For some reason I'm having trouble coming up with original thoughts and original posts. I thought once I was on winter break and had some extra time that my brain would go on overdrive. Nope, my brain is on winter break too. Thank goodness for Memes and the Thursday 13. Nothing like a good writing prompt to prime the pump.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, the real thing, made with milk, Dutch process Cocoa and topped with a dab of real whipped cream.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? No Santa any more. I wrap. I hate it. It’s a ploy to sell increase Hallmark’s profits and kill trees.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? None. At least this year!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? In a house with 11 foot ceilings? No!
5. When do you put your decorations up? We avoid it as long as possible. One year we didn’t do it at all. This year they go up on the 20th when the girls come home and can help. The Little Red Hen moved out some time ago.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Crispy turkey skin and Southern cornbread style dressing with gravy.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: The arrival of the “Care Package” from Holland. In the pre-Internet, Campbell’s Soup Cuisine 1950s and 60s we couldn’t buy Dutch cheeses, sweets and cookies in the United States. Every year my Grandparents filled up a big box full mouth watering treats, which always arrived just before Christmas. Whenever we opened it I felt just like Laura Ingalls Wilder when she helped open the Christmas barrel from the family back in the East.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can’t remember. It could not have been too traumatic.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? All the Family Gifts get opened on Christmas Eve – that’s part of my Dutch Heritage. When the girls were smaller the Santa gifts were opened on Christmas Day. Now only the stockings are saved for Christmas Day since said children are 24 years old.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We are among the Live Tree Holdouts. Inspired by a chapter in the Betsy – Tacy books I always took the girls shopping for an new ornament when they were growing up. One of these days they will take them and hang them on their own trees. Both adore Disney so it’s heavy on the Hallmark inspired Disney ornaments. My Beloved used to ride a Harley-Davidson so we also have a very large collection of Harley Davidson Christmas ornaments.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? In balmy 75 degree Houston? Not likely. Looks like we’re going to have a wet Christmas.
12. Can you ice skate? I grew up in Miami, now live in Houston. Enough said
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? A mind is a terrible thing to loose! I adore a pair of garnet earrings My Beloved gave me a number of years ago. They suit me perfectly.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? People take stock of their lives, make positive changes and appreciate each other.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Peppermint Bark! This year Pepperidge Farm has these wonderful new cookies with chocolate icing sprinkled with pieces of crushed up peppermint. Totally addictive. I hope they are a Christmas only item!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I have been through so many changes in my life and the traditions have changed too. I am always off during the holidays (a teacher perk) and My Beloved always takes some time off too. Normally our lives are so rushed and hectic that a week of no alarm clock and spending time together is a lovely treat. Better than any vacation. Her family lives in town so we normally don’t travel. We don’t do much – just hang out at the house and catch up on odds and ends but it is always a soul nourishing time.My mother always sends us Chocolate Letters – that’s a Dutch tradition. They used to come in the Christmas box from Holland but now they can be bought stateside. My girls (and My Beloved) always look forward to their arrival.
17. What tops your tree? A couple of blown glass pink flamingos!
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Receiving – I can never think of what I want. My life is very full and very complete.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I used to love Christmas music. That’s USED to – before every radio station in town started playing it 24/7 for 2 months prior to the big day.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?? To sticky. Yuck. They should be smashed and sprinkled on a chocolate dipped pretzel.
5 comments:
Homemade hot chocolate for sure, with real whipped cream, yum.
I had suspected the truth about Santa and the Easter Bunny for some time, so it came as not particular shock to me; although the Tooth Fairy was the first time I knew for sure, when I caught my dad slipping the quarter under my pillow when he thought I was asleep.
Hey! That was more than 13, you over-achiever, you! *grin*
I wouldn't hang mistletoe with 11-foot ceilings, either. But I sure envy you 11-foot ceilings.
Thanks for stopping by West of Mars; I hope you'll come back. Maybe, when the book comes out, we'll do some joint thing with your eBay store.
Happy TT and Merry Christmas!
My sister said she was going to send me my chocolate letter, and then she didn't -- waaa!
I need to reinstate this tradition with my children. I've decided that I'm going to limit myself to Droste chocolate only; that way I can be virtuous when I turn down other chocolate.
There aren't too many places I can buy Dutch products around here, so I usually have to mail order them from an outfit in Grand Rapids, MI.
Vrolijk Kerstfeest!
Just a quick note to wish you a wonderful holiday and life's richest blessings in the new year.
LMAO... I didcovered the truth about "Santa" when I realized that Santa's handwriting looked just like my Moms...
Post a Comment