to see a movie. I have to work my weekend receptionist job- which I am doing right now!- so my brain was in work mode already. So I got up this morning, and none too early mind you, and tackled cleaning the kitchen first so I could cook.
I boiled and deboned chicken for a chicken casserole, which I stirred up after said chicken was cooked and... de-boneable (I know that's not a word and it even sounds sorta dirty...). I also fired 2 pounds of bacon and made 2 breakfast casseroles. I fried up hamburger for tomorrows chili, then I made 2 dips/ spreads: cheese dip for crackers or veggies, and a dill dip which we put on small slices of pumpernickel bread. I didn't get the brownies baked or the sour cream coffee cake made so those are on tomorrow's agenda. And the corn muffins (those are better hot so they had to wait, in my personal opinion. But it's not that hard to open a box, add eggs and pour! Right?)
By the time I got to work (and I volunteered to work so no pity parties!) and I put up all the mail here and then I got things situated for the rest of the night, I was wiped out! Who knew that pre-working could take so much time?
And you know when you cook lots of stuff and you think you have everything? Well, I thought I was out of eggs but found a dozen had been shoved to the back of the fridge. I ran out of bread but Daddy-O had hid an extra loaf. I had just enough milk plus a glass. The only thing that was messed up with dill weed. We have a shelf in the pantry that has about 50 different types of spices on it. NO DILL WEED! I went through them several times and made Daddy-O look because I could be blind and there was no dill for the DILL DIP. I said screw it but Daddy-O ventured out to Wally World in search of said spice. And he found the LAST ONE in all of town (he called to see if dill seed would work. I had to call my friend with the recipe who said that would no be an acceptable substitution and had to text him back. He prevailed and found one anyway!) You know me and holiday food- it's almost the point for ANY holiday!
So, it's Christmas eve and almost all the food is prepared and stockings are hung and the children are gonna be snug in beds... and I don't have to cook on Christmas. Unless I want coffee cake. And brownies. And corn muffins...
Happy Christmas,
Maggie!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Making Christmas cards
For art club this week- on Wednesday, the kids and I are going to make Christmas cards. Here are three samples. I was inspired by Achiever's, with all their make and take freebies, and their card workshops. So I came up with these three ideas and we made these examples.
Then last night I cut all the paper to the correct size after shopping for all the supplies. Daddy-O cut out the shiny trees, the snow flakes and the J-O-Y letters on his Cricut. Then on Wednesday night the kids will rotate in stations and make these cards.
I'm pretty proud of it how they came out! I hope the kids' are as happy with theirs as I am mine- I'll show their pix, too!
Then last night I cut all the paper to the correct size after shopping for all the supplies. Daddy-O cut out the shiny trees, the snow flakes and the J-O-Y letters on his Cricut. Then on Wednesday night the kids will rotate in stations and make these cards.
I'm pretty proud of it how they came out! I hope the kids' are as happy with theirs as I am mine- I'll show their pix, too!
Monday, October 17, 2011
40. Watch a classic Christmas movie I've never watched
I watched White Christmas and it's cute. I have no idea how I made it 40 years without seeing this wonderful, quaint and funny musical.
In summary:
Bob and Phil team up to become a song-and-dance act (think vaudeville) after they leave the Army, post WWII. They meet a team of beautiful sisters, Betty and Judy, who also have a song-and-dance act. Betty and Judy go to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, the guys follow. There they find their former Army General, Gen. Waverly to be the owner of the financially failing lodge. They all stay to help to try to rejuvenate the business and in the midst of all that romance and comedy ensue.
I love when the guys help the girls out of a situation and end up doing the girls' song and dance routine: "Sisters." It was hilarious! Of course, the costumes were lush and the music is to die for. The dancing is fantastic. And who doesn't love Irving Berlin's famous Bing Crosby crooning "White Christmas"?
This was worth watching and I might have to just watch it again, when it's actually part of the Christmas season. Who knows- I could start a new tradition and watch it each year, I liked it so much!
Mags
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thank yous and randoms on Christmas Eve
Thank you to Gulo for sending me all the yummy baked goodies!!!! And since your dog is now a sock terrorist, all mine (socks, that is) are in hiding!
Thank you Patti for the beautiful necklace!!!! I'll be posting a picture of said piece of shoe jewelry that she made herself using my avatar off this blog!! it's stunning- thank you so much!
Mac had a girlfriend for about 2 months (though I just found out that she was officially his "girlfriend" about 3 weeks ago) and she dumped him 2 days ago. He is now the world's most depressed teenager. I hate her and I'm really tired of his attitude, but what can I do?
I transported 2 boys yesterday. Pray for one. He's got a rough life story but the next three days he's going to a foster home. For Christmas. With his brother. yeah, this boy is in a placement facility and his brother is in foster care. And he's going to the foster place for three days, with a family he's never met, to celebrate this huge family holiday.
And speaking of driving transits... yesterday's ode... well the day I drove that, it was 16 hours long. The kids were awesome and kind. They were respectful. They sang. Someone found my Kelli Clarkson CD and we sang along at the top of our lungs. Some woman in a bathroom in southern My State thinks I have 7 teenage girls. She's an idiot. Overall, they made me laugh. It was a good day.
I just finished wrapping all the gifts I'm giving except for one. And I've filled the stockings. Now I'm going to help Daddy-O wrap. Ugh! Why do I wait until the last minute? Oh, don't answer that.
This year I didn't send Christmas cards. I usually do but didn't this year. I couldn't find any I liked really well. I either liked the picture and hated the message or vice versa. I thought about, around October, of making my own and of course, I didn't. Procrastination is a terrible thing. Maybe I'll send New Year's Cards? Or Chinese New Year cards in later-ish January?
I told Mac I've decided to be Jewish by next year. We can still have a tree but for Hanukkah we're calling it a Hanukkah Bush. He asked if would fill his stocking with yamakas and dreidels. He asked me if that means I would register with J-Date. He's not funny.
Because of the flu/ cold from hell, I've also not basked. I figured cooking and contaminating is not the gift I want to give this Christmas season. But I didn't really need to bake since Gulo sent a wonderful box of goodies, Curly made us a huge platter of yummies, and my Auntie in Texas sent an entire box full of treats! Awesome people and awesome cookies, candies, and such! I am going to bake next week, though. I'm going to make my mom's recipe of cut out cookies, some chocolate fudge, a pan of mint brownies, and some fold over jam cookies. We'll see what happens!
Marry Christmas Eve,
Mags
Thank you Patti for the beautiful necklace!!!! I'll be posting a picture of said piece of shoe jewelry that she made herself using my avatar off this blog!! it's stunning- thank you so much!
Mac had a girlfriend for about 2 months (though I just found out that she was officially his "girlfriend" about 3 weeks ago) and she dumped him 2 days ago. He is now the world's most depressed teenager. I hate her and I'm really tired of his attitude, but what can I do?
I transported 2 boys yesterday. Pray for one. He's got a rough life story but the next three days he's going to a foster home. For Christmas. With his brother. yeah, this boy is in a placement facility and his brother is in foster care. And he's going to the foster place for three days, with a family he's never met, to celebrate this huge family holiday.
And speaking of driving transits... yesterday's ode... well the day I drove that, it was 16 hours long. The kids were awesome and kind. They were respectful. They sang. Someone found my Kelli Clarkson CD and we sang along at the top of our lungs. Some woman in a bathroom in southern My State thinks I have 7 teenage girls. She's an idiot. Overall, they made me laugh. It was a good day.
I just finished wrapping all the gifts I'm giving except for one. And I've filled the stockings. Now I'm going to help Daddy-O wrap. Ugh! Why do I wait until the last minute? Oh, don't answer that.
This year I didn't send Christmas cards. I usually do but didn't this year. I couldn't find any I liked really well. I either liked the picture and hated the message or vice versa. I thought about, around October, of making my own and of course, I didn't. Procrastination is a terrible thing. Maybe I'll send New Year's Cards? Or Chinese New Year cards in later-ish January?
I told Mac I've decided to be Jewish by next year. We can still have a tree but for Hanukkah we're calling it a Hanukkah Bush. He asked if would fill his stocking with yamakas and dreidels. He asked me if that means I would register with J-Date. He's not funny.
Because of the flu/ cold from hell, I've also not basked. I figured cooking and contaminating is not the gift I want to give this Christmas season. But I didn't really need to bake since Gulo sent a wonderful box of goodies, Curly made us a huge platter of yummies, and my Auntie in Texas sent an entire box full of treats! Awesome people and awesome cookies, candies, and such! I am going to bake next week, though. I'm going to make my mom's recipe of cut out cookies, some chocolate fudge, a pan of mint brownies, and some fold over jam cookies. We'll see what happens!
Marry Christmas Eve,
Mags
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Transporting kids home: a poem
Twas three days before Christmas and all through the state
Kids were going home to have fun and celebrate
1 Crazy lady, 8 girls and a guy
Were all in a van, wheels spinning, oh my.
The boy was out first, relieved to be free
From the giggling girls, blonds there were three.
Gabby was next,
her mom wasn't there,
so wait 10 extra minutes they did,
I was pulling out my hair!
Princess was home, into her family's arms she did run
Their faces lit up as warm as the sun.
I hugged her goodbye
I wished her adieu
I exclaimed to her I would "miss you!"
