simplify to enjoy....

Having read a number of blogger's pleas for a simplified holiday season, I am convinced organization is essential for enjoyment during this busy time of the year. This countdown list provided by the Washington Post may serve as a guide for your holiday preparations. Perhaps setting up a wrapping station in your home may seem excessive, however the mention may serve to remind that you will need papers, scissors, tape, ribbons and assorted garnishments for gifts. Ridding the refrigerator of aged foods to make room for leftovers was my favorite suggestion.

photo credit: www.englishcountryliving.com

Silent Night

A visit to Decorative Country Living

will put a "twinkle" in your holiday spirit.

Make sure your volume is adjusted so it is audible.

photo credit: www.englishcountryliving.com

a fruitcake?

You Are a Fruitcake!

You taste like nothing else in this world. And get ready, you're about to get tossed!

What Crappy Christmas Gift are you?

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the subject of fruitcake came up. What exactly is it made of? Why do people call others a "fruitcake"? Does anyone really eat a fruitcake? What to do with a fruitcake if you receive one over the holidays. Interesting.
Seems I am one!

Christmas curiosities

Here I feature a fun little interactive quiz

to get you into the Christmas spirit

as seen on the blog, Pigtown Design.

Enjoy!

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate, no doubt...made with real milk. Egg nog contains raw eggs. Ew.



2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree. Santa was "exposed" many years ago...lol.


3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Clear lights that do not sparkle are the best and closely resemble the original, traditional lighting for Christmas trees, the candle.


4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but it sounds like fun!


5. When do you put your decorations up?
I begin directly after Thanksgiving. It takes many days to complete, however. The Christmas tree is purchased first, then placed in a bucket of water in the back yard until I get around to placing it indoors adding the embellishments.


6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Stuffing made with apples and raisins. It just tastes so great with the sweet addition.



7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Santa Claus flying outside the house awaiting all children to fall asleep and make his deliveries. All that tacky tinsel that was popular in the 50's and 60's.


8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Truth about Santa??

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? This year, my family and I will be in Florida for Christmas and a big tree is not an option. I do have a small version to display, however. When decorating the tree usually, I use white lights and lots of them, many small wooden, wax and pewter ornaments collected from my years of living in Germany.


11. Snow: love it or hate it?
I love a freshly fallen blanket of snow. I love to turn on the back spotlights and watch it fall from the sky at night so very quietly.


12. Can you ice skate?
I love to ice skate. I own my own blades.


13. Do you remember your favorite gift? hmmm.no, cannot recall an especially fave gift.


14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Happy times with friends and family.


15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Pumpkin anything...pie, cheesecake, bread

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? tree, Christmas music, live greenery everywhere, amaryllis and paperwhites, boxwood wreaths, pomanders

17. What tops your tree?
A straw angel purchased in Germany where the Christmas tree (tannenbaum) originated .

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
Giving.


19. What is your favorite Christmas song? God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan

20. Candy canes:
Red and white striped in the shape of a cane.


21. Favorite Christmas movie? The Polar Express

22. What do you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk accompanied by a carrot for the reindeer. In the morning, the cookies are gone and the carrot has been nibbled upon.

photo credit: Matthew Mead

CR's updated website

Carolyne Roehm presents gorgeous table settings,

recipes and assorted other treats for you to view.

Are you a wine snob?

Do you feel compelled to purchase a more expensive bottle of wine in order to have the best? Back in 2001, Frederic Brochet duped a panel of wine experts in this experiment.

This Thanksgiving, which wine will you be choosing to accompany your meal?

Remember those who have served and those who are serving...