Thursday, December 18, 2008

A Christmas Tag And An Award

I got tagged for this Christmas MeMe by Much2Ponder at the In Case You Were Wondering blog, and Sondre Lyn at the Sondre Lyn blog.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Neither. But a Starbucks coffee would be just perfect.

Cold......



Or hot.....



2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

It depends on the size of the gift. But this year since both of our boys want cash, we might just be passing out envelopes. LOL!;)

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white?

Both.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

You know that I do.



*Sigh*

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Usually right around Thanksgiving. Sometimes before. Sometimes after.

And speaking of decorations, as part of our Advent celebration, this past Sunday, Shannon and I made a gingerbread house with the boys. And since my mom really wanted to see it, I am going to share some pictures of it with you.

We called it the "Gingerbread Shack."
;)





6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Broccoli Casserole. Here is the recipe in my mom's handwriting.



7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Unlike my own children, I loved when my parents would take me driving around Crazyville to look at all the different houses decorated for Christmas. I would get so excited seeing all of the bright and cheerful Christmas lights and decorations.

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

I believe that I was in about the fourth grade, and some little snippy girl spilled the beans at school one day. I remember going home and demanding that my mom tell me the truth. And when she did.....I just started bawling. It was a very sad day for my mom and me.

*Sniff*Sniff*

Even now that I am older I still love to hear people say, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."


9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

We usually let the boys open one gift or three on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

I'll let you see for yourself. (And even though you cannot tell it in this picture, our tree is covered in white and multi-colored strands of lights.)



11. Snow. Love it or dread it?

I love to look at snow and watch it falling. But I cannot drive in it. At all. Ever.

12. Can you ice skate?

No. I have never even tried it. But just between you and me, I have had several dreams that I am awesome at it. Like this.



13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

The first year that Shannon and I were married, I wanted a Christmas tree, but we were living in a mess, as we were building our house (while living in it), so my husband thought it would not make sense to put a tree in a "construction zone."

I was disappointed, but I understood.

Anyway, not too long after our discussion, I arrived home from work one evening, but he wasn't there. Which was unusual, because he got off work much earlier than me.

So I waited and worried, and finally he showed up. He came in the house and asked me, "What is all of this stuff out on the porch?" And I looked at him confused, and replied, "What stuff? Where have you been?"

Then he said, "Help me get all of this stuff cleaned off of the porch."

So, I walked outside with him and he shouted, "Merry Christmas!"

The "stuff" on the porch was a tree, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and an angel topper for me.




*Sigh*

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?



Amen.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Hands down....pecan pie.



Mmmmmmmmmm!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I absolutely love listening to Christmas music! I never tire of it. Just ask my family. ;)

17. What tops your Christmas tree?

A Precious Moments angel that my sister in law gave me many years ago. And no, Michelle, you cannot have it. ;)

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

Definitely giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

I love SO many Christmas songs, so there is NO way that I could pick just ONE favorite. But just for the sake of answering the question, I will share with you one of my many favorites. Take a listen if you'd like. It's "The Christmas Song" sung by Nat King Cole.



20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?

Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. However, I do think that they are very pretty.

21. What do you want for Christmas?

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Seriously, feel free to just completely ignore me.


22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?

No.



Just kidding. ;)

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's?

Pajamas!

24. Do you own a Santa hat?

We own a Santa hat, and a hat for Santa's elf as well.



25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

My sweet and crazy family.



And last, but not least, I received this award from Lynn at the Somewhere in the Middle blog.

Isn't it sweet?



*Sigh*

The requirements for this award are:
"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."


Thank you so much, Lynn, for thinking of me for this award. I really appreciate you, my bloggy friend!

27 comments:

Tina said...

Fun, fun post!!

I adore your little Gingerbread shack. I should really do this with my kids...but I fear that I couldn't let them do it their way...I'd be too OCD about it...we'll see. :)

Mistletoe...who needs it!?

Have a great day, friend!!

Sondre Lyn said...

You are so cute! I love the Gingerbread Shack. So great! I also love the bottom of your tree. So cute!

Dee said...

This was so lovlely, I love how you illusltrate things. The Charlie Brown clip actually made me cry, thigns have been pitiful here and I had forgotten about Christmas. We only got a tree yesterday :o(.

Thank you for being such an inspiriation to me.

Dee said...

PS: That ginger bread house is just darling and that frist christmas thing that Shannon did for you would just make my centuary, he is so sweet! Sigh.

Sharon said...

I soooooo enjoyed reading this! Your tree was adorable! The house well lets just say I am hungry nowwwww!! yum! YOUR HUSBAND well lets just sayyyy awwwwwwwwe that was so cool reading that! Him Special for sure! Your boys and those smiles, wonderful. What a blessed home you have.
Just one question though, Where's Allie?
Merry Christmas
Sharon

Sharon said...

