Hallelujah!

Humorous Humbuggery

Much has changed since last year. Don we no longer winter apparel. Instead, Adam had on shorts and sandals on December one. This seems wrong to me. Both of us really miss the Cleveland snowfalls and *shock* the chill of winter. Though I think it has more to do with the ideal of Christmas. Songs like Frosty the Snowman, Let it Snow, and Dashing Through the ...SNOW. As a kid I earnestly prayed for a white Christmas every year. I remember hoping with all my heart to wake up at grandma's, look outside and see snow. Even a few measly flakes felt like a Christmas Miracle tantamount to George Bailey realizing he wants to live. So when it's 70 degrees, sunny and desert-scape out my window...it makes me a bit dejected. But it may also have something to do with our tree this year:

Not so hot compared with last year's nugget of festive cheer:

Or the year before that:

Okay...so MAYBE we haven't decided if that crazy hook and wire thingy and festive potholder will be the extent of our holiday decor. Who knows? I might get all inspired and put some ornaments on it. That would be terrific!

Makin' a List

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both
2. Real tree or Artificial? real tree
3. When do you put up the tree? usually right after thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? first week of january
5. Do you like eggnog? yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? aunt marcia put a note in all the kids stocking saying she would take all of us (cousins) to see Beauty and the Beast
7. Hardest person to buy for? my father-in-law or sister
8. Easiest person to buy for? my dad
9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Whatever I got from Mollie last year
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? toss up between White Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? sometimes november...sometimes much later
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? ummm...no
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? persimmon pudding and christmas cookies
16. Lights on the tree? YES white or colorful
17. Favorite Christmas song? Carpenter's Christmas Collection is one of my favorites but I like all the classic Christmas songs and usually none of the new remakes
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? TRAVEL
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and... (YES!)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? either
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? both
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? being in Phoenix
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? vintage...hallmark...tacky...homespun...i love 'em all
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? mashed taters
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a blank check
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? those who like to answer questions
27. Will you bake any cookies? GINGERBREAD AND MANY MORE!!!!!

Doggone it!

Mollie cocked her head eight times as if to say, "What the heck???"----of course what dog wouldn't be confused if they heard their person's voice emanating from the laptop, "Help! Mollie! I'm trapped in the computer!!!!" All said in high-pitched puppy langage of course. Hehehe. That's why they call me BK. This picture is from two years ago. (eeek...how time flies!) Mollie is so embarrassed. Mortified really. She loves presents. So does Zeek. Especially shiny pink ones. This is Zeek:

Don't let that innocent face fool you...he steals presents and bread sticks. Kind of like the Grinch but less grouchy. In fact, I don't think he is ever grumpy. Unless you try to catch him when he escapes---then he bites. But not if you bring him a "cookie". So I guess you could say he's more like the cookie monster. This is Dash:

He likes to eat babies. Not really. But he was quite intrigued by this little gal. So there you have it. The dogs in my life. And I can't wait to come home and see them all! :-)

Good Morning AZ!

Happy Holidays! A few of us from the Phoenix Symphony Chorus and Phoenix Girl's Choir met up this morning to sing for Good Morning AZ. We sang "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" and "We Need A Little Christmas"---fun! Though it is difficult to feel Christmas-y when it is 70 degrees and sunny. Poor Phoenix! So beautiful and sunny all the time. Just terrible! Reminds me of this bit by Triumph. Oh and if you want to hear our little gig just click.

Performance Week