Gearing Up To The Holidays

November 13th and counting...next big milestone: Thanksgiving…and then? What happens at the Jesse’s the day after Thanksgiving tends to be known as the Epic Christmas Transformation Day.

I do love the “Holidays”. It is a time to be festive and to throw convention out the window. I have never been one to stress over the Holidays, I take them in stride and try to enjoy the good and the not so good. But mostly my memories are of good.

Our tradition is to head out the door and go to the Christmas tree lot (usually before 9AM) and find a beautiful tree… then we name the tree and bring it home. By 11:00AM, I am in full swing putting lights on the tree…usually over 1K. Then, promptly at noon my husband makes me a perfect Ketle One martini and we sit for a minute in the midst of our winter wonderland and eat turkey sandwiches on white bread with mayonnaise. Now restored, I continue my quest to finish decorating the house by nightfall. Then I have 27 days to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and share it with whoever walks in our home.

BESbKitchen tree with all food ornaments, here is a homemade Chef Tony ornament.

Kitchen tree with all food ornaments, here is a homemade Chef Tony ornament.

Dining room tree: a vintage 1960’s shocking pink display tree from Neiman Marcus

Dining room tree: a vintage 1960’s shocking pink display tree from Neiman Marcus

A gold tree in the living room

A gold tree in the living room

The view from my front door: Sue & Jimmy's magnificent giant tree decked-out for the Holidays

The view from my front door: Sue & Jimmy's magnificent giant tree decked-out for the Holidays