I realized this morning that, if my math is correct (that is always in question), it is 18 years ago today that my grandmother passed away. The realization has me thinking back on my memories and relationship with her.
Tag: Traditions
Sparkly
This Year’s Nutcracker
I have been getting at least one nutcracker a year since I was 16. When Hubby and I got together, he took over the tradition. A few years back, he started giving them to me on the day we decorate instead of on Christmas so that I’d be able to have it out for the whole season. He always tries to theme them, using something we have done over the year to create that theme. The year we fixed our chimney (finally), I got a chimney sweep. The year we took a vacation to the mountains, I got a hiker. This year, he used the massive home improvements with the windows and the new HVAC and went with a Cozy Santa, bringing my count up to 41 if you count the two giant ones I made last year. I have such a huge variety, in both size and style. They range from uber traditional to kinda insanely wacky. I absolutely adore my nutcrackers and my kids love seeing them get unpacked every year. BG is even talking about wanting to start her own tradition and collection. It is a tradition I’m seriously considering starting for her.
Frosty Leaf
Today is decorating day. Normally that means both inside and out, but we got the out done early because they were predicting crappy weather. It is kinda funny how insane my kids are about this tradition. They have been talking about it for weeks and bounced off the walls when they got up this morning. So much so, you would have thought it was actually Christmas morning instead. Time to get my sparkle on!
Aftermath
Today is insane. I had a nearly 3 hour call with my editor (notes on that to come). Now I have to deal with the aftermath of having a haunted garage for Halloween and still wanting to put the cars in after it is all over (and that is only a small portion of what I still have to pack up). Having spent 2 days going in and out, then up and down on a ladder, my body is trying to revolt, but I still have to get everything packed up. So… I’m off to get busy. Then crash.
We’ve Got Pumpkins!
Normally, I’m so far ahead of the game that I already have the idea for both my pumpkin and my costume by the beginning of October at the very latest. This year I had neither and was even very seriously considering skipping the garage set up and not dressing up at all. I was just too stressed and overwhelmed and every bit of my creative energy seemed to be focused on the book and edits with nothing left for Halloween.
Picking Pumpkins
We went over the weekend to get our pumpkins. It was kind of a perfect day for it. Even though the kids are in their teens, they both still love doing this, which makes me incredibly happy. Hell, I’m in my 40’s and I STILL love doing this. Sadly, I have zero clue what I’m carving this year.
It is going to be an insane next couple of weeks as Hubby’s annual bake sale is coming up, so I’ll be baking for that. The kids have things going on. I have a B-Day dinner to fix and then we have to carve those pumpkins followed by Halloween. Oh, and those edits are supposed to show up at any time. So, yeah, bring on the crazy times!
Evolving Traditions
From the time my kids were old enough to do puzzles and play games, Hubby and I have tortured our kids on Easter by forcing them to do a scavenger hunt to find their baskets. It took a time or two for them to get the hang of things, but they absolutely fell in love with the tradition.
Staying Warm
Today is traditionally a crazy busy day for me. It is the day that all the holiday decorations come down and get put away. Continue reading “Staying Warm”
Let The Fun Begin!
So, today will be our Christmas Eve with my in-laws. Not because this is when we normally do it, but because there MIGHT be a SLIGHT chance of the white stuff on Christmas Eve. Since we can’t have that (no seriously, things get stupid crazy with the in-laws when weather of any kind other than perfectly dry and sunny is involved), I’ll be doing all my Christmas Eve stuff today instead. Hopefully, that doesn’t include watching for weather updates every other minute.
Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
One Part Done
8 batches of pie crust (recipe coming soon) that got turned into 16 mini pot pies and one big pot pie for our dinner and I’m done with my baking for my FIL. Continue reading “One Part Done”
All Sparkles and Feels
This weekend kicked of the Christmas programs at BG’s dance studio. They are always cute, sweet and fun. What I did not quite anticipate was the fact that, with her ballet program at least, she would now be in a show with Seniors. Continue reading “All Sparkles and Feels”
Up Next… Baking!
I’ve already got the Chex mix made up. Or at least the first batch as that goes really quickly and I usually end up making a second. I plan on starting the rest probably tomorrow. Continue reading “Up Next… Baking!”
That’s A Wrap
I got all my wrapping done today. Yay! That means I’ll have over a week of seeing my tree nice and full with presents underneath. The only thing left is whatever Hubby needs to do. It feels really good to be done, but… Continue reading “That’s A Wrap”
Finishing Up and Gift Giving
Today will, hopefully, finish what is left of my shopping. I have one or two things left on my list to take care of, but the last big thing is what the kids do for each other. Continue reading “Finishing Up and Gift Giving”
Annual Holiday Light Tour Tradition
We did our annual holiday light tour tonight. We packed up the kids with blankets and hot chocolate, Hubby and I with coffee, ran through a drive thru for dinner and started on the neighborhoods near there. Continue reading “Annual Holiday Light Tour Tradition”
And Done!
At least with the decorating part anyway. I still need to get back to work on my nutcracker project, but I think I’m going to need to take a day off to just rest tomorrow. Trying to do all of this over the last week while battling a very nasty cough has just worn me out and I think I need to be done for a bit. Tomorrow is doing to be a veg day where I just sit and soak up all the pretty that is my house for the holidays. Continue reading “And Done!”
Productive But Behind
Today is our traditional day to put up all of our holiday decorations, but I really needed to finish the trellis project that we started a couple of months ago because it was part of my plan for decorating outside. I really believed that it wouldn’t take that long to get them in place. Once again I was wrong on that. It took nearly 5 hours to get them finished and installed. After several days of working my tail off getting things done, starting on my nutcrackers and for Thanksgiving, I’m already dragging. So, that is probably going to be it for me for the day and I’ll get to the actual decorating again tomorrow. I hate the delay, but I’m thrilled to get one more project off my to do list and out of my garage.
