Countdown to Christmas: 1 day

Today's Christmas photo

The classic floating head pic.

Today's Christmas memory

When I was in first grade, my teacher Mrs. Gribble gave all of us a 'Good Choice Coupon' for Christmas.

Good Choice Coupons were usually something you earned sporadically for displaying extra good behaviour in the classroom. But as a Christmas gift, Mrs. Gribble gave one to each of her students for free! Then came the real kicker. She told us, "If you save your Good Choice Coupon until next Christmas—exactly one year from now—you will get to ride on Santa's sleigh."

Hanging on to that tiny square of construction paper wasn't easy. The whole appeal of a Good Choice Coupon was getting to trade it in for candy or some other treat. But I resisted. That was my ticket to the big man himself. The King of Christmas. The Prince of Presents. The Earl of Yule. The one and only, Santa Claus.

The sleigh ride voucher burned a whole in my pencil box for an entire year. I'd peek inside and see it resting—waiting—among my coloured pencils, erasers and speckled sheets of ring hole reinforcers.

I ended up being in Mrs. Gribble's class for second grade too. Bet she didn't see that one coming! A couple weeks before Christmas I received a letter in my cubby. I still have the letter, but it's tucked away in some half-finished scrapbook in Kenmore at the moment. Anyway, it went something like this:

Dear Margaret, 

I hear that you still have your Good Choice Coupon from last Christmas! Unfortunately, I won't be able to get you a ride on Santa's sleigh this year. But instead, you can choose from the following:

• You and a friend join me and Mr. Gribble for a trip to the movie theatre to see 'Miracle on 34th Street'.

• You and a friend come over to my house for Christmas cookies and to watch a Christmas film.

• Choice #3 that I don't remember.

• Choice #4 that I don't remember.

• Choice #5 that I don't remember.

Love, 
Mrs. Gribble

P.S. Do you know if any other kids still have their Good Choice Coupon?

Needless to say, I chose the second option. I've always been nosy, and the chance to go inside my favourite teacher's house and see her in her natural habitat was beyond exciting. BEYOND. I wrote back that I'd like to choose Option #2 and to take my friend Keelyn. I also reassured her that I was the only kid that had held on to her coupon for the whole year.

The big day came and my mom drove us to her house. It was so much fun, and I don't remember being nervous at all, even though it was such a huge deal.

Today's Christmas gift idea

What!? It's Christmas Eve and you still don't have a gift! OK, don't panic. Here's what you do. Take a tin of beans from the pantry and peel off the label. Glue some printer paper around the can and decorate it with coloured marker, glitter, stickers or whatever else you can find (Bandaids, if you're desperate). Voilà! You have a homemade pencil holder.

Feliz natal,

Margaret

P.S. Bonus video!

Countdown to Christmas: 2 days

Today's Christmas photo

This is it. This is the Christmas card photo that got the green light.
It made it to print and was sent out to friends and relatives near and far.
Hindsight is 20/20, and I think we can all agree that the Buick snap should have taken home the top prize.
But at least you get a better view of Francie's fleece headband in this one.

Today's Christmas memory

A few years ago Andy spent Christmas in Kenmore. My mom got us all tickets to see 'A Christmas Carol' (human version, not muppet) at the Act Theatre in Seattle. The performance was done 'in the round', which added to the play's suspense because you never knew where the actors were going to pop out.

It was Act 1—the scene where the ghost of Jacob Marley appears to Scrooge (or maybe it's just an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato...). In a bit of a twist, they had Marley jump out from under the covers just as Scrooge was about to get in bed. Scrooge was startled (as is scripted). But nobody was more taken aback than my mother, who screamed from the depths of her lungs, a deep, guttural "OHHHHH!!

Her groan of fear reminded me of when she did the exact same thing back in 1999. The two of us were at the cinema watching 'The Sixth Sense'. I forget which part of the film made her scream. But I do remember that after her howl, she said very loudly, "Ouch! I bit my hand"

She'd tried to clasp her hand over her screaming mouth, and had somehow bitten herself in the process. Everyone around us chuckled. Even though they were strangers and it was pitch black, I was 13 years old and soooooo embarrassed.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Satsumas. Let's be honest. It's Christmas Eve Eve and you ain't making no chaotic, last-minute dash to the mall. You certainly aren't ordering anything on Amazon. Not at this hour!

