Hello, friends!  I’ve been away from my computer for most of the week, and I’ve been missing you all!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of great family time and excellent food.  John and I spent some time volunteering  at a community dinner yesterday morning.  Actually, John spent several hours while I only went for about an hour before I had to come home to start cooking.  Even though I only helped for a short time, it was really great to be a part of giving back and humbling to realize the struggles that our neighbors go through.  It definitely makes me all the more thankful for my blessings.

I cooked a small Thanksgiving dinner for the two of us, and we both stuffed ourselves silly.  I took the day off from pictures, but I can tell you that this wonderful creation made a return appearance.

I told John that if I’m ever able to pick my last meal, this sweet potato casserole will be a part of it!  We capped off our evening with our Thanksgiving movie tradition.  We saw Red Dawn, and, while not cinematic brilliance, it was still a movie worth seeing if for no other reason than it has Chris Hemsworth in it.  Yes, he is on my list.  Wow.

Today is a very special day.  The day after Thanksgiving officially marks the start of the most wonderful time of the year!  I am a Christmas fanatic.  I love everything about the season, and I plan on spending the weekend blaring Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and decorating from top to bottom.  Earlier this week, Meghan tagged me for a fun Christmas survey, and I immediately knew it would be a great way to kick off the Christmas extravaganza that this blog will become for the next month!  I promise to try not to go to crazy .

1. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
This one is easy.  Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by James Taylor.  I love all versions of the song, but his is my favorite!

2. Have you ever gone shopping on Black Friday?
I covered this earlier in the week, but to reiterate:  No, never, nada, not gonna happen!

3. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
Christmas Vacation!  My dad has a thing about the Vacation movies, and I think I’ve inherited it!

(source)

4. Who’s your favorite person to shop for on your list?
I don’t think I have a favorite.  I love to shop for other people, and I spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to come up with the perfect gifts for everyone.

5. Who’s your least favorite person to shop for?
My step-dad, hands down.  He is the hardest person to shop for!  It’s not just me-even my mom will tell you it’s not an easy task!

6. What’s the most memorable Christmas gift you have ever received?

I think this is definitely the most memorable.

John proposed Christmas morning 2008.

7. Where’s your favorite place to go Christmas shopping?
My computer!  For the last several years, I’ve done about 90% of my Christmas shopping online.  It’s the way to go!

8. What was one of your favorite Christmas memories?
There are so many, but some of my favorite times to look back on is decorating the tree.  My mom always made it a huge deal.  We did it the same time every year, and it was always done as a family.  We’d either have a Christmas movie playing or a Hallmark movie would be showing that night.  It’s a tradition that my sister and I counted on, and, as an adult, having those traditions are so important to me.

9. Who’s your favorite Christmas shopping buddy?
Well, if I have to shop, I must have my mom and/or my sister with me.  I really don’t know how to shop without them!

10. Do you decorate for the holidays and put up a tree? When do you normally do it?
Of course!  It is always done the weekend after Thanksgiving so that’s what I’ll be doing all day tomorrow!

11. And fine, just one food-related question.  What’s your favorite Christmas dessert?
4-Layer Dessert.  I dream about it all year!

You know the drill. Tell me some of your answers!