Random Christmas Crap & Happy Hanukkah!

I only say crap cause that's the mood I am in today.

It really should be "Random Christmas Cuteness", but who wants to read about that?

Yeah, me neither.  

But, since you're here....

I was part of Kori's Secret Santa Exchange.  So much fun!  I had a wonderful SS who did me up right:

Everything arrived in this cute box...

Lots of goodies, including a really cute necklace and box of adorable ornaments!  It should be noted for the record that this box of treats also included some m&ms, jelly beans and a copy of People Magazine with many hot men inside.  Those items were immediately taken to the bedroom and enjoyed behind locked doors.  

So a big thank you to my Secret Santa, Shelly!

On to something else.. (I told you this would be random)... my mantle.  

We have a fake tree... hey, it's near a live wreath, so the smell is there.  I love our tree, it's a "pencil tree", tall and then, covered in white lights.  We got it last year and it was so beautiful without a single ornament that we leave it alone.  Sometimes less is more.

I do, however, decorate our mantle.  This year, I went with a brown and blue theme.

The picture is crap (see, I knew I'd find a way to work the "crap" in somewhere).  In person, it is so pretty.  Those cone trees are all brown crystals and that blue bow.. PURE BLUE SEQUENCE. DELISH and DELIGHTFUL.

Here is one a bit closer:

So where are the stockings?  On the banister.  Candy Man's grandmother made these, how beautiful is mine?

I think she captured my "essence" and position in the family.

I would also like to mention that my son's PUBLIC , California elementary school has a holiday performance.  With Christmas songs and all.. I know, crazy right?  They also say the Pledge of Allegiance AND leave the word "God" in it... crazy rebels, I love them for it.

Here are a few pics of that:

When I was growing up, we had as many Jewish kids as Christian kids in my school, and our Holiday performances celebrated both.  It was wonderful learning all about Hanukkah, making Dreidels, eating chocolate Gelt.  I am so grateful for growing up where different cultures were embraced and differences were not only tolerated, but celebrated.  

To all my Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah!!!