happy christmas eve day!

the gifts are wrapped and snow is coming to nashville! we haven't had a white christmas in 17 years! happy happy!

oh, fudge!

my parents left today after an extended pre-holiday weekend visit.

they voluntarily did what no parents should have to do: cleaned, cooked and took out my trash.

and made a complete post-thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

oh, and made peanut butter fudge.

yeah, they kind of go all out when they visit.

and i couldn't feel more loved.

the office holiday party is upon us ...

... so don't expect me to get much work done today.

we are feasting, playing a dastardly round of "dirty santa" (or "yankee swap," if you prefer) and there are an abundance of bourbon balls to be fought over.

So far, the stuffed possum in a pot (along with a box of "oppossum helper") has been the most popular gift.

i wish i were making that up.

what's on your breakroom table?

red velvet cake.

but not for long.

pom pom wreathe

i thought this pom pom wreathe was super cute. i found it on twig and thistle.

here's the tree with lights

it turned out pretty nice considering we let the boy pick out the tree and he picked the spindliest, nakedest tree on the lot. a few lights, some ribbon and some homespun ornaments, and a voila! it's christmas!

the boy picked out the tree ...

... and decorated it.

Recession, Shmesession!

If the economy is ailing, the effects of it have not reached the Opryland area.

Saturday night we thought it would be fun to mosey around Opry Mills Mall. From the traffic, you would have thought Elvis himself was appearing at the Grand Ole Opry.

We finally made it to the mall, which was packed with what seemed to be rabid holiday shoppers, despite the fact that Christmas was two days past. The next night, being the gluttons for punishment that we are, we ventured to Opryland Hotel to see the lights. Again with the traffic. Again with the crowds. But it was worth the trip.

The hotel, with its holiday decorations, towering Christmas trees, glittering water fountains, boat rides and pointsettia-festooned conservatory is truly magical. There was even a wedding reception taking place in the middle of it all.

Jack Henry was mesmerized, not seeming to mind dodging bazillions of cackling grammar school cheerleaders decked out in cheer garb for their world or national or something competition. And the hover 'round scooters. We just could not escape them. But it was an excellent diversion and the perfect ending to our holiday festivities.

The best part? When we left, there was no parking attendant on hand, so we didn't have to pay the $18-plus-tax for self park.

Santa Shmanta?

Jack Henry bounded out of bed this morning around 7 proclaiming, "It's Christmas morning! It's Christmas morning!" Though we left out cookies for Santa last night, and dutifully listened for reindeer hoofs before sleeping, the boy doesn't seem to be a believer. Why, you say? Well, after each gift he said,"Thank you, Mommy and Daddy for the present! It's just what I wanted!" No mention of Santa.

Anyway, we didn't go overboard (we thought) but the toys each had a million pieces so we (we = Hubz) spent most of the morning putting things together while Jack Henry said, "Can I play with it now? Can I play with it now?"

A castle with dragons and knights; a bendable race track with cars; pirate action figures; and a rescue helicopter were big hits. We combined all the toys so that the race track runs through the castle, the helipad is near by to rescue wounded knights; and the pirates are in the castle's dungeon. I don't know who's having more fun, Jack Henry or Daddy.

Wet Christmas

We're out doing some Christmas Eve Day shopping and the weather remains muy loco. Pouring rain. Upper 40s. Windy. Feels more like tornado season than the Holidays. And yes, that's a dried snot mustache Jack Henry is sporting.

Christmas memories

Of course my childhood memories of Christmas are the best. Baking cookies, opening presents and watching it snow. But I have some good grown-up Christmas memories too. Here are a few:

When I was working as a film critic, I traveled to NYC for the "Elf" movie junket. I stayed in the lovely Essex House hotel, which was all decked out for Christmas in grand style. After screening the film with the rest of the journalist shlubs, we got back on the shuttle and found ourselves deposited at the Empire State building for a "cocktail reception." This was news to us, but we boarded the elevators, sure that it would just be attended by other hacks like ourselves. We arrived at the top floor, and soon we were joined by members of the cast and crew, including Will Ferrell, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, James Caan, and the talented director John Favreau. Servers offered festive red drinks garnished with candied rims and candy canes, along with hand-decorated cutout cookies in the shapes of various New York iconic landmarks. And the view, the view. I got to meet some pretty interesting people that night. Fabulous!

In December three years ago, Hubz was performing a Christmas concert in a classic old movie theater in St. Charles, Illinois (near my old stomping grounds of Chicago). We pulled up in the tour bus about 9 in the morning, and piled out of the bus, having slept all night in the cramped bunks. We were happy to find a Starbucks right in the venue, and immediately settled in by a window for coffee drinks and scones. St. Charles is a small town that has an abundance of cottages made over as gift shops. At Christmas time it's magical, with each more festively decorated than the last. So there we were, in the midst of this adorable town, and suddenly we hear music and marching bands - the annual Christmas parade had begun ... right outside the Starbucks window. And then, as if on cue, it began to snow. What a glorious sight. Later, I got to hear my talented husband perform Christmas music on a gorgeous grand piano to a joyous, sold-out crowd. Magical.

