Christmas Songs I Like \\ a variety

Hey guys! My last leading-up-to Christmas post, and I'm going to share some Christmas songs that I like. ^___^ I wouldn't say these are all my "favorite" or anything- I just gathered up some nice ones for this post. *winks*

Normally, the "classic" Christmas songs are my favorite. The others don't feel much like Christmas, really. It must be a sentimental thing... the songs I grew up hearing (or pretty much always knew) are the ones I like best. Makes sense. However, there still are new Christmas songs that I like. *smiles*

CLASSICS

Silent Night (Alan Jackson)

Mary Did You Know (Scotty McCreery)

The First Noel (Scotty McCreery)

Oh Come All Ye Faithful (Moriah Peters)

Let it be Christmas (Alan Jackson)

This is kinda one of those "sentimental" songs for me, I guess. *smiles* One I probably grew up hearing, since we have the CD... I'm not sure if it works anymore? ;P The Silent Night one is on the same CD.

CONTEMPORARY

Glorious by For King and Country

Mistletoe (The Christmas Sweater Song) 

by Tenth Avenue North

The First Christmas by Tenth Avenue North

These last two are like, fun Christmas songs. *grins* They're from Tenth Avenue North's Decade the Hall Christmas album, which is Christmas songs themed from 1920's to, pretty much, nowdays. 

Here, watch the preview for it, because it's funny. ;P

I think Mistletoe is supposed to be 2000's, and The First Christmas, the 50's. It's Elvis-style. *winks and laughs*

So yes, some nice Christmas songs. :)

Christmas is only two days away! I'm looking forward to gathering with friends and going to the candlelight service tonight (we're going Christmas Eve Eve this time, *winks*). And I believe we might be opening the gifts we have tomorrow, on Christmas Eve, and just having a family day. On Christmas Day, we'll open stockings, and get together with family. I think we usually do our get-together on Christmas Eve, but I guess we're changing it up this year. Christmas time is coming! ^___^

WHICH OF THESE SONGS DID YOU LIKE BEST (of those you listened to, if any)? WHAT ARE SOME CHRISTMAS SONGS YOU LIKE? WHAT ARE YOUR CHRISTMAS PLANS?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Pistachio Almond Biscotti: Baking Video

Hey, I did another baking video! This one is kinda long... like nearing six minutes. But if someone wants to make some Almond Pistachio Biscotti, that's not too bad to follow along, right? *winks*

If you need any more Christmas treat ideas, you may want to try this out! *smiles* Because Christmas is coming fast! And these would make a nice gift as well... just so any other procrastinators out there know, if you need another gift idea. Last minute. ;D

*This video isn't supposed to have sound (at least not yet), but one part does... mistakes. ;P Just turn your sound off if you watch it. I didn't want to have to fix the problem and upload it to Youtube all over again.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS-Y TREATS?

Christmas Things

Well, Christmas is a little under two weeks away! Pretty close. I have done no Christmas shopping, because... I have no money that should be spent. *stick-out-tongue face* And it sure seems I'm needing money a lot these days. I have two Christmas parties coming up this week (yay!) which both require you to buy a small gift for a game. Plus there's other things I need to buy, pay people back for...

Okay, why am I talking about money? xP This is supposed to be a Christmas post! 

Here we go... Christmas doings in my house this season. ^___^ 

COOKIES

We've made cut-out cookies twice. ^___^

Christmas cookies and treats making day with the friends. *winks* 

THIS DOUGH IS SO GOOD! ^^ Wouldn't you just like to freeze raw cookie dough balls to eat sometime, instead of cooking them? xD Just make an egg-less recipe, just to be safe. *winks and grins*

Our friends made them with us. These are their recipe- cream cheese mint. *heart eyes* They're really good! We keep them in the freezer. ;)

Pistachio thumbprints are also delicious. *winks*

DECORATING

This is our Nativity scene (I dulled the colors in the picture on purpose ;P). 

We bought a Christmas tree for the first time in a long time, as well as some new decorations to add to our meager supply. ;P 

SO PRETTY...

Christmas light bokeh, of course. xP

PHOTOS

Yesterday we finally took our Christmas picture. I put my camera up on my tripod, set it on self-timer, clicked the shutter, and hopped over to my place to pose and paste on my smile. *winks* Family pictures are fun... and we always have a bunch of blooper-ous photos to look through after, to find a decent one. xP  

Okay, I gotta get to the store. I'll end with my one and only (I think) lovely Christmas picture blooper moment. Mousse decided to back out at the wrong moment. LOL.

