Season’s Greetings
24 Dec
Sleighbells Ring. Are you listening? In the Lane. Snow is glistening.
Personally, my favorite Christmas Carol is “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.” It just says so much about a child’s mental anguish, doesn’t it? No toys, just my teeth please. Plus, you get to sing with a lisp, and who doesn’t want to try that at least once in her lifetime?
It’s hard to write about Christmas without sounding like a cross between Dickens, a southern Baptist preacher and a hedonist on a binge. On the one hand, I’m supposed to write, “Eat, drink, be merry!” on the other I should write, “Eat, Drink, Go to Church, and give some money to the man holding the cardboard sign outside of Costco!”
I would give some money to the man holding the cardboard sign outside of Costco except for the fact that I saw that same man get out of a new Ford pickup truck at the local park. It makes one kind of cynical, especially since I know there are people who aren’t scamming others who need a break.
But anyway, back to the truffle recipe I’m planning to try and make tonight. At the Holden/Blaine household we have established a tradition of skiing on Christmas day, and eating like we’re planning to ski every day for the rest of our lives. We’re planning to watch Young Frankenstein, play some mean games of Scrabble, entertain Cocoa and Peaches, and possibly sing a few tunes together. We will not be exchanging presents, as every day together is a gift (that was a joke, all right?). Let me try that again. We will not exchange gifts because that’s part of our tradition. No gifts, just skiing, some rest and relaxation, a few good laughs, and as little traveling as possible. In sum, we sort of opt out of holiday-stress. If you sent me a card, thank you, I’ll be sending you a card sometime in the New Year (it’s a surprise). The closest I get to stressed this time of year is anticipating holiday parties. The introvert inside of me screams, “No more small talk!” And then when I get stressed, I just turn to chocolate.
Did I mention truffles?
LOVE it– my family opts out of the stress of the holidays as much as possible too. We give gifts when we see something that reminds us of one another, not on a specific day designated by someone else. Although, we do often have to do that “travel” thing if any of us want to see some of the others.
Books– On my blog is listed a “potential resolution” to READ MORE! I really enjoy reading, but don’t seem to make time for it as often as I’d like, so… I think I’m too intimidated to recommend a book to the “well read.”
heheh I did hear that Eat, Love, Pray was a great read, although my sister (a constant reader) insists I read “A Thousand Splendid Suns” next. And the list grows… 
I love giving unbirthday, unholiday gifts. Much more special and fun! Janelle
oh yeah… forgot a couple things…
mmmmmmmm… truffles!!
And Best wishes for a fantastic 2010!