Wonderful loooong weekend…

I’m back to work on Monday happy to say that I had a great long Thanksgiving holiday. I got both Thursday and Friday off of work, so this is the longest break I’ve had at home for a very long time.

The time was well spent. Wednesday night E and I baked four pecan pies, two for his family, and two for mine. Thursday we picked up the house and relaxed before the big night. Then we ate and ate and ate, and left my family’s house very full and very happy. (And the pies were a huge hit).

Friday we went to the Gateway Mall, fought the crowds, and I ended up getting some really cute stuff, including a polar bear decoration. Also, we stopped into the Apple store and I enjoyed looking at the newest iPods.

Saturday I woke up early for a day I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time, wedding dress shopping, plus it had snowed overnight! The date worked perfectly because I had family and friends in town for the holiday, and they all joined me. We had great luck, and a bought a beautiful dress! Three of my bridesmaids were also there and picked out their dresses. Then we all went out for a girl’s lunch, and had a great time.

That night we celebrated Ch’s birthday by going out to Chinese food and watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (and had Harry Potter Birthday cake!)

Sunday E and I slept in late, relaxed, make two pots of tea, relaxed some more and finally set up the Christmas tree. Our house looks magical with all the old toys and red and green decorations displayed.

All in all, it was a great weekend.

Top 10 things to love about the holidays

10. Christmas Music- I am a total sucker for Christmas music. Once Thanksgiving comes and goes, I’m in Christmas music heaven. I love The Carpenters, Neil Diamond and many others. I can’t wait to start singing along once again!

9. Fondue- Every year on New Years Eve we have a huge fondue dinner with my family. Crunchy bread, broccoli, and bell peppers all dipped into a cheesy goodness makes for a great night.

8. Setting up the Christmas tree- the day after Thanksgiving I love to get out all my Christmas stuff, including the tree. I love to do the lights (I know, I’m crazy) and I love to look through all my ornaments looking for my favorites. My cats seem to think it’s a good way to spend an afternoon too.

7. Christmas Breakfast- Each year on Christmas morning we have this hash brown casserole thing that I refer to at “Christmas breakfast.” It includes hash browns in a sour cream white sauce with ham and baked eggs on top. It always tastes wonderful.

6. Snow! I love the first snow fall of the season, and it always gets me in the mood for the holidays. I love being in the warm house when big fat flakes are falling outside, and I also love being outside. Sledding, skiing, snowshoeing or just romping around in fresh powder is magical.

5. Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce- I love Thanksgiving. I love that I can eat as much as I want, I love all the different types of food, I love being first with E’s family, then with mine (and the double dinner!) and I love that Thanksgiving kicks of the holiday season for me.

4. Presents- I love that Christmas time is the time for giving. I have fun planning my gifts and making sure I have just the right thing for everyone I love. I also like being in the stores around Christmas time, there is such excitement in the air. And wrapping all the presents I’ve purchased and putting them under the tree can’t be missed. (And I love opening my presents on Christmas morning!)

3. Luminary Walk- my grandparents started a new tradition a few years ago where we walk to a local cemetery that lights thousands of luminaries right before Christmas. We bundle up, get our flashlights, and set off. The cemetery is so beautiful! When we return we eat a big bowl of chili.

2. Christmas Eve- My second favorite thing about the season has to be the Christmas Eve party my grandparents throw each year. All the excitement for the next day is building, the food is spectacular, and it’s so fun to dress up! Everyone is so happy to be together, and we all have a wonderful time.

1. Family- The thing I love most about the holidays is that is about family. It means so much to me being with the people I love that all the other stuff is just an add on. Being with my fiancé, parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles makes me truly thankful for the season.

Dorky questions

Girliegirl and I got bored at work, so we decided to ask each other random questions that you sometimes see in cheesy celebrity interviews. Only my answer's are posted, for Girliegirl's check out here blog!

Question:
mustard or mayo?
Hot hot JJ says:
mustard!
Question:
Fave tv show as a kid?
Hot hot JJ says:
full house.
Question:
favorite grade?
Hot hot JJ says:
2nd
Question:
what would you do if you had found $15, what would you spend it on?
Hot hot JJ says:
sushi!
Question:
describe your dream vacation
Hot hot JJ says:
exploring a place that is so beautiful it takes my breath away. being able to breath deep and enjoy every moment, and eat wonderful foods I've never tried. I don't have a particular type of place, because I’d love to see islands and beaches, cities, cultures, mountains, forests. Everything.
Question:
Would you rather be a stay at home mom, or have your husband be a stay at home dad? And you had to choose.
Hot hot JJ says:
hmmm. if I HAD to, maybe I’d stay at home. but I’d prefer to work part time and be home part time
Question:
what is your favorite thing about thanksgiving?
Hot hot JJ says:
The food! I love that I can eat as much as I want and not feel guilty. I also love turkey with cranberry sauce
Quesion:
fave Christmas present ever?
Hot hot JJ says:
American girl doll Addy.
Question:
What would you do if you had two months to yourself? No work/ family/ bf?
Hot hot JJ says:
Oooh!! I’d travel and learn. I'd want to learn language, cooking, and culture. I'd sleep in and stay up late, I’d explore places, and sometimes take naps!
Question:
Your fave outfit (that you own, or might want to buy) that you think makes you look super sexy, and confident and hot
Hot hot JJ says:
This really pretty pink silk skirt, my black high heal sandals and a quarter length black sweater. (and of course, my hair looking good)
Question:
favorite childhood game?
Hot hot JJ says:
I loved lost girls -- we'd pretend that our parents die, and we were forced to live with our evil aunt (or something) and we'd run away and have to take care of ourselves
Question:
your favorite summer activity?
Hot hot JJ says:
as a kid I loved the swimming pool, but now i love weekend getaways to the farmhouse or cabin

Thats all!

And the sorting hat says...

Gryffindor!

Okay, I'm a total Harry Potter nut, and love the books. I finished the sixth book again today, and loved it the second time around.

Finally, someone found a decent Sorting Hat quiz online. There are 112 questions. Test yourself, and see where you'll be sorted.

Good luck!

Oh, and my trip to Colorado was good, but I'm glad to be home.