Do you have any traditions you share each year with your families?

I have mentioned that every year we take the kids on a night-time light- seeing drive around town.  We did that last week.

Tonight, since it’s Christmas Eve, we will watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  This tradition started many years ago with my parents and we continue it every year.  I think we can all recite the whole dang movie.  And it still makes us laugh out loud.

We also find time every year to watch Elf, A Christmas Story (you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!) The Grinch and The Snowman.  My personal favorite from the time I was young is It’s a Wonderful Life.  But I am very particular about it – it HAS to be the black and white version.

There’s also holiday music playing nearly non – stop this time of year at our house.  I am going out on a limb admitting this, but I am very partial to John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas. We also like Enya’s last two winter albums, and Sarah McLachlan’s Christmas album.  Of course I adore all of the traditional and classical stuff as well, (Nat King Cole!) and Charlie Brown Christmas has been on a constant loop in our truck for weeks now.

One very special cd seems to be rather unknown,however.  Have you heard of Teja Bell?  If I had to pick only one cd to play for Christmas, this would be it.

Tonight I am finishing up my pre-big day baking and whipping up a batch of brioche dough for our annual Pigs In A Blanket smorgasbord.  I make the dough every Christmas Eve, and every Christmas morning, Paul rolls little mini smokies up with it and we eat wonderful little piggies all morning with rum and eggnog.

This year I am also baking Chocolate Cream Pie for dessert.  In fact, I still have plenty to do to get ready for Santa, so I bid you all the loveliest and most peaceful of holidays.  See you on the other side.