CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Christmas is right around the corner. By now, my decorations would be up, the smell of the tree making a sweet fragrance throughout the house. This year none of those things have happened. It’s not because I’m behind schedule, but because we’re spending this year in Florida with my in-laws. My parents live on island, but my husband’s commute between Florida and North Carolina. This means alternating Christmases. One year in Cayman and the other in the US.

I love it, because it gives me a break every other year.  My mother-in-law is highly organized, so everything is usually done by the time we get there. The only thing to do is cook dinner, bake cookies, and make a ginger bread house; my favorite things.

Growing up in Cayman, my Christmas was a lot different than it is now. We put up decorations on our fake tree with horrifying, pain in the butt, tinsel. We didn’t bake cookies, but had what we call heavy cakes (cake made from cassava and yam) or fruit cake. YUCK! Instead of turkey, we had local beef with coleslaw, rice and beans, baked macaroni and cheese and potato salad. For entertainment, we visited family and friends, and went to various houses on island where their Christmas lights was an event. Santa, food, the works. 

When my mom married my step-father we started to make some of our own traditions. In came the turkey, stuffing and steamed veggies. I started to bake cookies, tarts, and sugar balls. (Get your mind out of the gutters ladies. You know who you are.) That was a tradition I picked up from my best friend, Katie.

When my son was old enough we tried a new cookie recipe each year (along with the easy bake ones from the supermarket) specifically ones that were kid friendly and easy to make. After I got married, more traditions came and with the birth of my daughter, I’m sure there will be more again. Some of the original traditions remain, while others fell by the way side for one reason or another.

What about you? What are your Christmas traditions? Have they changed over the years or remained the same.

All I Want for Christmas Giveaway #10

First off, I hope everyone is having a great holiday season! And that you are all enjoying our Christmas giveaways! I knew our Angels could come up with something spectacular and in sync with the 'spirit' of giving this year!

My topic today is FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SMELL. 


I have to admit that I really don't have a favorite smell for the holidays, but if any of you REALLY know me, you know that I LOVE food! So that pretty much rounds out what I love to smell at this time of year......LOL!

The scents of a roasting turkey and a honey glazed ham. The brown sugar laden smells of yams sticky sweet with their syrupy glaze, alongside the sharp tang of cranberry sauce. Don't forget the sweet misery that awaits when you hit the dessert table! Pecan, apple and pumpkin pies! Scrumptious, nose-tingling, stomach cramping, divinity, pecan pralines and fudge....


Gosh, that list could go on and on! 

There are a few smells that aren't in the food category that I also love...the fresh, woodsy scent of a fir tree. The sharp smell of that certain holiday fragrance you love lighting before your company arrives. 

Please share with me, my fellow angels and our blog followers what you believe is YOUR favorite smell for the holiday.Don't forget to post your email address also, so that I can get in touch with you if you are the winner!


As the prize I have a trio of fabulous season scented mini candles in glass votive holders, and a book surprise!


Sending best wishes and warm thoughts for:

Trish aka Wackycajun

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY #6

Christmas would be nothing without gifts, right?  So, why would I have a difficult time writing about the best Christmas gift I ever received?  Probably because I'm the worst person to buy for.  My husband has said it, my mother has said it, even my children have said it.

The problem is not that I'm picky, quite the contrary, I'm not choosy enough.  I'm so excited that anyone thought enough to get me a gift, I can't say I've ever gotten anything I wasn't grateful to receive.  Maybe that's what it boils down to.  I'm one blessed person, and I know it.  I may not drive the fanciest car or live in a castle of a home, but I have everything I could ever need, so when people ask what I want, I honestly struggle to think of anything.

That's why four years ago, I was actually surprised that my husband got it right without my even telling anyone the one thing I wanted but thought was too expensive to ask for.  Not jewelry, not fur, not even spa treatments (although I wouldn't say no to the last one).  No, after eleven years of marriage, he knew me well enough to know what I go crazy for and sprung for an e-reader.

I realize this is a fairly common gift now, and even at the time, e-readers were already growing in popularity, but the prices were still very high, and I was amazed he'd sprung for such an expensive gift.  I finally understood how other women felt when they opened a little black box and saw the sparkle winking back at them, except my ultimate sparkly wasn't a diamond--it was a way to get instant reading gratification, anonymity, and portability.  I was beyond happy and gushed about it to anyone who would listen.

Sometimes they get it right, and I have to thank my husband for my best Christmas gift ever.

How about you?  What's the best gift you ever received?  Are you easy or difficult to gift?  Leave a comment and your e-mail addy for a chance to win a $10 gift card to the online bookseller of your choice.

