Hey y'all!!!! I am back. I know I know. I did it again. It has been way too long yet again. But it is my favorite time of the year and after talking about blogging with one of my dear friends, I have decided to put my self on a schedule so I can get back to lifting us all and what better way to jump back into the game than to write about Christmas music??
With all the craziness going on in the world, I could write about a million different things but why not start the week off by getting into the holiday spirit. I love this time of joy, family, food, friends, and rejuvenation. I love picking out gifts my family will love, decorating the Christmas tree, and listening to Christmas music. I literally have 5+ versions of This Christmas on my playlist (I will spare you with only one). A few years ago, my Top 10 Christmas song list was featured on BlogHer and while many of those songs are still my jams, I discovered a few new (or at least new to me) ones. This years list definitely an eclectic one. So without further adieu here is my list.
Be lifted into the holiday spirit my friends!
Top 10 Christmas Jams for 2016
1. Peabo Bryson-It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
2. Anthony Hamilton- Spend Christmas With You
3. Michael Buble- Holly Jolly Christmas
4. Train-Shake up Christmas
5. Mariah Carey-Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
6. John Legend-Winter Wonderland
7. Donny Hathaway-This Christmas
8. Mary Mary-'Tis The Season (repeat but this song just gets you right in the spirit!)
9. Andra Day & Stevie Wonder-Someday at Christmas
10. Mary J. Blige & Jessie J.-Do You Hear What I Hear?
As you read a few days ago, I wasn't really getting into the Christmas spirit like I normally do. I was just so busy with life and people and then I had someone--most likely a child--steal my hard earned cash less than an hour after I got it from the bank to go on a trip with my family.
I called myself getting ready for my trip to Hershey (see my post The Sweetest Place on Earth). I was being fiscally responsible---putting credit cards away and making sure I had ample cash and change for gas, the events we were going to, random cash only spots, and anything else we might want. Then BAM I get ripped off in a short one hour window at work---when I went back in for secret Santa nonetheless at the end of the day.
This makes me sad for humanity for a a lot of reasons. Here are a few: one, in my 6 years in Newark, no one has ever stolen from me expect for maybe office supplies or candies. Two, I was just telling one of my fellow classmates that while Newark can be rough but it's actually not that bad. Three, what is going on in people's lives that they are compelled to go into someones purse and empty their wallet? Even though it is still wrong, I understand a person swiping something from a store or taking money that is just lying around but to go into someones purse, house, or to rob someone on the street--why? Not only did I get robbed, but a close friend of mine also had her house broken into a day later. Thank God she wasn't home but what if she had children and what they stole were their belongings and gifts? I am sure this has happened to someone and their family. Lastly, this small incident is a reality for so many more on a more frequent basis. What is happening?
When did people become so hopeless and/or greedy that they have to steal? Are parents no longer teaching their children to strive for better or to simply not to take things that don't belong to them? Once children reach an age at which we feel they should be independent, why do we think that we no longer monitor them and check on them? Children are not grown once they can dress themselves or make a meal or two. The child who probably stole my money most likely wasn't flashing it around but my initial thoughts are geez her parents didn't notice a hundred dollar bill and other extra cash with them? Are they not making more trips to the store or surprised that their child has extra money that they know they didn't give them?
I know that stealing is common for children in certain age ranges. But dag did they have to steal my money? I have seen and read stories about kids stealing from their parents for games, candy, cars, etc. Some of these same kids, will turn into young adults who will go on to steal as well on a larger scale. People are losing their lives because they won't give up their Jordan's to thieves. Why are shoes more valuable than life? My son is growing up in this world. And even though I am try to teach him that less is more, eventually he will want to fit in and be able to buy his own things so then what?
*sigh*
This "now" generation is killing us softly. Gone of the days of working hard and enjoying the fruits of your labor at the end. People want what they want and they want it now even if they have to take it. UGH
The Grinch does exist and not just around the holidays either.
Maybe we need to take a page out of this guys book and let these kids know that we are not playing and hopefully they won't be compelled to steal and will appreciate what they have.
Christmas is probably my favorite holiday hands down. This year though, I'm not really in the spirit the way I normally am. There has just been so much going on. It seems like yesterday was Thanksgiving and now BAM here we are only two days away from Christmas. My gifts are wrapped/shipped off, Christmas music is playing, all my dinner items have been purchased but I am just not into it yet. Hopefully, once I start cooking things will start to turn around. How can you not get excited about Christmas right?? Wrong. Now I kind of wish that maybe I did go to Florida to spend Christmas with my husband's family. Maybe I just need a change of scenery. When I was at Hershey, I definitely felt more in the spirit.
Anyhow, here is my menu. Most of which is the same as Thanksgiving but I opted to try a few different things. You can check out some quick fixes and tips to make dinner prep easy breezy here.
Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars(This is the only one I have actually made before and it is awesome. I am using the recipe in the link but I got caramel apple filling this time instead.)
**More Pics coming later as I start to get this dinner together.
I've been wanting to go to Hershey, PA forever. This year I finally made it happen and I was not let down (except for the fact that only 2 hours before my trip, someone--most likely one of my student stole cash from my walled but we'll talk about that later though). There were so many yummy things to eat and relatively affordable things to do; we definitely got our monies worth and the people were awesome. I almost didn't want to leave.
My own little chocolate drop had the time of his life trying all the chocolate treats, hanging with Santa, and we got to spend some time with my big brother too (lots of Jay's in one room). I highly recommend this place to any and everyone, especially if you have a little one. I bet every holiday season brings a new adventure in chocolate world. I will definitely try to take it all in during this lifetime.
I plan to go back but next year, Philly here we come! (Maybe we can do both...hehe)
Christmas is definitely my favorite holday hands down. I am excited to delve in and learn/re-learn things about the advent season as I read books to my son this month. I'll let you know if I find any really good ones for little people.
Here are some of my favorite Christmas jams to get you in the spirit. Enjoy!
Hey y'all!!!! I am back. I know I know. I did it again. It has been way too long yet again. But it is my favorite time of the year and after talking about blogging with one of my dear friends, I have decided to put my self on a schedule so I can get back to lifting us all and what better way to jump back into the game than to write about Christmas music??
