My Christmas Gift Haul 2017

   

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the last Christmassy blog post of 2017. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday. Hopefully, you all ate lots of food and treats and your days were filled with laughter. My family and I had a great time. As usual the five of us piled up at my Grandpa's house on Christmas Eve and really enjoyed ourselves.

 

   

 

For my family one of our holiday traditions is that we open presents on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is for eating and relaxing and visiting other relatives. This year was especially special for us because my Uncle Terry came home for the weekend. He stays in a nursing home and last year was unable to come home for Christmas because my grandpa had been sick. But thankfully this year Grandpa and Uncle Terry were both doing great and we all got the celebrate the holiday at home.

Uncle Terry, Christmas Eve

I thought you'd might enjoy some family pics >>>>>

 

 

 

After we ate some chili we headed into Grandpa's living room and I read Luke Chapter 2 from the Bible. We do this every year so we always remember that Jesus is the best gift we could ever receive. Then we opened our presents. We tried to take turns so we could see what everyone got and see their reactions to the gifts we'd got them but Grandpa and Uncle Terry tore into theirs so fast we gave up the taking-turn thing and dug in.

 

Here's a quick haul of the gifts I received >>>>>

 

 

Got me some nail polish. I'm currently wearing the last color on the right.

 

This bracelet has the Bible Scripture John 3:16 engraved on it.

 

These necklaces came from Denis. This is called the Infinity necklaces.

Denis also got me this ring and the slippers below.

 

After presents we all went outside and Denis did a little firework show for us. Uncle Terry loved it. Then Christmas night Denis and I went to the movie theater and saw "The Greatest Showman."

 

So all in all we had a really great Christmas. We dropped presents off to other relatives and enjoyed spending time with the family. To me, that's what Christmas is all about - remembering and celebrating Jesus' birth and doing that with those you love.

I also just wanted to say thank you to you all. If you've ever took a minute and read one of these blog posts, thank you. I hope it's brought a smile to your face and maybe brightened your day. I've got some ideas for more posts for 2018 and I hope you'll continue to stop by my little blog.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

See you in 2018!

 



 

 

 

5 Things I Love at Christmas Time

 

 



There's just something about this time of year that makes me smile. And while it does get stressful sometimes, for me there's something magical about Christmas time. So as Christmas draws nearer I've come up with 5 Things I Love at Christmas Time >>>>>

 

1. Christmas Lights

 

 

 

Oh my goodness! I looooove Christmas lights. Actually, I love anything that sparkles but Christmas time takes the sparkle to the next level. Some people go all out with their houses and most stores and shops will light up their windows. I think Christmas lights can make almost anything look pretty. My favorite are the multi-colored ones but the white ones offer a more elegant look. Either way you can't go wrong with some lights.

 



 

2. Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte

 

When Starbucks' red cups show up you know for sure that it's Christmas time. And for me their Winter menu is my personal favorite. Last year I became addicted to their Chestnut Praline Latte. I drink it decaf and the taste of it reminds me of Christmas in a cup. Am I the only one who actually gets sad when they no longer offer it? 

 

 

3. Christmas Music Takeover

 

One of our local radio stations turns into a Christmas station the day after Thanksgiving. On my way to work I listen to them and sing along to all the Christmas songs. Usually, I go for the old classics but this year I found 2 new Christmas songs that really touched my heart: Lauren Daigle's "Noel" and Matt Redman's "Angels (Singing Gloria)." If you haven't heard them feel free to take a listen >>>>

 

 

 

 

4. Christmas Movies & Specials

 

I love movies in general but a good Christmas movie in December does something to my soul. Every year the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime plays Christmas made-for-TV movies non-stop but I personally love the classic movies like "Miracle on 34th Street" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." Denis and I bought a few classic Christmas specials on DVD (such as the Charlie Brown Christmas Special) and it's now become our tradition to watch them Christmas Eve night. I can't wait to snuggle on the couch and watch Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the gang celebrate Christmas.

 

 

5. Jesus' Birth

 

While I love all the things I put on this list my absolute favorite thing about Christmas time is Jesus' birth. If you think about it Jesus is the best Christmas present anyone could ask for. He - being all God - came down from Heaven, became a man, and walked among us. And then He grew up, did amazing things for people of all kind, and died on a cross for our sins. But His story didn't end there because 3 days later He got up from the grave and restored our relationship with God.

 

Without Jesus there would be no Christmas, there would be no peace on earth or goodwill to men. Because of Jesus we have peace, we have salvation, we have joy, and most importantly, we have everlasting love and life.

 

 





So this Christmas season enjoy all the glammer and glitz, enjoy the family traditions and gifts, but don't forget the real reason we even have a Christmas time - Jesus.

 

Until next time >>>>>

 

XOXO,

 

Nellie

 



5 Christmas Songs that Always Get Me in the Season

So I was driving home the other day and one of my favorite Christmas songs came on the radio, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" by the Jackson 5. And so for the 30 minute drive to our house I ceased the opportunity to sing the words at the top of my lungs. By the time I made it home I was in the Christmas mood, ready to put up the tree, and bake some cookies. Now, did I actually do any of that - nope - but I was definitely feeling the Christmas spirit.

That got me thinking: what other Christmas songs put me in the Christmas mood? And that's how this little list was born.

So, in honor of the Christmas festivities ahead here's the 5 Christmas Songs that Always Get Me in the Season >>>>>

Enjoy >>>>>>

 

5. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer

 

This song is one of my all time favorites. Every time it comes on the radio Denis and I sing it word for word. We both just love the cat and mouse playfulness Margaret and Johnny bring to it. And on top of that it gets stuck in my head. Definitely a Christmas classic.

