Christmas Extravaganza!

Last year I took Mike to see his favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life, at the Music Box's Christmas Extravaganza. They play it in rotation with my favorite, White Christmas. But alas, we were too tired to stay for the double feature, so went home. But I made Mike promise that next year we would go see White Christmas. Which just happens to also be my mom's favorite Christmas movie (well that and a Christmas Carol). AND her birthday is in December. SO, I insisted that she come into Chicago to see White Christmas as our present to her.

That was this weekend. Which just happened to be our coldest, frostiest weekend yet. Bright and early Saturday morning we met her at the train station downtown. Browsing at Macy's and did a little shopping around.
BOY was it cold when we braved the outside. But even though the cold made us rush through the places on our list, and hurry through Daley Plaza, we still enjoyed the atmosphere. And got some sugar and cinnamon almonds. mmmmmm.
We sure were happy to get home and inside for the rest of the day. It was mom's first time at our new apartment. It was nice to show it off at it's best.

Sunday morning was even colder. Sure was glad when mom sprung for a cab to church. This pic above is the INSIDE of the stained glass windows.

I was sad to go to work, but didn't envy Mike and mom their shopping lists.

Lucky me I got to meet them for dinner at this great place right across the street from the Music Box.
The place is done up New Orleans/Louisiana style. A GREAT atmosphere and the food aint bad either. Apparantly they had been there for a bit and had had quite a bit to drink.

They were both happy to see me.

I was happy to eat and have a bailey's and coffee. Too bad they were packed, we had to give up our table eventually, or be in danger of our server heaving us out.

And especially bad that I didn't realize that the 7pm time is a door opening time not a show starting time! oops. We had to find another place to hang for a bit.

Thank goodness for a little dessert cafe down the street. IT WAS DELISH!!! Much better than the dessert at Blue Bayou, I must say.

And then we waited in the cold. And waited. in the cold. cold. cold.

If they hadn't let us in when they did, I'm afraid they may have had a riot on their hands.

But let us in they did. Caroling quartet in the lobby, lovely. decorations, lovely. Old beautiful theatre, lovely.

And our seats were GREAT! CC 108-110, I think. Right on the ailse.

And then Santa came out for the sing-a-long. It's magic every year. He sits on the organ and the organist plays and it's SO MUCH FUN.

Every year Santa writes a special song just for the shows. I loved it last year, 12 day of Chicago Christmas. VERY FUNNY. This year not as funny, but fun. My Favorite Things all about the Music Box Christmas Extravaganza, this being their 25th year and all.

In case you are wondering just how fun, I took a short video...

BEWARE!!! This video clip contains VERY BAD audience singing, especially that of yours truly. But I hope it is fun too.

And then the movie started. I tried to take pics of my favorite parts, no flash so as not to bother others, but it was hard.

Who doesn't love the sisters routine?!?

Well I must say I was a little put off by a very small amount of heckling from the audience. I do love this movie so. But it was good hearted I think and most people were their to enjoy the movie, like us.

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

This is arguable my favorite song in the movie. I am always trying to sing all the parts myself. I never seem to quite get it right, maybe it has something to do with only seeing it once a year.

And of course the pinnacle of the film. I want this to be my Christmas card.

This movie always makes me smile. Maybe it's the singing or the actors or the clothes. Or maybe it's because it takes place in an inn, like where I grew up. I have to say that snowy background and the big rooms, sometimes empty and sometimes full but always with warm fireplaces does feel like home.

The very special home my mom made for us. So thanks mom, for a great time, both growing up and this weekend. I hope it was a good birthday present.

A SHEEP!!

This is Bullseye.

He lives right here in Chicago, on the edge of the city and he is adorable. And he was in our Children's Christmas Pageant. He is a baby boy sheep, see his little horns starting to poke out?

We haven't had a real pageant at HCUM in many, many, many years. And they couldn't find any evidence that we had ever had livestock in the pageant before either, so it was VERY exciting for us all.

The kids did great. Especially the guy playing the angel Gabriel. Can't remember his name, but he rocked it. And all the little shepards and angels were super cute. Oh and we have girls playing both Mary and Joseph, how appropriate for our gay-loving church.


Here you can see a slightly blurry Gabriel from the back. I loved that they wore modern-dress with touches of the authentic, like the head-pieces and such. Oh and we all loved the toddler in the sheep costume that is eyeing the sheep here. She LOVED bullseye and kept hugging him throughout. And Bullseye was such a sport. Definitley a good perfomer/petting sheep, just took it, like the family labrador. It was ADORABLE!!! So much I believe it made some of the ladies of the congregation teared up a little.

It just made me want to move out to the country and work on a sheep farm. I want to hug them and love them and brush their coats and I'll even clean up their messes. Ah what a cutie.

More Holiday Cheer

HOLIDAY

CHICAGO!

(and the CTA)

I have been remiss not documenting the Parish Advent Party that was last Saturday. It was a bit miserable outside, but I got out of work with much time to spare before the party. So despite the weather, when the train driver announced that the Holiday Train was following ours, I decided to wait and see it.

