5 things

My to do list for this weekend:

1. Finish wrapping presents
2. Finish cleaning house
3. Prepare meal (including setting table) for dinner party
4. Get thank you cards
5. Pack car for Christmas

(I am hoping I will not have to add shovel snow to this list!)

Christmas light tour

I wanted to show some of the Christmas light in my neighborhood . . . sorry about the picture quality, I used the camera on my phone.

This is the house around the corner and two doors down. Just look at the enthusiasm.


And the pretty house next door to the one above.


Another enthusiastic decorator a block over.

And my neighbors.

And me! :-)

A blessing for you

Every once in a while I hear something like this and it reminds me how blessed I am:

Sunny days . . .

Today was one of the nicest days we have had recently. The sun was shining. It was in the 30s. Granted it was the lower 30s but still.

It was warm enough for me to almost dig my car out of its icy shackles. All ice is off the trunk and hood, I can open the doors. Yea!

One entire side of the care is completely clear of ice except . . . for the two inches directly under the tires. This area poses a problem. I haven't quite figured out how to solve this problem yet. But . . . I will overcome!

Christmas Questions . . .

In response to this blog post:

:-)

Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both, really I use whatever I have. Currently, under my tree it is half paper half bags.

Real tree or artificial?
I love real trees. This year I have one. Some years they cost too much or I don't want the hassle. So I have my parents old artificial tree as a backup.

When do you put up the tree?
Weekend after Thanksgiving.

When do you take the tree down?
Sometime during the week after Christmas.

Favorite holiday theme?
I would have to say nativity scenes -- I have three of them up now.

Favorite gift received as a child?
I would have to say the books (surprise!) I got from my Aunt Linda -- they were always fun and different.

Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, three of them.

Hardest person to buy for?
My dad and the brother.

Easiest person to buy for?
My mom.

Mail or e-mail cards?
I attempt to send out card every Christmas but I have decided it is too depressing to toss them all in a drawer "to save for next year." So e-mail cards.

Favorite Chrismas movie?
It's A Wonderful Life (the siblings are rolling their eyes now . . .)

When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year, keeps expenses down and less stressful.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Everything.

White lights or colored on the tree?
White.

Favorite Christmas song?
See 5 things Friday.

Travel for Christmas or stay at home?
Well, technically I will be traveling but only about 4 miles. :-)

Angel on top of the tree or a star?
Angel.

Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve.

Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Commercialism/materialism.

What I love most about Christmas?
Celebration of the birth of Jesus and time with family.