Back down the road we did ride,
The music playing loud,
The traffic parted like the tide or a crowd
One more girl here, another there
I left one on the side of the interstate,
My van was becoming bare.
Finally with two left we did go
To the other side of the state, I'll have you know
Now Ali was home, Kenni was too
After 15 hours on the road, I was weary, and left to stew.
My 5 hours back north did I drive in a rush
I relished the peace, the quiet, the hush
The kids were home and I was almost, too
And now I'll just say "Merry Christmas to you"
Kids were going home to have fun and celebrate
1 Crazy lady, 8 girls and a guy
Were all in a van, wheels spinning, oh my.
The boy was out first, relieved to be free
From the giggling girls, blonds there were three.
Gabby was next,
her mom wasn't there,
so wait 10 extra minutes they did,
I was pulling out my hair!
Princess was home, into her family's arms she did run
Their faces lit up as warm as the sun.
I hugged her goodbye
I wished her adieu
I exclaimed to her I would "miss you!"
Back down the road we did ride,
The music playing loud,
The traffic parted like the tide or a crowd
One more girl here, another there
I left one on the side of the interstate,
My van was becoming bare.
Finally with two left we did go
To the other side of the state, I'll have you know
Now Ali was home, Kenni was too
After 15 hours on the road, I was weary, and left to stew.
My 5 hours back north did I drive in a rush
I relished the peace, the quiet, the hush
The kids were home and I was almost, too
And now I'll just say "Merry Christmas to you"
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas Meme
Since I'm leaving at the crack of dawn and won't be back until around 10pm, I'm wussing out and writing this Christmas meme. Enjoy, and feel free to steal it!
1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate. I can make a frozen one or a hot one and sometimes I make an adult version- add a little of that new Baily's Chocolate Mint creme to the ordinary cocoa and... bliss.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
He sits them under the tree unwrapped. Dad and mom always wrapped their gifts to us.
3. Colored lights on the tree/house or white?
White lights only. And they cannot blink or flash or stutter. Just plain white lights on the house and the tree. The end!
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Yes I do. Also, I have a hat with some pinned on but I need to be careful when I wear it, ewwww.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
We used to always put them up the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year I left my pink Christmas tree up all year around and turn it on each night in December
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Well, you mean there's other food than dessert at Christmas? 'Prolly bacon breakfast casserole, I guess.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Probably decorating with the family or lighting up the courthouse
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I just don't remember. I still get my picture taken with him at the mall... what truth?
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?
Not anymore!
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him?
Whatever kind I have left. One year we left him homemade fudge.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
12. Can you ice skate?
Uh, no! But I wish I could. I tried to learn the year I got ice skates but it didn't get cold enough and we didn't have an indoor rink. Then I outgrew the skates. Oh, then another year I was pregnant and skated one time around the rink and felt sick so I stopped, then found out I was knocked up a few weeks later. Nice, eh?
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
It was probably the handmade Barbie dream house
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
family.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
'Bout time we had this questions: my mom's recipe of homemade sour cream coffee cake, and her cut out cookies. I have the recipe for these and make them now
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Opening stocking first, then eating breakfast and then opening gifts in order of age while we all watch each other and take pictures and be silly!
17. What tops your tree?
This year I have a tiara.
18. What do you prefer... giving or receiving?
Both equally.
19. What is your favorite Christmas carol?
"The First Noel", "Deck the Halls", "Hark the Harold Angels Sing," "Silent Night" hands down, "O Holy Night" if Connie sings it, "Santa baby" by Ertha Kitt ONLY... oh, I didn't read the question- it said carol- not carolS
20. Candy canes... yuck or yum?
I like 'em. Bring 'em on. Yum!
21. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes. And here's a funny- my dad said I need to date someone named Dean because several years ago I dated some guy named Dean and we broke up right before X-mas and dad found a gift with the name Dean that they had bought for him so we need to give it to someone... go figure!
22. Favorite Christmas movie?
Love Actually
23. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, my dad hand painted me one.
24. What's the most annoying thing about this time of year?
MONEY or the lack there of
1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate. I can make a frozen one or a hot one and sometimes I make an adult version- add a little of that new Baily's Chocolate Mint creme to the ordinary cocoa and... bliss.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
He sits them under the tree unwrapped. Dad and mom always wrapped their gifts to us.
3. Colored lights on the tree/house or white?
White lights only. And they cannot blink or flash or stutter. Just plain white lights on the house and the tree. The end!
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Yes I do. Also, I have a hat with some pinned on but I need to be careful when I wear it, ewwww.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
We used to always put them up the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year I left my pink Christmas tree up all year around and turn it on each night in December
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Well, you mean there's other food than dessert at Christmas? 'Prolly bacon breakfast casserole, I guess.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Probably decorating with the family or lighting up the courthouse
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I just don't remember. I still get my picture taken with him at the mall... what truth?
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?
Not anymore!
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him?
Whatever kind I have left. One year we left him homemade fudge.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
12. Can you ice skate?
Uh, no! But I wish I could. I tried to learn the year I got ice skates but it didn't get cold enough and we didn't have an indoor rink. Then I outgrew the skates. Oh, then another year I was pregnant and skated one time around the rink and felt sick so I stopped, then found out I was knocked up a few weeks later. Nice, eh?
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
It was probably the handmade Barbie dream house
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
family.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
'Bout time we had this questions: my mom's recipe of homemade sour cream coffee cake, and her cut out cookies. I have the recipe for these and make them now
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Opening stocking first, then eating breakfast and then opening gifts in order of age while we all watch each other and take pictures and be silly!
17. What tops your tree?
This year I have a tiara.
18. What do you prefer... giving or receiving?
Both equally.
19. What is your favorite Christmas carol?
"The First Noel", "Deck the Halls", "Hark the Harold Angels Sing," "Silent Night" hands down, "O Holy Night" if Connie sings it, "Santa baby" by Ertha Kitt ONLY... oh, I didn't read the question- it said carol- not carolS
20. Candy canes... yuck or yum?
I like 'em. Bring 'em on. Yum!
21. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes. And here's a funny- my dad said I need to date someone named Dean because several years ago I dated some guy named Dean and we broke up right before X-mas and dad found a gift with the name Dean that they had bought for him so we need to give it to someone... go figure!
22. Favorite Christmas movie?
Love Actually
23. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, my dad hand painted me one.
24. What's the most annoying thing about this time of year?
MONEY or the lack there of
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Shop til we drop
And we did.
XRAy Girl and I went shopping today. We left the house at 9am and returned at 9pm. We went to over 20 stores. We are tired. We were brave. Some might have thought us stupid. But we did it.
There were tons of people, yes. There were crazy drivers, yes. There was 1 rude store clerk (at Stine Mart), yes. There were rude fellow shoppers, yes. Kohl's screwed up my order, yes. I have a cold, yes. BUT we still had fun. Xray Girl and I have fun no matter what; it was all good.
We found some amazing bargains (Plato's Closet and Bath and Body Works and Kohls and Half Price Books). We noticed that men shoppers are not as rude as women shoppers. We learned that we don't have to go to a mall to find what we need. We learned that when you have a pocket full of money to shop for Christmas gifts you always find the best stuff for yourself. We also found that Von Mar has the best bathrooms.
I wanted to get Princess some pink or orange boots but everywhere was sold out but I went with plan B. I wanted to get some knitting looms for ITSam and so far everyone is sold out. And I was an idiot who forgot her Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon and I wasn't paying full price for a scrapbook. So other than needing to back for those two things, printing some pictures and getting some miscellaneous stocking stuffers, I am finished.
Now I have to wrap it all....
Maggie
XRAy Girl and I went shopping today. We left the house at 9am and returned at 9pm. We went to over 20 stores. We are tired. We were brave. Some might have thought us stupid. But we did it.
There were tons of people, yes. There were crazy drivers, yes. There was 1 rude store clerk (at Stine Mart), yes. There were rude fellow shoppers, yes. Kohl's screwed up my order, yes. I have a cold, yes. BUT we still had fun. Xray Girl and I have fun no matter what; it was all good.
We found some amazing bargains (Plato's Closet and Bath and Body Works and Kohls and Half Price Books). We noticed that men shoppers are not as rude as women shoppers. We learned that we don't have to go to a mall to find what we need. We learned that when you have a pocket full of money to shop for Christmas gifts you always find the best stuff for yourself. We also found that Von Mar has the best bathrooms.
I wanted to get Princess some pink or orange boots but everywhere was sold out but I went with plan B. I wanted to get some knitting looms for ITSam and so far everyone is sold out. And I was an idiot who forgot her Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon and I wasn't paying full price for a scrapbook. So other than needing to back for those two things, printing some pictures and getting some miscellaneous stocking stuffers, I am finished.
Now I have to wrap it all....
Maggie
Friday, December 17, 2010
Feeling like Christmas
I'm pretty excited because today is the last day of school. Yes I agreed to work some days over my break to make some extra money but I still have a big chunk of time off. And I'm feeling pretty good and starting to feel Christmas-y.
It's snowed today! It looks so pretty. X-Ray Girl and I have plans to do Christmas shopping tomorrow. If I can spring Princess from Alcatraz we're going to Daddy-O's Christmas Cantata and to drive around and look at Christmas lights on Sunday. I want to do some baking. I have a stack of books to read. I have a few craft like projects I want to work on: hats, quilts, blankets, scrapbooks.
