Blogmas Day 12: Tag Questions

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Thirteen days until the big one! I’m spending this post answering some questions about winter and the holidays Tamy over at Chasing My Life posted on her site.    

Top 2 Winter Beauty Essentials:  

Honestly I’m a bit more beast than beauty in the winter.  I’d definitely be lost, however, without my Zum kiss lip balm and a good lotion.  The type of lotion varies. Today I used Bath & Body Works stress relief lotion for my dry hands. I’ve also been using a Hemp Seed hand and body lotion, a gift from my hairdresser, that I really like as well.

Top 2 Winter Fashion Essentials: 

Did I ever mention how I love summer because shorts and Capri pants are fashionable?  That said, I love a fun sweater.  And fun, warm socks to wear with pants.

Favorite Winter Accessory:

Finger-less gloves with a mitten flap! Best invention ever.

Favorite Winter Nail Polish:

I don’t wear nail polish. Once back when I used to get my nails “done” with the acrylic stuff, she put little Christmas trees on them. That was my favorite.

Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider:

For Winter, Hot Cocoa.

Favorite Winter Candle:

My current one from Aldi, smells just like hot cocoa and cream. I also have a new obsession with Woodwick candles.

Does It Snow Where You Live:

Yes but usually more in January and February than December.

Have You Ever Made A Snowman:

Of course! Also, a snow cat. And many snow forts as a child.

Favorite Holiday Movie:

The Polar Express! 

Favorite Holiday Drink:

Peppermint Mocha.

Candy Canes or Gingerbread Men?

Why not Gingerbread Men using Candy Canes as skis? I love them both!

Favorite Christmas Song:

Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives

What Is Most Important To You About The Holidays:

Spending time as a family and with family, traditions, kindness, thinking of others and honoring God by remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

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Blogmas Day 11: Christmas Cards

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I do love Christmas cards!  

My mom used to recycle the front of the cards to make gift tags. And then recycle those gift tags each year. She would use a hole punch and string ribbon through the hole, writing on the back. I used to think certain tags were on the “better” presents as a kid.

The first year I went to my husband’s family Christmas celebration, I brought gifts with recycled Christmas tags on them. I clearly remember their confusion. “How can we tell who these gifts belong to?”

Now, I’m lazy and just use the same sticker tags as everyone else.

We also don’t get the same number of Christmas cards as in the past.  Used to line our kitchen door frame plus cover the closet door. Now, I’m lucky if we get the closet door covered.

Yet, I’m also guilty of not sending them out as often. For a few years, I had it together even including the dreaded Christmas newsletter in them. Not as much need with technology and Facebook.

Some years I miss completely. Last year I  happily sent quite a few out to friends and family.  Curse of the big family, it does also cost a bit more than a dime to send them.

I am partial to Hallmark Christmas cards since they’re a local company.  However, I’ve sent Target dollar spot ones out in a pinch.

As of this posting, we’ve received 3 cards. Hoping it’s a matter of everyone being busy and planning to send them out this weekend. That’s my plan.

Do you do Christmas cards?

*Linking up with Tamy over at Chasing My Life for Blogmas. Rebecca from Rebecca’s Hearth and Home is also writing for Blogmas.

Blogmas Day 10: Handmade Gifts?

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Do I give handmade gifts? No.   

Things handmade gifts require:

  • Talent
  • Excellent time-management skills
  • Materials
  • Talent

Things I don’t possess:

  • Talent (especially not in the crafting and cooking arenas)
  • Excellent time-management skills (I’m more in the just below average area here)
  • I might have a few materials if I had the talent
  • Did I mention talent?

There were years when my husband and I first married when I enthralled with the romantic notion of handmade gifts set out to do just that. Handmade gifts for all our family members!

A complete disaster of a table as I scrambled to finish putting things together on Christmas morning! Yes, you read right. Christmas morning.

See requirement: excellent time-management skills listed above.

One year I did manage to make all my nieces handmade no sew fleece blankets. Still, December 23rd and possibly Christmas Eve. Family gatherings happening without me as I was spread out on the living room floor in a mad-dash to finish them. They turned out okay.

Food gifts?  See requirement: talent, list above. I do think one year I gave my sister some homemade coffee creamers that was okay.

Overall, it’s better if I watch for deals and simply do things that way.

Do you have what it takes for making homemade gifts? Consider yourself lucky if you do!

