Tag: Tis the Season

In My Own Words, Lifestyle

A Stressed Christmas

RaeAnna

I LOVE Christmas. I really love Christmas. 

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We’re partying it up in our house with beer (or a teacup that says whiskey with Dr. Pepper inside). | Beau’s sweater | Candy Cane Dress | Glasses | Ugly Sweater | PJ Pants | Socks | Santa Bag | Tree | Earrings |

The holidays are literally my happiest time of the year. I spend two months baking, listening to Christmas movies, wrapping presents, buying presents, making sure the house looks and smells festive. I want everyone who walks in the door to be hit in the face with good cheer and cookies. There’s nothing about the Christmas season I don’t love. That I can think of in this moment. It is absolutely enchanting to me, and it always has been. 

I’m friends with a lot of parents. Christmas is four days away, and so many of my parenting friends are over it. In a lot of ways, I DON’T GET IT!!! How can anyone not love the best time of year. In other ways, I totally get it. It’s the time of the year, where your house should look like a magazine all the time because friends and family are coming over. It should look and feel like Christmas. Bake some cookies. Clean. Buy a tree. Clean. Buy presents. Clean. Don’t forget any presents for anyone let alone your friend’s parent’s dog. Put up the tree. Decorate. Clean some more. Throw a party. Go to twelve parties. Make sure you have an ugly Christmas sweater. Clean that thing five more times because life happens and things get dirty. 

There is more pressure than any other time of year to be the perfect ‘50s family in a perfect Christmas house brimming with gingerbread cookies, eggnog, and candy canes in every nook and cranny they could even be up your butt. If you don’t know what I’m talking about: turn on the Hallmark channel for fifteen seconds. That’s it. Be that. Anything less than 127.9% happy at all times is not happy enough. If you can’t step in for seventeen of Santa’s elves, You.Are.Failing.Christmas. This is just if you’re breathing. If you’re breathing with kids, the bar is set higher. You have to make Christmas magic for the children and everyone else. 

I hate decorating, but I love when my home is decorated, so I suck it up for one day and get it done. Other than that, I love all the things about Christmas because I love having a showroom perfect house (totally anal retentive and OCD); I love listening to nothing but classic Christmas music; any excuse to bake is a good one in my book; I love showering people with presents; I love throwing parties and making sure everyone is 128% happy; I love having an excuse to radiate happiness and wish people well. I am a raging feminist. I am also very much of a Suzy Homemaker in so many ways. I love the Christmas season because it gives me an excuse to go full-RaeAnna on EVERYONE, and no one will think it’s weird for these two months. Christmas epitomizes me as a person, so it makes sense I love it. 

Not everyone does. That’s okay!!! I can only imagine how exhausting all of this would be to someone who is not so inclined. I can’t imagine the pressure parents feel to make Christmas perfect. So I’m going to do Christmas my way. I hope you do Christmas your way!!!!

Dylan and I decided to channel “So Over It” by stressed parents on Christmas Eve after the kids have FINALLY gone to sleep waiting for Santa for our Ugly Sweater picture. Even Beau got in on the fun with her ugly sweater. Mine’s not a sweater, but it’s a pretty atrocious dress.  

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Books, Fiction

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

RaeAnna

Worth A Read Yes
Length 128
Quick Review The Herdman kids decide to take part in a church’s Christmas pageant, and it is the town’s nightmare incarnate. The director decides to make it the best pageant ever, anyways.

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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is so cute!!! | Buffalo Plaid Flannel Shirt | Black T-shirt Dress | Watch | Snowflake Earrings | Black Suede Over-the-Knee Boots |

I had never read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, but I had read the play many, many years ago. Not only did I read it, I played one of the main characters, Imogene Herdman, in the play as a kid. It was fun to revisit this poignant and funny story full of devilish children in a Christmas pageant.

Imogene, Ralph, Claude, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are a nightmare. With almost no parental supervision, they run amok around town and in school. A reputation for bullying, theft, and utter chaos follows them everywhere. None of the other children like them, and even the teachers avoid them. The Herdman’s are all but beyond help. By chance, they end up at Sunday school and take an interest in the Christmas pageant. Even as everything is falling apart for the director, she decides to make it the best pageant the church has ever had, even with the disastrous Herdmans. 