I'm excited to shop. I have some ideas of gifts for people and I'm looking forward to wrapping presents. I have some Christmas movies to watch; I want to try and reduce that "not watched" list. I'm going to hang out with Curly and with Lilith. I want to take pictures. I want to catch up on my blog reading.
I realize there's a lot of things to do on this list but I'm looking at them as thing I want to do not as a true "to do" list. I'm going to do some serious relaxing and just stuff I want. Selfish, maybe, but I can live with that.
I even have all my favorite jeans and red shirts clean so I'll even look Christmas-y!
Full of cheer,
Maggie
And please vote for me for Best Blog. Today is the last day for round 4 and I'm just lagging about 14 votes behind as being one of the top 5! And thanks to all those who've voted for me already!
It's snowed today! It looks so pretty. X-Ray Girl and I have plans to do Christmas shopping tomorrow. If I can spring Princess from Alcatraz we're going to Daddy-O's Christmas Cantata and to drive around and look at Christmas lights on Sunday. I want to do some baking. I have a stack of books to read. I have a few craft like projects I want to work on: hats, quilts, blankets, scrapbooks.
I'm excited to shop. I have some ideas of gifts for people and I'm looking forward to wrapping presents. I have some Christmas movies to watch; I want to try and reduce that "not watched" list. I'm going to hang out with Curly and with Lilith. I want to take pictures. I want to catch up on my blog reading.
I realize there's a lot of things to do on this list but I'm looking at them as thing I want to do not as a true "to do" list. I'm going to do some serious relaxing and just stuff I want. Selfish, maybe, but I can live with that.
I even have all my favorite jeans and red shirts clean so I'll even look Christmas-y!
Full of cheer,
Maggie
And please vote for me for Best Blog. Today is the last day for round 4 and I'm just lagging about 14 votes behind as being one of the top 5! And thanks to all those who've voted for me already!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Random Thursday
Mac has a girlfriend. It's his first one. She's cute and seems nice. But Mac has a girlfriend. And I officially got ditched the other night; he went to do something with her instead of me. It's official. And weird and I'm not sure I like it.
I have over 100 followers. That is so cool! I hope I can end the year with over 100. Thanks to all of you who follow.
This is the next to last day of Round 4 in the voting for Top Blog. I'm 13 votes behind making it to the top 5. Please vote for me. I'd love to make the top 5!!!!!!!!! I know, from looking at the numbers, that I won't win but with a surge of voting for me at the end and I could make the top 5 at least! And a huge big thanks to all of you who have voted for me all along!
Today I get to see the Broadway musical Annie. I'm chaperoning a school trip! This is a cool perk! I have no insurance and I barely make above minimum but I get a free theater ticket and food to one of my all time favorite shows!
I had a chance to drive a transport last night. And it looks like I might be able to drive a whole bunch over Christmas vacation if I want. I'm torn between the lure of cash and the time off to rest.
I discovered I can be bribed with Oreos. Yeah. I worked the concession stand the other night at a high school boy's wrestling match and was bribed by the athletic director with Oreos and I caved. By the way: I'd never been to a boy's wrestling match before and it's icky. And this was a long one- it was a 4 school invitational. Ah, what I won't do for the bliss of chocolatey goodness and creamy filling.
Earlier this week I wrote about the Christmas movies I'd watched and not. Well, the day that posted, I went to the library. I was speaking with the librarian about the Christmas movies I have NOT seen like White Christmas, specifically. What caused the conversation was a huge stack of Christmas DVDs that she was putting in a display. It wasn't in the stack; someone had checked it out. But as the words are spoken and hanging in the air above our heads, like a balloon attached to a cartoon, a guy returns a stack of movies and White Christmas was on top. It was fate and too much coincidence. I checked it out and it is here, at my house, ready for me to watch this weekend. (So was The Bishop's Wife, which I had to snag as well.)
So, I work in a library but I'm not reading much this month. Part of my issue is that I have head aches and need new glasses. I'm going to have to cave in and get the stupid bifocals this time. Ugh! The other part is that I just feel like I'm struggling to find anything that appeals to me. I have a huge list of books I want to read, like about 103 to be exact, but I just can't seem to find a focus.
I have over 100 followers. That is so cool! I hope I can end the year with over 100. Thanks to all of you who follow.
This is the next to last day of Round 4 in the voting for Top Blog. I'm 13 votes behind making it to the top 5. Please vote for me. I'd love to make the top 5!!!!!!!!! I know, from looking at the numbers, that I won't win but with a surge of voting for me at the end and I could make the top 5 at least! And a huge big thanks to all of you who have voted for me all along!
Today I get to see the Broadway musical Annie. I'm chaperoning a school trip! This is a cool perk! I have no insurance and I barely make above minimum but I get a free theater ticket and food to one of my all time favorite shows!
I had a chance to drive a transport last night. And it looks like I might be able to drive a whole bunch over Christmas vacation if I want. I'm torn between the lure of cash and the time off to rest.
I discovered I can be bribed with Oreos. Yeah. I worked the concession stand the other night at a high school boy's wrestling match and was bribed by the athletic director with Oreos and I caved. By the way: I'd never been to a boy's wrestling match before and it's icky. And this was a long one- it was a 4 school invitational. Ah, what I won't do for the bliss of chocolatey goodness and creamy filling.
Earlier this week I wrote about the Christmas movies I'd watched and not. Well, the day that posted, I went to the library. I was speaking with the librarian about the Christmas movies I have NOT seen like White Christmas, specifically. What caused the conversation was a huge stack of Christmas DVDs that she was putting in a display. It wasn't in the stack; someone had checked it out. But as the words are spoken and hanging in the air above our heads, like a balloon attached to a cartoon, a guy returns a stack of movies and White Christmas was on top. It was fate and too much coincidence. I checked it out and it is here, at my house, ready for me to watch this weekend. (So was The Bishop's Wife, which I had to snag as well.)
So, I work in a library but I'm not reading much this month. Part of my issue is that I have head aches and need new glasses. I'm going to have to cave in and get the stupid bifocals this time. Ugh! The other part is that I just feel like I'm struggling to find anything that appeals to me. I have a huge list of books I want to read, like about 103 to be exact, but I just can't seem to find a focus.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Decorating for Christmas memories
When my mom was alive the tradition was that on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we always gather at my parent's and decorate all the trees, eat, and just have a good time.It was always one of my favorite days of the year.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving we arrived around after church time and started hauling out the decorations. We had to get started on time and early because it's a lot of work putting up and decorating 7 trees. Yes, 7 CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!!!!!! Were my parents insane or the real Claus's you may ask? "Maybe" is the best answer I have for you.
After we hauled all the trees and their decorations out of storage, along with 10 (or more) nativity scenes, the Santa Claus collection and the village my mom painted and other miscellaneous decorations, we could get started. I was usually assigned the kitchen tree which I loved. It was full of novelty lights- the glowing snowmen, twinkling candy canes, the shining M and M shaped lights, the old fashioned bubble lights and so many others I can't remember them! I get tickled every year when I pulled out the strings of lights that are ensconced in their own decoration. This tree is also covered with novelty garlands like trains, popcorn, cinnamon sticks and beads. There are wooden cranberries and snowballs and snowmen and Lifesavers. All the ornaments that adorned this tree are kitchen and food related. It's a full tree- like 6 feet- your standard average tree. It was adorable and everyone loved it when they came visit.
In my folks bathroom was a Charlie Brown looking tree covered with bird ornaments that fit the decor. The guest bathroom had a table top tree with music ornament- notes, instruments. My parent's bedroom had a blue spruce with old fashioned ornaments in antique pinks and creams. The staircase tree was covered in nothing but crystal ornaments and clear glass bulbs. Oh yeah, the tree on the screened in porch had twinkle lights and was covered in huge red balls and gold ribbons. The upstairs tree was my bro's and was a white tree with blue lights and ornaments that struck his fancy.
While I am working on the kitchen tree, the apple cider was on the stove making the house smell all warm and cinnamon yummy. There were snacks set out- munchies like cheese and crackers and pumpkin roll, which we never got any other time of year. Mom made sausage balls, nacho dip, baby hot dogs in sauce with pineapple. Everyone else was doing their parts, moving from room to room to decorate their assigned trees or lug boxes for mom. Mom directed our cheery (though sometimes motley) crew in where everything goes- like we couldn't remember from year to year but we humored her and took the direction well, only exchanging a few well intended eye rolls. Dad was often outside hanging outside lights and swearing. Or he might be in the house, weather depending, doing trees, Santas, village, swearing... Christmas carols were played and we were singing alone from all over the house but voices combined in a cacophony of sound that only sounds sweet at the holiday.
It was also my job to crawl in the closet under the stairs to hand stuff to dad that cannot be outside like his antique, hand-painted nativity village, the snow globes, the fragile things that have survived the years.
Then there was the family tree. It's the one we decorated last and we all did it together. Mom sat in her chair and dug the ornaments out of the boxes and handed them to us. We all had "our" own ornaments- pink things or frogs for me, trains for Bro, purple or butterflies for my SisIL, music for dad, and a potpourri of "boy" things for Mac, and the list goes on and on. Ornaments that represent us each year- our hobbies and interests, our favorite colors, our marriages, babies, new homes, new jobs, little pieces of our past that came with a story that someone told. The penguins that look like they are frolicking in the snow or the round balls covered in glitter that always look like sugar plums to me need to be hung up. We sang carols together and Bro always tried to sneak "Grandma Got ran over by a Reindeer" in and my dad and I guffaw while mom and Bro howled with laughter and we all ended up singing along. We remembered when my ex- husband broke the first ornament that was ever on my grandmother's tree and it was irreplaceable. We laughed at the baby's first Christmas ornaments and us babies are all in our 30's and Mac is a teenager! We'd eat and laugh and sometimes cry.