I have never been lucky enough to ride the holiday train, but I have glimpsed it from time to time. But it is ALWAYS worth another look. Just from the blurred pictures above you can see it's DECKED OUT!!! And the inside is apparantly even better. Special upholstry, garlands, lights, and cta workers dressed as elves and handing out candy. Again this is just hearsay. Maybe next year I'll be lucky enough to ride.

Anyway, I was still early to Trey's, but he was nice enough to let me in and pretend like I could actually help them get stuff ready.

They are so cute together, aren't they. Molly is 9, but you would never know it, she's a little spitfire. So there I was, there early and lucky enough to get to chat with Trey and Johnathan and play with cutie Molly. Johnathan is from England and they are going for Christmas. Oh to have an oblagation to go to england.

Anyway, people soon arrived and the food with them and good thing, cause I was HUNGRY. Some people made the food themsleves and some brought takeout, but it was all yummy. The people I go to church with certainly have good taste.

I brought a Cheese Ball, which was a BIG hit. 'lil' smokey' by Amy Sedaris, recipe can be found on Martha Stewart's website. Everyone praised this kitchy choice and said that for the next gathering on their holiday docket they were going to take a cheese ball. I love inspiring the masses.

And then there was Molly who was ever hopeful or a clumsy hand or a turned head. I don't think she got much of anything, but she sure was cute trying. And she had some kinda doggie sense for who to approach. Mostly cat people. People that didn't know what to do with such a large animal actually paying attention to them. It was very funny. Tracked it all night long.

So we all ate and talked and met/remet people. One of the bad things about such a fast growing the church is that I am always forgetting people or their names and not sure if I have been introduced to them or just passed the peace. Anyway, so sometimes akward, but mostly everyone is understanding.

Like here, with all these ladies. The two in the back, where Molly is zeroing in, they are cat people. Is it the smell on their clothes or some sort of body language? i wonder if there are other dogs that focus on dog lovers, to take advantage of sympathy rather than inexperience. Sounds like a great pointless research project...

Anyway, besides potluck and fellowship, the Advent party is also popular for the hymn sing at the end.

Trey brings up hymnals from the church and we all find and sing the holiday favorites.

We are often smushed into the long narrow living room and have to share hymnals, sometimes three or four people per. Some songs we always sound awful, like "Go Tell it on the Mountain" we are so white, but others always good, like "Silent Night." And every year we end with a trouncing, fumbling rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. Which is great fun.

We had fun like always and people hang out for a little longer...

Sorry Johnathan, but I love this picture in all it's slightly blurry, cheesy,

literally toungue in cheekness glory.

...to have one more serving of the yummy brownies, or pepper bites, or apple cake, or cheese ball...

...To have one more glass of wine or to talk to that one last person they had been meaning to...

...Or for another silly story. Oh here is Steve, on the right he came late and was VERY silly. He is Trey's uncle and also lives in the parish apartment, it is a sizable three bedroom afterall.

So thank you Trey, Johnathan and Steve for letting us all into your home and for the good time.

COOKIE TIME!!!!

We had a great time at our cookie party last night. And I think everyone else did too. It is especially nice to see differant groups of friends together and having a good time.

This blue and yellow star was among my favorite cookies. I didn't have time to decorate any myself. But other people made plenty for me to enjoy.

Walter's abstract take on a smurf.

Carrie's dove is lovely with sprinkles and coconut.

Lisa and Jason worked together, with much design consultating.

Even our dog stanley got a cookie! Liz and Chris were so kind to bring Stanley his very own organic cookie. He loved it and loved Liz for the rest of the night, too.

There were a couple of creative standouts in the group. David's Ann Boleyn (after beheading) was deliciously gruesome--can't wait to eat it!

And Maria's Sunflower showed great innovation by combining a scalloped circle cookie with a candle cookie. georgous.

And then there were others that just considered the cookies a frosting delivery system. Heather decided to even by-pass that and go straight for the royal icing goodness.

But then it was Creature Comfort time.

And it was good. Really good, especially good that there weren't 40 people there, but a managable 22. We could have maybe fit about 7 more people.

There were some people that had never seen it before, not as many as last year, but still. So glad to make more fans of Creature Comforts.

But it was only 8:30 and there were more cookies to be had.

The gingerbread house was DECKED OUT! It's always a group effort.

CLASSSIIIC! Eyes shut pictures are hilarious.

Diane ate gingerbread Maria, can you see the long hair?

Stanley's pill had officially kicked in when he was going from one pillow to another.

But by then the night was coming to an end.

Especially when the dove took a tail dive.

But we had had a great time and were totally thankful to all our friends for coming and making it so much fun. When a party ends I am always surprised how little I really got to talk to each person, but I hope that THEY ALL had fun and left with a little more holiday cheer than they arrived with.

