GTKY! (New shorter edition)

2MamazInSeattle · November 2013

Hi all! In an effort to cut down on writing and reading time, I'm decreasing GTKY to 5(ish) questions/week! Hopefully more of you can join in since the time commitment will be a little less . Lots of newbies lately...please join in!!

Getting to know you!

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

3. How's the weather for you right now?

4. What are you doing this weekend?

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

Bonus: We always love a PIP!

GO!

keepsawaythenargles · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

We do celebrate Christmas. We have a tree and decorations. K <3s decorating for any holiday. We alternate so this year we will go to her family's Christmas Eve get together and my family's Christmas Day. Next year will be the opposite. This year we are doing the Christmas Eve box for each other with pjs, comfy socks/slippers, a favorite treat, and a movie. I am excited for this

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

Hm... stuff for cakes and cake decorating (as we are doing a cake decorating class together) Sucks not being able to eat it :-P

3. How's the weather for you right now?

Cold. Typical Michigan November weather (as typical as Michigan weather can be). It's been really windy lately, but it's kind of sunny today so it's not awful.

4. What are you doing this weekend?

It's my weekend to work But I think we're spending time with my mom on Saturday and we'll go to the gym.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

Yikes.... We would do nothing if you came to my ACTUAL city. But we would probably go to downtown Detroit to go see the big Christmas tree and go ice skating, we would eat at a National Coney Island (because they're delicious), and maybe go to The Henry Ford museum or the Detroit Institute of Arts. We would end the night at my favorite LGBT bar complete with drag show.

shelly2314 · November 2013

Getting to know you!

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?) We actually celebrate both Christmas and Chanukkah (my father is Jewish) so we have a Christmas tree/Chanukkah bush! I love to make my own decorations out of items I buy at the dollar store. I get a lot of great ideas off of Pinterest so that will keep me busy!

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?Augh...I hate grocery shopping. The last time I went was Sunday and I purchased all the items we would need for our meals for the week. I plan our meals out for the week as a habit I picked up from weight watchers. Noodles, bananas, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, chicken breasts, yogurt, milk, Arnolds bread, JELLO cups, garlic salt, turkey meatballs, and mac n cheese were some of the basics that were on the list

3. How's the weather for you right now?wonderful! Florida has finally started to cool off. It is probably around 70* here now. However it is suppose to rain all weekend and get back up to 80* by Sunday. Boo

4. What are you doing this weekend? We are trying to stay busy during the TWW. Tonight we have a massage and then date night! We have a canine christmas event we will be attending on Saturday where we can take our dogs for Xmas photos and support rescue groups in the area. Then we will go looking for Xmas supplies to make our decorations for this year. Sunday will be out with friends, yard work, and shopping for new landscaping.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas) Hmmm...Well, we would definitely have to go to Peach's for breakfast (it is ahmazing) Then we would go down to the beach (weather permitting) or out on the boat (great thing about living on the beach). There is the Florida Aquarium which is fun and where the wife and I had our reception. Then to Sweet Berries for lunch (and a concrete---LOVE THOSE). After that there is the art and boardwalk stroll which is relaxing and very interesting. And of course the outlet mall is where all my family members want me to take them. Then dinner is tricky...there are so many great places. I would have to say either DaRuma or Thai Wasabi as they are the bomb here! Then off to watch the sun set and the stars come out on the beach!

lamaitresse · November 2013

Love the shorter version... definitely saves time (and probably helps you not have to wrack your brain so much coming up with so many questions!)

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

Yes, but not in a religious sense. My partner and her family are non-religious; although my family is mostly Christian, I am actually Pagan so I celebrate Yule. We don't put up a tree in our house because we are usually in Toronto from Christmas Eve thru New Year's so we're just not around to enjoy it. But my mother-in-law always puts a tree up. Her house doesn't have a fireplace, so many years ago her husband made one out of cardboard for the grandkids to hang their stockings from. It must be nearly 30 years old now, but it still gets used every year! We exchange gifts and have a big turkey and/or ham dinner. When we all get together, there are 17 of us in the house. (When I say we, I mean Smurf's family. My family is scattered across the globe and I haven't seen any of them at Christmas time in at least 5 years).

