Holidailies -- Day 21

Today's prompt: Today is the winter solstice. What do you do to mark the occasion?

Well, I'm getting my last hair cut and color of the year. Does that count?

Holidailies -- Day 20

Today's prompt: Share your holiday crafting skills.

 

Well, there are my fabulous Christmas cookies, made with a great deal of love for my best friend. I was endlessly proud of them. It took several batches, but I finally got a dozen cookies that were absolutely perfect.

 

 

Holidailies -- Day 18

Today's prompt: Do you prefer your holidays to be white, or would you rather spend them basking in the sun? 

 

I'm spending Christmas this year -- and probably from now on -- in the Keys, so no more white Christmases for me. The notion makes me a little sad. Though I'm appreciating the snow we've received in the run-up to Christmas, which is helping me get in the spirit.

Holidailies -- Day 17

Today's prompt: Elf on a Shelf - adorable childhood tradition, or creepy stalker?

I admit I had no idea how popular this fellow was until just recently, when he made the front page of the venerable Chicago Tribune! (The Trib usually saves the front page for serious stories, or Da Bears.)

I don't see how Elf on a Shelf is any creepier than Santa. I mean, he sees us when we're sleeping and knows when we're awake and knows if we've been bad or good. And he keeps a list! Not only that, he teaches us that the reason to be good is not that being good is right, it's that being good is rewarded with stuff.

I don't mean to be coming down on Santa. I'm a big fan of the big guy! I just don't see how Elf on a Shelf is fundamentally different than his boss.

Holidailies -- Day 16

Today's prompt: What is something you did / experienced for the very first time this year?

 

This is the first year that I haven't waited, not even for one minute, in line at the post office. I bought my poinsettia stamps and mailed my first gifts from The UPS Store. My second round of gifts were sent from the post office, but I used that self-service kiosk. I have to go to the post office today to put my mail on vacation hold, but hopefully that won't be too painful.

 

It's too bad that my trips to the post office have been marked by inefficiency and (worse) rudeness. But the upside is that The UPS Store is usually open and offers may of the same services.

 

Holidailies -- Day 15

Today's prompt: What do you miss most from your childhood holidays, now that you are an adult?

 

The wonder and anticipation and delight that come from truly believing in Santa. How did he know? How did he manage to get it to me? Miraculous!

 

 

Holidailies -- Day 14

Today's prompt: Write a letter to the person/company/group annoying you the most this holiday season:

 

Dear Fox News:

Shame on you for using the joyous event my Savior's birth to spread divisiveness.

Bill O'Reilly is big on the imaginary "War on Christmas," nurturing an Us vs. Them approach to the holiday season. Now your Megyn Kelly is insisting that both Jesus and Santa are white, and further insisting that making such proclamations is "funny."

I recognize that, coming from where He did, the likelihood that the blond, blue-eyed image of Jesus I grew up looking at is probably inaccurate. That makes no difference to how I worship. I feel sorry for Fox News talent and viewers whose faith is so shaky that this frightens them. And I feel worse for Fox News management for fueling the suspicion different races and religions have for one another, just for ratings.

 

As I recall from Sunday School, Jesus took a dim view of that sort of thing.

 

 

 

PS I'm glad Holidailies Grinch Week is over. I appreciate these prompts were interesting and different, but I want to get my Holiday Happy back on!

Holidailies -- Day 13

Today's prompt: Holiday pet peeve?

 

My kid sister won't commit to when we're celebrating the holiday until the last minute.

 

 

Holidailies -- Day 12

Today's prompt: What beloved holiday TV show/movie/play just leaves you cold?

For the most part, I enjoy them all. There are two that -- while I don't HATE them -- I'll never watch them again. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) is just too long and doesn't hold my interest. Ditto  The Bishop's Wife (1947) and the the 1996 remake, The Preacher's Wife.

Holidailies -- Day 10

Today's prompt: Tell us about a holiday food tradition you just can't stand.

When I was a kid, Johnny Carson said this every year from behind The Tonight Show desk, "The worst gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other." I also don't like its appearance. It looks fusty and the fruits seem to take on a strange color. And then there's the idea of consuming citrus peel. 

 

No, I don't care for it. Not at all.

Holidailies -- Day 9

Today's prompt: Which currently popular meme/trend do you just not get?

"The War on Christmas." It's stupid. Because there is no war on Christmas. Thank you.

Holidailies -- Day 8

Today's prompt: What holiday tradition do you wish would just go away?

The company Christmas party. The company I work for goes all out -- closing the office for a half day, picking up the bill for a catered meal at a posh eatery, giving out a handful of expensive door prizes, serving up enough free booze to launch a dozen illicit coatroom affairs …

Meanwhile, we have only had two raises in the last 9 years. During that same time, we have had to sublet two floors of this office building and endured a succession of layoffs.


I'm not going. And I wish they'd banish the whole thing.

I'm not against celebrating the holidays in the workplace. I have decorated my office, I have cards and little ornaments for each of my coworkers, and am handling the collection for a special gift for our team admin.

Imagine all the money we would save if we just gave each employee one of those little half-turkeys that serves 4! Or the tax write-off if we gave all that money spent on the party to charity! They could let the employees suggest which worthy cause to support.

Holidailies -- Day 7

Today's prompt: Write a letter to Santa.

