My question for this edition:
How are you going to be spending this holiday season? At home? Having friends and/or family over to your house? Or are you going away to spend some time with friends and/or family? Any traditions you are keeping alive this season?
My Answer:
I am on vacation until January 2, 2008. This is my annual stay-at-home vacation when I relax, get some things done around the house that I have been putting off (like cleaning off my desk and bookshelves), and see friends who are in town for the holidays.
Christmas is a very low-key event for our family. We are going to enjoy casual dining, buffet style. I wanted to go out to dinner on Christmas Eve, as we have in recent years, but my sister preferred to stay at home this time, so we will go to her house.
I get to relax after many years spent working on Christmas Eve and Day. I was a liturgical organist, pianist, choir accompanist, and flutist. When I was on staff at one local congregation, I played three services every Christmas Eve (5:00, 7:30, and 11:00 p.m.), in addition to a 10:00 a.m. Christmas morning service. In recent years, I scaled back to only playing the 11:00 p.m. candlelight service. But I don’t even do that any longer since I am no longer a member of a church. As much as I loved playing those services, it was exhausting. I am at a point in my life where I thoroughly enjoy being free from that level of commitment. The two bands of which I am a member presented their Christmas concerts on December 9 and 11, leaving me free to kick back during the remainder of the season. Yes, I will be playing — vacation means lots of extra hours to practice! I’m already learning some of the music for the Stockton Concert Band‘s spring concerts, in addition to my regular preparation for my flute/piccolo lessons.
Today is my birthday so we will be going out to dinner to celebrate either tonight or tomorrow night. I’m hoping to get away this weekend to my favorite pawn shop in a quaint little town in the foothills . . . I have the urge to buy myself some bargain birthday bling (diamonds). My real present is going to be a new cell phone, but I haven’t decided on the model. I need to go to the store, play with a few models, and discuss the available features with a sales person who can explain them to me. After trying out my nephew’s iPhone, I decided it was time to upgrade.
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My husband is imported from Denmark, so we combine my American traditions with his Danish traditions and have two days of Christmas fun. On the 24th we are hosting a Christmas Eve dinner for family and friends that will consist of:
1. Pork Roast
2. Brown Potatos – small potatos covered in brown sugar
3. Special Danish Rice Pudding – Ris a l’amande med Kirsebærsauce
4. Vegetables
Then, on Christmas Day we go over to my parents and have a typical American Christmas dinner.
If you are interested, you can read my posts about Christmas in Denmark here:
http://jackidyrholm.blogspot.com/2007/12/danish-bleskiver.html
http://jackidyrholm.blogspot.com/2007/12/frste-jul-i-danmark.html
http://jackidyrholm.blogspot.com/2007/12/baby-its-cold-outside.html
Jacki’s last blog post..Aloha Friday – Week 13
Christmas will be relaxing and enjoyable. Late morning we will go to our son’s house and see what Santa brought for the grand babies.
Christmas evening our kids and grand babies will come for a sit down formal but easy no stress dinner and gift exchange.
pinkjagxj’s last blog post..Aloha Friday
We travel out of state to visit family. It is the only time we get to go see them, so it is extra special for us. Happy birthday and Merry Christmas!
Courtney’s last blog post..Aloha Friday
at home, with family, open presents, dress up and have a nice Christmas meal, lots of picture taking, then movie marathon …
happy holidays! .. and happy birthday!
Charlotte (Charmed Life)’s last blog post..For Goodness Sake
Tonight we’ll be watching Christmas movies and eating popcorn. Saturday is cookie baking day. Sunday is the big holiday meal. Monday the girls visit their dad and Jim & I relax and spend time together. We stay home, and my birth mom comes to us on Christmas day. This is my first Divorced Christmas, so I am making up traditions as I go along, and hope to carry on this schedule of events in the years to come.
Michelle O.’s last blog post..Aloha Friday #1
Happy Birthday Janie! Wishing you best of health and wonderful times ahead. May you receive all those wonderful gifts.
Hope you enjoy your vacation.
As for me, we usually spend Christmas eve at my in-laws then Christmas day visiting family and friends.
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)’s last blog post..Photo Hunt :: Light
We usually wake up on Christmas morning and open all the presents. Then we have breakfast and drink hot chocolate snuggled under blankets. That evening we always to do Honolulu Hale to see the city lights. Fun!
kailani’s last blog post..Another Cute Ornament For Our Tree