Samish Santa

Once again on Christmas Eve, we made the rounds on Samish Island with Santa (my dad!) to give all of the little kiddos a candy cane and add a little magic to their evening. The looks in their eyes was priceless. While the ride is cold (we stand right behind cab so we can wave at everyone as we slowly drive past), it's well worth it. I love the traditions of my home.

Stay tuned - I'll be playing blogging catch-up the next few weeks!

Oh, Christmas Tree

We were a little late in getting our Christmas tree due to work trips and a visit from the flu bug, but we finally brought it home last weekend. I knew it had to go smack-dab in the middle of the window because I love when you drive past homes at Christmas and see the pretty trees inside. Now whenever I drive home, I get a dose of holiday spirit the moment I park my car and an extra dose when I step inside and smell the Christmas pine.

Hope you are all enjoying the Holiday season with all of the smells, traditions and family time.

On the search for the perfect tree.

So many to choose from! But we ended up with a gem.

The kitties loved decorating time. 

Goose: "Why is there a tree inside?"

Fifi: "SPARKLES!"

Mr. and Mrs. Claus

As you've noticed, I'm taking this week off of blogging. So much to get done, so little time. But I didn't want to leave you completely hanging, so I want to share some big news. Like HUGE news. I found out this Christmas that my Dad is SANTA! Which in turn makes my mom Mrs. Claus. Talk about mind-blowing. Hope your Christmas was equally as exciting!

We have a winner.

Despite my lack of Christmas card sending, I am always stoked to see what's waiting for me in my mailbox this time of year. Travel photos, wedding photos, puppy photos or silly photos - I like it all. This year I'd have to say that Suz, Rob, Gene, Michelle and Jasmine take the cake. Talk about awkward family photo! I think I'm in love. (Michelle, the eye blink brings it to the next level!)

P.S. Josh, Brian and Judy, you were an extremely close second. I just couldn't resist Suze's Farrah flip!

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas.

After some delay, Joe and I finally got our tree last night. We put it up, then life (i.e. hungry bellies) got in the way so we didn't decorate it right away. Next, Big Bang Theory got in the way, then Sleepy McSleepersons got in the way. So my tree still stands in the corner of my living room, naked as a jaybird. The hot cocoa-drinking (with marshmallows!), Christmas music-listening, and decorating tradition has been postponed until tomorrow morning. But this morning when I walked into my living room, it was the most intoxicating smell ever. If I could bottle it up and name it "Christmas in a jar," I'd make millions.

Have a festive holiday weekend, friends!

Miss me?

Well, I missed you too. I just took a little break over the holidays to rejuvenate my love for blogging. I just couldn't find myself interrupting family/friend/boyfriend/relaxing/vacation time. But now I have a lot of catch you up on, but I'll start with my lovely Christmas. A little on the smaller side, but it was nice. I was the ONLY cousin there. It felt really weird. There are about a dozen of us, so this was a first.

We ate good food. Played Apple to Apples. Drank good wine. Ate more good food. You know, the basics. Overall, it was a wonderful Christmas!

Holiday Eating Tips

An assistant from our DC office sent this holiday eating tip list to the entire firm today. The ENTIRE FIRM! That's pretty bold of an assistant :) It took me almost 2 years to muster to courage to send an email to everyone. When I finally did, I re-read it after sending and realized that I have not one, but TWO typos from rewriting certain parts. Oh well, hopefully the partners overlooked my errors, despite being a communications professional.

At any rate, I think I might heed his advice, even if my waistline begs me not to.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Cookie decorating extravaganza

Frosting and sprinkles and gingerbread and sugar cookies and spritz cookies and candy canes and... I think I'm just now coming down from my sugar high.

A new tradition to add to an old tradition; Our annual girl's Christmas party has turned into a cookie-decorating, Secret Santa, hide creepy caroler, girl's Christmas party! It's fun. I wish it were last Sunday again. We don't all get together nearly enough. (Shall we plan another 21st birthday party for Jenny?)

And now, the cookie-decorating masterpieces.

Maddie's creations were rather tropical.

Maddie's creations were also democratic.

Thanks for hosting, Lizzie! Hope you were able to get all of the sprinkles out of your carpet!

Creepy caroler strikes again

Operation scare-the-bejeezies-out-of-Lizzie occurred last night. (Lizzie, were you scared?!) Yes, friends, creepy caroler is at it again. After a year with the Newsomes' and scaring the bejeezies out of Zeke whenever she could, creepy caroler found a new home with Lizzie.

