Fun with Snow

(click the picture collage to enlarge)

Happy 1st Real Snow Fall of the Season!

Thanksgiving

It was a good one. We had some wonderful family time. None of us ever got out of our jammies. Alexander and I baked up a storm. I made my first pie. It is a pumpkin pie rolled with a wine bottle as I don't have a rolling pin. We gave it a Moose top from Noggin.

Mark loves cranberry sauce from a can, though I have issues with the texture and shape. Then again, he hates my deviled eggs and green bean casserole. We could each eat a bucket of potatoes. We had plenty to stuff ourselves silly.

(note: we have 2 cats and zero dogs, hmm)

Sophie was really sick but is much better now. Although, she has developed an ATTITUDE. When she's mad or frustrated she growls at me, hits, kicks, throws stuff, or hits the floor. This is a new development as she had always been my sweet little angel. Sometimes she can't turn the pages of her books by herself and she gets mad, or I am telling her 'no' about something or other. Boy, I thought Alexander was going to be my kid with a 'tude.

Staying home (especially with sicky-poo) was the right choice. We have most of our Christmas decorations up, including lights outside and the tree, though the tree needs to be decorated. More on decorations later.

If I don't see another piece of fudge or pumpkin pie in a while, I'll be ok. (and I've got lots left over). We may just decide to stay home next year too.

The House That Sick Built

Sophie and I came down with a stomach bug over the weekend. I'm now fine. Soph is not. I'll spare you the oh so fun details. What started out this morning as simply 'somewhat concerning' has me now watching her for dehydration. I'm thankful that we're not driving right now or away from home when she's so sick. Dang...

The Baking Has Begun

Yumm. Raw cookie dough.

Yes, that is a Christmas Story movie shirt I'm wearing. You'll shoot your eye out!

Nothin beats licking a beater.

The finished product!

Home for the Holidays

I've explained before that we're not going home for the holidays, or at least Thanksgiving that is. I had to put my big girl pants on and realize what was best for my family. What is best is saving the $ & the trouble that travelling with a young family brings, and giving Mark some time to get his book revisions done. Yes, I am very proud of him.

Still, despite the annoyances of travel, idiosyncrasies of family members, and sometimes sheer nuttiness of large family gatherings, I do love them. This will be my first Thanksgiving away from the extended fam. I've decided that it's ok to acknowledge being sad, but I need to make it special for my family. We'll have plenty to gorge on and Christmas decorations to put up, naps to take and ball games to watch. It will be a good day.

We have lots of traditions throughout the holidays. One is writing down what we are thankful for in our Book of Thanks. This will be year 4 of this tradition, though I left it in IA for the large family gathering. We'll add ours at Christmas. It's been fun to read over previous year's entries and watch the family grow and change as we turn the pages.

Certain movies are 'required' this time of year too. For Thanksgiving, it's Home for the Holidays. Directed by Jodie Foster in 1995, the cast includes; Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Dylan McDermott, Geraldine Chaplin, Steve Guttenburg, Claire Danes, Cynthia Stevenson, & Charles Durning.

The film is full of kooky family members, arguments, flying turkey, profanity, general dysfunction and nuttiness. It shows the struggles that happen surrounding family gatherings while still celebrating loved ones and traditions. Hmm. I wonder why I enjoy it so much? Watch for it on tv this Thanksgiving season, though I suppose it's not for everyone. If this sounds like your kind of movie, here's a little taste from the Thanksgiving dinner blessing scene. clip rated PG13

Festival of Trees

It's a family day all day. No errands, no chores. This morning we were treated with Duncan Donuts followed by a trip to the Festival of Trees.

Alexander was excited to visit Santa, but here's what happened when it was his turn.

Sophie didn't mind, though she did seem to wonder about the beard.

Afterwards we grabbed lunch at TGI Fridays and picked up a few movies, including Walle, Kung Fu Panda, and a Thanksgiving must-watch, Home for the Holidays. More on holiday movies later. It's time for movies, popcorn, & chocolate. I'm thankful for family days.

A Mixed Tape

Remember the mixed tape? Yesterday, in part to combat a blue mood, I made a new mixed tape. Well, it's electronic, not a tape and it's available to anyone who is interested in listening. It's a compilation of 30 of my favorite Christmas tunes both secular and religious, some quite old and some new. Some done by Elvis, Eric Cartmin, Josh Groban, the Muppets, Otis Redding, Sarah Mclachlan, John Lennon, the Boss and many more. Some will bring you back to childhood, such as Christmas Time is Here - Charlie Brown and friends. Some are certain to conjure up Christmas memories that you may have long forgotten. Some are silly, such as Bob and Doug Mckenzie - the 12 Days of Christmas. Others make me melancholy for those who won't be Home for Christmas, but only in their dreams. I can add to this compilation if you can think of a must-have song I missed or version that's your favorite. Hopefully playlist.com will soon have the new Faith Hill CD - Joy to the World available as there are some good ones there too. I finish off with Auld Lang Syne, a New Year's Eve song that sadly is making it's way out of favor, even on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve. So take a listen, peruse the songs (you can scroll down on the right side of the player). I'm keeping this playlist on my sidebar throughout the holidays and plan to listen often. Happy Friday.

p.s. Because I futzed with the html coding to shrink the size of the player, it's hard to see the names of all of the songs and artists. Here's a complete track list:

Martina McBride - Oh Holy Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas - John Denver & the Muppets, The First Noel - Josh Groban, Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt, I'll Be Home for Christmas - Michael Buble, Christmas Time is Here - Charlie Brown & friends, Angels We Have Heard on High - Josh Groban, Blue Christmas - Elvis, The 12 Days of Christmas - Bob & Doug Mckenzie, So This is Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon, Little Drummer Boy - Josh Groban, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jessica Simpson, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby, White Christmas - Otis Redding, Swiss Colony Beef Log - Eric Cartmin (South Park), Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Josh Groban, River - Sarah Mclachlan, The Chipmunks Song - Chipmunks, Winter Wonderland - Jewel, Silver Bells - Elvis, Silent Night - Reba McEntire, Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem - Elvis, Mele Kalikimaka - Jimmy Buffet, What Child is This (Greensleeves) - Sarah Mclachlan, A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives, Oh Come All Ye Faithful - Josh Groban, Auld Lang Syne - Barenaked Ladies