Making Holiday Cheer

At the store we do "secret snowman." I know its ridiculous. Takes pc-ness to a whole new level. But whatever. We have $10 to make or buy a small something or somethings to make our person happy. The idea is to sneak the gift to them during their shift and reveal or not reveal yourself.
I wanted to make something and knitting is one skill that as far as I know, none of the other girls have. But what can I knit with $10? Well, with Knit Pick's help, I can make a pair of slippers. But I couldn't stop there I wanted to do something new.
Like dye with Kool Aid. It's cheap and creates beautiful colors. It was my first time and I learned a couple things.

The hand painting takes a little more koolaid than I had. I didn't want any white spots, but even after buying three more envelopes of a lighter shade of pink to overdye the whole thing, there were STILL white spots. So I gave up.

But in the end the too dark purple and the too white white worked out.

I'm not done yet, but here on my swatch you can see the specks of purple and white are quite attractive in the fabric. I'm pleased. I'm mixing the superwash wool with a strand of acryllic to give the slippers more warmth and cushiness, but also durability.

Can't wait till they're done!

But the slippers aren't the only home-made holiday cheer I am making this week!

It's time for our annual Creature Comforts and Christmas Cookies Party!
And that means coookies!

Lots and lots and lots of cookies. I didn't count, but approximately 240 of them. We have over 40 people coming to our house sunday night. So that is only about 6 cookies per person. So you can see that I really do need to make such a large amount.

I love my cookie cutters. Most of these you see here cutting up the gingerbread belonged to my grandmother. She passed them down to my mom and mom has passed them on to me.

These are my favorites. But they need a cookie recipe that doesn't rise too much so you don't lose the details of the pressing. When I was a kid we used to put coconut on santa's beard and use food coloring to tint his cheeks pink.

I was so lucky to have Shannon come over and help me with the last batch. Which was from her cookbook by the Odessa, Texas Junior League. The lemon-sugar cookie recipe was awesome and the press cookie cutters came out pretty good with the recipe. (MUST remember for next year.)

We also decorated some of the cookies I had made earlier in the day. Only two plates, just enough to get people started before they decorate more themselves. I love having her help with this part of the process, especially now that we don't work together anymore. It's our private holiday celebration. And then at the party we can both talk to all of the other people we haven't seen in ages. Oh, I can't wait! I just hope they all fit...

Paper Source Craft Night

For one night during the holidays, after store hours, all the employees, and some employees past, bring food and a project to work on.
I think the food was the best part. Hot cider, sweets and a variety of cheese and cracker options. yum. We had two cheese and cracker stand outs. The amish garlic and herb brought by a former employee and sweet baked brie by Linda.

mmm....baked brie....Doesn't look great here, almost gone, but it was yummy. To make simply put brie-wax removed-in a baking dish. In separate bowl mix pecans, maple syryp and brown sugar. Cover brie with sugary mix and bake at 325 until melty and wonderful, only 5-10 min.

Sorry don't have exact amounts.

But we weren't there just to eat, we had crafts to get done. We do work at a craft store afterall.

I was very happy to get my cards assembled. Which meant punching holes and hammering in snaps. Oh how cute they turned out. Was almost as happy as I was to put them in the mail box today!

Back to sunday, there was a lot of crafting going on.

At the table I was working at there were three people working on lining envelopes. When hanging with friends, it is the best time to work on that mundane job, afterall.

And these are some crazy people. It was the first time I met Mamanato and her fiance Michael, but I really like them just the same.

Over across the room (oh how I hated not being able to hear their conversation!)...

There was card making by Rebecca. Ribbon weaving by Dustin. Letter glittering by Venessa.
In case you are wondering what the statue of the face with shhh finger is all about, besides all the crafting and eating fun, there was the first appearance of a secret snowman gift. Dustin received this "bust." Something he has always wanted.

There were also a couple people that didn't really bring anything but energy and just made gossip. But they had fun too. My love of scraps was outted to boss Rebecca...

So she gifted me the scraps from her corner rounding. Too bad I didn't have any need for dozens of tiny boomerangs. I do go around picking scraps out of the garbage and scolding people for not saving them for me when I'm not at work. Well, I can't deny who I am...

There were also mini craft lessons. Stephanie taught Linda the "Grandma Bow" and Linda taught Stephanie a basic pop-up card.

Then Linda taught all of us how to make an origami penguin.

HOW CUTE ARE THEY!!! She had been making them all day at a friends' toy store with kids. We were only marginally more skilled and probably whinier. It was also the first time her 8 year old saw a man (who wasn't very nice) change into a santa suit. And the magic was gone. Oh how sad!

I remember when my sister told me there was no santa, showed me the presents hiding in mom's closet already signed "From Santa" in her hand writing. I tried to deny it, but the evidence was overwhelming, it was more than a week before Christmas afterall. No one had ever said anything about Santa making early deliveries.

Anyway we all comiserated and crafted and tried to lighten her heart a little.

So all in all, a fun time. I ducked out after two hours, not the first but not the last to leave. I was ready to get home, completed cards in tow.

The best part of the night?

Being met at the train by my husband and dog. Makes walking home in the cold a little brighter and happier.