Cherie

Into the Fire Amazon BuyLink: http://tinyurl.com/3f7vfnp
Into the Fire TWRP BuyLink: http://tinyurl.com/3mfn3zj
Facebook– http://on.fb.me/qRl1lD
Twitter— http://twitter.com/cheriemarks

All I want for Christmas Giveaway # 3

Welcome to day three of our Christmas Giveaway. Today I'll be talking about Christmas Holidays. Those two words can strike fear into people's heart or warm them to their toes. They bring about memories of spending time with family sharing stories or trudging through airports trying to catch a plane ride home or to visit family, giving us Thanksgiving flashbacks.

Because I live in the Cayman Islands our holidays are always filled with sunshine and our "Christmas weather" is the temperature dropping to the 70's with wonderful cool breezes.

Until last year neither my son nor I had seen snow, so we were excited to visit family in North Carolina. It was in the 50's when we got there which for us was cold, but lovely. On Christmas day we woke up early (my son is seven), and opened presents. Shortly after, it started snowing. We couldn't have planned it more perfectly.

(Had to include this picture of my cutie)

My son rushed outside in a hoody and shorts before I could convince him he needed more clothing. Thankfully five minutes later he ran back inside to put on pants, thicker socks, gloves and a proper jacket. We stayed outside eating the snow that had fallen on the front step staircase and sliding down the driveway in a makeshift sled. By ten o'clock there was eighteen inches of snow and when we drove to town later there were snowmen by every house. It snowed the whole time we were there and my son, husband and I were outside everyday having snowball fights and sledding down the driveway. It was to date the best Christmas vacation we've ever had.

My giveaway today is the famous Cayman Islands Tortuga Rum Cake. For a chance to win this tasty treat tell us about your favorite Christmas vacation and don't forget to leave your email information.

All I Want for Christmas Giveaway #2

Hello everyone and welcome to the next two days of giveaways! Here's what I want to know: What is the worst Christmas gift you've ever received?

As a kid, I remember receiving a brown sweater. What's wrong with that you ask? Well, I didn't want to wear it because it was the color of poo and I was afraid of being teased by the kids at school. As an adult, I think the worst gift I ever received was...SOAP! (I apologize to all those little gymnasts and their parents who thought it was a good gift.) To me, soap is kind of personal, like underwear. You see, I'd never go to Victoria's Secret and purchase undies for a friend because of a thing called PERSONAL PREFERENCE! In my mind, different people like different scents so purchasing soap is kind of a crap shoot. Perhaps to the purchaser of said gift, it doesn't really matter because soap can be relatively inexpensive. But people have different skin sensitivities and some soaps can leave your skin dry and flaky if it's not the right kind for you.

Plus, if you're not purchasing those little $5 gift baskets from your local Wal-mart and going to places like The Body Shop, Lush or Bath and Body Works then you're shelling out big bucks on the hopes they'll like what you pick. I'm guilty of giving soap as a gift too (hangs head), and hoping that the smile the receiver pastes on their face is because they like it and not because it stinks! Because not all citrus scents are zestfully refreshing, some flowers should've stayed in the field, and - WHAT THE HECK IS THAT SMELL?

I really don't mean to complain. A lot of soap is packaged ever so pretty. Some of them are such vibrant colors and interesting shapes. When someone takes the time to at least remember you in a small way, it's a wonderful thing. And I have received some soap I absolutely loved. Any  I didn't like, I let my kids use, or I use it to keep my dresser drawers fresh. (Don't look at me weird - my grandma did that all the time!)

Okay - now it's your turn! What is the worst gift you've ever received? Tell us in a comment below, leave your email addy and you'll win.........not soap. LOL I've got a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary to give away and if you have that, I've got loads of other stuff you can choose from! And while you're here, please follow our blog and you can find us on twitter @AssCheekAngels  :)

Beach Love was our winner from the 1st days of giveaways! Congrats :)

Happy Holidays! Kellie Kamryn

Ass Cheek Angels All I Want for Christmas Giveaway

Beginning December 1st, we lovely Ass Cheek Angels are holding contests all December long with some fabulous give away prizes! Every couple of days one of the Angels will post about their favorite or worst Christmas something or other. All you have to do is leave a comment with your email addy to be entered to win!

The week between Christmas and New Years we are holding a bigger contest! We'll start off writing a Christmas story. To be entered, continue with a bit of the story and leave your email address. The more you comment, the more times you can be entered to win. The Grand Prize is an ebook from at least 4 of the Angels who are currently published! Four books!!  What a way to start the New Year!

We hope you'll join us this holiday season as we spread around the holiday cheer! Hope to see you on the blog :)

A Little Holiday Inspiration

I am wrapping up a lot of grading and Christmas shopping, but I thought while I was working on that, you could take enjoy these hot and sexy Santas or Christmas attired gentleman to get you into the spirit of Christmas. I think there is something for everyone! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!