Christmas Early
Well, folks I did it. It's October and I have one more Christmas present to buy until I've completed my holiday shopping. We're talking for the entire clan, Christimas Eve gifts- done, stockings- done and Santa gifts- done and a couple birthdays too! Christmas is a very, very big deal in the Strom household so due to my proposed absence on tour, I have upheld gift giving justice early.
Oh, a Texas Strom Family Christmas... Honest, you've never seen so many presents, decorations, trees(4), (in the kitchen we have a revolving "rooster" themed tree that shimmers gold/silver and in the family room the "papa" tree with the ever popular masculine "sportsman" theme...we won't get into the others...) Last year while I visited, there were so many deliveries that the UPS man knew my name (he liked my slippers). Sharp chedder cheese and sausage chunks wrapped in really expensive cellophaned baskets is a popular gift giving option for the Texas business man to send to other Texas families. Sometimes they send smoked venison (chewey, but not bad).
After the candle light service, to get through the madness, we elect to skip the nog and go straight for a little drink called "Singapore Sling" - this drink is a "Christmas Miracle." The recipe is brought all the way from the Phillipines from my Grandpa Steve during World War II. After a couple of "slings" when the babes start petting and talking to the stuffed critters on the den wall you know it's Christmas. Food wise, I'm not allowed to be in charge of the sweet potatoes anymore. A couple of years ago, I tried to be all "Martha Stewart" and caught the marshmellows on fire which in turn caught the oven on fire which in turn made everyone think, "How does she cook for herself in Los Angeles?" It was really for the best, because now I just play with the kids.
And of course we have the ongoing gag gifts that get shipped back and forth from year to year. My father is a big prankster. My personal favorite, is "Travis the Talking Fish." I'm not kidding; it's a wall mounted fish that talks and sings when you walk by. It's been making the rounds since 1998 and will NEVER make it on a wall, I assure you. Two years ago I coined the phrase "Very Interesting" after I opened another fabulous home decor item from my mother. So now I have the crystal sugar pack holder and the matching toothpick holder "for my guests." And the whole time I'm thinking... "How am I gonna get Austrian crystal back to LA in a duffel bag?" See...I told ya, "Very Interesting."
Nuff nostalgic bliss...anyway, this all coincides to "Jersey Boys" because I wanted to get it done before I left for rehearsals. And I did...um...just five weeks earlier than I intended!
MSS, Over and Out
Oh, a Texas Strom Family Christmas... Honest, you've never seen so many presents, decorations, trees(4), (in the kitchen we have a revolving "rooster" themed tree that shimmers gold/silver and in the family room the "papa" tree with the ever popular masculine "sportsman" theme...we won't get into the others...) Last year while I visited, there were so many deliveries that the UPS man knew my name (he liked my slippers). Sharp chedder cheese and sausage chunks wrapped in really expensive cellophaned baskets is a popular gift giving option for the Texas business man to send to other Texas families. Sometimes they send smoked venison (chewey, but not bad).
After the candle light service, to get through the madness, we elect to skip the nog and go straight for a little drink called "Singapore Sling" - this drink is a "Christmas Miracle." The recipe is brought all the way from the Phillipines from my Grandpa Steve during World War II. After a couple of "slings" when the babes start petting and talking to the stuffed critters on the den wall you know it's Christmas. Food wise, I'm not allowed to be in charge of the sweet potatoes anymore. A couple of years ago, I tried to be all "Martha Stewart" and caught the marshmellows on fire which in turn caught the oven on fire which in turn made everyone think, "How does she cook for herself in Los Angeles?" It was really for the best, because now I just play with the kids.
And of course we have the ongoing gag gifts that get shipped back and forth from year to year. My father is a big prankster. My personal favorite, is "Travis the Talking Fish." I'm not kidding; it's a wall mounted fish that talks and sings when you walk by. It's been making the rounds since 1998 and will NEVER make it on a wall, I assure you. Two years ago I coined the phrase "Very Interesting" after I opened another fabulous home decor item from my mother. So now I have the crystal sugar pack holder and the matching toothpick holder "for my guests." And the whole time I'm thinking... "How am I gonna get Austrian crystal back to LA in a duffel bag?" See...I told ya, "Very Interesting."
Nuff nostalgic bliss...anyway, this all coincides to "Jersey Boys" because I wanted to get it done before I left for rehearsals. And I did...um...just five weeks earlier than I intended!
MSS, Over and Out
posted by Melissa Strom
@ 11:04 AM
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