Thursday, December 23, 2010

Annoying Holiday Greetings


Hello and Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

I use to hate when people said that, but I find the older I get, the more I appreciate little quirky aphorisms as such.  

Although, there still remain a few Christmas sayings that I cringe at when I hear.  
Like…..

"Merry X-Mas!" 
"Father Christmas" 
"Feliz Navidad"
"Meo-wy Christ-mouse!" (Seriously??)
"Holiday or Seasons Greetings" 

I guess however you say it, the point is that you say it.  I find myself always wishing people a "Merry Christmas."  I never really thought that it could offend someone if they chose not to celebrate Christmas because it's just a pleasant gesture.  It's sort of like when you say "God Bless You" when someone sneezes.  I don't think a person has to believe in God in order to be blessed by him, nor do I think it would offend someone if I said it. 

I'm just curious, what do you find yourself saying around this time of year?  Happy Holidays?  Seasons Greetings?  Merry Christmas?  I would be interested to see the most popular greeting. 

The past few days, we've been engaging in all things Christmas with work parties, family gatherings, and cookie baking eating.  

Yesterday, we celebrated the holiday with Toly's family.  His parents are leaving on Christmas day for New York, so we decided to do our Christmas before they left. 

As soon as we walked in the door, Conner insisted on opening presents and rightfully so.  We let him pick out on present to open before dinner.


We enjoyed a nice dinner as a family and caught up on everyone's lives.





After dinner, it was FINALLY present time.  Conner was a big help by unwrapping everyone's presents for them.  It was fabulous, your own personal unwrapper.  Now, if I can just teach him how to wrap the presents, I think I'll hire him to do all of my wrapping and unwrapping in the future.



 After our presents were opened, we ended the night by sitting around the table, sipping tea and nibbling on cookies.  There couldn't be a better way to end a Christmas night than that.

This morning, I was apparently the only one in the house that had to go to work.

Breakfast was something I have been craving for a very long time.

Toast with Cottage Cheese 

I use to eat this every single day.  Usually, I just eat it plain with salt, but today, I wanted something sweet so I added a bit of apricot jam.  It was delicious!

With my toast, I ate a small bowl of granola, berries and yogurt.


Today was the first day all week that I wasn't teaching or traveling for work.  I was able to run out over lunch to do some last minute Christmas shopping. HOLY GOODNESS was it busy.  It took me an hour to get to Barnes and Noble and back.  I just grabbed some leftovers and heated them up when I got back to work.

Later on, dinner was satisfying more cravings.

Have you tried this simple yet amazing dinner yet?

Sweet Potato with Baked Beans


This meal is not only quick, easy and a nutritional powerhouse, it's also incredible delicious.  Sweet Potatoes and Beans are darn good together! 


I made a side salad to go along of roasted carrots and parsnips, red onion, beets, pom seeds, and goat cheese.


So very good. 

I have to go into work tomorrow for just a few hours to get some things done and then it's all about Christmas.  I have plans to cook, attend our Christmas Eve service at church, go out on a FABULOUS dinner date with my hubby, and of course, watch It's a Wonderful Life.  Oh, and I guess I'll need to wrap those presents at some point too. ;) 

Goodnight! 

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12 comments:

  1. Sorry to get off topic, but I must say that I ADORE your eye makeup in the third photo!! Stunning, chica.

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  2. I got your card with the Wendy's g/c in it today! I am OBSESSED with the cute lil' xmas card you sent with it! You are so generous and sweet, thank you so much :) totally made my morning.
    Have a wonderful time this holiday with your loved ones :)

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  3. I typically say Merry Christmas. I agree with the whole "offending people thing." If someone were to walk up to me and say, "Happy Hanukah" I wouldn't be offended by that. It's just a nice gesture.

    Never heard of baked bean topped sweet potatoes before, but now I know I'm going to have to try it for myself. Oh, and your salad looks delish! I love topping salad with pom seeds!

    Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

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  4. It looks like you had a great day! I went out earrrly this morning to do someshopping - it wasn't bad!

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  5. I usually say Happy Holidays. And if someone sneezes, I say gesundheit. It's a fun word too.

    I've seen the sweet potato with baked beans on so many blogs; I must try it!! :-)

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  6. I find it pretty offensive that you cringe when hearing Feliz Navivdad.

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  7. Merry Christmas to you and your family Lauren!!

    Sounds like a great christmas eve!!! xoxo

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  8. Merry Christmas Lauren! :D

    I typically say Happy Holidays because I have no idea what people celebrate so I'm not going to assume it's one thing. :)

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  9. I so agree. I'm sorry, but if you get presents on Christmas (which most people do, including irreligious people and often those of other faiths), you cannot get upset with people saying Merry Christmas. The "Season's Greetings/Happy Holidays" thing gets me upset because it's just one way of commercializing the holiday and removing it from its intended meaning- celebrating the birth of Christ. I say Merry Christmas to everyone, especially this close to the big day!!

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  10. Loved the family pics, Lauren!
    I usually say "Merry Christmas". If you're only saying you wish they have a wonderful day (December 25th)... what's so wrong or bad about that?
    Wish you a (very) Merry Christmas, girl!
    xoxo

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