4. "Winter Wonderland" Darlene Love

There a hundreds of renditions of this song but Darlene Love's cover is my absolute favorite. She adds a little Motown beat to it and really gets it moving. By the time she gets to the chorus you'll be dancing, trust me.

 

3. "Please Come Home for Christmas" the Eagles

Ok, so this song is actually kind of sad and should bring me down, but it hasn't yet. To me the best line of this song is the first one: "Bells will be ringing this sad, sad New Year's . . ." Yes, it's definitely the saddest song on this list but every time I hear it I think of my Uncle Terry. He loves this song and every Christmas when it comes on the radio he sings along to it.

2.  "All I Want for Christmas" Mariah Carey

This song is the only one on my list that was written and performed by the same artist. I don't know if it's Mariah's voice or the lyrics of the song but every time I hear it I can't help but sing along. Mariah's on point with every note and it's just so darn catchy you can't help but like it, unless you're a complete Grinch.

 

1. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" Jackson

If this song doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit then nothing will. Michael Jackson's pre-pubescent voice is so contagious and cute that I can't help but smile when I hear it. Thanks to Motown the Jackson 5 took a Christmas classic, sped it up a little, and put a soulful spin on it. When this song comes in - in the car or in a store - I got to sing along to it. Because hey, it's Christmas time and it's Michael Jackson. Put those two together and you've got a Christmas hit for sure.

So now you know the 5 Christmas songs that get me ready for the holiday season ahead. Now what about you? What Christmas song gets you in the spirit? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time . . .

XOXO,


Nellie

Christmas Lyrics I Never Really Got

With all the Christmas music in the air I came across certain song lyrics that totally tripped me up. When it comes to Christmas songs I know at least half of the words to most of them but every once and a while I'll hear a lyric and think, "That can't possibly be right."

Exhibit A

"It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

Yes, I get that to many people Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year but there's this one verse of this song that never made sense to me:

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snowThere'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of the
Christmases long, long ago

I guess it was the "scary ghost stories" part that always got me. I mean, who's telling scary ghost stories at a Christmas party? Total buzz kill. I always thought the song writer got Christmas and Halloween mixed up or something. But this song is just the beginning of my Christmas song lyric confusion.



Exhibit B

"Grandma Got Ran Over by Reindeer"

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eveYou can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe

While this song may be a classic I always found it a tad bit morbid. I mean, come on, Grandma got killed by a Santa's sleigh. So does that make Santa a murderer? And if so why wasn't he arrested? We all know he lives in the North Pole and he only works one day a year so it's not like he's that hard to find.

And to make matters worst Grandpa didn't even feel bad about the fact that his wife was murdered by the big man in red. See >>>>>

Now we're all so proud of grandpa
He's been taking this so wellSee him in there watching football
Drinking beer and playing cards with cousin Mel

And last but not least Exhibit C

"Winter Wonderland"

In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "Are you married?"
We'll say, "No man"
But you can do the job, when you're in town

Ok, so I love this song but ever since I was little kid this verse didn't make sense completely until a years later. For years I didn't have a clue who Parson Brown was - turns out, he's a preacher. And to make matters even weirder the snowman starts asking this couple about their love lives. How weird is that?

So question time: is there a lyric in a Christmas song that you never really got? If so feel free to leave a comment below.

Until next time . . . .

XOXO,

Nellie







A Night of Gingerbread Houses

 

In honor of Christmas being 5 days away my cousins and I decided to make Gingerbread Houses. This sounded like a good idea until we actually had to do it. Turns out I'm not a good Gingerbread House builder. When y'all see the pictures just guess which one is mine. Let's just say I contributed to the condemned side of the Gingerbread Village.

 

This is what we were going for but this is what we ended up with >>>>>

 



These were Chancy's houses. While Kane and I did 1 house each, she was able to put together 3. The girl has skills.

 

Chancy posing with the icing.

 

Kane's house. It took him all of 5 minutes to put it together and I think it turned out great.

 

 

Sadly, this was my house - or more accurately, my teepee.

 

And this was my teepee after it was decorated. It looks like it's candy overload.

 

 

This was our finished village. We had fun making them but Denis and I both agreed building Gingerbread Houses definitely won't be a Christmas tradition we hope to do with our future kids one day. But all in all it added a little holiday cheer around the house.

 



 

 

 

A Very Merry Christmas Village (Tiny Edition)

I love hearing about people's Christmas traditions and I guess one for my family is Mom's tiny Christmas village. Every year my mom has to put her little village on display in the house. She bought a new piece that she was really excited about - a little church.  

So, in honor of family traditions, here's a few pics of Mom's Christmas village.

Hope you enjoy >>>>>

 

 

 

Pier 1 Christmas Gift Wrapping Haul

 

 

Since it's the most wonderful time of the year again that means wrapping presents. And this year I wanted to do things a little differently. Usually, I wait until the last minute to wrap my presents (and by last minute, I mean the night before Christmas Eve) but this year I had a game plan.

 

I checked out Pinterest and got inspired by all the different gift-wrapping ideas. Who knew there were so many ways to wrap a present? I surely didn't, but when I came across pictures like this >>>>>

 

I knew I had to step up my wrapping game.

 

So I headed over to a store I rarely go into - Pier 1 - and found all kinds of goodies to make my gifts look top notch. These were just a few of the things I picked up >>>>

 



   

 

I thought this wrapping paper was gorgeous. If any of the products in the post caught your eye and you'd like to pick up some the links for each product are listed below>>>>

 

Plaid Wrapping Paper

Birch Wrapping Paper

 

 

To me no gift is complete without a bow. But I didn't want the traditional plastic, metallic Christmas bow that comes a dozen in a bag. I was looking for something with a little more pizzazz and these Buffalo Plaid ones were just the ticket.

I also picked up these star name tags to add a lil' somethin' extra to each present. And down below are some pictures of some of the finished products >>>>>