Dear Mr. Claus,

I know you're really busy, so I'll just topline my goodness in 2013 in one word -- PATIENCE. You know I'm not a patient girl, Santa. And yet I have really upped my game and worked on it when dealing with friends (both Best and Oldest Friends) and family (my niece) and pets (Reynaldo!). I'm pleased to report all relationships seem more solid because of the result of my efforts.

But then you know that, because you see me when I'm sleeping and know when I'm awake and know if I've been bad or good. So let's get to the good stuff.

I want a gift card, Santa. As rich as you can make it. From The Home Depot. I want to do a lot of work on my condo in 2014 and, while Cute Handyman only accepts cash as payment, he can use this to pick up the tiles and paint and new sink and new medicine chest I'm dreaming of.

Since you have so many stops to make on Christmas Eve, feel free to just slip it under the door. We don't have to stand on ceremony. You and I go waaaaaay back, after all.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Holidailies -- Day 6

Today's prompt: What is the best gift you have ever given?

I've written about this before, so forgive me the repetition. But it remains my favorite gift-giving memory ...

When my niece was six, she was obsessed with the animated Anastasia. She could recite dialog and acted out scenes. She even had a dream in which she walked into an Anastasia store where she could purchase everything Anastasia for $100, and she had exactly $100 in her purse. I went on eBay and purchased Anastasia memorabilia from all over the world (my favorite: plastic Anastasia medallions that had been packaged in cereal boxes in Ireland to promote the home video release in that country). I spread them out all over my apartment and put a sign on the front door: Anastasia Store -- Everything $100. The look on her face when she came in the door, the way she clasped her hands together under her chin and looked around the room in wonderment at the Anastasia dolls and books and puzzles and pillowcase, etc. ... I'll never forget it. How often in life do you get to make someone's dream come true?

She's 21 now. I'm glad that she's happy at school and so in love with her fella. But sometimes I miss the little girl who laced her fingers under her chin when she was happy.

Holidailies -- Day 5

Today's prompt: What is the best gift you ever received?

It was the Christmas I was four years old. I think part of the reason why the memory is so dear is that I was such a believer. I first saw Blaze on TV, then in the Sears Wish Book. I saw him in the toy department at Sears -- up high so kids couldn't climb on him -- but I stood there and talked to him and told him I would ask Santa to bring him to me. And why wouldn't Santa? I'd been good.

I hoped and prayed, and then ... on Christmas morning ... I walked into the living room and there he was, next to the tree …

Blaze was no mere "rocking horse." He not only rocked forward and back, I could get him to trot by bouncing up and down in the saddle. Like other Mattel toys of the day, he "talked" (neighed and whinnied) when you pulled the "magic ring."

Holidailies -- Day 4

Today's prompt: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I have a motley collection of 4 cardboard holiday figures -- the kind schoolteachers used to hang in the classroom -- that I have been displaying about my office(s) for decades. To give you an idea of their vintage, I bought them at a Woolworth's Store that closed its doors back in 1987.

It would be impossible to tabulate how many different offices they have adorned, but they followed me through six different companies.

They are Santa, the Little Drummer Teddy Bear, a Snowman and (my favorite) a terrier wearing a red plaid hat and matching scarf. They cost me less than 50¢ ea. at the time, and I love them dearly and am happy to see them. 

Holidailies -- Day 3

Today's prompt: Share your favorite holiday recipe. Where / when did you first try it?

HA! This is criminally easy because I only have two recipes! There's this one and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies. I'm featuring this one because, while every batch of cookies always tasted good, it was rather hard for me to not scorch the bottoms. Whereas this Apple Banana Cake comes out right every time.


Oh yeah, where/when did I first try it? About a decade ago, when Martha Stewart was having her legal problems. I admired her for facing her fate like a brave soldier and supported her by going to KMart and buying her domestic stuffies things. Then I had to find an easy recipe so I could put the stuff to work. Voila!

Wet Ingredients
4 cups of peeled cored and grated apples (generous)
2 mashed bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans (optional)

Dry Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all the wet ingredients in large bowl and mix well.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well.
Add dry to wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Pour into an UNgreased 9"x13" pan.
Bake for 1 hour

Last time I made this recipe, it was cupcakes and I topped each with a dollop of French Vanilla frosting.

 

Holidailies -- Day 2

Today's prompt: What is your favorite holiday song (and why)?

"Sleigh Ride" by Andy Williams. It was the first cut on my old Andy Williams Christmas LP, the first holiday record all my own. So when the needle dropped on Andy singing "Sleigh Ride," my Christmas season had begun. And when I hear Andy on my iPod, I smile.

I also enjoy this rather trippy clip from one of Andy's iconic specials. I always wanted to spend Christmas with this family.

Holidailies -- Day 1

Today's prompt: Introduce Yourself

I AM (in alphabetical order)

an American
a Beatle fan
a cat lady
a Cub fan
a copywriter
a Democrat
easily distracted
a friend
sentimental and
very messy

Holidailies -- Day 18

Today's prompt: Write a 'holiday card' letter - the sort that recaps the year. Say what you want to say instead of what you might send to relatives.

Well, I'm not going to do that exactly. But what I really want to say is that -- with the highly notable exceptions of my Aunt Jo and Cousin Rose --  my relatives mean less and less to me. The ones who have provided me with comfort since my mother died in September have been my friends (real live and cyber). Developing new traditions with them has been what brings me joy this holiday season. I'm not sure how that sentiment would play in a card, though.