My Favorite Things: Christmas Edition

Each year, Oprah has an AWESOME episode in which she lists her favorite things for the year, and people in the audience get all the stuff she talks about. This post won't be that awesome, and I won't be giving everyone the stuff I'm talking about...but I would recommend you incorporate some of this stuff into your week this week as you get ready for Christmas.

I am VERY excited for Christmas. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very chilly in AZ (it's in the 70s during the day), so we have to do things to help make it feel cozy and Christmassy! Some are things I've grown up with my whole life, some are new additions to the Christmas line-up.

Christmas-Scents - I have been doing everything I can to make our house smell like "Christmas". I have a few Cinnamon Spice candles I have been burning, but I have a new concoction that my mom showed me. You put water, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, and oranges in a pot on the stove, and let it simmer on the stovetop. This was the toned-down version, that she showed me how to make, with stuff I already had, but the real deal uses apple juice instead of water, and also uses apples, cloves, and pine as all. I'm planning to pick up some of that in the next few days so the house can smell even yummier.

Christmas Movies - If there is a Christmas movie on TV, I HAVE to watch it. There is nothing better than watching a Christmas movie with come hot chocolate and cookies! This year I've watched a lot of no name movies (that I have never seen before) and classics like Home Alone. The movie I haven't watched yet, but I will not allow Christmas to come and go without seeing it is Elf. So that is on my to do list this week!

Hot Chocolate - This is a Christmas must-have. We always had hot chocolate as kids, after playing in the snow. We'd sip some hot chocolate and dip a candy cane in it - we'd even add whipped cream on a really good day! Ronnie's mom has spiced up the tradition as she made us home made chocolate goodness to make our hot chocolate out of. You can find the recipe here. It tastes like heaven in a mug...I can't get enough.

Family Time - This is a bit of a no brainer, but family in town makes it start to feel like the holidays. With my mom in town already, and my dad getting here in Wednesday (I CAN'T WAIT) it really feels like Christmas is close. I love having my folks in town and spending time together as a family. I can't wait for Wednesday when the whole family is finally together, and we're kicking things off with a family dinner.

Cookies - Ahhh Christmas cookies. What is Christmas without cookies? This year I made me favorite Christmas cookies for the first time. These cookies always show up at cookie exchanges and holiday parties, but I've never made them myself. This weekend, with my momma, I made them, and they were just as good as I remember. "What cookies??" you ask. Peanut Blossom cookies. These are the ones we made!

Christmas Music - I love me some Christmas music. I of course like the classics, but I have one all time favorite, and that is Amy Grant's Christmas album. As long as I remember, Amy Grant was the soundtrack to my family's Christmas's and I associate such feelings of warmth and joy with her songs. If you don't own Amy Grant's Christmas album, I recommend you buy it!

Ugly Christmas Sweaters - I'm sure many of you have heard of ugly sweater parties. I was reminded of their goodness this weekend at our neighbor's ugly sweater party. But what I really was reminded of, is the awesomeness of tacky Christmas sweaters. The sweatshirt I bought for the party I'd actually consider wearing again this week!

Well that's it! I hope this week brings a lot of excitement, joy, and Christmas spirit! It is truly the most wonderful time of the year. What are some of your favorite things that you'll be incorporating into your week as you gear up for the big day?

My Top Ten Favorite Things to Drink

While I was thinking of a topic for a Top Ten Tuesday, I became very thirsty.

A star was born...

10. Red Stripe- I probably average 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks a month. It will generally be beer pool side and once in a while some wine with dinner. My beer of choice has been Red Stripe for as long as I can remember. I actually got the chance to take a picture in Jamaica drinking some Red Stripe with the locals.

9. Root Beer- My love for root beer started with my grandma's soda closet. She had this little closet off of her hallway that was always full of root beer (either Dad's or A&W) and Coke. I ALWAYS chose the root beer.

8. Muscle Milk Shake- By far the most tasty protein powder on the market. I generally blend it with milk, peanut butter, banana, oatmeal, yogurt and ice. It definitely tastes best after a hard workout at the gym.

7. Mountain Dew- I'll usually order this at dinner if I'm feeling a little low on energy. I'm not a big soda drinker, but when I'm eating out, this one is usually available for my drinkage. Code Red Mountain Dew isn't bad either, but I must say, it can't beat the original.

6. Chocolate Milk- Here's another love that was created during childhood. My mom always had chocolate powder available to stir into the milk to make a tall glass of goodness. I remember as a kid not stirring the chocolate in all of the way so I would get a random "bubble" of dry powder in my mouth. Man that was good!

5. Club Soda- This is my drink of choice the 1 time a year I'm caught at a bar or a club. I just get club soda straight up on ice with a lime. It tastes like a belong, yet I don't act like a moron and I can fool drunk people into thinking I have a VERY strong drink in my hand. It's amazing how easy it is to convince them that it's loaded with vodka even after they taste it.

4. Water- I probably don't drink enough of the good ol' H2O, but when I do, I prefer it right out of the tap. If I'm forced to get bottled water, I'll go with either Smart Water (cause I like the bottle) or Fiji Water (cause it tastes the best).

3. Sunkist- I buy soda from the store for myself about twice a year. Sunkist will get the nod both times. I don't know when the love for orange soda started, but I have to admit that I do love it deeply. My brother and I always fight over which orange soda is the best. What do you guys think? Sunkist or Crush or Other?

2. Powerade- I generally drink Powerade or water throughout the day. Occasionally I'll sneak in #1 if I'm dragging a bit or just have a craving. I go with Powerade over Gatorade only because it's cheaper. I also love their pink lemonade flavor (in fact, I just picked up a case of it two days ago!).

1. Coffee- I look forward to waking up in the morning just so I can have that first cup of coffee. Seriously, if coffee didn't exist, I could see myself laying in bed all day with no motivation in the world. There's just something about that first sip that just gets me every morning. I have literally NEVER turned down coffee no matter what time of the day it's offered. If you're brewing, I'm drinking (and smiling).

My Top Ten Favorite Songs

I think you can learn a lot about a person based on what kind of music they like. I figured for the first installment of Top Ten Tuesday I would reveal my top ten favorite songs ever. Now, I haven't gone through this list in about a year or so, but as soon as I do (and if there are changes) I'll make sure to post an updated top ten. I'll have links from each song title going to a site where you can hear part of the song to jog, or even start, your memory. My favorite songs from 10 to 1:

10. Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) by Mint Condition

9. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice

8. Freek 'n You by Jodeci

7. Hands to Heaven by Breathe

6. To Be With You by Mr. Big

5. Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.

4. All Cried Out by Allure

3. You're My Inspiration by Chicago

2. When I See You Smile by Bad English

And my number one all-time favorite song, with out a doubt is..........

1. Lady in Red by Chris DeBurgh

So now the question is: What does this top ten song list say about me? I'm a little afraid to ask, but I'd love to hear your answers.