Wednesday, December 19, 2012

FMM: Christmas Questions

Rinda posted a list of Christmas questions on her blog that originated with The BoysMum2Blog and is sponsored by the All the Weigh blog.   I decided today that playing along might be a way to get me out of the funk I've been in lately!


Christmas Questions 
1. How will you celebrate the holidays this year? This year it will be just the five of us at home.  We'll go out for dinner on Christmas Eve (Macaroni Grill), drive through a few neighborhoods to see the lights on the way home, open Christmas P.J.s and then send the "kids" (ha! they are all adults now!) to bed early so Christmas can magically appear.  On Christmas Day we have a treat (usually cinnamon buns) for breakfast, open gifts, watch the Christmas Parade on television, and I cook.  After the traditional turkey feast, we often go out  to the movies. Last year we saw "We Bought A Zoo".  Not sure what it will be this year.
2. What’s the weather currently like where you live?  It's been mostly grey, wet, and dismal in the 40's and low 50's with occasional peeks of sunshine.
3. Do you decorate your home for the holidays? If so, share a picture please!  Despite rampant rumors that I'm a total grinch, um, YES! We do decorate. Not a lot, not particularly lavish. And pretty much confined to one small area of the house.  But I like it!
(this shot taken for the 12 Days of Christmas class)
4. What’s your favorite Christmas movie? It has become a family tradition to watch Elf together every year.  I'm not typically a Will Ferrell fan, but the innocence he portrays in this movie is convincing and funny. We also love Polar Express, all of the Santa Clause series, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
5. What is your favorite Christmas song? I don't have a single favorite.  In the religious category, I love  "Do You Hear What I Hear?" as sung by Bing Crosby.  In the more secular arena, I'm a fan of "Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill (from the movie "The Grinch") and most recently Train's "Shake Up Christmas"

  
6. Do you have an advent calendar? No. We haven't had advent calendars since the kids were pretty little.  It wasn't a tradition that really caught on with them.
7. Do you prefer colored lights or white lights? For outdoor decorations I prefer white lights.  Indoors, on the tree, we've always had color.  Since our switch to LED lights a few years ago, the colors are somewhat garish and not all that Christmassy IMHO. And I miss the twinkle lights.  I think I'd happily switch to white at this point.
8. What is your favorite food to eat over the holidays? I love our traditional holiday dinner. But among the favorites - acorn squash baked with butter and brown sugar (yum!) and my daughter Rachel's peanut butter blossom cookies (super yum!).

9Do you display a live tree, or do you prefer fake trees? It isn't necessarily preference, but convenience.  I grew up with fake trees because my mom was allergic to the real thing. We have a fake tree.  We've had the same one for 27 years now.  Environmentally friendly (especially when you keep and reuse it as long as we have!) and no messy sap and pine needles all over the carpet.  But I would love to have the pine smell!
(This shot was taken for the 12 Days of Christmas Class with a homemade star filter)
10What would you need to make your holiday perfect his year? My "perfect" holiday is really simple. I just want my family to be happy, get along (as in refrain from sibling squabbles), express an appropriate amount of real gratitude for all they've been given, and maybe even offer to help in the kitchen.  It really doesn't take a lot to make me happy!

Now, I think some wrapping paper is calling my name....


11 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

So many people seem to have a tradition of a treat for breakfast....ours is croissants.....but I suppose we do have quite a long wait til dinner!!!
Hmmmmm.....wrapping....my least favourite christmas tradition.
So glad you liked the card.

Amy said...

We don't have a breakfast tradition and never go out on Christmas Day - except to commute between point A and B ... I like reading about the different experiences of the season and the day. My answers will be up tomorrow.

alexa said...

This is a really interesting post, Cheri - I've really enjoying reading your replies. I'm hoping you get just what you need this Christmas ...

Kara N said...

Cheri - so sad to hear you've been in a funk lately. Your weather sounds a bit like what we've had here - which is easy to get in a funk with. Sunshiny, crisp, cold days are so much more enjoyable than these wet icky days.

I loved reading your responses. Your tree and mantel are lovely. Merry Christmas my friend.

Karen said...

We've had the same dismal weather, but I think I'd be glad to keep it now that the winter storm is headed across the country just as Matt needs to fly home! I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with his ability to get here! I'm loving this post, and so glad folks have decided to do them.

Missus Wookie said...

Cool photos - didn't try that star filter but hope to. Weather sounds about the same - grey, gloomy :ugh: I much prefer sunshine and blue skies!

Fun questions - now that I've mailed the last Christmas card I might draw breath and think about answering some....

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Aw, I loved reading your answers to these questions. Thanks for the Train video - I must live in a cave because I hadn't heard that one yet!

Your star filter photo is gorgeous! :o)

quiltingfool said...

Beautiful photos! I haven't been on your blog for a couple weeks as my computer is on the Fritz and I only have my kindle and smart phone for computer access. I tried today on the computer hoping for a Christmas miracle, but no such luck. So I'm on my kindle now. Hope you all have a joyous Christmas and that the coming year brings happiness and good health to you all. Love you all there is! Mom/Nana

Maria Ontiveros said...

I love your mantel and your star bokeh! I'm a big Train fan, too.
Rinda

Alison said...

I had never heard of Train either..am about to add it to my Spotify playlist! Hope Christmas is all you want it to be Cheri
Alison xx

Cheryl said...

I hope your Christmas was the picture of perfection you described and that you are having a wonderful time with your family. I so enjoyed catching up with your blog over my morning tea - I've missed you. Congrats on making the design team! I love your Simple Moments... from where did that inspiration come? Also love your politics LO and your gratitude journal. Looking forward to "seeing" you more regularly again in the new year! {hugs}