1. Favorite ornament: I'm not one to follow the rules when an experience can be enhanced by offering something else. We also have more than 952 ornaments on the tree... so here are my top five in reverse order.Number 5. Interlocking circles. This is a MoMA ornament we picked up when we lived in NYC. If you're seeking classic modernism, go here.
Number 4. 2 cent star. The craft from one of our caroling parties... Allie made this from pipe cleaners and the cheapest possible pony beads from Michaels. I adore it.
Number 3. Christmas imagery, kinda. Another high-concept art piece, I think this was from Oilily
Number 2. Tree trunk plus paint pen. Another craft from another caroling party. I hand sawed slices of Christmas tree trunk (about 1/4" thick), sanded and finished them then the kidlets at the party drew on them. Allie did this one, it's a kid's version of the nativity. Priceless.
Number 1. "Baby's first" life jacket. Don't ask me where this came from because I have no idea. It snuck into the ornament box and found it's way onto the tree. As a kid I'd hang anything I could find on our tree. This is one of those. I love it.
2. Favorite tradition:
Ultra-simple Christmas day walks... in the snowy woods behind my childhood home, on the beach or through the lagoon out here in sunny San Diego. Nothing...nothing beats a simple walk through nature in the midst of the hullabaloo. When it's all said and done Christmas has been stolen...it's a miracle in the midst of a retail sham. Don't get me wrong, I like gifts as much as any economy-nudging American...it's simply refreshing to get outside and stretch the legs a bit.
3. Favorite gift:
I've been wearing Vans for decades...pretty much everywhere. A few years ago Andy bought me some swank Italian Bruno Magli shoes. They are slip-ons so, on one hand they are similar to the Vans I'm wearing as I type this. On the other hand, they add a level of sophistication of which I'm probably not worthy. I wore them this past week to the Obama transition team meetings; they worked like a charm. They are my favorite because they represent something I'd never have bought for myself.
4. Favorite Christmas meal:
I'm not sure how this tradition ever started but somehow we ended up having lasagna for Christmas dinner. I think it's probably due to the fact that I've been hungry since April of 1963...and lasagna is a hearty, filling meal that satisfied my gluttonous appetite. Now that I'm allergic to 75% of the food groups, I'm not sure what we'll have. Thai food seems to be permissible so maybe we'll switch the lasagna out for some Christmas red and green curry.
5. Favorite Christmas cookie:
My mom made some pretty sick (in a good way) Mexican wedding cakes. I've never had anything like 'em in any part of Mexico and I'm not sure they even ARE Mexican... but they were tres good.
6. Favorite place to be:
In front of a fire in the fireplace. This year I told Andy all I really wanted for Christmas was a 1/2 cord of wood. She granted that wish early so, every night until Christmas we are burning the best smelling pinon logs (and acting out at least one charade per person). Everything slows down when a fire is in the fireplace...and no movie seems worth it when you have to leave the warm room where the fire's burning to go watch it.
7. Favorite memory:Few things are as outside the norm as Christmas through a child's eyes...so my favorite memories are of those years. Being the youngest of five kids...waking up with snow on the ground and tearing wrapping paper like a rabid dog...ah, the days of youth. Now I've taken on the role of my dad--just chilling and gaining pleasure from watching our kidlets open presents. However, my dad outdoes me when it comes to Christmas day wardrobes. Picture Royal Stewart plaid in spades. This picture isn't my family...they may be related to the Halfords. This photo just makes me think of Christmas day...clawing my way out of a sea of wrapping paper...looking up and seeing my dad round the corner, dressed head-to-toe in plaid... singing Bing Crosby tunes.
