To the people who buy new winter coats

I know you're excited about your new coat. You want to show it off to the world!

It's Calvin Klein! It's 100% wool!

But you know what? You need to cut off the label on the sleeve. You know, the one down by your hand? You may not even need to cut the two pieces of thread holding it on. In a lot of cases, it's just a sticker that you can just pull off.

And once you finish with that, you can scratch the clearance stickers off the bottoms of your heels. We can still see them when you're walking, even if you can't.

Phew! Got those two pet peeves off my chest! Merry Christmas to me!

Here's one thing I miss about Ireland

Moisture in the air.

I'm so glad I now have an answer for people when they ask me what I miss about living in Ireland since I am asked this All.The.Time.

It's only December and the skin on my face already feels like it's going to break off. I use Dove Extra Moisture soap in the mornings to wash my face in the shower and by the time I get out my face is bright red and on fire. I apply my sensitive skin moisturiser and it feels like I'm dousing it in acid. Then I proceed to shock myself with everything I touch as I walk around getting ready for work or stand up from the couch. My clothes stick to me. I'll soon be in the market for a humidifier in the bedroom since it's only a matter of time until my nasal passages are so dry I can't sleep. I miss radiator heat which is warmer and not nearly as dry as central heat.

Oh yeah, I miss one other thing - M&S reduced fat hummus. Grocery store hummus here is nasty. We've tried a couple different kinds and we both agree that it's gross. Funny thing is when I first moved to England and was visiting friends, I specifically remember saying to them that I didn't like the hummus there and thought it was nasty. Oops! Fortunately, it's good at the local Greek restaurants, but I don't want eating hummus to be a special occasion!

Trying to get my blog mojo back with this Christmas quiz!

The Annoyed Army Wife posted this on her blog and I thought it was cute. I'm having a bit of writer's block, so I'm hoping this helps!

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Definitely hot chocolate. Egg nog has uncooked eggs in it that you're supposed to drink and well, that's totally gross.

Colored lights on tree/house or white? I actually like both (we have white), but I don't like a mixture. Either go small colored, large colored, or white. Don't put a string of each all willy nilly around your yard. That's the worst. Oh, and if you're putting candles in the window keep them white. There's a farmhouse down the road from my parents who use red lights. I'm pretty sure Satan lives there.

Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I like the look of real mistletoe. Not too keen on the fake plastic kind!

When do you put your decorations up? Not until sometime in December. November is way too early and I'm usually still digesting Thanksgiving until at least December 1st.

What is your favorite holiday dish? I don't really have a favorite dish, but I like to have nibbles/snacks on Christmas eve, something special for breakfast (basically anything but cereal), and ham on Christmas day.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Getting dressed up to go to the candlelight service at our church when we lived in State College. We had these little pins with bells on them that we would wear and I just thought that was something special.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I'm not sure, really. I think my best friend who had an older, wiser brother spilled the beans. However, her dad used to go around visiting all the kids in the neighborhood dressed as Santa and I would always ask her if that was her dad and she would deny it over and over. She didn't admit it to me until we were teenagers.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nope.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? This was the first year we have had a tree since we were married. My husband sat on the couch watching 'The Hangover' while I put it up. As I unpacked the ornaments I would show him every single one. Good times. 

Snow! Love it or Dread it? It's definitely not winter without the possibility of having snow. I love it unless I'm stranded for 3 days with my parents. 'Nuff said.

Do you remember your favorite gift? I got lots of good toys growing up, there was the year we got the rollerskate jackets, but I think my favorite gift was a ladder. That's right. It's one of those things that you want, but it's just pricey enough that you don't want to buy it yourself.

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I think it's easier to say what is my least favorite. Mince pies. These were a non-issue in my life until I moved to England where pretty much the ONLY Christmas treat people bring to the office are mince pies. It was seriously annoying. This reminded me of my favorite holiday treat which is chocolate chip cookies with red and green M&Ms.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Baking cookies. I don't do that many, but it does put me in the mood!

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? I'm indifferent. They're okay, but I don't go nuts.

Favorite Christmas movie? Hmmm...well, it's NOT White Christmas. That movie is the pits and it has nothing to do with Christmas. I'm a big fan of Elf and all the retro movies from the olden days.

Saddest Christmas Song? Christmas songs aren't supposed to be sad. Period.

What is your favorite Christmas song? I'm a fan of the hymns. I really like The Holly and the Ivy, Lo' How A Rose Er Blooming, and O Come, O Come Emmanuel.