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

Honestly? Toilet paper. LOL

3. How's the weather for you right now?

It S-N-O-W'd on Monday but it's mostly melted awat, and it's a balmy 7C (45F) outside right now :P

4. What are you doing this weekend?

On Saturday we have a potluck/goodbye party for some friends who are moving to Ottawa and Sunday we've been invited over to a friend's place for dinner. She's making cabbage roles. Mmmmm.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

Hmmm... well, assuming you're coming in the summer... for breakfast we'd hit up Archie's. Their meals are so big we'll be good pretty much right thru dinner time. In the morning, I'd show you around Wortley Village, which is the neighbourhood we live in (and just got voted best neighbourhood in Canada! Woo!). It's got a lot of rich history, some beautiful historical buildings, and lots of interesting shops. We can pick up a cup of coffee from the Black Walnut Cafe and sip on it while we walk 20 minutes to downtown. We'll take the "Scenic" route though, along the Thames river (yes, we live in London, Ontario and the river Thames flows through it. Yes, I know it's lame LOL), and stop in at the Covent Garden Market (YES, we have one too...) for a poke around. From there we'll walk to Victoria Park where one of the weekend music/arts/cultural/food festivals is happening. We literally have one every weekend in the summer. I can never keep track of them all so I just call them all "Fest Fest." After we've spent the afternoon there, I would probably take you to Tony's Panzerotti for dinner. A panzerotti is a pizza that's been folded in half and deep-fried... and Tony does it best. OMG I want one so bad right now. LOL

Jazibel · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

We celebrate Christmas but in a non-religious way. EV also doesn't necessary like the idea of celebrating a consumerist "hallmark" holiday, but she is super creative and loves many different aspects of the holidays. I love it all, music, cooler weather (I grew up with snow at Christmas), trees, baking, cooking, gifts, family, decorating. We usually meet in the middle and get a table top tree and decorate it. In the past we've also often traveled during the holidays. This is the first year we're staying home and I'm super excited. It just seems like it will be so much fun with Kaden actually of an age where he can participate and we can begin to make our own traditions. My mom is German so we used to light candles on the tree, and sing carols, drink hot cocoa, have a nice meal on Christmas eve, just our immediate family. We also got to open 1 gift that night. Christmas morning was the frenzy as it is is most households, though my parents never went totally overboard and I don't plan to either with our kids.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

Leg of lamb (currently cooking in the crock pot after being seared earlier), steak for goulash, lots of veggies, eggs, milk, cheese (Havarti, cheddar and string cheese), fruit, tortillas (I am planning on a burrito night), ummm.... other randomness like nuts, dried fruit. No treats this time.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

Sunny and 55 - high of 64 expected later today. There's a lot of fall foliage and some of our morning glories are still in bloom which is nice.

4. What are you doing this weekend?

I am leaving for the island of Roatan tonight. I'll take BART (our subway/above ground train) to the San Francisco airport in the late evening to catch a 12:15am flight. I land at 10:30am after flying through San Salvador. I return Tuesday and get in at 11pm. My reason for going is to retrieve our personal belongings (toys, car seat, clothes, etc.) and maybe sell some stuff down there including our funky green mini van full of ocean rust. But hey it runs!! ;-). Meet with our property management company. Finish outfitting both flats of the house with sheets, towels, etc. And meet with a few neighbors to discuss plans to build a pool, repair a huge sinkhole in the road (things like roads are often maintained by private homeowners), and other things. I have a ton of homework which has me stressed and the thought of the power going out while I'm alone in the house!! Argh. But I might buy a resort pass and hang out at the beach working on my case analysis. Yay spreadsheets and white sand beaches!! I told EV I will go snorkeling for her. I'm sad to leave my family I wish we could all go on a mini vacation together but alas it'll be a while. Still not sure when House Hunters International will air, but we have hopes that it will be in December :-)

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

I'm new to this town but I think we would go on a hike at the lake by my house, and then out for sushi lunch. (Yes I've had sushi pregnant!! EEEK -lol), then maybe for a walk through downtown (it's super cute and historic) for some organic ice cream. I know several great playgrounds so we could do that as well. As for dinner we've discovered a favorite Indian restaurant but maybe we'd order in since K goes to bed around 7:30. LOL lame friend date - but c'est la vie!! :-)

