My house has so many decorations it looks like an elf pooped Xmas all over it... and maybe has diarrhea.

I know! A complete turn-around from last year's post!!! SO many things have changed!! I don't have the bah-humbug attitude this year but I also have a whole different relationship (if you can call it that) with my relatives.... my how things change in 12 freaking months!


I am almost done with decorating inside the house and have done most of the decorating on the outside as well, there is a strand of lights however that is just being an asshat and won't cooperate with the "vision" I have for the lights.  We have a completely decorated tree, garland and wreaths hanging at almost every window, stockings are hung, decorations on bookshelves and flower arrangements in every room.  I have gotten presents for a few special people, wrapped them and delivered most of them.  Our "happy new year" cards designed by yours truly have gone out to many but I'm not done yet.


The past couple of years I realized that we weren't being very good about incorporating traditions from both sides of the family so we have focused on bringing DH's Swedish heritage into the mix including ordering a pair of tomtar and going to Georgetown's Christmas Market to look for and purchase a yule goat because what says Christmas more than a yule goat, right?  The yule goat's job is to protect the presents, so we needed a big one - the cat did not get off on the right foot with this new creature under the tree who hindered her playing with ornaments and wrecking havoc but they seem to have made peace with each other.  The trip also gave us some outdoor festival fun that included wassail (which I will try to make at home and if so, recipe and post will follow), ribbon fries, a fried snickers bar and window shopping. 


If that weren't enough, I am having a Gingerbread House-making Party this upcoming Friday.  Thanks to Ikea for having convenient "brick" or gingerbread pieces and I will have to make the "mortar" or royal icing the day of.  Luckily guests are bringing all sorts of candies to decorate.


Finally, I am considering making some St. Lucia buns for Tuesday since it is after all St. Lucia day but it all depends on my mood and how productive I feel, if it happens I will make sure to blog about it with pictures included.

That's Norse the yule goat under the tree on the left.

What prompted this change you ask?  Well, not entirely sure but after Thanksgiving I was just in the spirit of things.  Life is in a better place that's for sure.  Things like my job have worked out in a positive way and I have an additional 10 hour a week part-time job that so far is proving to be a lot of fun.  We are both in pretty good health, physically and mentally.  You can also do a lot of growing in a year (although since our diet we have both shrunk physically - yahoo!).  We have a lot to be grateful and happy for.  Mostly, things just seem to be falling into place, after so very long of feeling like they were all lopsided or topsy-turvy they have started to balance out and how could that not make you feel festive and joyful? 


My hope for you is that your life is also happy, lived in good health and festive for this holiday season and if you feel like sharing, please tell me what gets you in the Christmas spirit!