Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Wednesday Hodgepodge



It's time once again to join Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. What great timing this week - my brain is a complete hodgepodge as a result of my Booked for the Holidays giveaway and the busyness that comes with this time of year. (Speaking of Booked for the Holidays, today is the last day to enter! There are ten giveaways, which have been appearing daily since early last week. Comments/entries must be received by 8:00 pm CST tonight, so scroll down my blog and check it out if you haven't already!)

And now for Joyce's questions; some of are Christmas-themed, and some are not. (Hence the name Hodgepodge!)


1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?

I would say it means NOT being a grinch! To have a generous and loving attitude and to be willing to go out of your way to spread cheer.

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?

Nothing this year! LOL My girl has allergies and gets really congested and hoarse when we get a tree. However, the year we suggested getting an artificial one, you would have thought we had told the kids we were selling them (the kids) on eBay! (My girl can tell me exactly where she was sitting at a particular restaurant when we brought it up. They both burst into tears!) Last year, my girl was singing a solo at the Christmas Eve service, so when she started having problems we moved the tree onto the back porch. (We removed the ornaments but kept the lights on it) We liked that so much we did it this year from Day 1. It sits right outside our big bay window in the kitchen/breakfast room, so we enjoy it every time we sit down to eat! I do miss my ornaments, and I'm not sure how long we'll do this, but for now it works. When the tree is inside, it is topped with a big red bow. I never have found an angel or star that I liked.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?

I have absolutely no idea.

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?

I've never thought about that, but probably smell or sight.

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

Clutter.

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?

Traditional Christmas Eve meal at my inlaws is tamales and tacos. That began when my man's grandparents were farmers in South Texas, and their Mexican workers would give them tamales as a gift at Christmas. My in-laws continued the tradition (only my MIL has to buy the tamales now!) The grandkids have never been big on tamales, so we've added tacos and queso to the meal. Christmas Day is generally turkey and dressing mid-day and nibble on leftovers at night.

7. What is the best thing about winter?

It means spring is coming!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have no idea what I'm going to get my boy or put in his stocking this year. He needs nothing, he doesn't like candy, and he's really not big on little gadgets. He can't even come up with any ideas!


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13 comments:

Cortney said...

For the stocking maybe socks and underwear or cologne? Kinda cheesy I know but it doesn't look like you have many options.

Joyce said...

Oooh, I'd love to have a Mexican feast on Christmas Eve! That sounds good!

Glad you found a creative solution to the tree dilemma!
I have daughters so am no help in the boy-gift department : )

sara said...

I have the same problem with my youngest son....and now that he is working, he has had the $$ to buy what he wants...ugh!

We do beef tenderloin on Christmas day...I've had enough turkey by then!!!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Teenagers are hard to buy for ... everything they want is so darned expensive. ha! But boys? Even worse! I've had no experience (yet) with teen-aged boys, so sorry ... I can't help you.

Good solution for the tree. You do what you got to do, right? ;-)

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Love me some tamales. We have done that with some friends in Knoxville, TN at thanksgiving....do you roll them in cornhusks?

Christine said...

I also have too much clutter.... Why is that?

Unknown said...

Maybe a CD or DVD for the stocking? And even if he doesn't like candy, I'm sure there's maybe some cookies you could find individually wrapped or if you like to bake, they could be wrapped up.

Just 2 more options!

Christy
http://southernsassythings.blogspot.com

Jill said...

We always put mostly practical stuff in the stockings, like toiletries and small school supplies. Plus a few G.I. Joes and candy when they were younger. Anything for his room like a rug or a lamp or something?

Have a Merry Christmas!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Sorry about the tree allergies. I bet it does look pretty outside the window. Your Christmas Eve meal sounds delicious. Enjoyed reading all your answers. Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Oh my word...no ornaments on the tree? I don't know what I would do!!

You are a good mama...finding a workaround to the problem.

As far as your son, what about getting him giftcards? You could always do a VISA giftcard so he can spend it where he wants.

Nel said...

I bet the tree does look pretty on the porch. Sometimes it is hard to come up with gifts. Maybe a gift card to Amazon.com. He could find almost anything on there. Or if he drives a gas gift card.
until next time... nel

Cathy said...

Yep, you're right about #7. We are alot alike.

Tamales...never had one. That's interesting. I love to hear about others' traditions.

quilly said...

#4 -- It might be the dreaded M word, but suddenly I am over emotional and everything makes me cry. I can go from manic to depressive and back again in mere seconds. My most developed sense seems to be my imagination!