Christmas Festivities

Sun., Dec. 23: M&M arrived, then R&J. Menu: Sam's rotisserie chicken, chicken pot pie w/ flaky jumbo biscuits, R's pecan pie, Erica's cake balls.

Mon., Dec. 24: Did Xmas trivia research. Watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Justice League w/ M. Went to Xmas-themed Trivia Night at Playalinda Brewing Co. (Downtown) w/ M&M (5th place). Ate a soft pretzel (yum) w/ ale cheese sauce (too much beer :P) & honey mustard. Ran into Lorna's parents.

Xmas Trivia

Round 1: Xmas (General)

1. Supposed German traditional ornament, hidden in the Xmas tree? - Pickle.
2. New Xmas character that watches kids being naughty or nice? - Elf on a Shelf.
3. European folklore's half-goat Xmas demon that punishes bad kids? - Krampus.
4. Much-reviled Xmas food known for its long shelf life? - Fruitcake.
5. Santa Claus in France? - Pere Noel.
6. Decade when NORAD started tracking Santa? - 1950s.
7. 3 names for Santa? - Father Christmas, Kris Kingle, Saint Nicholas.
8. Xmas symbol that originated as a pagan virility symbol? - Mistletoe.
9. Country w/ the 1st Xmas tree? - Germany.
10. Estimated cost of the gifts from "12 Days of Christmas"? - $1.3 million

Round 2: Xmas Movies & TV Specials

1. Name of Rudolph's elf friend & his dream job? - Hermey; dentist.
2. Frosty's 1st words? - Happy birthday!
3. Last song sung in Charlie Brown Christmas? - "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (hummed & sung)
4. Names of the boy, brother, & friends in A Christmas Story? - Ralphie, Randy, Flick, Schwartz.
5. Names & criminal name of the burglars in Home Alone? - Harry & Marv, the Wet Bandits.
6. Popular toy in Jingle All the Way? - Turbo Man.
7. What action movie am I thinking of? - Die Hard.
8. What cousin Eddie says is full in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? - The shitter.
9. Actor who played Papa Elf in Elf? - Bob Newhart.
10. CD that Alan Rickman gives to Emma Thompson in Love Actually? - Joni Mitchell.

Round 3: Xmas Songs

1. What Grandma drank too much of &what she forgot in "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"? - Egg nog, medication.
2. "I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer" - "Holly Jolly Christmas"
3. "Run Run Rudolph" reelin' like a what? - Merry-go-round.
4. "Do They Know It's Christmas" benefited what country under famine? - Ethiopia.
5. Dinner in Run-DMC's "Christmas in Hollis"? - Chicken, collard greens, rice, stuffing, mac & cheese.
6. "Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun" - "Jingle Bell Rock"
7. Next adjectives after "O Come All Ye Faithful"? - Joyful & triumphant.
8. Bing Crosby's best-selling song? - "White Christmas"
9. The "prettiest sight to see"? - "the holly that will be on your own front door" ("It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas")

Tues., Dec. 25: Xmas feast w/ the whole family (slightly awkward). Spiral-cut honey ham w/ cranberry sauce, roast beef w/ mushroom gravy, sauteed shrimp, veggie medley, whole wheat stuffing, Sister Schubert dinner rolls, Claxton fruit cake (from R), Aldi tiramisu & apple pie, R's pecan pie, my pumpkin pie, Mom's strawberry cream cheese pie, whipped cream. YUM.

Wed. Dec. 26: Early morning Wal-Mart run w/ Mom for discount Xmas decor. Bought pretty ornaments: glitter (maple?) leaves, pack of assorted red-green-gold mini balls/stars/bells, star w/ jingle bells, & mini gas lamp. Cracker Barrel breakfast w/ M&M & Dad. Ate country-fried chicken w/ scrambled eggs, hashbrown casserole, grits (gave to M&M), & biscuits w/ country sausage gravy (mm). Watched Searching: excellent movie, so innovative, really good mystery w/ great writing, directing, & acting (John Cho <3). After M finished her paper wreath (& met up w/ an old classmate), we watched Ant-Man.

Thurs., Dec. 27: M&M returned home.