Fairy tales

For some reason, only the female employees in my office seem to congregate at the table in the break room to eat lunch. Not surprisingly, since many of them are mothers, the talk often turns to kids. Today the talk started with a discussion of the going rate for a tooth by the Tooth Fairy. Appallingly the concensus was $3-$5 per tooth.

Talk of this friendly figment soon turned to that of Santa. One coworker complained about a tradition that her husband's family has where two elves leave gifts and a note a couple days before Christmas. Everyone agreed that you have to be quick on your feet to answer questions about why Santa might have given a gently used bike, the gift labels from Santa are in your handwriting, or Santa uses the same wrapping paper as Mom and Dad. I laughed along, sharing stories from my own childhood and empathizing with my coworkers.

It was a great lunch hour, furnishing some overdue bonding. I didn't realize that I'd been taking mental notes on kids and family traditions until I was walking away, and I skipped a step when I realized that I might never be one with my coworkers in hiding Santa's wrapping paper and mixing up reindeer feed.

Trees and stars

As F and I drive past some territory very familiar to me, I point out the window at the star that this town will begin lighting soon to commemorate the holiday season. F remarks that a star is a fairly safe symbol to put up and I agree.

Then he says, "Just so you know, it wouldn't bother me if you put a Christmas tree. It isn't really a religious symbol."

"I know, it's originally a pagan tradition," I agreed. "I'm glad you wouldn't mind a tree because I've been collecting ornaments for years and I'd hate to have to get rid of them." But something gave away my anxiety about that conversation--the way I covered our clasped hands with my other hand or the way my whole body tensed up.

F waited for a minute--maybe hoping we'd continue the conversation--and then gave me his patented reassuring statement: "We can have this conversation whenever you're ready. And I don't think that anything will come up that we can't handle." I nodded my head and then waiting just a minute before I changed the subject.

TRL: Christmas cookies

When I was growing up, in addition to Christmas songs and oyster stew at my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve, there was one other thing you could count on: many homemade traditional desserts. It wasn't surprising to follow up our rich dinner with fudge, divinity, and the piece de resistance: Christmas cookies.

As my grandmother and her grandchildren have all grown older, the task of making of these Christmas treats has fallen more and more to the younger generations. Instead of waiting for her to make them just prior to Christmas, while we're all together during Thanksgiving weekend my siblings and I share the task of stirring the fudge and we pull out the cookie cutters my dad remembers from his childhood.

A couple of Thanksgivings ago, I woke up late the morning after Thanksgiving, and headed toward the kitchen. When I got there, I discovered nearly 10 people crowded around the island in the kitchen. My dad and his brother stood on one side, rolling out sugar cookie dough while people on the other side wielded knifes and sprinkles, frosting the finished products. As my aunt and grandmother made more dough and frosting, the army of family who were frosting cookies called out suggestions to my dad and uncle about which cookie shapes they should cut out next. When my mom requested a cookie that they didn't have a cutter for, my dad custom-sculpted that cookie shape for her.

If anyone had turned to me at that moment and asked what I wanted, I would've answered that I didn't want anything more than what I had in that moment.

Have yourself a merry little...

2005 Christmas Tree
Originally uploaded by angineer.

My memories of when I'm most at peace all revolve around Christmas, whether it is sitting in the dark appreciating our lit Christmas tree or listening to Santa reports on the radio headed home on Christmas Eve.

This year was the first year I had my own Christmas tree and the first chance I had to display the ornaments I've carefully collected over the past five years. I enjoyed a little journey through time as I hung them on the tree.

May you enjoy the peace of this season as I am... merry Christmas!

Holy night

It was late one Christmas Eve--I was probably eight or nine. I leaned my head against the window of our van, feeling the cold from outside against my hair. As my sister and brother dozed off, I looked up into the cold, clear darkness lit only by pinpricks of light from the stars. My parents were talking quietly in the front seat, but all I could hear were Christmas carols from the radio broken by the occasional update on Santa's location from NORAD. An evening of family togetherness, lots of food and love, and a peaceful ride home put my world at peace that night.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright... Sleep in heavenly peace.