You can do better next year. Now it's time to throw in the towel and wrap up a few satsumas. If the recipient complains that it's not a good enough present, remind them of how lots of people don't get any presents on Christmas and tell them not to look a gift satsuma in the mouth.

Happy Eve Eve!!!

Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 3 days

Today's Christmas photo

Max and I taking the rope tow up to the top of the slope. Who needs skiing when you can inner tube instead?

Today's Christmas memory

OK, I'm running out of memories, so here's a video instead. This is from Christmas 2010.



Today's Christmas gift idea
Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree! The best Christmas book of all time. OK, it's tied with The Polar Express. Rich Kay read this aloud to us every Christmas Eve. Papa Bear up his usual tricks, as always. And it has a brilliant twist ending!

 ---> US Shoppers

 ---> UK Shoppers

Joyeux Noël,
Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 4 days

Today's Christmas photo

Max as Father Time and me as...Baby New Year? Is that a thing?

Today's Christmas memory

When I was in junior high my mom got herself, Char, Francie and I this great gig working on the Snow Train that ran from Seattle to Leavenworth, which, for all you non-Washingtonians, is a faux Bavarian town on the other side of the mountains.

It was the best deal ever. All we had to do was hand paper cups of hot cocoa and a box lunch to the passengers during the 1.5 hour journey. Maybe we led some carols. I don't really remember. I do remember it being really easy.

Then we would arrive in snowy Leavenworth, all lit up with twinkly lights and smelling of sizzling bratwurst. We'd walk around the neighbourhoods and wonder what it would be like to live there. Leavenworth's awesome at Christmas, but tacky and forgotten the rest of the year.

On the train ride back we didn't have to do anything at all. For a day's work, we would each earn 100 big bones. I don't think I was technically old enough to be working. Was the whole thing done under the table? Hmmm.

I remember thinking, "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this! I should be paying them!" 

Now, although I look back on it fondly, I know I deserved my pay. That's just part of getting older—you realise that, even if you enjoy what you do, you don't work for free. It's called self-worth. And rent. And food. And a Yankee candle addiction.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Metal spider head scratcher! For the ultimate scalp sensation. Remember when I went and bought one mid blog post?

Andy and I apply the scratcher to each other while we watch TV and it never gets old. The other day I saw Khloe Kardashian using one on an episode of Kourtney and Khloe Take the Hamptons, so you know it must be good.

 ---> US shoppers

 ---> UK shoppers


Nollaig Shona Duit,

Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 5 days

Today's Christmas photo

Oh yeah. Chosen to be on the top of the pyramid. #Skinny

Today's Christmas memory

I remember this moment well because I videotaped it with our camcorder and have watched it many times since. Allow me to set the scene for you.

My dad: Carrying a ginormous Christmas tree up the stairs, working with my someone (Max, I think) to get it to stand straight, getting down his hands and knees and attempting to twist the screws of the tree stand into the trunk, grunting and breathing loudly.
My mom: Blaring Raffi's Christmas album through the big speakers. Popping popcorn to make popcorn/cranberry garlands later. Basking in the festive spirit.
My dad: With the speaker right next to his ear, "Can somebody please turn that music down?"
My mom: Continues to monitor the popcorn, unable to hear his plea.
My dad: Can someone turn off the music?
My mom: Humming along with Raffi as he sings "On Christmas morning, I'll wake up bright and early..."
My dad: NINA! TURN OFF THE MUSIC!

Me: Filming and laughing under my breath.

Next time I go back to Kenmore, I'll hunt down the footage and post it on the blog. Maybe next Christmas.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Astronaut ice cream! It's the perfect stocking stuffer. More than just a gift—an experience! Let's face it, if Lance Bass can't fulfil his dream to go to space, than none of us stand a chance. This is as close as you'll get to space travel. Savour every last bite.

 ----> US shoppers

  ----> UK shoppers



Wesołych Świąt,
Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 6 days

Today's Christmas photo

I think this might be the Santa that turned out to be a child molester, but I'm not sure.
Wow. According to this article, the bad Santa was named Ronald McDonald!!! Chilling. 