Then we tried to clean up or finally give up. We'd go to our own homes now that we were all grown up. Sometimes I thought that day was better than Christmas day itself.
Mags
The Sunday after Thanksgiving we arrived around after church time and started hauling out the decorations. We had to get started on time and early because it's a lot of work putting up and decorating 7 trees. Yes, 7 CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!!!!!! Were my parents insane or the real Claus's you may ask? "Maybe" is the best answer I have for you.
After we hauled all the trees and their decorations out of storage, along with 10 (or more) nativity scenes, the Santa Claus collection and the village my mom painted and other miscellaneous decorations, we could get started. I was usually assigned the kitchen tree which I loved. It was full of novelty lights- the glowing snowmen, twinkling candy canes, the shining M and M shaped lights, the old fashioned bubble lights and so many others I can't remember them! I get tickled every year when I pulled out the strings of lights that are ensconced in their own decoration. This tree is also covered with novelty garlands like trains, popcorn, cinnamon sticks and beads. There are wooden cranberries and snowballs and snowmen and Lifesavers. All the ornaments that adorned this tree are kitchen and food related. It's a full tree- like 6 feet- your standard average tree. It was adorable and everyone loved it when they came visit.
In my folks bathroom was a Charlie Brown looking tree covered with bird ornaments that fit the decor. The guest bathroom had a table top tree with music ornament- notes, instruments. My parent's bedroom had a blue spruce with old fashioned ornaments in antique pinks and creams. The staircase tree was covered in nothing but crystal ornaments and clear glass bulbs. Oh yeah, the tree on the screened in porch had twinkle lights and was covered in huge red balls and gold ribbons. The upstairs tree was my bro's and was a white tree with blue lights and ornaments that struck his fancy.
While I am working on the kitchen tree, the apple cider was on the stove making the house smell all warm and cinnamon yummy. There were snacks set out- munchies like cheese and crackers and pumpkin roll, which we never got any other time of year. Mom made sausage balls, nacho dip, baby hot dogs in sauce with pineapple. Everyone else was doing their parts, moving from room to room to decorate their assigned trees or lug boxes for mom. Mom directed our cheery (though sometimes motley) crew in where everything goes- like we couldn't remember from year to year but we humored her and took the direction well, only exchanging a few well intended eye rolls. Dad was often outside hanging outside lights and swearing. Or he might be in the house, weather depending, doing trees, Santas, village, swearing... Christmas carols were played and we were singing alone from all over the house but voices combined in a cacophony of sound that only sounds sweet at the holiday.
It was also my job to crawl in the closet under the stairs to hand stuff to dad that cannot be outside like his antique, hand-painted nativity village, the snow globes, the fragile things that have survived the years.
Then there was the family tree. It's the one we decorated last and we all did it together. Mom sat in her chair and dug the ornaments out of the boxes and handed them to us. We all had "our" own ornaments- pink things or frogs for me, trains for Bro, purple or butterflies for my SisIL, music for dad, and a potpourri of "boy" things for Mac, and the list goes on and on. Ornaments that represent us each year- our hobbies and interests, our favorite colors, our marriages, babies, new homes, new jobs, little pieces of our past that came with a story that someone told. The penguins that look like they are frolicking in the snow or the round balls covered in glitter that always look like sugar plums to me need to be hung up. We sang carols together and Bro always tried to sneak "Grandma Got ran over by a Reindeer" in and my dad and I guffaw while mom and Bro howled with laughter and we all ended up singing along. We remembered when my ex- husband broke the first ornament that was ever on my grandmother's tree and it was irreplaceable. We laughed at the baby's first Christmas ornaments and us babies are all in our 30's and Mac is a teenager! We'd eat and laugh and sometimes cry.
Then we tried to clean up or finally give up. We'd go to our own homes now that we were all grown up. Sometimes I thought that day was better than Christmas day itself.
Mags
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Holiday Movies?!?
I have no idea how I, of all people, missed out on watching so many famous holiday movies. I'm not kidding. When I tell you what I haven't seen you're all going to think I crawl under a rock or a cabbage leaf in December or something.
I was trolling around Pink Saturday blogs yesterday and the theme of the day was "favorite Christmas movie." There were lots of movies mentioned, some that weren't really Christmas movies but movies that were just people's favs, but the list of Christmas films looms large. And I have been a girl on the naughty list when it comes to watching some of these.
And while there's nothing wrong with ABC Family's 25 days of Christmas movies or the Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movies or made for TV movies, when I think of Christmas movies, I think of movie movies. Does that make sense? I also don't usually consider "Christmas Specials" in this category either, like Frosty the Snowman or Charlie Brown Christmas or the like. I mean MOVIES!
Here are the movies I've watched:
Christmas Vacation. This was one of my mom's favorite holiday movies. What is so funny about that is that it went against her nature to watch something so ridiculous yet this particular movie tickled her funny bone and made her laugh out loud! (Even though the rest of us thought it was rather stupid we still all watched it with her because SHE enjoyed it so much!)
Home Alone I. it was cute how clever Kevin was and how he enjoyed his quiet time away from the family, until the burglars screwed up his alone time.
Love Actually. Saw it, love it, one of my favorite movies ever. Click the title to read my review.
Die Hard. Stop laughing, it does take place at CHRISTMAS time!!!! (um, and I hate it point out that so does Die Hard 2)
Scrooged. This Bill Murray film is a variation of A Christmas Carol but it's own twist. I've seen it and sometimes I crack up and other times I shut it off before it's over. Must be a toleration level or a "mood" thing.
A Christmas Carol. There are about a million versions of this. I love the Albert Finney version. I also like a musical version. The Patrick Stewart version is also good. I haven't seen the new Jim Carry one yet, but this season I will. Everyone has their fav- which is yours?
Miracle on 34th Street. A little girl doesn't believe in Santa until she meets a Macy's Santa and things start to happen! I love the original black and white version, but the newer one is cute, too.
The Holiday- one of my favorite movies and if you look at yesterday's post you can see the trailer. Love a good romantic comedy this time of your.
Four Christmases. Hated it. Hate Vince Vaughn.
The Family Stone. For some reason when someone yesterday mentioned it, I never thought of it as a Christmas movie but it is, of sorts. It's not a very good movie, though. Though... maybe I need to watch it again?
This Christmas. An African American cast about a dysfunctional family at Christmas. I saw this one, too.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This was originally a made for tv movie with Loretta Switt (remember her as Hot Lips on M*A*S*H?) starring as the mom. I swear, this is one of the cutest movies ever. Please rent it. It's just an hour long. Of read the book by the same title. Your life will never be the same again once you meet the characters, the Herdmen's.
Elf. This is the only Will Farrell movie I like. Except for the spaghetti part, that is. And when they sing "Baby, It's Cold Outside"-- well, that's awesome. I just watched almost all of it the other day, shy the last 20 minutes. I fell asleep.
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Otter puppets (I think it was puppets) sing and dance and mother/ son otter love over the holiday. I actually cry. Yeah.
The Santa Clause 1 & 2. Time Allen plays a man who becomes Santa. It's cute! And the elves crack me up. The first one is my favorite, but 2 is still fun.
Jack Frost. I like this Michael Keaton movie where he becomes Jack Frost and still looks out for his son. Or something like that.
While You Were Sleeping. Sandra Bullock is so lonely at Christmas that when the stranger she has a crush on is injured in an accident and is a come, she accidentally pretends to be his fiance. I just read that. Rent it. It's good, regardless of what I wrote here.
The Wizard of Oz. Is this a Christmas movie? It was on a lot of Pink Saturday people's lists. I know it's not Christmas themed, I've seen it, but is it historically tied to Christmas?
The Sound of Music. Again, mentioned on lots of PS posts but not a Christmas movie; however, it's it often shown on television on Christmas eve? I love this movie and would watch it any time of the year, frankly!
The Preacher's Wife. This is a remake of The Bishops' Wife. It stars Denzel and Whitney Houston. It's a pretty good re-make and Houston's voice is amazing.
When Harry Met Sally. Okay, I wasn't sure where to put this. I watch it on New Year's Eve every single year of my life. It's my thing. I love it. I don't usually associate it as a Christmas movie but as a holiday film, but I'm weird. I am soooo Sally Albright. Not kidding. So I put it on this list my bad self!
Here are the movies I haven't seen-- and I have the guts to admit I am really embarrassed that I have NOT seen SOME these (I'm guessing you will be able to tell the ones that I'm , if you can imagine.
A Christmas Story. This is the one they run on TNT 24 hours in a row, right? Something about a sled a bb gun, a bad word, a tongue frozen to a pole and a leg lamp?
Ernest Christmas. No.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Jim Carey starred in this live version of the adorable Seuss tale but I've missed it. I might see it. Might.
The Nightmare Before Christmas. A Tim Burton animated movie. I've not seen it because I'm not sure I want my Christmas that skewed.
The Santa Clause 3. I saw this on a PS post, as a pinkie loving all three parts. I didn't know there even WAS a part 3! My bad.
