Ten On Tuesdays

It's Christmas themed Ten On Tuesday!

I have been counting down the days for Christmas for months now, in excitement to return home to spend Christmas with my family. However...I am fighting a large KNOT OF STRESS in my stomach right now -- b/c I heard it may be storming. :(

1. When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?
-Basically, since we're in school and life is crazy....it's whenever we get a chance after Thanksgiving. this year we did it the Sunday after Thanksgiving with the attitude of, "If we don't do it today....it won't get done." For once finals come around, we have no life!

-We will probably take it down January 6? Or whatever it is. The Sunday when Christmas season is officially over.

2. What do you do to simplify the holiday?
This year, since I don't work at all -- it would be absolutely silly to go all out and buy each other expensive gifts! So Ryan and I decided instead of doing extravagant gifts to keep it on a budget, and get each other nice things that make each other happy!

So I got adorable slippers, pajamas, an "Aerolatte" frother (amazing!!), and a few other little things. It was great!

3. What do you do to remind yourself and family what Christmas is all about?
I don't feel like I need much of a reminder about this one, to be completely honest. I love Christmas time. I love spending time with family. And the preparation of Advent helps enhance that reminder of the Christmas season's true meaning!

4. How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Well, since most of you (all of you) that read my blog, read my sister's Blog. So you pretty much know what we do as a family!

Ryan and I have a little tradition we started last year on our Christmas in AZ to make monkey bread in the morning, and make mocha-peppermint coffees. When we celebrate Christmas Eve together (just the 2 of us) -- we make seafood pasta! This year I did a Vodka Sauce with shrimp and scallops. It was heavenly.

5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Christmas Eve!! The oyester stew, crab, and seafood. All the family. Love it.

6. Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What did you like/not like about the tradition?
It's funny after reading my sister's version of the Santa tradition. Over the time period between us -- it changed in our house! I always went to bed Christmas Eve, put carrots and milk under the tree for Santa (he was on a diet...). And woke in the morning with gifts under the tree!

7. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
Gingerbread. I love the red hots that decorate it. I adore red hots.

8. How do you take your egg nog?
I don't "take my egg nog". I have been a good sport and tried this 2 years in a row...just for my husband. And it makes me gag. I don't like drinks that I feel compelled to chew. Ish.

9. What is your favorite Christmas Carol and why?
White Christmas. It didn't hit home until I had a Christmas away from all my family, surrounded by 60-degree desert. Whenever that song came on last year, I cried. Like a wimp.

To substitute on your Christmas's away from snow...I like Melekelikimaka, Bing Crosby. (I spelled that wrong). But...that song makes me smile.

10. When was the last time you had a white Christmas?
Well...to be exact. It has been 3 years! Last Christmas I was in AZ during the season. And the Christmas before that, Christmas Day I flew to AZ. So my Christmas was mostly spent in a hotel room in MNPLS since my flight got delayed. It was worth it though! The trip was amazing.