Today's Christmas memory

Last year on Christmas Eve Andy ate so much biryani that he lost consciousness for a bit. I asked him 'What's the best present Santa ever got you?'. He responded with a meandering string of unrelated words, eventually fading to silence as his bloated eyes stared straight past me. The guy was in pain. That was the first time I'd ever seen someone eat so much that their brain stopped working.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Yankee Christmas Cookie Candle. You have to smell it to believe it. Seriously, I get compliments from everyone (Char) who comes over to the flat. Don't believe me? Look how happy it makes me.

---> US shoppers

---> UK shoppers


Gleðileg jól,
Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 7 days

Today's Christmas photo(s)

Today's Christmas memory*

We went through a stage of buying the ugliest Christmas tree we could find. One year, "ugliest" translated to "most dead". Predictably, all the needles fell off and we were left with nothing but a web of sticks. I removed all the lights and my mom drove to Yakima Fruit Market to get a replacement.

*OK, this is the one time that the photo will relate to the memory. Don't get used to it.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Love it, love it, love it. Absolutely gotta have it. Vitabath. The best-smelling bubble bath since sliced bread (which isn't even bubble bath). Could there be a better stocking stuffer? NO. There couldn't be.


---> UK shoppers

---> US shoppers


圣诞节快乐,
Margaret

P.S. Google translate it.

Countdown to Christmas: 8 days

Today's Christmas photo

A contender for our family Christmas photo one year. Needless to say, it didn't make it past the cutting room floor.

Today's Christmas memory

I vividly remember lying in a sleeping bag next to the rest of my siblings on the floor of my parents' bedroom on Christmas Eve. Anna and Max told me that if I really really really wished for what I wanted, Santa would bring it. So, the whole night (or for the two minutes it took to fall asleep), I wished as hard as I could for one of those horse heads with the stick body. You know the ones...Googling it now...a hobby horse, that's it!

Lo and behold, the next morning a beautiful ebony-coated mare was waiting for me under the tree. I named her 'Black Beauty', because, duh.

I think this story prove that, unless the hobby horse idea was somehow planted in my head, Santa really is real.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Taylor Swift's new album. Let this one be a treat for yourself. Every song is good. Read my review for further information.

 ---> US shoppers

---> UK shoppers

Mele Kalikimaka,
Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 9 days

Today's Christmas photo

Anna, Margaret, Francie in 1991, maybe.
Is it just me, or do we never get snow like this anymore? 

Today's Christmas memory

One year, when I was about 12, my Mom suggested we give up presents and donate our gifts to a needy family instead. We all begrudgingly agreed—except Anna, who was livid at the mere suggestion. She was so unyielding in her opposition, that my Mom eventually caved and decided that we would do both—give presents to a disadvantaged family and continue to get presents ourselves. To this day, Anna won't let us forget about the year she "saved Christmas". We owe her.

Today's Christmas gift idea

Hilarious 'muffin top' baking cups (for the person who has everything). Is it bad that I laughed pretty hard at these? Note: if you do buy these for someone, make sure they don't actually have a serious muffin-top situation going on. They could take it the wrong way.

   <--- US shoppers

   < --- UK shoppers

Feliz navidad,

Margaret

Countdown to Christmas: 10 days

Andy and I are spending Christmas in Italy this year. You know what that means: pizza all day, every day. It also means I won't have reliable Internet. Sorry, Italian hotels, but I don't trust you (at least not the ones in our budget).

So, thinking ahead like the responsible adult I am, I decided to schedule my blog posts in advance. Starting today, I'll be sharing a Christmas photo, memory and gift idea as I count down the days until December 25th.

Remember, your present for me can be clicking through the Amazon ads and spending the big bucks. Don't forget to buy yourself a treat too. Something real nice.

Today's Christmas photo

Christmas 1986.
Very difficult to tell Char and Francie apart in this one. C in the middle, F on the right? I think that's it. 

Today's Christmas memory*

It was my family's annual Christmas party and all evening my cousin Willem (about 11 at the time) had been planning to serenade the guests with Raffi's 'Douglas Mountain'. He got up on "stage", made it halfway through and then the nerves got to him. He ran off down the hall after the first verse and hid in my parents' bedroom. As a choir girl myself, I really felt for him. Singing in front of people is incredibly nerve-wracking. But good on him for giving it a go!