I soooooo enjoyed reading this! Your tree was adorable! The house well lets just say I am hungry nowwwww!! yum! YOUR HUSBAND well lets just sayyyy awwwwwwwwe that was so cool reading that! Him Special for sure! Your boys and those smiles, wonderful. What a blessed home you have.
Just one question though, Where's Allie?
Merry Christmas
Sharon

valerie said...

I always enjoy and get a kick out of your posts when you've been tagged. You have such special memories and continue to make more.

By the way, I loved that episode of "I Love Lucy"...."We are friends of the friendless yes we are, yes we are....." :)

Have a blessed day!

Mia said...

your Christmas MeMe was a JOY to read!! I love how you use pictures to tell your story.
I'm still praying for you!!

Paula V said...

Good stuff here. I, too, hate candy canes. I hate peppermint all together. Do you know the story behind the candy cane. Instead of paraphrasing I'll look it up and send it to you. It's really awesome...will forever change your look on those precious canes.

How wonderful what Shannon did for your first Cmas. Beautiful.

Hey, you can have the crust and gel if I can have the pecan topping. I wish they'd make a dessert that was nothing but the top of pecan pie.
Love,
Paula

Yolanda said...

I so enjoyed this and loved the pictures of the Gingerbread house, especially after our comments earlier in the week!

Blessing to you!

Love,
Yolanda

Megan said...

Oh I just loved reading this! And I love the story of your husband bringing the tree and decorations. So sweet!
I also love to drive around and look at lights! When I was growing up we always did it and ended up getting in HUGE family fights (sisters hitting each other, parents getting mad, etc), yet we did it every year!! Ahh, Christmas memories!

Karen said...

That was so so sweet.
Thanks for sharing!

Gina said...

That was a fun read. I love the gingerbread shack. It came out great. :) I am in complete agreement with you on the pecan pie. Yummy!!! Have a great day!

God bless,
Gina

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

That was lovely! I had forgotten the Charlie Brown Christmas story - since ya'll are all grown, I don't watch the cartoons any more - that was a good memory!
I love spending Christmas with ya'll but I miss the boys being little ones with such excitement and anticipation in their eyes about Santa! I love the Christmas they got the jeep and Daniel punched Matthew in the face and then Matthew "called the sheriff" on the walkie-talkie! That was priceless!!!
LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!
Mom :)

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

OOOPS! I forgot to comment on Paul & Barbara skating!!! Ooh How much I miss seeing them!!!!!
Thanks for including that! :)
Mom

Jamie said...

You are so fun! I loved this post!!! Thanks for the Charlie Brown clip...it is my all time favorite.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Awwww, I think this is one of the sweetest post I have read. The pictures are wonderful, especially the ones of you and your hubby. (:

Kellan said...

Cute gingerbread shack - great job, really! I loved all your answers and photos - great job!

Take care - Kellan

Pleasant Living said...

loved the picture post, Amy! I, too, love this season!

much2ponder said...

This post made me laugh out loud, seriously! I was actually waiting to see pictures of the gingerbread house:) The picture of you and your hubby when you were young is so cute too. I love your excitement, but most of all I think I truly enjoy your deep love and devotion to your family. You are blessed and you are a blessing!

Smiling Shelly said...

What a fun meme! I don't like candy canes either. Oh, and I love the Gingerbread shack. My mom bought one for the girls to do and they did theirs one day this week (can't remember when b/c I was probably still sick) Anyway, theirs makes yours look like a nice little far away cottage. ;)
Meant to post a picture of it for WW but got carried away finishing the last few chapters of my book. *yawn*

Talk to you soon!
Love and hugs

Laura said...

My friend,

I just love to read your grillin' fun! Too many "Amens" to note! I'm always amazed at how much I agree with your view of the world...even Crazyville!

Love to you,
Laura

diane b said...

What an entertaining post.

The Laundress said...

You are so cute.

I miss you.

Happy Holidays girl.

Unknown said...

Your blog is very deserving of this award. You and I could share some pecan pie. My sister and I will be having words over it as usual at Christmas! She never wants me to have any and that is so not going to happen.

Thanks for sharing! BTW, you guys have some great family pics.

Michelle said...

I love broccoli casserole too! Infact, I am in charge of making & bringing it to my grandma's for Christmas dinner this year :) I make it the same way as your recipe with just a couple of alterations ;)

About that Christmas music, *sigh*, my family's tired of it by December 1st LOL...I start listening to it in November!!

Like I've told you before Amy, if you wake up and your PM tree topper is missing; I am just *borrowing* it until December 26th and will return it in good condition ;) You know.... I visualize how lovely it would look upon MY tree *sneaky grin*

Have a great Christmas girl!
Love ya,
Michelle

valerie said...

I've been missing your posts each day. It's always one of the first blogs I read. Hope everyone is doing well and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Valerie