25 Days of Christmas: Day 20

Christmas Haiku's

{via}

Music is playing
The wreaths and stockings are hung
Love this time of year



Nuggy's Christmas show
Brings such a delight to me
Her excitement is priceless

{via}

Gifts under the tree
Wrapping paper all over
Oh the excitement

~~~

Get them creative juices flowing and share your haiku's!

25 Days of Christmas: Day 19

What are you grateful this holiday season?

This Christmas I am grateful for lots of stuff. In no particular order, I am grateful....


For my family! I would really be lost without them.

I am grateful for my beautiful daughter. I feel so blessed that she is in my life. I couldn't imagine life without her.

I am grateful I have my health and my family seems to be healthy.

I am grateful for the Jesus and the salvation he gave me.

I am grateful for the love and happiness I have.

I am grateful for my church I found last year and that I have been attending ever since.

I am grateful for my church family and the love that have for each and everyone of us.

I am grateful for my home, job, food and cars to allow my family and I the every day essentials to allow us to survive.

I am grateful for my friends.

I am grateful for the vacations I am been so fortunate to be able to take. A little sanity is required!

I am grateful for you all! To allow me to speak my thoughts and I don't get judged.

I'm sure I can think of other things that I am grateful for but that's what I have for now.

~~~

What are you grateful this holiday season?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 18

What do the holidays mean to you?

To me, the holidays usually brings families together. I live close to my family as well as the in-laws so it's not like we don't see each other on a regular basis.

However, it does get us having dinner together, laughing more and reminiscing more. More opportunities to get the camera out and take those pictures that usually get neglected through out the year.

To me, I really enjoy having Christmas at my parent's house with them and my brother cause it makes me feel like a little girl again. The smell, feel, sounds....everything. I just love it so much!!

Now that I have my own child, it's fun to see Christmas all over again but through her eyes. I get so excited when she opens her gifts. Like that feeling when I was a little girl. It's like I get to live it up all through her excitement and joy!

In fact, just the other day my daughter and I made snowflakes for the first time with coffee filters. It really was fun! We then hung them up and it was something we did together and she can now hold on to these special memories for herself!

~~~

What does the holidays mean to you?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 17

My idea of a perfect Christmas

My idea of a perfect Christmas is clearly spent with my family. This is how I like to spend it...

We wake up around 6am to go out to the living room to open the gifts under the tree. The we go get dressed (shower later) and go out to breakfast. Each year is a different place usually. This year we may go to Carrow's or IHOP. Then we come hope and shower and play with our new things. Then we head on over to spend the next several hours at my parent's house where we chitty chat, visit, watch bits and pieces of Christmas Story through out the evening. Then we sit down for a lovely meal as we enjoy fun stories and laugh and just enjoy the company. Meanwhile, I try and catch some candid photos through out the evening. Then we hear my daughter constantly (relentlessly) bug about opening gifts. Finally we open gifts as we try and let our tummy's settle. By the time we are finished with the gifts, it will be time for dessert. Then we sit and watch some tv and then we head home to snuggle. Watch Christmas Story from start to finish......finally. Then it's bedtime.

Yep, that's my idea of the perfect Christmas! That's exactly how our Christmas' are each year too! Love it! Love my Family!!

~~~

What's your idea of the perfect holiday?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 16

I know this is a bit late but sometimes life happens. So here's to catching up.....


Dear Santa,

Well, hello there jolly 'ole Saint Nick! How have you and the lovely lady been these days? Can't leave out the reindeers. They really are a treat to have come to my house. You know, we are the ones that leave little carrots for them on our front lawn. We want to make sure they have enough energy to finish up the rest of California on through to Hawaii. It seems like they enjoy the little treat too!

We also love to switch it up for you each year. My husband seems to think leaving you some spiked eggnog might be a little treat but I'm all about having a designated driver and well, goodness knows you have to help guide the reindeers so I told the hubby "No!" Maybe we can leave a nice bottle of Baileys to take home with you and the Mrs. We'll see.