 Merry Christmas about thirteen days early! xD

DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING A CHRISTMAS PICTURE WHERE EVERYONE LOOKS GOOD? HAVE YOU DONE ANY FESTIVE BAKING YET? 

Photography Dump

These are just a few random pictures... this blog is due for another photography post, isn't it? *smiles*

Just a little Saturday enjoyment for y'all.

 I edited the exposure in this one.

I recently got a new ring! We're probably going to try replace for a smaller size though. :)

I think I edited out some reflectors in this photo.

This might be a nice shot for an engagement picture with a rustic theme... showing off the ring, you know. ;)

WHICH PICTURE IS YOUR FAVORITE? SECOND FAVORITE? *winks*

The Christmas Tag

So I had to do something for my Tuesday post, and I remembered that I was tagged by Hannah S. for The Christmas Tag... perfect solution! *smiles* Especially since, now, we are in the Christmas season. So thank you for tagging me, Hannah!


1. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Well, I really haven't watched that many... one I'd probably like to re-watch this Christmas season is Holiday Inn. :)

2. Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Yes, I've had quite a few. I lived in Minnesota for about five Christmases, and I can almost promise you every one was white. *winks* After all, when you know that spring has come to Minnesota, it's when all the snow starts melting. No big deal there. But now, I think it'd be nice to have a white Christmas again.

3. Where do you usually spend your holiday?

At home, folks. I'll be home for Christmas... See? It's ideal, apparently. *winks*

4. What is your favorite Christmas song?

I couple of my favorites are Mary Did You Know and The First Noel. And these links are Scotty McCreery singing them, of course, because his voice is wonderful. <3 Especially singing those classic Christmas songs (Mary Did You Know probably isn't "classic", but... it still has that Christmas feel. *smiles*).

5. Do you open any Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve?

We have. I guess it depends on the year, and what we decide to do. ;)

6. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? 

Uh, nope. Turns out I couldn't even spell "reindeer". *laughs at myself* At least not on my first try. I just right clicked and found the right spelling instead of figuring it out. ;P 
But, let's see. There's Rudolf, of course... Prancer and Dancer? That right? That's probably all I have. *sticks out tongue*

7. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?

Uhmmm... tradition...? Okay, I must confess, my family doesn't have much in the way of big traditions. It would be kinda cool if we did, but... ;P We have the normal things, like setting our Nativity scene up, hanging stockings, probably reading the Christmas story sometimes during the season...  Oh wait. I guess we usually always make homemade cutout cookies. In fact, the dough for them is in our fridge right now. We might be making them as you read this (this is a scheduled post). *smiles*

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Okay, so we haven't always had a tree. *hears everyone gasp*  Many times it's one hauled from out of the woods. I guess that adds some spice to "our" Christmas. *smiles* But this year, we're planning to buy a "fancy" one. Still a real one though. ;)

9. What is your all-time favorite holiday food\sweet treat?

Cookies are kinda one of the only "Christmas" foods we have. So I guess I'll go with Chocolate 

10. Be honest: Do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

Well... that's kinda hard? If I get a gift for someone that I think they'll really like- that can be so exciting, enjoyable, and satisfying. I like gift-giving. When I have the funds\ creative skills to give a nice one. And receiving gifts is always fun. Depending, it could almost be a tie. IDK.

11. What is the best gift you've ever received? 

For Christmas? I don't really know. I just get nice things, and it's fun. ;)

12. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season? 

A cabin in the mountains, perhaps? *shrugs* That'd be cool.


13. Are you a pro present-wrapper, or do you fail miserably?

I'd say I'm decent, I think. ;P

14. Most memorable holiday moment?

Hm, don't really know? Seems like I kinda remember getting up while it was still dark when I was pretty little, wanting to open stockings. Kind of a warm feeling. ;)

15. What made you realize the truth about Santa?

Never believed in him, far as I know. ;P

16. Do you make New Year's resolutions? Do you stick to them?

Um, I kinda have. And I don't believe I did too well. xP

17. What makes the holiday special for you?

Well, maybe the traditional songs, family all around, twinkling lights, opening the gifts... joy? Maybe it's the feeling, and the happiness. :)


I TAG: 

Daminika @ Walking in the Sonshine, Dancing in the Rain

Shantelle @ Between the Pages of this Bookish Life

Julia @ The Barefoot Gal

November 2017

We are officially on the very last month of 2017. We are almost on the verge of entering a new year... again. 

But first there's Christmas! 

And my monthly highlights post for November. *winks* It was a good month. I did crazy things. We was a nice Thanksgiving. Lovely things happened.