Published in 1972, I was shocked by how progressive it was towards gender equality and religious views. Robinson calls out society’s female stereotype for being sweet in the first sentence, “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls)…” The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is 128 page children’s novel and a social critique making points on parenting, religion, the education system, government, and culture in general. Robinson writes an entertaining story full of funny and teachable moments sure to enchant children while leaving adults with a story full of nuance and insight. 

A little girl in the same class as Imogene Herdman is the narrator of the story. The narrator is also the daughter of the pageant’s director. She has a fairly passive role within the story, but her narration has a really beautiful arc of understanding and growth, which is the same arc Robinson hopes the reader will travel on. 

I grew up in a progressive, Christian church. I knew a lot more about the history of the Christmas story than others, but there is a gap in how the Christmas story is told in church and how it is written in the Bible. Robinson makes a point of calling attention to this gap. The narrator acts as the mirror for the reader to, likely, see themselves in. The Herdman children are the fresh perspective. Without a religious background, they’re making observations on the weird parts of the story most people and churches gloss over. The narrator is a good person, but her mind is opened by the seeming antagonists: The Herdmans. She has really poignant moments of growth, “[Jesus] could have had colic, or been fussy, or hungry like any other baby. After all, that was the whole point of Jesus – that he didn’t come down on a cloud or like something out of “Amazing Comic,” but that he was born and lived… a real person.” and “I had never thought much about Herod. He was just a name, somebody in the Bible. Herodtheking.” I thought these were incredibly beautiful moments within The Best Christmas Pageant Ever because I have seen adults who have not been able to make those same realizations.

One of my favorite moments in the book to read was the line ”We put Glady in a bureau drawer,” from Imogene because I remember saying it on stage. There were several scenes I very much appreciated. Imogene running around with a cigar was another because I had so much fun playing that character. Being a naughty Herdman was so fun as a little girl.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is such a great story for the whole family. I absolutely loved reading it for the first time as an adult.

Memorable Quotes
“We figured they were headed straight for hell, by way of the state penitentiary…”

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Title: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Author: Barbara Robinson
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 1972
ISBN: 9780064402750

Blog + Dog

Beau and Christmas Tree Hunting

RaeAnna
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On the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree!!! | Beau’s Christmas Sweater | Black Shirt | Jeans | Sparkly Shoes |
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Posing while Beau is straining to greet passers by. | Beau’s Christmas Sweater | Sherpa Jacket |

The simple joys in life bring me the most happiness. Christmas tree hunting with Beau is one of the best things we do all year. 

This was Beau’s third year Christmas tree hunting. She doesn’t contribute anything but cuteness to the adventure. Actually, it’s a total hassle bringing a dog. Trying to find the perfect tree to fit in the home I have and not the massive living room I wish you had and cutting down a tree with a saw while juggling an enthusiastic people greeter on black Friday at a Christmas tree farm is a hand full. Worth it! But a handful.  

Last year, we took our Christmas picture at the Christmas tree farm. Beau was cooperative for picture last year. This year… a whole different story. We weren’t planning on taking the Christmas picture… but a nice picture would have been grand. There is ONE picture where she’s looking at the camera. The rest, she’s straining trying to go say ‘hi’ to all the people cooing at her. Suffice to say, we gave up on the family photo this year. *Insert our efforts here.*

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THE good one. It was also the first one. | Black Shirt | Jeans | Sparkly Shoes | Beau’s Christmas Sweater | Dylan’s Buffalo Plaid Flannel |

Beau was more comfortable on the tractor this year. She even laid down. A cute little boy, named Leo, gave her a sticker. She didn’t love it, but she managed to keep it on until we got to the car. A five year olds feelings were not hurt on our search.

We’re working on decorating the tree today. It’s been up and decorated with lights since Friday, but we’ve been busy [read as: lazy], so it hasn’t been done yet. My office is decorated, and most of the house is decorated. Just the tree and a few garland strings need to be put up to finish the look!

Now it’s time to start baking because I have fun recipes coming your way for Christmas/winter inspired goodies!!!