So, my daughter seems to tell me that each time she sees you at the mall, when she tells you her couple of items she would like for Christmas, it seems as though she always gets the very first item on her list. With that being said, and I don't want to get greedy but if you can find the space in that little red bag of yours, I would sure love to have that nice 2010 Chevy Camero I can't seem to stop yapping about. I'm sure my hubby would appreciate it if I would stop asking for it also. If need be, I can leave a few bottles of Baileys (or any other liqueur of choice) if it would help you to find a little more space in that bag. Just an idea ;o)

Well, thanks for all the happy little tales you provide each year for my child. It truly is lots of fun!

Yours truly,

Kimmy


~~~~

Have you written a letter to Santa?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 15

My Holiday Wish List

There are a few things I would love to have this holiday season. Besides the usual, making sure my family is safe and healthy, cause that IS truly the most important thing to me. If we're talking material things, well then, grab your coffee and sit back cause this just might take a while.....

Okay...I'm not that greedy! Here are the things that would be nice though....

1. A new bedroom set.

Oh wait, we just purchased that on Sunday! It shall arrive this Friday. Woo hoo!

2. Third Day's new CD - Move

3. Jennifer Aniston's perfume - Lolavie

However, it seems near to impossible to find it. Sure, we found it online but apparently, these online places such as on ebay and no name places have been known to fill the bottles up with household cleaners and worse? Pee. You heard me right. It was in the newspaper. Yuck. So I guess I'll just have to wait patiently until it comes out to the local stores. boo hoo

4. My Disneyland Annual Pass renewed (expired last month)

Yes, I am having withdrawls. I KNOW, I KNOW! I just got back two months ago from Disney WORLD but come on! I miss my Disney! It's been since May I think, since we last went to Disneyland so it is high time we get back over there. Even though, my husband is Disney'ed out but WHO CARES!!!! lol just playing....no I'm not!!!

5. My Camero, hello?!

Black on black! Limo tint...OH YEAH! Okay, I'm dreaming now. :o( We just bought an "extra" car for traveling a year ago and well, we have a child and the back seat leg room on this baby will not be economical for a soon-to-be 9 yr old. I can dream though, right?! Heck...they have the convertible one coming out soon. Maybe I can get one of those!!!!!



What's on YOUR Christmas wish list?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 14

5 Things I Dislike About Christmas

1. Anger
During this time of year, people become stressed, angry or even just sad. These emotions bring out the worse in people. It's just so sad that this happens during a lovely time of year.

2. Crowds
When there are so many people, it just becomes unbareable because people become a different species and less friendly. They become animals! They don't move and then people ram each other arm to arm and it becomes really frustrating. Even fight over items. Just nuts!

3. Traffic
Here in California, traffic is already horrible. Add a little holiday to it and you have a mess.



4. Weight Gain
I'm sure we all have this issue each holiday season. There is an abundance of yummy, delicious food hanging around. Someone will bring you some cookies, or your kid's class calls for some brownies so you nibble while baking. There is always some sort of treat hanging around. Then comes the finale....the meal! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, biscuits, gravy, apple pie. And if you're anything like me, well...you have to stock up on this. Like going into hybernation, ya know....cause geez....it won't be until another year you get to eat this yummy food. *sigh*



5. Spending money
Okay, I like this part but then again...I don't. Actually, my husband was the one that blurted this one out and I though "what the heck. I need 5 reasons, so why not." This is actually fun but I see where the hubby is coming from. Burning the cash-ola can be a drag. Especially when you're saving for a new house....just saying.

What are the 5 reasons you don't like the holiday?

{Note: 1. Due to the lack of participation, I won't be including the linky up on the rest of the "25 days of Christmas. 2. All pictures are from here.}

25 Days of Christmas: Day 13

5 Things I Love About Christmas

Being a California girl, I love my Summers....I do.

However, Christmas truly is my favorite holiday. So many things I love about it but to keep it simple, I have listed my 5 favorite things I love most.

1. Jesus.

Without the birth of Jesus, I wouldn't have salvation. With that said, I truly feel blessed.

2. The excitement when my baby opens her gifts.

Seeing the look on her face with each new treasure is priceless.

3. Christmas decorations.

With the abundance of lights, wreaths, reindeers and ornaments, I can't help but feel happy when I see it all. I look forward to it each year.

4. Christmas Tree

The the many decorations, I feel the one thing I have to have to complete the feeling of the holidays is the Christmas tree. The smell, the lights and the many different memories placed on each limb.

5. Family gatherings

I love to go to my parent's house for Christmas. Going over there reminds me of when I was a little girl growing up. The feeling, the company and meal....all of it is a feeling of comfort, love and warmth. I love it!

What 5 Things do you love about Christmas?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 12

December in my neck of the woods.

I know.....I'm really late with this post. We've been really busy this weekend. From Christmas shopping for the kiddo and then today, my husband and I just bought our joint Christmas gift.....a brand new bedroom set!! We are so excited because the bedroom set we currently have, we bought about 8 years ago and we bought it used. So needless to say, we can't wait for it's arrival!

So anyways....on with the post....

Yesterday my daughter and I went to the place I love to walk. It's a few miles away from our home but I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to allow a glimps into what December looks like in my neck of the woods.

What does December look like in your neck of the woods?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 11

My Christmas Poem

It's that time of year again

Oh, how I love this season

And all the joy it brings

For Jesus is the real reason.

As we put up all the lights

On a night full of fog

We snuggle up with our loved ones

After we fire up the log.

With all the goodies in sight

There's an abundance of sweets

From pies, cookies and candy

It's so hard to choose which treats.

We get all our decorations up

Even hang up the mistletoe

We continue to wait patiently

For all our Christmas shows.

As the night quickly approaches

We hear Santa's sleigh

Which is finally our confirmation

The arrival of Christmas day!