Read all about it, folks! *smiles*



WHAT HAPPENED \\


\\ Babysitting for six cousins overnight. Well, the oldest is 14, I think, so he probably doesn't really need to be "babysat". ;P Anyhow, their little sister was at the hospital, so my sister and I went and stayed there. It was the first time I'd stayed the night somewhere, where I was the oldest. ;)

\\ A trip to the "big city". My sister and I got our country-girl boots. *grins* I think I've worn them the most so far, though.

The boots I'm holding are the ones we got. ^^

\\ My sister and I went with some family friends to a Jonny Diaz concert. ^___^

\\ My grandparents came to visit, and stayed at our house.

\\ Thanksgiving happened! It was a nice day of people and good food. *winks*

THE CRAZY \\

\\ We bought a horse the day before Thanksgiving. And rode him Thanksgiving morning- what a great way to start the holiday. =D He's been having a very hard time listening to us when we ride him, though. Like, tell him to go this way, and he goes the other... *sigh* If we don't figure out how to make him listen, it might not be worth it to keep him. *sad face*

\\ I GOT MY LICENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, it's been a while since I've mentioned the whole learning to drive thing, but who wants to talk about it when you're taking forever? ;P It was stressful at times, guys. Once I gave some rather bad advice to some younger siblings, something like, "Never get your driver's permit". Haha...ha. Do get your driver's permit, just get your hours and everything done a little faster than me. *winks*
So yea. I got my license maybe four-ish days ago. I had gotten all my hours awhile ago, but I didn't take my test for so long because our car's horn didn't work, and you have to demonstrate that on the test... and people took forever replacing it. Plus I probably needed more practice with parallel parking and such. Anyhow, we finally scheduled the drive, and I took the test on the 17th. Annnd, I failed. *cough* Because on the 3-point turn, I backed into the wrong lane, so don't do that, k? I think if I'd done that right, I would've passed.
But on the second time, I passed. *huge grin* FIINNALLLLY! <33 I'm done now.

\\ I went for my very first job interview!! At Chick-fil-A. I was nervous, but I did manage to get out of the vehicle and walk into the building. ;) And it was okay. Oh, and they scheduled me for another interview, which I went to a couple days ago. So, we'll see if I get hired...

LOVELY \\

\\ Getting a passion tango iced tea from Starbucks. :)

\\ Thanksgiving food, of course.

\\ Shopping with my mom and brother. Shopping is cheering medicine. *winks*

\\ Finding like-new black and white converse shoes at a consignment shop. They were $10, and I bought them. ;)

\\ Going to Goodwill and finding a nice black dress, half-off. <333 It was $2.65 or something. That's why thrift shopping is ahmaazing. *winks and grins*



MOMENTS \\

\\ Little bro: *talking about Justin Beiber singing "Baby"*
Me: Do you like that song?
Him: No, I don't like "Baby Oh". 
Haha.

\\ Little brother's going to freeze his mashed chocolate banana stuff so it will be a "powerful popsicle". xP 

\\ Little bro: (says to roll the window up... or lighting will come in and 'trike us) "Lightning is tough. It will strike us down." 

\\ Little bro: Dad, stop the car. My popcorn is gonna fall.

\\ *Sees Asian beetle on my bedspread* Me: Intruder.

\\ When you go to the library and see all kinds of nice movies. And get three. And have a movie night with the sister three nights in a row (pretty sure). *winks* 

\\ When you drive to town for the first time as a licensed driver, without an adult. #freedom I was going to my second interview, and a couple of my siblings came with me. We went to Walmart after. :)

\\ When you laugh yourself to tears. I was sleeping in my (other) sisters' room when my grandparents were visiting, so one night my 6-year-old sister and I kept tossing her giant pink bunny back and forth between ourselves... for some reason, that struck my funny bone, and I laughed away. xP xD

BOOK STUFF \\

The Seahorse Legacy by Serena Chase

Pretty sure I finished this in November.

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

Currently reading this.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

And this, for school. Which is a very nice thing to read for school. ;)

WATCHED \\

The Ultimate Legacy

Thinking I watched this in November...

October Baby

A re-watch

Scents and Sensibility

This was a re-watch of the modern version of the Jane Austen classic. Kind of a cute, funny movie. :)

Little Women

Also a re-watch. 

My Fair Lady

I only very briefly started this once, so a first time watch. It was alright- had it's nice parts, but all-in-all not really a favorite. We did skip a little in a few places, probably mostly some of the singing parts. ;)

Yea, this was kinda long, but there's my November highlights. :)

WHAT DID YOU DO IN NOVEMBER? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN DECEMBER?