Get to know me: Christmas style

My lovely sister-in-law over at Andiamo has tagged me to participate in this little Christmas Questionnaire.

 

 

 

Questions:

1.What do you love the most about Christmas time?

The five senses are awakened over the holiday season. I love the sent of pine and cinnamon. The sound of bells ringing and carols singing. The feeling of warmth from the fireplace on your skin. The sight of sparking lights decorating neighborhoods and streets. The taste of snickerdoodles and hot chocolate. 

2. Do you celebrate the holiday in style or is Bah-Humbug for you?

 I'd say, yes. I do celebrate in style. I mean, I decorate my house, I bake cookies,  I send out Christmas cards...so that makes me definitely NOT bah-humbug.

3. Are you leaving anything out for Santa Claus this year so he remembers to leave your presents?

When I was a kid I used to leave out milk and cookies. Now? No. Who needs Santa when you've got a husband that spoils you.

4. What is the one gift you are most looking forward to GIVING? {It can be to your kids, another family member, etc – remember to be discreet if they read your blog!}

Almost everyone that I'm giving a present to reads my blog. Mum's the word!

 

5. What is your all-time favorite Christmas movie?

Home Alone 1 and 2. 

 

You’re what the French call les incompetents. 

 

I could go on and on. So many good lines in these movies. And, there's plenty more where that came from. *hands Cedric a stick of gum*

6. What is your all-time favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night is my all-time favorite. It's just beautiful.

 

I also love this rendition of The Little Drummer Boy. I know, it's super 80's and all, but it's more like the memories this song provokes that I love. My dad used to blasts this over the living room speakers and me and my sisters would dance around and around.

 

 

7. If given the opportunity would you participate in an “Ugly Sweater” party and what sweater would you wear?  Peruse one on the internet or even in your own closet and show us!
Yes! In fact, I'm hosting my very first ugly sweater Christmas party tomorrow! And, I will being wearing an ugly sweater, of course. ;) You'll have to wait and be the judge of how ugly it is when I post about later.

8. Have you started any Christmas traditions this year that you plan on carrying forward?

Uhm, yes! Since my birthday and Christmas are only a month apart, I asked Steve for a trip to NYC as a combined birthday/Christmas gift. We are already planning to go next year...and hopefully with this crazy couple.

 

9. It’s Christmas morning … what does it look like outside where you live?
It looks kind of dreary out. It's usually cold. 

 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

10. You just found yourself standing under the mistletoe … who comes up to give you a kiss first?

Do people still do this? And to be quite honest I don't think anyone just "finds" themselves under the mistletoe, I mean really. But, to be fair I will answer the question. If not my husband Steve, then most definitely the other man in my life...Jake.

So there you have it folks. And just throwing this out there...only thirteen days until Christmas!!!! Just think, tomorrow we can sing The Twelve Days of Christmas in all it's glory.

I'm a Sagittarius

Kerri over at Cheshire Kat has "nominated" me to partake in this fun little random facts about me post.

The rules: share 11 random facts about myself. Answer the 11 questions from the blogger that nominated you. Make up 11 more questions and tag five additional bloggers in hopes that this fun little post lives on.

Enjoy.

11 random facts about myself:

1. I'm one of five sisters. You read that right. Five. I'm the second oldest.
2. I married my high school sweetheart.
3. I've never broken a bone.
4. I've only kissed one boy. See #2.
5. I love to vacuum. One word: Dyson.
6. I can't sleep without the noise of a fan.
7. I have a self diagnosed case of OCD. See #5
8. I must have music playing. Constantly. Just ask Steve.
9. I'm scared of horses and spiders.
10. I'm an extremely light sleeper. Yawn. See #6
11. I attended Word of Life Bible Institute for one year following high school.

Questions from Kerri:

1. What is your favorite color? Red. Or Blue. Bled?
2. If you could have any super power what would it be? Why? The power to make myself a fertile myrtle. Because I want a baby.
3. Can you play any instruments? I used to play the piano. AND clarinet.
4. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend? Sleep in.
5. Favorite vacation destination you’ve been to? Dream destination? Bermuda! Dream: Italy.
6. What’s your sign? Astrological that is. Sagittarius. According to this: “The great strength of the Sagittarius-born is their philosophical, wide-open and curious nature. These folks seek both knowledge and truth, and they are eager to share their explorations with others. Their optimistic and generous spirit makes them a pleasure to have around.” Ok yes.
7. Who is the first blogger you connected with (that you didn’t know) after you started blogging? Probably Hey Natalie Jean, formally known as Nat The Fat Rat. But, let's be honest. It was Laurie who connected me to the blog world. So all of the credit goes to her. LYLAS! Literally. :)
8. What is your favorite smell? It was a tie between automobile grease and my parents house on Thanksgiving Day. The smell of grease reminds me of my dad. He's a mechanic. The scent gives me a sense of security and love. I know, I'm getting emo here and it's a bit strange, but it's the truth. Love you dad! <3  And, the smell of turkey and food cooking on Thanksgiving Day speaks for itself. Happy Sigh.
9. What’s your favorite guilty pleasure (food)? Lots and lots of pizza.
10. Ocean or mountains? This one is tough. But, if I had to choose it's the Ocean. Hands down.
11. Silver or gold? Gold.

Questions for the lucky nominees: 

1. sweet or salty?

