I can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away.  I am done with my shopping, not done with the wrapping.  Although I hate the hustle and bustle and commercialism of Christmas, deep down, I love this time of year.  Oh, except for the cold, snow, ice, wind, you can have all that. 

Some of the things I love most about Christmas.

1.  Christmas music.  I love Christmas music and for years, I haven't gotten to listen to much.  My husband hates it.  My girls have discovered this year that they love it.  I get to play my favorite Christmas cd's in the car, I found a radio station that is currently playing only Christmas music, and I just bought the girls a new cd to listen to in their room.  

2.  Christmas movies.  I love these, too.   Over the past few weeks, the girls and I have watched every one that we have found on TV.  Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Grinch, Home Alone, etc.  We watched The Wizard of Oz (I know, not a Christmas movie, but still love it) yesterday afternoon while I was baking.  We also watched Jumanji (I know, I know, but still...), which I had totally forgotten about and my 3 year old LOVED!!  She watched it twice this weekend.  I want to see Love, Actually, which I did not know was a Christmas movie.  And I still have to watch a couple of my favorites, A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation.  Oh yeah, I would like to see Scrooged again, haven't seen that for, like, a hundred years. 

3.  Christmas shopping.  As much as I hate the crowds, and the parking, I love the adventure of picking out the perfect gift for each person on my list.  I think I have done well this year.  And I did most of it online, so I didn't have to deal with the crowds and parking much.  I have spent a lot of time making gifts for all my family, they are personal, practical, and full of love (and a few backaches, too).  And the best part is, as part of the personal, hand made gifts, I got to pick out a book for 12 people.  How fun was that?  I spent 1 1/2 hours at the bookstore over the weekend, searching for the perfect books for all my family.  I hope they let me borrow them when they are done!!

4.  The kids.  Christmas is for the kids, isn't it?  At least, society makes it that way.  But at any rate, I love watching the kids light up every time they see Santa, or hear a Christmas song, or whatever makes them smile with glee.  It makes me smile with glee, too.  

5.  The food.  Who doesn't love great, big, meals that make you feel sick afterwards?  Turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans, cheesy potato casserole, pickles, olives, cheese.... I love it all!!!   And I don't have to do any of the cooking this year!!! 

And one thing I really hate about Christmas...

BAKING!!!  I hate baking.  I love cooking, I HATE baking!!!  I spent about 8 hours baking yesterday, and that does not include the time I used looking for my recipes, making a grocery list, checking the cabinets for what I already have, and going to the grocery store.  And I still am not done.  I have to ice the 5,000 cookies that I made last night, and attempt (for the third year in a row), Peanut Brittle.  I made Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, Chex Mix, Puppy Chow, Fudge, Sugar Cookies (rolled out and cut into cute little Christmas shapes, with the assistance of my girls, fun times), and need to get the Peanut Brittle done tonight.  uugghh...

I have no dishwasher, not enough pans, bowls, utensils, etc, and no counter space.  Those three things make for a great baking experience.  Can't wait....  pouting....

Merry Christmas to all!