Link up here if you're playing along this week!
1. Do you have any habits or rituals at this time of year?
Sure. We always open our stockings on Christmas Eve (though they may very well end up being empty this year...), we always try to bake dozens of cookies and give them out to our friends and neighbors, and we do an Advent box with activities and treats. We try to get our tree and decorations up the first weekend in December. And we have resumed our 12 Days of Christmas tradition, where the kids get to open one present for 12 days. We try to make it lots of fun for them!
2. Polar bears seem to do well in the snow... How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? ...and if you're posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It's okay to admit it...
I HATE THE SNOW!!!!!!
I grew up outside of Syracuse. 'Nuff said, right?
3. Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood.
There was this little white puppy dog I had since I was 2 or 3, with red velvety ears (one fell off, but I kept it) and a red tail. He had holly leaves and berries on his butt. I named him Snowflake and kept him 'til I graduated high school.
4. If you could make one thing in the world absolutely free for everyone, what would it be?
Well, the first nine or so things that popped in my head were mushy-gushy Miss America-type answers (food, water, freedom, love, education, etc.), but I figure those are obvious things, so I am changing my mind. What do I wish was free for everyone? Bah! This is hard to choose! Okay. Travel. I wish all travel-related expenses were FREE.
5. Do you live close to your immediate family members? If not, how far away are they?
Nope, sure don't. We are a military family. We live in Virginia. My sister's near Buffalo, my dad's in South Carolina (just saw him last week), and my gran'pappy's in Florida. Hubby's family is in MI, MO, and LA. That reminds me, I used to like to try spelling things with the state initials. Anyway.
6. My mom ordered a turkey dinner from a local market. It was o.k., but not very good. how was your turkey (or last holiday meal) this year?
Actually, it was good, but not as good as usual. Hubs changed the recipe he always uses just a slight bit, and we could tell. It was still fine. We were pretty destitute this year, and a kind semi-stranger bestowed an entire meal - turkey and all the fixings - on us the day before Thanksgiving. Without it, we would have been eating dry cereal. God bless America!
7. In a one horse open sleigh: Have you ever been on a sleigh ride or a carriage ride? Do you even like horses? Or would you just rather travel by your own two feet?
I have been on a horse-drawn carriage ride at least once, if not two or three times, in New York City. I would love to take my kids and hubby on one. We almost went when we were in Charleston last week, but it would have cost 40 smackers. Nope, not so much!
8. What is your favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to listen for on the radio or hit 'repeat' on the player...
"The First Noel" is my favorite. It was my mom's favorite, and I used to love to listen to her play it on the organ and sing it. Mom was a beautiful singer. She got it from her dad. Sis and I got it from both our parents. Dad mostly croons Elvis tunes, though...
9. What is your least favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to skip on the player...
There are very few I don't like, but I prefer the traditional favorites to newer ones or ones that have been remade by young pop stars with lots of runs and vocal effects in them. Save that for your own songs! (I'm looking at you, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey!)
Fin.
I hear Mariah has a new Christmas album out.
I hear ya on the snow thing....
Have a great weekend!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/12/the-frisky-says-six-things-men-say-that-signal-trouble/
Posted by: Harriet | 04 December 2010 at 13:20