2. What's your least favorite chore/to-do item?

3. Morning person or night owl?

4. What's one of your favorite bands/musicians?

5. Saver or spender?

6. What are you reading right now?

7. What is your favorite season and why?

8. Where did you go on your most recent vacation?

9. If you had one wish what would it be? (wishing for more wishes doesn't count!)

10. What's the most recent thing you tweeted?

11. Introvert or extrovert?

And the nominations go to:
Christy at Life: Snowflakes from above
Jessica at a heart full of frost
Shannan at Flower Patch Farmgirl
Freya at Nishaantishu  
Amanda at The Lady Okie
 
 

Random Thoughts Tuesday {DQ Style}

So I don't have much to say tonight. Mostly because it's getting late, and there's really not much worth sharing. But, it is RTT after all. So, instead of boring you with a lengthy post, I thought I'd bore you with some random kodak moments from this evenings visit to the local Dairy Queen with my parents.

Enjoy.

 

Look at me being all adventurous opting for a cone{chocolate covered nonetheless!} instead of a blizzard! I know...shocking, right?!

This isn't one of my most flattering moments if I do say.

Next time I'll stick with the blizzard. Less mess.

YUM! I just love ice cream. And Dairy Queen. And the sticky fingers you get after opting for a cone instead of a blizzard. NOT. Ah, life lessons I say! In layman's term: "less mess is best".

Until next Tuesday...

Random Thoughts Tuesday

Randomness. That's what I will write about on Tuesday's. Whatever is going through my mind I will attempt to spill out onto my blog. I know the excitement is hard to contain! Apparently this is what bloggers do. Pick a day of the week. Write about a certain subject or topic. I thought I'd create my own. Only difference is there's no specific topic OR subject. Bear with me.

Last night we had the whole house/termite inspection for our new home{eek!}. Overall it was very uneventful. Although, I may or may not have skipped around in the yard and did a ballerina twirl or two throughout the home. Other than some minor issues, and the fact that we couldn’t find the switch to turn the gas fireplace on, I’d say all went well! No signs of termite damage, either. Phew! I feel it's worth noting there was a 1990’s radio/cassette tape player mounted under the kitchen cabinets. The tape inside was the dirty dancing soundtrack. My only question is, since it’s attached, does this mean it’s ours?

Here’s another sneak peak of our future home. A lovely view into the backyard. Happy sigh.

Moving on...

What I’ve been listening to as of late: Fleet Foxes. I will say I have to be in the mood to listen to them. It will look as though Steve is in pain as soon as I mention them. It’s really not that bad, people! Steve is just critical and does NOT appreciate my taste and variety in music. Oh but his voice! {the singer, not Steve’s} It’s beautiful. SO WHAT if it’s a bit over the top in the “mountain music” genre?! {is this even a genre? I do not know}. My sister Allison introduced the band to me while I was visiting her in big, beautiful Montana. Ding ding ding! Now things are starting to make sense. ;) I will ALWAYS trust my sister’s taste in music. After all, she introduced me to The Lumineers. Enough said. Fleet Foxes' sound would be best enjoyed on a long road trip, or while enjoying nature on a hike in Glacier National Park with a granola bar in hand. Kidding! Sort of. I’m really into their album “Helplessness Blues” right now. A favorite song that I’ve had on repeat is this. I'm loving this album. Oh the sweet harmony! It's just pretty. Easy to listen to. My ears are happy. I’ve been singing it to myself all week. I just love music.

image via pinterest

The End.

day 29: five songs

Today I share with you five songs that I love. I have many favorites, so this was tough. But, here's a little taste of what I'm listening to right now.


Never Once by Matt Redman. I can't help by turn into a blubbering mess whenever we sing this at church or I hear it playing. I first heard this song soon after my miscarriage. The words pierced my heart with peace and joy at the overwhelming truth that He is always faithful.

 

image source

Stubborn Love by The Lumineers. It was by this song that I fell head over heels in love with the band. My sister, Allison, introduced them to me back in September. This past February I saw them live with my sister, cousin and her husband. They were superb.

Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men. My sisters have good taste in music, apparently. My younger sis Leesha introduced me to the band. I'm hooked, people. I don't know what it is. Their unique sounds? His voice? Her voice? The fact that they're from Iceland? How cool! {no pun intended}. Or, that I get to see them play live in Philly in less than TWO WEEKS?! It could be all of the above.

image source

Below My Feet by Mumford and Sons. Oh Mumford. How do I choose only one song? I'd have to say they are one of my most favorite bands ever. I mean they're on repeat. Like, all the time. And that voice?! Swoon. Call 2013 the year of concerts, because I also saw Mumford live this past March. If it's possible to sound just as good, if not better, live than on an the album, then this is the band. Twas a super fun concert. Side note: lead singer Marcus Mumford was born in 1987. Let that sink in, folks. I feel old.

 getting stoked for Mumford!

The Greatness of Our God by Hillsong. Another worship song that gets me right here{fist over heart}. Check out my bucket list and you will see that I hope to experience Hillsong live before I die. The lyrics in this song have encouraged my heart and faith over and over again. "Give me grace to see beyond this moment here. To believe that there is nothing left to fear..."

image source

And there's a whole lot where that came from. I love music. Just ask Steve. Music is always playing.

{Tomorrow: on letting go}

day 28: my wedding {in pictures}

Today I post only pictures. In honor of our upcoming 6th wedding anniversary on June 16, I'd like to share with you our wedding day. <3

 

::Photos by Josh Matz::

{Tomorrow: five favorite songs}