I've decided my tree will wait until Friday; I don't want to have one in the house for three weeks. Two weeks will do. That means I can do laundry and write today before going over to make dinner for my folks.

I have a big tree and I am not even here for the holidays. Xmas trees are my favourite part of the holidays (also baking and presents). I still kind of want a 2nd one for all my neglected ornaments. But I am a tree control freak. There was lots of ornament rearranging after my nephew helped decorate the tree, now , I can't get him to even look at it.

Video of the Metrodome collapsing. Whoah.

If anyone checks my Facebook, you will see Fionn's costume. The best part is that everyone keeps thinking it's Drew (Fionn is basically Drew 10 years ago). At our wedding reception, multiple people commented on how nice Drew's brother was. It didn't take long to figure out they were talking about Fionn.

Even I did a double take. And spelled his name wrong apparently.

We did not decorate at all. And then I realized that we are throwing a concert afterglow party on the Tuesday before Christmas. So it`s a Christmas party, whether I intended it or not. So I probably should have decorated. But I have no cash, and no leftover decorations hanging around, so people will just have to deal.

Liese, there are a couple really easy ornaments/decorations you could make if you have the time or inclination.

When does DD take the gingerbread lattes away? Because between now and then, I'm going to overload on them, I can tell.

Gingerbread lattes are my favorite. I luckily found a bottle of gingerbread flavored syrup for $1 last January that is probably saving me big bucks on fancy coffees this year. Homebrewed coffee, a bit of cream, and syrup is just as decadent as far as my tastebuds are concerned.

I also got pumpkin pie spice ad eggnog syrups at the same time - I tried the pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving but misread the instructions and only used half the recommended amount. Consequently, that was not so delicious. But I haven't been motivated to try again because I've got gingerbread and why have anything else when gingerbread is available?

I got the candle lamps into the front windows yesterday. I think I'll investigate the LED pillars Calli spoke of. The little candles that looked so cozy in our tiny upstairs dormer windows get lost in the wide windows in our new house. Plus the windows are divided in the center, so I really need four treatments, not two, for them.

The new wreath we bought last year, complete with the bows I tied and arranged with wired red and gold spangled organdy ribbon, is safely stored in the workshop attic, along with some other ornaments and decorations. H has tweaked his foot to the point he's been on a cane, and now crutches, so his progression of chores slammed to a halt a couple of weeks ago. The middle of the shop is occupied by components of three projects, so we can't let the attic stairs down without moving everything....

...I'm headed to Michael's and Joanne's on Monday to buy a new evergreen wreath, a small grapevine wreath, silk botannicals and florist wire. Oh, and more sparkly wired ribbon.

Indoors we'll do the minimum of the wooden sleigh driven by the Welsh Toybox bear and piled high with miniscule wrapped beribboned presents, rocking horse and tiny teddy bear, star-spangled garland wound about the sleigh's runners, various candles, and H's hand-painted Santa and Father Christmas figures. I may swag fake garland or tinsel along the rail of the antique crib full o'teddy bears, several of whom already wear brass bells on their leather collars. Or, you know, bow ties on their shirt collars.

I'd love to get a tabletop real tree, but I don't think we'll manage that this year. Also on the list for next year is an exterior electric outlet on the shop so we can put a wreath wound with white fairylights around the red metal marshall's star on the shop gable.

What's in eggnog syrup?

I am trying to process that part of my family that I have been avoiding pointedly for 8 years is going to be at the wedding in January. I'm hoping the actual bitch queen herself won't be there. But I do know her sister is invited, and I really don't want to have that conversation. I hope her sister doesn't bring anything up.

They sell these tins of what they call Hot Buttered Rum mix around the holidays that are basically just fine brown sugar with a ton of spices. It's awesome for sprinkling in and on things all year round - oatmeal, cookies, cereal. I need to remember to grab up a couple of extra this year.