Eight Crazy Nights. Is this a Hanukkah movie? I know it's animated and stars Adam Sandler and its plot revolves around holidays in December. And it's a musical. It scares me.
Holiday Inn. Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds are performers an inn that's open only for the holidays.
Babes In Toyland. Umm, about toys?
The Bishop's Wife. Cary Grant is yummy. I didn't know he was in this. I don't know why I didn't know. I need to see this. Cary Grant is like the Johnny Depp of that era. A bishop prays for guidance to get funds to build a new church and a guardian angel- Grant- shows up but his help isn't all that helpful. Or at least this is what I think it's a about.
White Christmas. I know, I know. I love Christmas, musicals, old movies, and dancing. I have no idea how I've survive this much of my life without it. I suck as a human being. I can't believe I've missed this Irving Berlin classic.
It's a Wonderful Life. Alright, you may now commence the throwing of objects since I've not seen the most classic of all Hollywood Christmas fares... I think my brother will kill me when he sees I haven't seen this since it's one of his favorite movies of all times, starring one of his favorite actors of all time, Jimmy Stewart. And my bro is a prison guard and KNOWS how to kill people. I'm dead meat. (SisIL- don't rat me out, please!)
This year I vow to see some of these. At least one. Maybe two. Or all. So, everyone, when you're done flogging me, tell what is your favorite Christmas/ holiday movie?
Mags
I was trolling around Pink Saturday blogs yesterday and the theme of the day was "favorite Christmas movie." There were lots of movies mentioned, some that weren't really Christmas movies but movies that were just people's favs, but the list of Christmas films looms large. And I have been a girl on the naughty list when it comes to watching some of these.
And while there's nothing wrong with ABC Family's 25 days of Christmas movies or the Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movies or made for TV movies, when I think of Christmas movies, I think of movie movies. Does that make sense? I also don't usually consider "Christmas Specials" in this category either, like Frosty the Snowman or Charlie Brown Christmas or the like. I mean MOVIES!
Here are the movies I've watched:
Christmas Vacation. This was one of my mom's favorite holiday movies. What is so funny about that is that it went against her nature to watch something so ridiculous yet this particular movie tickled her funny bone and made her laugh out loud! (Even though the rest of us thought it was rather stupid we still all watched it with her because SHE enjoyed it so much!)
Home Alone I. it was cute how clever Kevin was and how he enjoyed his quiet time away from the family, until the burglars screwed up his alone time.
Love Actually. Saw it, love it, one of my favorite movies ever. Click the title to read my review.
Die Hard. Stop laughing, it does take place at CHRISTMAS time!!!! (um, and I hate it point out that so does Die Hard 2)
Scrooged. This Bill Murray film is a variation of A Christmas Carol but it's own twist. I've seen it and sometimes I crack up and other times I shut it off before it's over. Must be a toleration level or a "mood" thing.
A Christmas Carol. There are about a million versions of this. I love the Albert Finney version. I also like a musical version. The Patrick Stewart version is also good. I haven't seen the new Jim Carry one yet, but this season I will. Everyone has their fav- which is yours?
Miracle on 34th Street. A little girl doesn't believe in Santa until she meets a Macy's Santa and things start to happen! I love the original black and white version, but the newer one is cute, too.
The Holiday- one of my favorite movies and if you look at yesterday's post you can see the trailer. Love a good romantic comedy this time of your.
Four Christmases. Hated it. Hate Vince Vaughn.
The Family Stone. For some reason when someone yesterday mentioned it, I never thought of it as a Christmas movie but it is, of sorts. It's not a very good movie, though. Though... maybe I need to watch it again?
This Christmas. An African American cast about a dysfunctional family at Christmas. I saw this one, too.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This was originally a made for tv movie with Loretta Switt (remember her as Hot Lips on M*A*S*H?) starring as the mom. I swear, this is one of the cutest movies ever. Please rent it. It's just an hour long. Of read the book by the same title. Your life will never be the same again once you meet the characters, the Herdmen's.
Elf. This is the only Will Farrell movie I like. Except for the spaghetti part, that is. And when they sing "Baby, It's Cold Outside"-- well, that's awesome. I just watched almost all of it the other day, shy the last 20 minutes. I fell asleep.
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Otter puppets (I think it was puppets) sing and dance and mother/ son otter love over the holiday. I actually cry. Yeah.
The Santa Clause 1 & 2. Time Allen plays a man who becomes Santa. It's cute! And the elves crack me up. The first one is my favorite, but 2 is still fun.
Jack Frost. I like this Michael Keaton movie where he becomes Jack Frost and still looks out for his son. Or something like that.
While You Were Sleeping. Sandra Bullock is so lonely at Christmas that when the stranger she has a crush on is injured in an accident and is a come, she accidentally pretends to be his fiance. I just read that. Rent it. It's good, regardless of what I wrote here.
The Wizard of Oz. Is this a Christmas movie? It was on a lot of Pink Saturday people's lists. I know it's not Christmas themed, I've seen it, but is it historically tied to Christmas?
The Sound of Music. Again, mentioned on lots of PS posts but not a Christmas movie; however, it's it often shown on television on Christmas eve? I love this movie and would watch it any time of the year, frankly!
The Preacher's Wife. This is a remake of The Bishops' Wife. It stars Denzel and Whitney Houston. It's a pretty good re-make and Houston's voice is amazing.
When Harry Met Sally. Okay, I wasn't sure where to put this. I watch it on New Year's Eve every single year of my life. It's my thing. I love it. I don't usually associate it as a Christmas movie but as a holiday film, but I'm weird. I am soooo Sally Albright. Not kidding. So I put it on this list my bad self!
Here are the movies I haven't seen-- and I have the guts to admit I am really embarrassed that I have NOT seen SOME these (I'm guessing you will be able to tell the ones that I'm , if you can imagine.
A Christmas Story. This is the one they run on TNT 24 hours in a row, right? Something about a sled a bb gun, a bad word, a tongue frozen to a pole and a leg lamp?
Ernest Christmas. No.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Jim Carey starred in this live version of the adorable Seuss tale but I've missed it. I might see it. Might.
The Nightmare Before Christmas. A Tim Burton animated movie. I've not seen it because I'm not sure I want my Christmas that skewed.
The Santa Clause 3. I saw this on a PS post, as a pinkie loving all three parts. I didn't know there even WAS a part 3! My bad.
Eight Crazy Nights. Is this a Hanukkah movie? I know it's animated and stars Adam Sandler and its plot revolves around holidays in December. And it's a musical. It scares me.
Holiday Inn. Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds are performers an inn that's open only for the holidays.
Babes In Toyland. Umm, about toys?
The Bishop's Wife. Cary Grant is yummy. I didn't know he was in this. I don't know why I didn't know. I need to see this. Cary Grant is like the Johnny Depp of that era. A bishop prays for guidance to get funds to build a new church and a guardian angel- Grant- shows up but his help isn't all that helpful. Or at least this is what I think it's a about.
White Christmas. I know, I know. I love Christmas, musicals, old movies, and dancing. I have no idea how I've survive this much of my life without it. I suck as a human being. I can't believe I've missed this Irving Berlin classic.
It's a Wonderful Life. Alright, you may now commence the throwing of objects since I've not seen the most classic of all Hollywood Christmas fares... I think my brother will kill me when he sees I haven't seen this since it's one of his favorite movies of all times, starring one of his favorite actors of all time, Jimmy Stewart. And my bro is a prison guard and KNOWS how to kill people. I'm dead meat. (SisIL- don't rat me out, please!)
This year I vow to see some of these. At least one. Maybe two. Or all. So, everyone, when you're done flogging me, tell what is your favorite Christmas/ holiday movie?
Mags
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Swap on Pink Saturday, plus a movie! And please vote!
Happy Pink Saturday! I have a two fold post today. First, Beverly the host of the PS event at How Sweet The Sound has given a theme of "favorite Christmas movie" to share this PS. I will be getting to that, I promise. I have to do some pink business first.
I participated in a Christmas Swap. I received the most wonderful and cutest package from the blogger of Happily Ever After in Seattle. Look at all the sweet and wonderful, and thoughtful goodies I received! I can't say thank you enough- thank you thank you thank you! What a wonderful treat to come home to!
Thank you again for such wonderful pink pretties!!!! And a special thanks to Lisa Marie at This Girl Is... for hosting such a fun event!
As for my favorite Christmas movie... well, it's a bit non-traditional, like me. The Holiday is a romantic comedy starring Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude law and Cameron Diaz. I love this feel good, sappy Christmas fare.
*I apologize for the crappy picture quality. I took them with my phone because I have a video on my digital and it timed out uploading. So, I'm sorry for these horrid shots of such pretty things!
I participated in a Christmas Swap. I received the most wonderful and cutest package from the blogger of Happily Ever After in Seattle. Look at all the sweet and wonderful, and thoughtful goodies I received! I can't say thank you enough- thank you thank you thank you! What a wonderful treat to come home to!
Thank you again for such wonderful pink pretties!!!! And a special thanks to Lisa Marie at This Girl Is... for hosting such a fun event!As for my favorite Christmas movie... well, it's a bit non-traditional, like me. The Holiday is a romantic comedy starring Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude law and Cameron Diaz. I love this feel good, sappy Christmas fare.