We had our annual girls' Christmas party last night, so Erin thought creepy caroler was the perfect hostess gift, just a little token of our gratitude for letting us decorate cookies and scatter sprinkles ALL OVER your apartment. We hope creepy caroler brings you joy and happiness, but no nightmares. Heavens knows that Zeke is permanently scarred.

Celebrate

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day." -- Phyllis Diller

I thought this quote was appropriate for today since tonight is our office Christmas party. They are pretty low key these days, but it's still fun to socialize outside of the office.

Do you have any funny office Christmas party stories?

pic/via

TGIF

Dear Christmas Tree,
When you came into my life almost two weeks ago, I have to admit, I was nervous. How could you possibly live up to the awesomeness of last year's? Initially I had my hands on a much smaller version of you, but when Joe pulled you out from the group (a seemingly foot above the rest), we knew we had found the one.

I don't know what it is about you. Your intoxicating smell, your tall stature, the way you light up or maybe how you wear your attire (ornaments). Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. You've completely won me over. When I walk into the room and see you lit up, I immediately smile.

I know our time together will be short, but I want you to know that I will always cherish the memories. But for now, let's enjoy the holiday season! (How do you feel about hot buttered rum in your stand?)

Love,
Petes

P.S. When will these start to magically appear?

Wreath

Isn't this wreath just perfect? I think so.

pic via/weloveit

Here comes Santa Claus

This cute little family puts together a Christmas video in lieu of cards every year. I think that is such a fun idea! You can watch the 2009 and 2008 versions too, but I think this year's takes the cake.

Here Comes Santa Claus - A Christmas Video Greeting from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

At laaaaaaaaaaaast

At last

My love has come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song...

(My plea for the return of Creepy Caroler paid off this weekend. She returned. In my garden. In all her glory. I could not ask for a better Christmas surprise. Well, maybe I could, but I'll take this for now.)

Not surprisingly, Creepy Caroler once again, got around.

First stop, the Newsome's.

"Umm, how did this creepy b*&%$ get into our bed?!"

-Santa Newsome

Even puppy Zeke was suspicious of this creepy character.

The only thing that brought him within 4 feet of her was a milk bone that Erin strategically placed in her hand and even that was a feat.

We thought she looked particularly creepy right outside the sliding glass door.

Oh, welcome back, Creepy Caroler... welcome back.

Creepy Caroler

Let me tell you a little story.

It all began in the Christmas season of 2002. Each year, the parent's club beautifully decorated the Chi Omega house. It was a nice surprise coming back to our new "home" after Thanksgiving. (Because let's be honest, none of us were completely settled and comfortable as Freshman.)

One decoration stood out to us all: Creepy Caroler. She may not look creepy in the picture, but she becomes creepy when she mysteriously is found in your bed, closet, right outside your door, perhaps even in the shower? Yes, she got around. Thus, she became creepy.

This little joke was only took on by my pledge class, so come graduation time, we couldn't part. We stole Creepy Caroler. Yes, I said it. (I hope this doesn't affect my advisor status.) It came to the Big House in Green Lake.

There were big plans for Creepy Caroler, but unfortunately, she has yet to come back to life. I don't know where she is today, but I hope that one day we will all be reunited.

Rest in peace: Creepy Caroler, 2002-2007

Wish me luck.

Tonight is our office holiday party.

Some of us are going to get together to have a couple bevies beforehand.

I hope I don't end up pulling anything like Elaine.

(but I secretly hope that someone else does!)

Jimbo's Take on the Holidays

Jim is probably my favorite comedian of all time.

Enjoy!

Which present is yours?!

Christmas spirit? Check.
Christmas tree? Check.
Christmas shopping? Check.
Christmas presents wrapped? CHECK!

Now I just have to wait for Christmas Day! (Actually Christmas Eve - It's my favorite)

Dear [insert your name here],

Happy Holidays! Hope they are filled with family, friends and laughter!

Love,
Petes

(so I don't think I'm going to get around to sending Christmas cards, so I thought I would let you all know that you rock through an e-card blog post?... If I was on top of things, I would have ordered these awesome cards from this Etsy shop.)

(I also really like this one from another Etsy shop.)

Baby, it's cold outside

And inside my office.
My apartment.
My car for three-quarters of my 2.5 mile commute.
Inside my shoes. (need thicker socks)
And even inside my Lean Cuisine quesadilla. (note: microwave longer next time...)

AND, if you haven't already heard: Seattle is expecting snow next week! Better prepare myself with more food at my place and a hefty heating bill!

But it all brings me to one of my favorite holiday songs. One of the two versions below. What is your favorite holiday/Christmas song?