The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Alright, I admit it, I love Christmas.  It truly is my favorite holiday and season.  Here are some things I've been loving most lately:
1.  Christmas socks.  I wear them daily from the day after Thanksgiving through New Years.  They make me happy
2.  All the decorations.  Our decorations are pretty much the same every year but I still love them, especially the lights and special family "heirlooms" that have been a part of every Christmas I can remember.
3.  Football.  This is the best part of the season, divisions are being won and the "if this team wins, and this team loses, and this team does the macarena, then this team will get a wildcard spot" really makes me chuckle.  Speaking of Football, look what my amazing Mom did for me

Ignore the weird way I'm standing and my messy living room

So dapper!

I also got Packers and Christmas themed stethascope covers!  It must have been good luck since they clinched their division today!  Go Pack Go!

4.  Cookies.  Usually every year I spend a few days in a baking frenzy making at least 4 different types of cookies to hand out to friends.  This year one of our friends had the GENIUS idea of a cookie exchange.  We each made a few dozen of our best holiday recipe then had a party and took home a half dozen of each.  It was PERFECT!  AND look at all the delicious cookies I got and only had to make one kind. 

Our lovely and genius hostess

The goods, I made the colorful ones on the left, eggnog cookies

 She even provided little baggies and labels to individually bag up each kind of cookie to take home, it was great.  So, yes, this was the Christmas win of the season so far.  I hope we make it a yearly tradition.  I still want to make a batch of my Mummu's coffee bread but I'm off the hook for more cookies. 

5.  Christmas carolers.  We have had many local singing groups come to work and sing/perform for our residents.  It really means a lot to everyone and I appreciate people giving of their time to share their talents with others, especially those who may not have many visitors this time of year.

Well that's all on the top of my list thus far, I hope to have more to share in the next week!  On a side note, I know this post sounds mighty cheery in light of the terrible tragedy that has shaken this country to its core.  I had to find something to be positive about as the never-ending news cycle has led to many tears for those all those innocent lives.  In the middle of such horror I think it is very important to remember the strength of love.  Set aside time to pray, honor those lost, and remember to love.  And maybe put on a pair of Christmas socks.