Christmas is coming...

HOORAY!!! Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and has been since...forever ~ the snow, the lights, trees, baking, music, family, everything I love wrapped up in a bow with time off from work as an added bonus. One of my fondest childhood memories is decorating the tree with my dad. We would put on the lights (well, he would...I was too short), hang all the ornaments (this I actually did help with) and when we were done, we would sit in the living room with some hot tea or hot cocoa, and just look at the tree, taking up half the room, shining and colorful. It might sound boring, but when I was little it felt magical.

 I work the rest of this week, as well as next Monday and Tuesday but then I am off for a WHOLE WEEK. My agenda during this time includes:

• Choir. Lots of choir. We have an evening service on Saturday, a three hour rehearsal with orchestra on Monday, and two services + a special performance (Bach!) on Christmas Eve. I am also singing in 2 small ensembles this year (a sextet and a trio) so I've been putting in some time on the side, it's been a while since I had to sing over an orchestra. Like...many years. Haha.
• Caroling! Ben and I are going caroling on Sunday with some friends from choir. I haven't been caroling in years so I am pretty pumped about this...although, it is supposed to be cold this weekend. I'm sure we will survive.
• Baking. You bet your sweet buns I will be making at least 85 batches of cookies over the next week, time to stock up on butter I guess.
• White Elephant party. One of my favorite traditions is the "Nasty Christmas" party my friends and I throw every year. 
• Watching/reading Harry Potter!! Ben and I started a tradition last year of watching all 8 HP movies between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We just watched Order of the Phoenix on Tuesday, so Half Blood Prince is queued up for this weekend. We also bought the new paperback set and I'm hoping I can plow through a re-read over break. We shall see. 
• Yoga (as always)
• Running (as always)
• Collaging. It's been a while since I made a yoga collage (2 years ago I did Shiva, and the year before that I did Kali). I have a great idea for my next one, I just need to pull all of the materials together. Can't wait :)

In case you were feeling sad that you can't make it to my stunning choir performances,
here is a sexy photo of me in my robe, with my dad. You're welcome.

Delightful cookies from last year's Nasty Christmas

Example of an appropriate Nasty Christmas gift

Last year's haul - rubber duck headphones

2011's creative efforts

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for (or not)...Christmas Survey! I found this on Janae's blog and thought I would re-post even though it's old.

1. Favorite Christmas Album/CD/Song?

Sufjan Stevens ~ Songs for Christmas

Favorite tracks: 2, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 31, 38, 41. Mostly stripped down, minimalist but new takes on classics. My fave.

2.  Run on Christmas morning or take the day off?

I will probably either run or practice yoga on Christmas...yoga seems more appropriate maybe.

3.  What do you usually eat on Christmas morning?

Pancakes! For years, I have been in charge of coffee and pancakes on Christmas morning...I think it just happened one year and the tradition stuck.

4.  Favorite holiday or Christmas tradition?

Harry Potter marathon. Baking with my dad. At one point, my whole family (dad's side) used to congregate at our place for Christmas and we would all sing carols around the piano on Christmas Eve. It got pretty out of control, especially the 12 days of Christmas which basically became a challenge to see how far over the top we could take "five golden rings"...I think I have a video of this somewhere. 

5.  Real tree, fake tree or no tree?

I prefer a real tree, but we have a fake one. My cat likes to eat any plant within her reach (which is everywhere) so, real tree is out unfortunately :(

6.  Christmas pajamas… yay or nay?

Oh, for sure yay. Absolutely.

7.  Where do you spend the holidays?  Your own house, your parents’ house, extended family, in-laws, friends?

Christmas Eve is full of choir nonsense, so we usually spend it with my parents and we spend Christmas morning with them as well. Christmas day we meet up with Ben's family.

8.  Food that you always have during the holiday season?  Favorite Christmas food/treat?

Spritz cookies! And unlimited hot cocoa.

9. Open presents all at once or take turns?  Stockings… yes or no?

Take turns. Stockings = YES but my parents are scrooges, so I may have to take stocking stuffer duty this year. Surprise, bitches YOU ALL GET COAL.

Kidding...kidding. They will all get delightful treats in their stockings. And maybe also coal.

10.  Favorite Christmas(ish) movie?

Miracle on 34th Street (the original)