Fun Fact: I am allergic to Christmas trees. I can’t touch them because they make me itchy. If they poke me hard enough, which is not hard at all, I break out in cute little pustules. Merry Christmas, I look like I have the plague. 

bisous und обьятий,
Beau + RaeAnna

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Books, Reading Lists

11 Books to Read This Christmas

RaeAnna
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Beau agrees, she can’t believe it’s Christmas already!!! | A Christmas Treasury | Christmas Dog Mug

Hi. Halloween has come and gone, which means it’s the best season of all. Christmas. I’ve been listening to Christmas music for eleven days now. Last year, I read a bunch of Christmas books in three weeks. I started earlier this year, but I have more to read. I haven’t posted any seasonal book reviews yet because I know not everyone is as Christmabsessed as I am. Anyways, here are eleven books you can and should read during the happiest time of year. 

  1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (classic, duh)
  2. The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas (not the ballet)
  3. The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn
  4. The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
  5. Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
  6. Letter from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
  7. Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire
  8. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
  9. Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 
  10. Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
  11. How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn

Some of these I’ve read in previous years. Some I have read this year, and there are a few I haven’t read yet, but they’re waiting for me on my shelf to read in front of the tree!!!

Baked Goods, In The Kitchen

Pumpkin Scones

RaeAnna
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Pumpkin Scones are the perfect fall treat for breakfast or afternoon.

Pumpkin Scones

It’s that time of year. Pumpkin time. They’re everywhere. Is it just me, or do they increase in popularity annually? Not that I mind. I live and breathe for the three months a year pumpkin pie is an acceptable dinner option… Is that just me? Whatever, I’m gonna keep consuming whole pies.

As much as I love pumpkin, I am actually really picky about the pumpkin pie alternatives. I hate Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They’re not my jam. I want to show you a few of my favorite fall pumpkin recipes, which I have fine tuned over the years. They’re not super pumpkin punchy, but they’ll get you in the spirit.

The first of many recipes to come is a fabulous breakfast option to go with your morning coffee or PSL or cocoa or apple cider. Fall options are the best options. Anyways! Here’s my quick and easy pumpkin scone recipe. The glaze is not necessary, but a yummy, sugary addition. I made my own pumpkin puree, but canned pumpkin is just as good. I suggest chilling it in a container, so it doesn’t get that metallic flavor.

Ingredients
Scone

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter* – cold and grated
  • 3/4 canned pumpkin puree – chilled (don’t chill in can)
  • 4 Tbsp buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extrac

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp half and half , then more as needed
  • 1 tbs pumpkin puree
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ginger
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg

*Note on butter. I like to freeze the butter and grate it frozen. It takes a lot of the effort out of cutting it into the flour mixture, in my opinion. Keeping the butter cold is important because that’s what gives the scones a flaky texture. So the faster you work the better! Also if it’s frozen, it stays colder that much longer.

I hear Starbucks has a seasonal pumpkin scone, so why not save some money and impress your friends by making it at home!

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°
  • Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.
  • Grate frozen butter. If you want to follow tradition: Cut butter into 1/2 inch cubes.
  • Mix butter into the dry ingredients. Work quickly to incorporate, so the flour holds together without being wet. Don’t overwork. There will be very small chunks of butter incorporated thoroughly.
  • Make a well in the dry ingredients. Crack the cold egg, cold pumpkin puree, cold buttermilk, and vanilla into the well.
  • Mix all the ingredients until combined. It will be a firm dough that will hold its shape. It shouldn’t be very sticky.
  • Form dough into a a 1 ½ to 2 inch thick disk. Cut into eight equal triangles.
  • Place on baking sheet.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
  • While the scones are baking…
    • Whisk all the ingredients for the glaze in a bowl. It will be a golden brown color flecked by the spices.
  • Pull the scones out and place on cooling rack.
  • Dip the top of the scone into the glaze. OR drizzle the glaze on top of the scones. I like to dip them when they’re still a little warm; this allows the glaze to have a smooth top that drips down the sides.
  • ENJOY!

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I would love to hear all about your favorite pumpkin recipes! Let me know in the comments!