~~~

If you have a poem you would like to share, link up...

25 Days of Christmas: Day 10

Favorite Holiday Recipe!

Well that is easy!

I actually have two for ya!

First off, if you're watching your calories (or points, for that matter) this one is for you! I used to go to Weight Watchers and while there, they shared such wonderful, yummy recipes. This one is super easy to make and oh so yummy, if you like pumpkin! You can even freeze them to enjoy later.

Pumpkin muffins

{Weight Watcher pts: 1 pt/muffin}
1 box spice cake mix
1 small can pumpkin 15 oz
2/3 cup water

Mix ingredients together until fluffy or just mixed well.

Bake at 350' for 45 min.

Makes 18 muffins. Serve cold or warm with whipped cream.

~~~

My other favorite is the Dutch Apple Pie that I shared in this post.

Dutch Apple Pie

1 graham cracker crust
1 lg egg yolk, slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of crust evenly with egg yolk; bake on baking sheet until light brown, about 5 minutes. Remove crust from oven.

Filling

5 1/2 c. fresh, peeled, sliced cooking apples
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 c. light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp flour, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well and spoon into crust.

Topping

3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. light brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. butter

Mix remaining flour, brown sugar and butter with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle topping mixture evenly over apples. Bake on baking sheet until topping is golden and filling is bubbling, about 50 minutes. Cool thoroughly on wire rack (at least 4 hours). Serve at room temperature.

Oh so yummy....ENJOY!

~~~

So you have any favorite holiday recipes that you would like to share?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 9

My Favorite Christmas Decoration I Made!

I have two that I have made.

I few years back right after my daughter was born, I got together with a couple friends and we decided to make Christmas wreaths. It was so fun and crafty. It didn't cost that much and it wasn't that hard either.

My first one here I was very proud of.

I kept to the colors and ideas of Christmas.


However, for my second one, and my favorite one, might I add,



I decided to add some elegant touches to it as well.

Since this one is my favorite, it gets the honors of greeting everyone!

Have you made any Christmas/Holiday decorations that you are excited to share?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 8

My Favorite Christmas movie/cartoon!

Oh boy...this is my favorite thing! I just LOVE to talk about this one!

Okay, first....let's get the fact that Yes, I super love all the classic Christmas cartoons such as Charlie Brown's Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, etc. Yes, I do love these cartoons! I look forward to them.

Okay...moving forward.....

But let's talk about my ULTIMATE Favorite!!!

I've only mentioned it here, here, here and REALLY here!

The Best Christmas Movie ever.....

And because he just look like a cute, cuddly, pink nightmare bunny!


We love the movie so much that we even had to buy the lamp!

LOVE. IT!

What is your favorite holiday movie or cartoon?