So today I have decided to make a short little post. My daughter (Ashlee) added a post on Monday as well as some pictures. There will be nothing spectacular about my post today. I just simply love this time of year. The weather has nothing to do with it because if you know me at all you know that my philosophy is that "if you can't wear a bikini, then the weather is too cold." I just love the smell of Thanksgiving dinner cooking in the kitchen, the joy of decorating the house and making the perfect place cards for our Thanksgiving feast. I truly love to spend the weekend after Thanksgiving decorating the entire house for Christmas. My daughters like to put their stamp on things as well. My favorite part is something near and dear to my heart - every year since I was a little girl, my grandmother took the time to make homemade teacakes (cookies) and wonderfully yummy Christmas candies with me. That is something I will never forget. Looking back I wonder how on Earth she had the patience to do all of that. I still enjoy spending time with her and making candy. We don't get to spend as much time doing it nowadays but it is a time that I will never forget. I guess the reason we don't have much time together is because my life (and the girls') is so hectic. Another reason I love this time of year is because I have spent my childhood and even my adult life (around this time of year) preparing and rehearsing for the Nutcracker Ballet. I started out as a soldier and worked my way up to Mrs. Stahlbaum. What a joy to perform!! So anyway, I hope you have happy memories of your childhood holiday festivities and traditions. I know I sure do!