Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge: Favorite Holiday Tradition

Day 2 of the Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge:

Favorite Holiday Tradition

Old Tradition

As a kid I absolutely loved when my mom would set out all the Christmas goodies on the buffet. There would be cookies and candies and sometimes there would be egg nog. 

I LOVE egg nog! 

After my dad died back in 2000 & she stopped this tradition. I never thought about how special that was until now. *tear*

It wasn't this elaborate, but you get the idea!

(image via)

New Tradition

Since the hubby & I started dating back in 2002, our only tradition really is decorating on Thanksgiving Day or the day after Thanksgiving. We do try to go to Fantasy in Lights every year though. It's an amazing light show at Callaway Gardens with over 8 million lights. We like to ride the trolley & sip on hot cocoa! 

Oh how I love the holidays! 

(image via)

Christmas Blog Swap

I know I've already posted today, but I just wanted to remind everyone that today is the last day to sign up for the Christmas Blog Swap!

You have until midnight to sign up!

Holiday Blog Challenge

I'm participating in the Holiday Blog Challenge!

Today's topic is favorite gift ever received.

As a kid I clearly remember my 2 favorite gifts.

One was a tv for my room  & the other was a swatch watch.

Don't ask me why I need this awful watch- at the time it was all the rage lol!

I remember running to a friend's house so we could compare swatch watches on Christmas day.

As an adult there have been several great gifts.

I'd say my favorite would be a vase from Tiffany & Co from my brother.

It was a genuinely nice gift from my little brother.

The hubby always spoils me too, from purses to shoes to jewelry.

They're all my favorite gifts!

Christmas Decor

We started our decorating yesterday and have most of it done. 

We still need to hang the lights and I need to get some ribbon for the tree.

Here are pics of SOME of the decor...

New table runner

Christmas tree for the table

Ornaments that need to be hung

Our first Christmas together (dating not married)

*names blurred out of course*

 Our first year in our new home (2005)

 Got this from a Partylite clearance sale for $20!

Festiveness for the kitchen

The fireplace area

My friend made our stockings

Some yummy peppermint taffy

Bathroom decor

I'm going to buy some fake snow to fill in the empty space in this jar of ornaments

I'll take more pics once everything is done.

Now post your decor pics so I can be jealous & go out and buy more! Ha! :)

Still Full

 I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

I definitely did, and I still feel full from all the food.

Hubby cooked SO MUCH food and it was just me, him, my mom, & brother.

On the menu:

Fried Turkey

Mac & Cheese

Collard Greens

Sweet Potatoes

Deviled Eggs

Greenbean Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Corn

Dressing

Cranberry Sauce

Potato Salad

Rolls

Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Yeah, a LOT for 4 people!

After eating with my fam we went to his parents' house. 

Originally the plan was for everyone to come to our place, but its hard for his grandparents to get around so it was easier to just do 2 separate meals. Luckily we had a house full of friends over that evening to help eat the rest of the food hubby cooked!

Did anyone do any Black Friday shopping? I wanted to but I just couldn't see myself waiting in long lines and walking miles from the parking lot. Plus I didn't want to have to cut (i.e. stab) anyone. According to the news, I saw people getting peppered sprayed, shots fired, & people getting trampled. Not that serious people! I refuse to go to jail for a $6.00 set of sheets from Wal-mart.

I did manage to go to Hobby Lobby to pick up some additional Christmas decor.  I started decorating but we're not quite finished yet. We still need to decorate the tree and hang lights.

I've save pics of my decor for tomorrow's post!

I am Thankful For...



And so much more!

Jury Duty

Instead of work today I had jury duty. It was my first time ever being called so I was actually pretty excited about it. I got there at 8:30 and it became a long waiting game.

I thought it was really odd that they asked for people to declare their hardships out loud, about why they wouldn't be able to serve. That should be done in private. There were people saying "I've been in prison", "I'm a caregiver for a parent", "I have a job interview tomorrow." Whatever the reason, it wasn't everyone's business.

After waiting several hours (thank God I brought a book) we were all dismissed. Apparently everyone pled guilty so there was no need for a trial. Everyone else cheered but I actually wanted to participate bc it would be mean no work this week. LOL! Oh well, at least I got one day off right? And I got paid $25, whoop whoop! I won't spend it all in one place. :)

Have any of you ever served on jury duty?

Moving on...

What reality shows is everyone watching right now?

Tonight I watched Dancing with the stars. 

I know Rob Kardashian is a fan favorite...and I like him...but I refuse to vote for him simply because the Kardashian ladies have just disgusted me. I know it's not his fault, but I;m still going to hold a grudge against him. Don't judge! lol

JR Martinez...his story is incredible. I feel terrible about what happened to him. But I just don't feel like he's the bets dancer.  I will admit though, I haven't' watched all season.

I'm voting on my girl Ricki Lake. I like her and I thought she was great tonight.

And finally I have to add I am very disappointed in the Nascar fans in Florida, for booing Michelle Obama on Sunday. Even if you don't like the president & the first lady, have some damn respect. 

I read a comment from a blog that said, 

"If she's campaigning, I think it's fine to boo or heckle. However, she was appearing at the race in a position of honor, as a grand marshal, and she should have been welcomed as such. If one doesn't like her or the decisions of her husband, simply stand quiet during her introduction."

I couldn't agree more.