*Linking up with Tamy over at Chasing My Life for Blogmas. Rebecca’s Hearth And Home is doing a December Blogmas as well.

Happy Homemaker Monday, So Much For A Slow Start

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My plan for today? Spend a quiet day at home, cleaning the house and pulling out the rest of the Christmas decorations.

My reality? Worked a full day, came home to the same messy house.  Learned the cat puked on J’s bed. Listened to his baritone practice (think LOUD) while dealing with that. Cleaned the kitchen so I could mess it up again making dinner.

And now, finally, I am sitting down to plan my week. Hopefully, the rest of it runs a bit smoother than today. Getting a late start instead of a slow start to join in with Sandra and link up with her blog for Happy Homemaker Monday.

The Weather This Week

Pretty nice. We’re back to regular December weather. It was in the 20’s this morning but above freezing by the afternoon. It’s supposed to be in the upper 40’s/low 50’s tomorrow and Wednesday but drop back down a bit and rain on Thursday.  Mostly in the low 40’s for the weekend.

On The Breakfast Plate

Started my morning off with a Chobani Flip, pumpkin pie flavor. And of course, coffee. I put Hazelnut flavored milk in my coffee this morning.

Outside My Window

Darkness. However, this morning the skies were sunny and bright.

Right Now I Am

working on this post and equally torn between going to Target, taking a nap, pulling out the Christmas, or simply staring at the TV for a bit. Reading my book is also an option.

On Today’s To-Do List

Apparently, go to work. Done. Also this post. In Progress. And my Blogmas post.

For tomorrow/rest of the week: Clean the house! Figure out Christmas! Bake cookies!

Currently Reading

The Lost City of The Monkey God by Douglas Preston. Didn’t realize it was a work of non-fiction when I picked it up at the library. Super interesting book on searching for an ancient city in Honduras.

On The TV This Week

No idea. The Voice tonight maybe. I’ll probably watch my new/old “replacement” movie of The Bourne Identity. Christmas movies? Depends on how much running around I find myself doing.

On The Menu This Week

I had high hopes to make chicken enchilada soup today. Didn’t happen with unexpectedly working.

MONDAY: Pork chops and French Fries *I worked 8:15-4:45*

TUESDAY: Pizza In A Pot, Bread sticks (If I work, probably going to be frozen pizza)

WEDNESDAY: Subway or OUT somewhere else *I work 8:00-4:30* *J’s band concert*

THURSDAY: Chicken Enchilada Soup *I work 7:15-3:45*

FRIDAY:   Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes  *I work 8:15-3:30*

Creating

Hopefully, a peaceful home and happy memories for the family

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

Thinking of trying Sandra’s Pizza In A Pot recipe tomorrow. Also, making Ranger Cookies, a Better Crocker recipe I used to love but changing them up a bit (mainly leaving out the coconut)

From The Camera

We had cupcakes for my birthday yesterday!

 

Quote For The Week

Maybe Christmas he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.  (from How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss)

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How did your Monday go?

 

 

Blogmas Day 9: Winter Wonderland Pictures

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Just a quick post today! I think I say that every time? Maybe. Really will be a quick one today/tonight.

No winter wonderland today as the sun shone and it was a pretty mild day after a cold start.

However, a picture popped up on my Facebook memories of my boys helping to clean off the car when they were quite a bit younger.  Not sharing it since I noticed my license plate is visible in the photo!

Decembers around here tend to be on average “green and bright” though not usually tropical warm! I had to go back to 2013 to find snowy December pictures.

However, we had a Christmas blizzard in 2009!

This was the view driving to my husband’s parents on Christmas morning (Incorrect date stamp on photo, I know this is Christmas morning):  Sledding:
We didn’t get any note-worthy December snow again until 2013. My Winter Wonderland photo of “Gingerbread house demolition” prep work.  And it’s gone: 

 

After 2013, we’ve had a run of extremely green and dry Decembers. Sometimes (like last year) we’ve had bitter cold but no significant snow.

I can’t remember the last time we’ve had so much snow starting after Thanksgiving so perhaps this will be a Winter Wonderland kind of Christmas again.

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Linking this post up with the Blogmas posts by Tamy over at Chasing My Life. Be sure to follow along with her! And, don’t forget to go check out Rebecca’s Hearth and Home. She’s doing Blogmas as well.

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