Naughty Gingerbread

“Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!” ― Francis P. Church

 

Trevor's tradition of a new ornament every year was his naughty Gingerbread Man that he got on the post-Christmas clearance rack at Hot Topic.  There's a reason it was on the clearance rack!  Alas, Trevor is a prankster.  

Christmas 2018

“The nutcracker sits under the holiday tree, a guardian of childhood stories. Feed him walnuts and he will crack open a tale...” ― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Trevor and I had been living in Salem, Oregon, although this picture was taken at a friend's house in Keizer, Oregon.  Their names are Danny and Tanya.  

They were very kind people we met during the toxic water crisis coming from Detroit Lake that was in our drinking water.  Danny and Tanya gave us water and we became instant friends.

I always love going to Danny and Tanya's home.  They have 3 awesome kids and Danny is actually from southern California and also Polynesian.  So, he can relate to me from California and Trevor from the Islands.

Their tree smelled delicious.

Christmas in California

“Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today's Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.” ― Gladys Bagg Taber

 My sister, Jeri, decorates and feeds the family every year for the year-end holidays.  Here are a couple pictures she sent me while I was in Oregon.

Christmas Survey 2018

“Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. ” ― W.J. Cameron

☕1- Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate.
🎁 2- Does/Did Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped
🏡 3- Colored lights on tree/house or white? White.
💋 4- Do you hang mistletoe? Yes
🎄5- When do you hang your decorations up? Whenever I feel like
🥗 6- What’s your favorite holiday dish *including dessert? Tamales, pumpkin pie, and pretty much any cookies
🎅 7- Favorite holiday memory as a child? When family would visit or wed visit family. The food.
⛄ 8- What is on your Christmas wishlist this year? More presence, less presents.
🎀 9- Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Nope.
🎄 10- How do you decorate your Christmas tree? How ever the way I want.
❄️ 11- Snow. Love it or dread it? Unsure, yet. This is my first year in a snowy place.
💝 12- Do you remember your favorite gift? No
❤️ 13- What’s the most important thing about Christmas to you? Making memories.
🍭 14- What’s you favorite holiday candy? Mint chocolates.
🌲 15- What is your favorite tradition? Used to take my kids to look at lights when they were little.
👼 16- What tops your tree? Star
🎁 17- Do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving
🎶 18- What is your favorite Christmas song? I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
🍥19- Candy Canes, yuck or yum? Only the peppermint kind
🎥 20- Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Carol
🍪 21- What do/did you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk
🎅 22- Do you have a Christmas morning tradition? No
👜 23- Do you prefer to shop online or at the mall? Whatever. I hate shopping anyway.
💌 24- Christmas letter or card? Card

Tiny Tree

“Christmas works like glue, it keeps us all sticking together.” ― Rosie Thomas, Iris & Ruby

It's still only November, but I really wanted to put my tiny tree up.  We won't have a large tree this year due to the set-up of my living room.  I just couldn't wait for December to deck my home.  It fit, perfectly, on our bookshelf.  I even put little decorations in front of Trevor's daughters' pictures.  

It sure is quaint and cute.  I still have to think of a theme we will go with for future Christmases.  

I want to be an old lady who everyone remembers for decorating.  I always admired my Great-Aunt Betty Arcala's silly ensembles (her fur coat and sequined berets) at Christmas.  I always looked forward to seeing her and my Great-Uncle Tony Arcala for the holidays.