#8 addendum

That's mighty neighborly of you....Here is an addendum to Christmas tradition #8. Check out this great article, complete with pictures and recipes for those of you still contemplating what to do for the neighborhood gift! Good luck!

Christmas traditions - #13

Christmas traditions - #12

Let's PARTY!!!

Christmas just wouldn't be complete without attending a bunch of Christmas parties. Each year we have the tradition of attending several parties and this year has been no exception. Here are the ones we've attended so far:

Rick & I - his office dinner party with the big group (highlight - winning a $20 gift certificate to Los Hermanos)

Rick - his small group dinner office party (highlight - receiving an icecream accessory gift in the gift exchange)

Vonnie- my lunch office party with the big group in the new Gordon B. Hinckley building (highlight - receiving a nice, leather bound copy of the hymn book from the 1st presidency)

Vonnie - my lunch small group office party (highlight - making a contribution with the group to the Women's and Children's crisis center instead of exchanging gifts)

Rick & I - attending the SCERA breakfast party (highlight listening to various people share their favorite Christmas memories - my favorite was a man about the age of dad (G. Seastrand) who told about the first Christmas he came home after being away in the Pacific during WWII. It was very touching.)

Rick & I - attending the Cleofon (ladies group) dinner in the 2-3 million dollar home of one the members (highlight - the entertainment was great.)

Rick & I - attending the MTC Christmas dinner for the branch presidents and their wives (highlight - listening to Elder Hinckley and Elder Perry give talks at the end. The shrimp cocktail wasn't bad either.)

And what do all these Christmas parties have in common???

They all served food - and lots of it. How do you deal with all of the good food that is around at Christmas time? One year I gained 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years day. I vowed not to do that again this year, so I've tried the following strategies:

1. Eat, don't drink calories. Water only.

2. Exercise every day - M,W,F @ Curves and walking for an hour T & Th with Patsy

3. Don't eat as much at other meals on days when there is a party

4. Don't eat huge amounts. Try all my favorite things, but watch the amounts.

So far, so good. What strategies to you use?

Brian Stokes Mitchell

You know how it is when you find something you LOVE...something you fall for instantly... something that really grabs you? Well this just happened to me again. These moments don't come along very often, so I savor them when they do! I love the voice of Brian Stokes Mitchell. What a voice! I'll be needing one of his CDs soon. Very soon.
I first heard him sing while listening to Music and the Spoken word at the MTC in September. I'd never heard of him before. I was smitten instantly. Then yesterday he once again sang with the Mormon Tabernacle choir as their guest for Music and the Spoken word and for their annual Christmas concert. It was beyond wonderful. Here are a couple of clips for you to listen to his voice! See what I mean? Wow!!! I love Man of La Mancha and the role of Don Quixote played by Brian Stokes Mitchell in the clip. We saw the play at the Shakespeare festival a few years ago (unfortunately he didn't play Don Quixote, but the man who did was very good.) The Impossible Dream is such a moving song to me. Also, check out the brief appearance of the actress who played Maid Marion in Robin Hood & the Prince of Thieves movie a few years back.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Christmas traditions - #11

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

For many years I have had a secret little elf bring me gifts for the 12 days of Christmas. He leaves the gifts on the seat of my car, starting 12 days before Christmas! How sweet it that? I usually forget about this happy tradition until the day I go out to my car and open the door and what to my wondering eyes see,

but a little gift
and a sweet poem
attached to the gift
on a post-it-note
just for me!

The elf brings me things I need this time of year, like wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and bows, bags of candy to fill all my candy dishes, nuts, movie tickets, gift cards, tree ornaments, all my favorite things of all sorts and sometimes a special gift at the end on the 12th day.
I don't know how this little elf gets into our garage. My husband suspects some of our neighbors and he is irritated by the liberties they take in coming into our garage. I don't care who brings it! I LOVE MY LITTLE ELF!! THANKS ELFFIE!! You're the best ELFFIE a girl could have!