Last December, I was offered a media pass to the TPAC performance of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." I was dying to go, but had to admit to the publicist I couldn't promise any media coverage of the event. She said that was OK and let me come anyway. What a treat. My favorite musical, featuring such classic songs as "Sisters," "Counting my Blessings," and "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing." A fantastic production. I was in heaven. And at the end of the show, they sprinkled the audience with fake snow. Loved every minute!

Oh, I just have to tell one more:
Last Christmas, on Christmas Eve, to be exact, Jack Henry miraculously conked out at about 7 p.m. and Hubz and I settled in by the fire and the Christmas tree. We had invited a neighbor over but were glad when she didn't show up. We so rarely have quiet time to ourselves. It was great to hold hands and talk about everyday things. There's something wonderful about the sparkling Christmas lights and the crackling fire that make you glad to be alive. So simple - yet so perfect.

Tonight we're going to watch "White Christmas" on TV - if Jack Henry will let us, that is. If not, it may be the Grinch or Rudolph, and that's OK too.

Possummy Christmas

A colleague of my sister in SoCal is involved in possum rescue. This is her Christmas card this year. If you want to learn more, or purchase this adorable card, e-mail Katrelya at qlangus@earthlink.net. I know, here in the South, we consider possums barely worth rescuing, but in the more open-minded West, they care for all creatures equally. As it should be. It's a Christmas message we should all take to heart.

A squirrely Christmas

This Christmas card warmed my heart. This image of a ground squirrel was taken near Cascade Falls in South Lake Tahoe by a colleague of mine. I'm keeping this one up all year.

Does a second grader need high end electronics? Apparently so.

We live in a little town outside of Nashville and the local newspaper ran the second graders' letters to Santa. Nearly every single kid asked for the same things: XBox 360, Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero, iPod and a cell phone. Did I mention they are in the SECOND GRADE.

What - kids don't dream about new bikes anymore? And what about a Lite Brite, Legos, Match Box cars or Play Doh? Mr. Potato Head, anyone?

Times have changed.

It's a Christmas Miracle!

I saw Santa's face in my laundry pile. I've outlined the features so you skeptics can see it more clearly.

It's beginning to look a lot like ... Spring?

It's going to be in the high 60s today, and it's rainy and cloudy for the millionth day straight. Monday brought a near ice storm and now we've spring-like weather. And get this: A cold front is on the way, sure to bring more foolishness and mayhem on the roadways when freezing temps send us all scurrying to the grocery store.

I have failed as a blogger

A whole litany of events transpired this morning and I managed to capture none of them on camera or video. I apologize. Please, try to use your imagination:

6:15 a.m. iced lemon cupcakes for Jack Henry's holiday spotlight day at school, which had to be done by hand because I forgot to buy pastry bags.

7:00 a.m. made breakfast for the boy (oatmeal); and coffee for Hubz (percolated).

7:15 a.m. took shower and slapped on make-up.

8:30 a.m. tried to get Jack Henry into car, which resulted in a colossal meltdown, including him accidentally sitting on the cupcake box. Stern warnings, tears and hugs followed.

9:20 a.m. arrived at school for Jack Henry's special day. Read Curious George Christmas book aloud and tried to keep 16 3-year-olds' attention while talking about what our family does for Christmas (for the record: Set up Snow Village, decorate Christmas tree, mail Christmas cards, open presents, bake cupcakes for the Baby Jesus' birthday, and give gifts to people who don't have food or presents) Jack Henry ended the presentation by saying, "Merry Christmas everybody!"

9:45 made craft with the kids: a coloring page of a Christmas ornament which we decorated with stickers and fuzzy pom-pom balls.

10:15 Cleaned up classroom and headed back to work to face deadline.

10:30 Collapsed at desk with coffee. Can I go back home now?

We're having a twin moment

Look what Jean posted on her blog today! I swear we did not coordinate this! (see below)

And while we're at it, what an adorable family they make! Jean, Rupert, Jackson and Isaiah, we miss you! Come visit us in Tennessee!

Addendum: I found it odd that Jean's angel has brown hair and a pink dress, while my older sister Charlotte's (not pictured) looks exactly like mine: Red yarn hair with brown face and green dress. Seems Jean and Char need to make a swap. Mystery solved!

If you like these, you should try the coon patties

The holiday potluck at work always has the most interesting dishes. Note that Keith's Possum Wings come from real Tennessee possums, "fresh off the tree."

Another classic is Judy's Wild Turkey bourbon balls, which really should be labeled "please enjoy responsibly."

The most fun is the "dirty santa" game. This year people resorted to licking their gift so that no one would try to take it from them.

Next year we're instituting a "no bodily fluids on the gifts" rule, just to keep things fair.

Warning: Snowman inside

The snowman I saw on the break room table this morning lives on! My co-worker's son put it in the freezer in order to prolong its life, and posted this sign to be sure no one injured, bumped or dethawed it.