I hope your world is at peace.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!!

No mistletoe required

Butterflies swirled around my stomach as I climbed the steep, dark stairs up to the projection room. Ants was a flirt with everyone, but the flirting had intensified between us in the weeks preceding this Christmas Eve shift at the theater and I knew that something was going to happen when I got upstairs to share my break with him.

Every girl's first kiss is permanently etched in her memory and mine is the same. I can't describe how the moment came about, but I can't forget how he tasted (like vanilla candy canes), how he smelled and how his lips felt pressed against mine.

I hugged the moment close to me all afternoon. When my mom arrived to take me directly to my grandmother's for oyster stew, I slipped down to the theaters to get a surreptitious kiss goodbye before floating out the doors behind her.

Mood-altering substance

I walked out of the mall last night and involuntary giggles escaped from my throat. I felt great about being (nearly) finished with my Christmas shopping, but it was large cottony flakes falling from the sky that spontaneously changed my mood.

As I scraped my car to head home, I couldn't help but dance around in the snow a little. Christmas, I'm finally ready for you.

Holiday traditions (Blogcess 6)

1) Do you have one tradition that means the most to you when it comes to celebrating Christmas?

Every Christmas Eve my family goes to my grandmother's to have oyster stew. The thing I love most about our Christmas Eve celebrations is that it is all about family and love--we don't open any presents and all our stresses are pushed aside for the night. Enjoying my family in the light of a big Christmas tree with some quiet carols in the background is my favorite time of the year.

2) Since I’m on a movie kick today – - do you have a favorite holiday movie?

Holiday Inn. I love the romance in the movie, the songs, the whole thing. I've tortured my friends with that movie many times over the years. But seriously, if you enjoy black and white musicals or great dancing--check this one out.

Other favorites include: The Bishop's Wife (my mom's favorite), the original Miracle on 34th Street and A Muppet Christmas Carol (I love "When Love is Gone").

3) What’s your favorite holiday song?

Wow, this is tough. On the Carpenters' Christmas Collection, I love "Little Altar Boy", "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", "I Heard the Bells", and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" to name a few. I also love "O Holy Night" because my brother recorded a version as a member of his high school choir. I love "Happy Holidays" from Holiday Inn, but my absolute favorite is "White Christmas" (also from that movie).

4) In sticking with traditions – - do you have a favorite holiday sweet? Meaning candy, cookie, cake, pie or whatever.

Friday morning after Thanksgiving--mincemeat pie with whipped cream and a little eggnog. Oh yeah.

Christmas wish

I'm a coward.

I attended my sorority alumnae holiday party tonight. One of the older women brought her son. He looked to be about my age--also tall, good-looking, nice and he showed he has a sense of humor. As the festivities started to wrap up, I decided we needed to exchange numbers. So I hung out in foyer as he was getting ready to go. I got a business card out of my purse to exchange contact information. Then I went and talked to him while he waited for his mom to say her goodbyes. At one point he even asked where I worked.

Did I give him my business card? No.

Did I say, "We should get together sometime."? No.

I know that I could get a hold of him through his mom. But am I likely to call him there? No.

Could someone get me a spine for Christmas?

Observations

Here are the things I noticed at the five star, five diamond holiday party I attended last night:

Mmmm... shrimp cocktail.

Ice scuptures are cool. Hahaha.

Pastries are good. Little pastries are better. Chocolate shells filled with dark and rich chocolate ganache and topped with a small piece of fruit are best.

Where was the wine?

I need to go out more. Obviously men look better when they're wearing shirts and ties, but there were still some very nice-looking men there.

Old people are so cute when they stay on the dance floor for the modern, uptempo music. They're even cuter when they're slow dancing.

"Dancing queen, young and sweet..."

The macarena is not extinct. It has devolved into a holiday mix, sampling at least two Christmas carols and "Auld Lang Syne". Where are the good taste police when you need them?