In Shoes We Trust,
Maggie
Maggie
Oh and voting! I just found out I made round 4 at being nominated for one of the best blogs of 2010 at The Blog Guidebook (click here to vote!). Please go vote for me! I can't believe I'm still in the running- how flattering! Thanks to all who voted before and who will be voting!
*I apologize for the crappy picture quality. I took them with my phone because I have a video on my digital and it timed out uploading. So, I'm sorry for these horrid shots of such pretty things!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas Food
I'm starved, hence a post about Christmas food. Okay, I'm always starved or hungry or eating which is why I am huge right now, or at least I feel huge right now! I'm also writing a list of all the yummies I want to fix over Christmas. Then I'm going on a diet.
Anyway, Christmas food. The best kind of food ever. I have so many memories associate with food and the holidays.
On Christmas morning we had a traditional brunch meal. Mom ALWAYS made the staples- bacon/ cheese casserole. My son eats almost a whole one all by himself. She also made a hash brown casserole, like the one they sell at Cracker Barrel- also some of the best food on the face of the earth. We had juice and coffee. We also had fruit salad, which can change continents yearly, but still a fruit salad of some sort. Once we even had fruit slush which we all loved, but I don't think that made the holiday menu again- it got deregulated to a lesser holiday, something like a Memorial Day picnic food. I might have to bring that back- okay, adding that to the aforementioned list! I will be recreating this meal on Christmas day, of course! And since I love you all, if you click right here it will take you to an old post I wrote that includes the recipe. I know, ya'll are probably tired of me praising this casserole but I can't help it. It. is. that. GOOD!
Then there's the sweet bread. This is the only reason to have breakfast/ brunch on Christmas morning in my family, in my opinion. This must occur before gifts are unceremoniously ripped open. This is the true meaning of Christmas...Okay, not really, but this is seriously the world's most perfect food. Without a doubt. This is most perfect coffee cake in all of history. Jesus could come to Earth and eat this cake and know it was better and more miraculous than walking on water. He would've fed this with the fish instead of loaves- the story would be "fish and coffee cake." Sour cream coffee cake. It's so good I could eat a whole one by myself. And if you think I'm kidding, well...I wish but no. I LOVE this stuff. I look forward to it all year. This is the most moist cake ever. It is the perfect blend of cinnamon and goodness and just...Heaven on a plate. I swear to God if I had to pick between a lifetime of going without chocolate or the coffee cake, I would put Hershey's out of business. It is a true toss up between coffee cake and sex as to which is better and I think coffee cake wins. Seriously, this is some fabulous baked goods. Momma made it in a special pan with a hole in it- not a mere bunt pan but some other special coffee cake baking dish. And it MUST be served on the cut glass crystal pedestal cake plate that is never used the rest of the year. This pan and this plate enhance the taste and enjoyability of the sour cream coffee cake as a whole. I dig this coffee cake. You know when you were a kid and said "if you love it so much why doncha marry it?" Well, show me where to sign... Bliss. True bliss. I love Mac more, but barely... And now I have this recipe and I can make it myself. I've done it and it turned out just like mom's! And since I love you all, and since I've written about this food before, you can click here to go back to an old post for the recipe!
We always had special foods like munchies and appetizers on the day when we would decorate the house. Why did those taste better when eaten with an associated activity like decorating trees? Once, I ate little hot dogs in sauce at a Super Bowl party and they just tasted wrong, like I violated the Christmas Food treaty or something.
My Grandma F (the good grandmother) always made a tureen of wassail to drink. It was sooooooo good. I think it was because it was in a tureen. How often do you ever really get any sort of food out of a container called a tureen? Doesn't that just class it up some how? And calling is wassail- rather than hot apple juice? Com'on ya gotta love it! A tureen of wassail- how cool is that? And served in special matching cups, to boot! She always had cheese and crackers too. There was an orange cheese spread that I loved. It was an unnatural shade of orange- almost a day-glo orange that isn't really in the color spectrum at all. I loved this cheese and again, we only had it at Christmas time. I remember a few years ago I went to the market with my mom (obviously when she was still alive) and we were reminiscing about the cheese at Grandma F's (yeah I loving reflected back on a past cheese experience- how weird is THAT?!). Since she passed away, there was no more orange cheese spread. I was laughing about how I always craved it around Christmas. And you know what? My mom, being the all knowing goddess about these types of things because she was just that sort of super prepared person, told me it was right there in the store. In a normal store- a mortal Kroger's!We just went right up to a display and there it was. It came in a JAR! Cheese in a jar is just unnatural, I realize, but this stuff was 1980's Frankie Says Orange so how natural could it be to start with? It is Kraft pimento Cheese spread. That's all it was. And for years I thought my Grandma F had the market cornered on some special Christmas Cheese from a special Christmas Cheese Store. Wonders never cease!
My mom also had an amazing cookie recipe for cut out holiday cookies. The kind you roll out and use cookie cutters and stuff? I love these as well. One year mom made a huge batch of these and they were on a pretty lil' holiday plate on the coffee table. The family adjourns to the dining room for brunch on Christmas morning (or as I like to call it "Sour Cream Coffee Cake TIME"!) . After the meal we return back to the living room and the entire plate of cookies is gone. Now this wasn't a cute little "Santa must've eaten the cookies" thing. This was a "where the Hell did all the cookies go" thing!?! Come to find out the dog liked the cookies too, to the tune of an entire plate full. The coffee table with the cookies in the middle of an empty room and just at her eye level proved to be too much temptation and she polished off the whole thing. Whilst Bro and I debated killing the animal, dad help her flee to the backyard for her safety. Mom, however, being the brilliant woman she is, pulled another bag of cookies from her hiding place and we again had cookies. Bro and I guarded them, almost smacking Daddy-O's hand as he tried to pilfer one-oops!
I must mention the pumpkin roll. About 15 years ago, I guess, mom found this at a bazaar or at a bake sale or something and we all thought we had died and gone to pumpkin heaven. It was cold bread or something like that with cream cheese frosting all in a roll, then chilled and sliced. This was some awesome stuff. We loved it so much that the next year mom called people in town until she got the recipe out of some woman. Bro and I were ready to kick some tail if this chick wouldn't have freed the recipe. So needless to say, we add pumpkin roll to the ever growing list of foods I forever associate with Christmas. (An aside: I love cream cheese frosting. The world is good when there's cream cheese frosting. There would be no wars if we covered all soldiers in the world in cream cheese frosting. Hand me cream cheese frosting and I promise to love you forever...or until the frosting runs out...! Life is better overall with cream cheese frosting!).
Yes, I realize this is mostly sweet yummys. Yes, I realize it's a lot of calories and junk, but it's Christmas. And I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. One side of my family is from the south and food goes with everything- funerals, celebration, surgeries, stopping by while on a Sunday drive, you name it, we eat regardless of the event- have gall bladder surgery and the family has a carry in (and ya'll get something covered in mushroom soup, in addition to a jello-mold with fruit in it!). So it goes to show that at Christmas time we are so gonna indulge and pig out. It's part of my heritage and cul-ture! And I love food. So hand me the sour cream coffee cake and nobody gets hurt!
Maggie
Anyway, Christmas food. The best kind of food ever. I have so many memories associate with food and the holidays.
On Christmas morning we had a traditional brunch meal. Mom ALWAYS made the staples- bacon/ cheese casserole. My son eats almost a whole one all by himself. She also made a hash brown casserole, like the one they sell at Cracker Barrel- also some of the best food on the face of the earth. We had juice and coffee. We also had fruit salad, which can change continents yearly, but still a fruit salad of some sort. Once we even had fruit slush which we all loved, but I don't think that made the holiday menu again- it got deregulated to a lesser holiday, something like a Memorial Day picnic food. I might have to bring that back- okay, adding that to the aforementioned list! I will be recreating this meal on Christmas day, of course! And since I love you all, if you click right here it will take you to an old post I wrote that includes the recipe. I know, ya'll are probably tired of me praising this casserole but I can't help it. It. is. that. GOOD!
Then there's the sweet bread. This is the only reason to have breakfast/ brunch on Christmas morning in my family, in my opinion. This must occur before gifts are unceremoniously ripped open. This is the true meaning of Christmas...Okay, not really, but this is seriously the world's most perfect food. Without a doubt. This is most perfect coffee cake in all of history. Jesus could come to Earth and eat this cake and know it was better and more miraculous than walking on water. He would've fed this with the fish instead of loaves- the story would be "fish and coffee cake." Sour cream coffee cake. It's so good I could eat a whole one by myself. And if you think I'm kidding, well...I wish but no. I LOVE this stuff. I look forward to it all year. This is the most moist cake ever. It is the perfect blend of cinnamon and goodness and just...Heaven on a plate. I swear to God if I had to pick between a lifetime of going without chocolate or the coffee cake, I would put Hershey's out of business. It is a true toss up between coffee cake and sex as to which is better and I think coffee cake wins. Seriously, this is some fabulous baked goods. Momma made it in a special pan with a hole in it- not a mere bunt pan but some other special coffee cake baking dish. And it MUST be served on the cut glass crystal pedestal cake plate that is never used the rest of the year. This pan and this plate enhance the taste and enjoyability of the sour cream coffee cake as a whole. I dig this coffee cake. You know when you were a kid and said "if you love it so much why doncha marry it?" Well, show me where to sign... Bliss. True bliss. I love Mac more, but barely... And now I have this recipe and I can make it myself. I've done it and it turned out just like mom's! And since I love you all, and since I've written about this food before, you can click here to go back to an old post for the recipe!
