Yes! I love me some WWTK Wednesday and I missed last week. So here goes.
Hosted by the above and Queso. Check it.
1. What is your favorite holiday?
I used to say hands down, it was Halloween. These days, I think it’s a toss-up between that and Thanksgiving. I know most people like Christmas the best but there’s this feeling of coziness around Thanksgiving that’s different than Xmas, though I certainly love a good cup of hot chocolate while sitting next to the Christmas Tree.
2. Do you have any fun holiday traditions? What are they?
At Christmas, we always look at lights right around Christmas Eve and then my mom makes a kind of pork tenderloin and we always open one present on Christmas Eve, which is always pajamas.
3. When do you start Christmas shopping?
Oooh, really all depends. If I have some extra cash in late October or early November and I see something, I’ll pick it up. But I don’t get serious until the beginning of December.
4. What is your favorite holiday food?
I’m going to go with Chicken and dumplings, which is something my Mema made at Thanksgiving and though it’s not traditionally a “holiday” food, in Southern Alabama in Fall, it’s a staple. And OMG, was it ever good! (I’ll say Lane cake as a close second.)
5. Share a favorite childhood holiday memory
I like that this question says “a” favorite childhood memory, not “the” or “your” favorite memory. There’s one Christmas I remember very well. We went to an early mass – around 5 – and then came home to the meal I explained above: a pork loin and mashed potatoes and green beans. Then we bundled up because for once in S. Florida, it was a little chilly. I think I may have been 12 or 13? Our beagle pup was still quite small so I had to have been. We put him (Barney) in the kitchen behind the baby gate and got in the car. Everyone got along and we saw so many awesome lights. When we got home, I noticed something moving in the front window and it was Barney who had jumped the gate, which we all thought was really funny. Then we opened our pajamas and went to sleep. I don’t know why I remember this particular year so well; I guess the feelings involved were so genuine that it engrained itself in my psyche.
6. Have you ever actually tried fruitcake??
Tried it? I have to have it every year! I am one of those nutjobs who actually enjoys a good fruitcake. It’s really good but gets a bad rep. I challenge you all to buck tradition and forget about the rumours; eat it this year and see for yourselves!
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We used to open one present on Christmas Eve too! It was usually socks or PJs, but sometimes it would be a book if my mom wanted to keep me occupied long enough for Santa to show up without me trying to catch him in the act.
Um, chicken and dumplings are the best! I’ve only had my Idahoan mothers kind but I love it! Sorry, but that picture of fruit cake makes me gag!
I was spoiled by homemade fruit cake as a kid and just don’t care for the store bought kind. Nick hates it so I don’t even think about making it.
We had the open one present, of our choosing, Christmas eve. We still sort of do that but it gets lost in the shuffle of going to the grand parents for Christmas eve.
I really wish I could get on-board with the fruitcake – if for no other reason than to save my mother from eating the whole thing by herself. She makes it every year, gives away most, and keeps one chunk for herself. Then she slowly nibbles away at it for weeks and complains that she’s the only one in our family who likes it! haha!
whoa whoa whoa…you eat one every year?! now i HAVE to try it. i may just take you up on that challenge! and what a cute memory 🙂 i can totally picture a little puppy waiting by the window! and now i totally want chicken and dumplings, that sounds SO good!
ps- I’m givin’ love for mamarazzi today too, she’s out of town but says hi to everyone! 🙂
I used to work with a woman from Bermuda who made the most awesome fruitcake. She soaked the fruit in Bermudan rum for at least six months. That stuff was amazing.
Sorry, I want to say I will try fruitcake but I won’t. I don’t like citron and I’d rather drink my liquor.
Love your pics and memories.
I’ve never had chicken and dumplings. My youngest loves it (my mom got it for her at Cracker Barrel so we tried to make some but it was a huge fail.