*The Christmas memory will not relate to the photo. I'm good, but I'm not that good. 

Today's gift idea 

Smartwool socks! The best sock known to man (and woman). The wool is super warm, but also thin and breathable. They hug your feet like it's the long-lost sibling they never knew they had. Absolute perfection.

 < --- US shoppers

 < --- UK shoppers

Now bring me some figgy pudding,
Margaret

That's a wrap!

Tonight was present-wrapping night in the Kay/Williamson household. It started off great. We had everything we needed—Christmas tunes on Spotify, two pairs of scissors, four rolls of tape and two types of wrapping paper to keep things interesting.

But as I got wrapping, my enthusiasm began to wane. I need to start doing yoga again because, wow, who knew wrapping presents could be such a workout?

I tried sitting cross-legged on the floor. Uncomfortable.

I tried kneeling. Ouch my knees.

I tried sitting on the couch and bending down to wrap the present as it rested on the floor. Not that flexible.

I tried bringing the present up to my lap and wrapping it there. Bad wrap job; lots of wrinkles.

But I persevered and in the end, I did it. All the presents cheerfully concealed with colourful paper. That's a wrap!

Christmas smize.

In other news

• 'Heroes' actress and dolphin fan Hayden Panettiere and her ginormous fiancé had a baby. 

• The final episode of season one of 'Serial' airs this Thursday. If you haven't jumped on the Serial bandwagon yet, you have four days to catch up. Better start binge-listening now.

• In case you missed it, North Korea hacked Sony's emails, and we now know lots of juicy stuff about Hollywood's biggest stars, including:

• Angelina Jolie is a "minimally talented spoiled brat" (I actually could have guessed that one).

• Jennifer Lawrence got paid 7% of the profits of 'American Hustle', when co-stars Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale each got paid 9%. You could argue that BC and CB had larger parts than her, but you could also blame Sexism. I'm not sure what the reasoning was, but what I will say is that she made that movie.

• Matthew Knowles, Beyonce's dad, approached Sony about making a Destiny's Child film. Um, why didn't this get the green-light? Sounds like box office gold to me. 

• Woah—breaking. As I typed this (probably not), Kourtney Kardashian just gave birth to her son. On today of all days! December 14th! What's the significance, you ask? Today is already her son Mason's birthday. The brothers will have to share a birthday now. It's OK though. Char and Francie did it their whole life, and they turned out alright. 

• Martin Freeman starred as Bilbo Baggins in a Middle Earth/The Office mash-up for SNL last night. The concept was funnier than the result. But it's a thing that the Internet is talking about today. 

The end. 

Margaret

My clog scroll

I was going to title this post 'My bucket list', because that's what it's going to feature.

But then I thought: Hmm....'bucket list' is so overdone. Maybe it's time to coin a new term that means 'things I want to do before I die'.

This led me to the brilliant Wikipedia page 'List of expressions related to death'. Among my favourite on the list are:

• To ride the pale horse

• To shuffle off this mortal coil

• To hop the twig

• To snuff it

• To pop one's clogs

So I've decided to call my bucket list my 'clog scroll' instead—just to mix things up a bit. 

Not to be earthy, but isn't it amazing that fruit just grows on trees? Wait, is coconut a fruit?
I just Googled it and it's a "fibrous one-seeded drupe".
Image by Alex via Flickr

My clog scroll

Before I die, I would like to:

• Fry an egg on the sidewalk.

• Do that prank where you put someone's hand in warm water so they pee the bed. 

• Shimmy up a palm tree. Grab a coconut. Shimmy back down. Crack the coconut on a rock. Hold one half up to my mouth. Pour the sweet juices down my gullet. 

• Go dogsledding. 

• Float around in one of those zero-gravity simulators. 

• Brew and bottle my own root beer. 

• Do this with Andy:

• Write a book. 

• Get hypnotherapy. 

• Own a juicer. 

• Score the winning goal in the World Cup and/or win a Nobel Prize.

Cheers, 

Margaret