We always had special foods like munchies and appetizers on the day when we would decorate the house. Why did those taste better when eaten with an associated activity like decorating trees? Once, I ate little hot dogs in sauce at a Super Bowl party and they just tasted wrong, like I violated the Christmas Food treaty or something.
My Grandma F (the good grandmother) always made a tureen of wassail to drink. It was sooooooo good. I think it was because it was in a tureen. How often do you ever really get any sort of food out of a container called a tureen? Doesn't that just class it up some how? And calling is wassail- rather than hot apple juice? Com'on ya gotta love it! A tureen of wassail- how cool is that? And served in special matching cups, to boot! She always had cheese and crackers too. There was an orange cheese spread that I loved. It was an unnatural shade of orange- almost a day-glo orange that isn't really in the color spectrum at all. I loved this cheese and again, we only had it at Christmas time. I remember a few years ago I went to the market with my mom (obviously when she was still alive) and we were reminiscing about the cheese at Grandma F's (yeah I loving reflected back on a past cheese experience- how weird is THAT?!). Since she passed away, there was no more orange cheese spread. I was laughing about how I always craved it around Christmas. And you know what? My mom, being the all knowing goddess about these types of things because she was just that sort of super prepared person, told me it was right there in the store. In a normal store- a mortal Kroger's!We just went right up to a display and there it was. It came in a JAR! Cheese in a jar is just unnatural, I realize, but this stuff was 1980's Frankie Says Orange so how natural could it be to start with? It is Kraft pimento Cheese spread. That's all it was. And for years I thought my Grandma F had the market cornered on some special Christmas Cheese from a special Christmas Cheese Store. Wonders never cease!
My mom also had an amazing cookie recipe for cut out holiday cookies. The kind you roll out and use cookie cutters and stuff? I love these as well. One year mom made a huge batch of these and they were on a pretty lil' holiday plate on the coffee table. The family adjourns to the dining room for brunch on Christmas morning (or as I like to call it "Sour Cream Coffee Cake TIME"!) . After the meal we return back to the living room and the entire plate of cookies is gone. Now this wasn't a cute little "Santa must've eaten the cookies" thing. This was a "where the Hell did all the cookies go" thing!?! Come to find out the dog liked the cookies too, to the tune of an entire plate full. The coffee table with the cookies in the middle of an empty room and just at her eye level proved to be too much temptation and she polished off the whole thing. Whilst Bro and I debated killing the animal, dad help her flee to the backyard for her safety. Mom, however, being the brilliant woman she is, pulled another bag of cookies from her hiding place and we again had cookies. Bro and I guarded them, almost smacking Daddy-O's hand as he tried to pilfer one-oops!
I must mention the pumpkin roll. About 15 years ago, I guess, mom found this at a bazaar or at a bake sale or something and we all thought we had died and gone to pumpkin heaven. It was cold bread or something like that with cream cheese frosting all in a roll, then chilled and sliced. This was some awesome stuff. We loved it so much that the next year mom called people in town until she got the recipe out of some woman. Bro and I were ready to kick some tail if this chick wouldn't have freed the recipe. So needless to say, we add pumpkin roll to the ever growing list of foods I forever associate with Christmas. (An aside: I love cream cheese frosting. The world is good when there's cream cheese frosting. There would be no wars if we covered all soldiers in the world in cream cheese frosting. Hand me cream cheese frosting and I promise to love you forever...or until the frosting runs out...! Life is better overall with cream cheese frosting!).
Yes, I realize this is mostly sweet yummys. Yes, I realize it's a lot of calories and junk, but it's Christmas. And I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. One side of my family is from the south and food goes with everything- funerals, celebration, surgeries, stopping by while on a Sunday drive, you name it, we eat regardless of the event- have gall bladder surgery and the family has a carry in (and ya'll get something covered in mushroom soup, in addition to a jello-mold with fruit in it!). So it goes to show that at Christmas time we are so gonna indulge and pig out. It's part of my heritage and cul-ture! And I love food. So hand me the sour cream coffee cake and nobody gets hurt!
Maggie
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Living in a Barbie World
I wanted a Barbie Dream house when I was little. I was about 9 years old, maybe? I was totally into Barbie dolls. I LOVED Barbie. I had clothes and a horse for my Barbie. I had Barbie's dog. I had a Barbie camper. I had inflatable Barbie furniture that was in the ever so stylish shades of green, gold and orange. I had a car for my Barbie.
When it came to Barbie clothes, I was the queen. We had a super babysitter, a little old lady who sewed Barbie clothes and made peanut butter candy. She was so sweet. So I had the best Barbie clothes- homemade ones! And this wasn't stuff out of the rag bag- no sirree. My homemade Barbie clothes still were glittery satin gowns, a green velvet coat with a fur collar, and all sorts of dresses, gaucho pants (when they were obviously in style the first time around) and just every day wear. The benefit of homemade Barbie clothes was that Barbie could have matching purses and hair bands. She could have several outfits in the same material and she could have clothes for her little sister and her dog that also matched.
I also had an array of Barbies. I got one with bent arms when she first came out- ready to shake hands. I had one that I could really put earrings in her ears- but if she didn't have the earrings in, she had huge gaping holes. Hmm, guess now she would be in style and be without her "spacers", eh? I had an African American Barbie, Barbie's little sister Skipper and a Barbie baby. I had a Charlie's Angels Barbie doll- it was Chris since she was my favorite angel. I had a Fonzie Barbie too. It was Fonzie and he was so hot. But he was short so he could never date Barbie; he always dated Chris the Angel since she was short, too. I also had a Ken doll- two of them- one with brown hair and the traditional blond.
Back in the day Barbies weren't super expensive. I got some from my parents, at kids birthday parties, grandparents...I managed a good haul on the Barbies come birthday and Christmas. And if that's all you want and refuse to put anything else on your Christmas shopping list...Well, Santa did me pretty well.
But one year I wanted a Barbie Dream House. I poured over the JC Penny Wish book. I screamed for my parents to come in the living room whenever the commercial came on TV. I tried to build on out of cardboard shoe boxes but it never worked. I loved the Barbie dream house. And that year when we went to the K-Mart, there was one on display!!! A whole Barbie dream house put together and in a plastic display case. I about died. Right in front of me, so close but I still couldn't touch it, was a Barbie dream house, all in it's red and pink plastic glory. It was the most beautiful thing I could ever dream of, at that age. My Barbies needed that house. They had to have that house. They could no longer reside in the plastic pop up case with a Murphy Bed. They could no longer live under my bed. They could no longer have a conversational grouping of furniture on the carpet. They needed to move on up and live the dream.
I campaigned for the Dream House that Christmas even though it was $50. I wrote letters to Santa. I hung the picture on the fridge. I begged. I pleaded. I did extra chores. I flirted. I told Santa at the store and the Santa at church and the one at school. I told the entire free world that I was such a good girl that year and Santa really needed to help my Barbies and to please, please, please, bring me the Barbie Dream House.
On Christmas Eve we went to my grandparents for Christmas. It was tradition. We went every year and opened gifts they got us, we ate a meal and we went to church. It was usually a grand time. We always got some really nice toy and then clothes. That year we ate first. My Bro and I liked to race around the house to shake gifts and try to guess what was in there, but this year we weren't allowed to even go on the sunporch where the tree was. We were told had to eat. So we did.
After dinner we had to shut our eyes and we were brought in the room with the tree. And when we opened our eyes, lo and behold- THE BARBIE DREAM HOUSE! I screamed! I shrieked for joy! I jumped up and down! I kissed and thanked everyone, even my Bro, who was like 4 at the time and had no idea what was going on with his crazy big sister. I threw myself on the floor and was too stunned to move. My grandmother had arranged furniture in each room and I went screaming to the front door to get my Barbies I had brought along. (Where I went, Barbie traveled along- I mean, really!) I put Barbie in the house and then I noticed it. The difference.
Mine was made of wood! Mine had a front door that opened and closed and was a double French doors! Mine had real plastic flowers in flower boxes on the front! MINE had a stair case! MINE was really big! MINE had more rooms! Oh MY GODDESS! For a brief moment I thought that because I had begged so hard and wrote so many letters to Santa and prayed to Jesus, God and the Mattel creators, that the elves made a special one for me. Then it hit me- my grandfather BUILT ME A DREAM HOUSE!!! This man who was a master carpenter and built real life homes and made furniture by hand and carved wood designs and built kitchen cabinets from scratch for the rich people all over town built MY BARBIES a dream house. I was aghast, or would have been if I knew that word at that age. It was amazing. It was wonderful. It was special.
I played with that doll house for years and kept it in my room even as a teenager. I learned, as I got older, that he had gone out to the K-Mart and studied the house and the colors, then designed and made his own blueprint to build my Barbie House.
It was one of the best presents ever!
Maggie
When it came to Barbie clothes, I was the queen. We had a super babysitter, a little old lady who sewed Barbie clothes and made peanut butter candy. She was so sweet. So I had the best Barbie clothes- homemade ones! And this wasn't stuff out of the rag bag- no sirree. My homemade Barbie clothes still were glittery satin gowns, a green velvet coat with a fur collar, and all sorts of dresses, gaucho pants (when they were obviously in style the first time around) and just every day wear. The benefit of homemade Barbie clothes was that Barbie could have matching purses and hair bands. She could have several outfits in the same material and she could have clothes for her little sister and her dog that also matched.
I also had an array of Barbies. I got one with bent arms when she first came out- ready to shake hands. I had one that I could really put earrings in her ears- but if she didn't have the earrings in, she had huge gaping holes. Hmm, guess now she would be in style and be without her "spacers", eh? I had an African American Barbie, Barbie's little sister Skipper and a Barbie baby. I had a Charlie's Angels Barbie doll- it was Chris since she was my favorite angel. I had a Fonzie Barbie too. It was Fonzie and he was so hot. But he was short so he could never date Barbie; he always dated Chris the Angel since she was short, too. I also had a Ken doll- two of them- one with brown hair and the traditional blond.
Back in the day Barbies weren't super expensive. I got some from my parents, at kids birthday parties, grandparents...I managed a good haul on the Barbies come birthday and Christmas. And if that's all you want and refuse to put anything else on your Christmas shopping list...Well, Santa did me pretty well.
But one year I wanted a Barbie Dream House. I poured over the JC Penny Wish book. I screamed for my parents to come in the living room whenever the commercial came on TV. I tried to build on out of cardboard shoe boxes but it never worked. I loved the Barbie dream house. And that year when we went to the K-Mart, there was one on display!!! A whole Barbie dream house put together and in a plastic display case. I about died. Right in front of me, so close but I still couldn't touch it, was a Barbie dream house, all in it's red and pink plastic glory. It was the most beautiful thing I could ever dream of, at that age. My Barbies needed that house. They had to have that house. They could no longer reside in the plastic pop up case with a Murphy Bed. They could no longer live under my bed. They could no longer have a conversational grouping of furniture on the carpet. They needed to move on up and live the dream.
I campaigned for the Dream House that Christmas even though it was $50. I wrote letters to Santa. I hung the picture on the fridge. I begged. I pleaded. I did extra chores. I flirted. I told Santa at the store and the Santa at church and the one at school. I told the entire free world that I was such a good girl that year and Santa really needed to help my Barbies and to please, please, please, bring me the Barbie Dream House.
On Christmas Eve we went to my grandparents for Christmas. It was tradition. We went every year and opened gifts they got us, we ate a meal and we went to church. It was usually a grand time. We always got some really nice toy and then clothes. That year we ate first. My Bro and I liked to race around the house to shake gifts and try to guess what was in there, but this year we weren't allowed to even go on the sunporch where the tree was. We were told had to eat. So we did.
After dinner we had to shut our eyes and we were brought in the room with the tree. And when we opened our eyes, lo and behold- THE BARBIE DREAM HOUSE! I screamed! I shrieked for joy! I jumped up and down! I kissed and thanked everyone, even my Bro, who was like 4 at the time and had no idea what was going on with his crazy big sister. I threw myself on the floor and was too stunned to move. My grandmother had arranged furniture in each room and I went screaming to the front door to get my Barbies I had brought along. (Where I went, Barbie traveled along- I mean, really!) I put Barbie in the house and then I noticed it. The difference.
Mine was made of wood! Mine had a front door that opened and closed and was a double French doors! Mine had real plastic flowers in flower boxes on the front! MINE had a stair case! MINE was really big! MINE had more rooms! Oh MY GODDESS! For a brief moment I thought that because I had begged so hard and wrote so many letters to Santa and prayed to Jesus, God and the Mattel creators, that the elves made a special one for me. Then it hit me- my grandfather BUILT ME A DREAM HOUSE!!! This man who was a master carpenter and built real life homes and made furniture by hand and carved wood designs and built kitchen cabinets from scratch for the rich people all over town built MY BARBIES a dream house. I was aghast, or would have been if I knew that word at that age. It was amazing. It was wonderful. It was special.
I played with that doll house for years and kept it in my room even as a teenager. I learned, as I got older, that he had gone out to the K-Mart and studied the house and the colors, then designed and made his own blueprint to build my Barbie House.
It was one of the best presents ever!
Maggie
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Lights
I was listening to the radio at work yesterday and there were several public service announcements touting different holiday light displays for people to see, which are all over town. This reminded me of Christmas light stories in the past. Yeah, it seems like have a story for everything when it comes to Christmas but I just LOVE Christmas. It is my favorite time of year.
When I was little, my family lived in a house that was 3 blocks from the courthouse. Our town's courthouse is on top of a hill and then downtown sort of lays at the foot of the hill and the courthouse stands over and guards it. Anyway, my hometown always puts lights on the top of the courthouse and turns them on the Friday night after Thanksgiving. So my parents would bundle up my brother and me and, if there were snow on the ground, stick us in a sled and pull us down to the courthouse. Then the four of us would stand on the sidewalk and wait for the lights to come on. It was like magic. No one else ever was around- cars would drive by but no one else ever stood out on the sidewalk and watched. We would "ooh" and "ahh" and clap and squeal when the lights came on. Then we would walk the 3 blocks back home, singing Christmas carols. When we got home, mom always made hot chocolate.
We always drove around and looked at lights, too. I remember that we would always be getting ready for bed and in footie pajamas and we would think we were going to bed and instead we would pile in the car, drive around Civilization and look at lights and there was always more "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" and clapping and squealing. We always found the houses that were our favorites and we drove past those many times during the season, and always went back year after year to see if they were the same.
Then my hometown started thinking and for a few years, the town council found out they could make it a town event- the lighting of the courthouse. The downtown businesses stayed open late and local choirs strolled around as carolers. The mayor did a proclamation, lots of folks gathered and sang carols. Hot chocolate was sold by local churches. Santa arrived on one of the local fire trucks. Candles were lit, prayers were said and then the lights on the courthouse came to life as do all the lights that decorate the downtown. It was no longer just me, my Bro, and folks standing on the sidewalk, waiting for the magic moment, but most of the town.
The parks department in Southern Civilization also does a "Walk Way of Holiday Lights" display. They set up huge holiday lights of all shapes and sizes. They move and sing. They are in all colors, shapes and sizes. Visitors may walk or drive a route to see all the different displays. The local radio station plays Christmas music the entire time. It stretches for several miles. Even as adults, we always piled in with my parents, in their van, with Mac and SisIL in tow, as well, and we drove over to see that display every year. We'd sing carols, laugh and have a good time. When we get back to home, we'd drive around and look at local lights, just like when we were little kids, sans pj's.
With Bro & SisIL having two babies and no more van, it's hard to all pile in to see the park display. The town council gave up the lighting ceremony. It's not even publicized when the lights will be turned on anymore; they just suddenly are. Times change and things change, but the good memories still linger on.
I think this year I'll grab Daddy-O, Mac and Princess and we can all see the park display, and then hit the Starbucks for hot chocolate on the way home. Start a new tradition.
Happy Holidays,
Maggie
When I was little, my family lived in a house that was 3 blocks from the courthouse. Our town's courthouse is on top of a hill and then downtown sort of lays at the foot of the hill and the courthouse stands over and guards it. Anyway, my hometown always puts lights on the top of the courthouse and turns them on the Friday night after Thanksgiving. So my parents would bundle up my brother and me and, if there were snow on the ground, stick us in a sled and pull us down to the courthouse. Then the four of us would stand on the sidewalk and wait for the lights to come on. It was like magic. No one else ever was around- cars would drive by but no one else ever stood out on the sidewalk and watched. We would "ooh" and "ahh" and clap and squeal when the lights came on. Then we would walk the 3 blocks back home, singing Christmas carols. When we got home, mom always made hot chocolate.
We always drove around and looked at lights, too. I remember that we would always be getting ready for bed and in footie pajamas and we would think we were going to bed and instead we would pile in the car, drive around Civilization and look at lights and there was always more "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" and clapping and squealing. We always found the houses that were our favorites and we drove past those many times during the season, and always went back year after year to see if they were the same.
Then my hometown started thinking and for a few years, the town council found out they could make it a town event- the lighting of the courthouse. The downtown businesses stayed open late and local choirs strolled around as carolers. The mayor did a proclamation, lots of folks gathered and sang carols. Hot chocolate was sold by local churches. Santa arrived on one of the local fire trucks. Candles were lit, prayers were said and then the lights on the courthouse came to life as do all the lights that decorate the downtown. It was no longer just me, my Bro, and folks standing on the sidewalk, waiting for the magic moment, but most of the town.
The parks department in Southern Civilization also does a "Walk Way of Holiday Lights" display. They set up huge holiday lights of all shapes and sizes. They move and sing. They are in all colors, shapes and sizes. Visitors may walk or drive a route to see all the different displays. The local radio station plays Christmas music the entire time. It stretches for several miles. Even as adults, we always piled in with my parents, in their van, with Mac and SisIL in tow, as well, and we drove over to see that display every year. We'd sing carols, laugh and have a good time. When we get back to home, we'd drive around and look at local lights, just like when we were little kids, sans pj's.
With Bro & SisIL having two babies and no more van, it's hard to all pile in to see the park display. The town council gave up the lighting ceremony. It's not even publicized when the lights will be turned on anymore; they just suddenly are. Times change and things change, but the good memories still linger on.
I think this year I'll grab Daddy-O, Mac and Princess and we can all see the park display, and then hit the Starbucks for hot chocolate on the way home. Start a new tradition.
Happy Holidays,
Maggie
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