ATXmommas · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

We also celebrate in a non-religous way. Even though I'm no longer religious, I associate Christmas as a time to celebrate family and giving. Since Z and I have been together, we have spent most years with my family in Mississippi where Christmas is given great fanfare (I have a large immediate family). Last year was the first year that we did not travel to Mississippi, and this year will the second since our LO will be just weeks old. I'm sure over the coming years, Z and I will figure out what traditions we'll incorporate into our growing family. One thing Z and I have already started is to buy each other an ornament each year that somehow reflects something from the past year. We also stuff stockings for each other, which is fun. I've been waiting for kiddos to find the perfect stockings for us - I wish I could make stockings like @songbird31 (how cute!). I also would like to continue a tradition of cooking a big Christmas meal (not this year, though!) like I did last year - was my first time cooking a Seitan Roulade, which turned out quite well!

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

Staples & ingredients for (vegan) tortilla soup. I think. We go to the grocery store a lot. Well, Z does these days.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

There is a saying around these parts - "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes." Two days ago, Austin experienced record lows. Today it is warm and sunny - high in the 70s. Supposed to be in the 80s this weekend. It's so confusing.

4. What are you doing this weekend?

I have an acupuncture appointment in the morning, then yoga. Also plan on taking some walks. Other than that, I hope to be at/around home relaxing. I would love to have a baby this weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

See my response here! - https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12153030/ama-atxmommas#latest

Bonus: We always love a PIP!

Even Bama gets a stocking

ATXmommas · November 2013

keepsawaythenargles said:

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)
This year we are doing the Christmas Eve box for each other with pjs, comfy socks/slippers, a favorite treat, and a movie. I am excited for this
I love this! We may need to start doing this.

ball.and.chain · November 2013

@herbabymama -- I love mochi and I am laughing about your purchases too! Also those chairs in the river look amazing! I'll come but I won't camp.

@ATXMommas -- we have that saying about the weather in New England too -- funny since it's obviously totally different here!

ball.and.chain · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

We are not religious (I identify as atheist, my wife would probably say she's agnostic), but both of us grew up celebrating it (she was raised Catholic, I was Episcopal) and have a lot of great memories of the holiday. So we celebrate a very festive, secular version of the holiday with lots of food and family. We have a sun porch we don't have any furniture for that we have dubbed "The Christmas Tree Room" because we always put the tree out there -- there is a sky light, so we get an extra tall tree. Always real -- it has to smell like a tree. (Side note: The Christmas Tree Room is slated to become a play room if we can manage to produce a real live baby). We have Christmas Eve dinner at my sister's, but Christmas morning festivities -- presents, stockings -- have to happen at my house, because we're the only ones with a fireplace (thus "Santa" can only come here -- please note there are no kids in our family, but traditions die hard and my sisters and I grew up with stockings hung at a fireplace). We generally have my sisters, father and stepmother over for a light breakfast while we open presents, then we break for a big brunch, then more presents. We also tend to have my sisters over for dinner -- last year we made lobster stew -- while my dad celebrates with my stepmother's family. My sisters and I also have to make my mom's buttermilk sugar cookies every year, usually a couple of days before Christmas.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

You know, I honestly can't remember because it was a week ago, before we left on vacation.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

We just got home and I immediately took a nap so I'm not even sure. On the warm side for November, and it was sunny before the sun set.

4. What are you doing this weekend?

We're getting together with friends tonight. Tomorrow we need to run errands, since we have no food in the house. My wife goes back to work on Sunday -- I think I'll nap with our kitty!

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

I actually think this was @healz413's question for @ATXMommas. But nevertheless...

Breakfast at Mike & Patty's, followed by a stroll through the South End of Boston and the Public Garden. Lobster rolls from Neptune Oyster for lunch, then we'll take a boat out to the harbor islands (in this scenario, it's nice weather). Back on land, we'll head into Somerville to tour the Taza Chocolate Factory, grab a pint of Toscanini's ice cream for later, and have dinner at Strip-T's.

PIP: Last year's Christmas breakfast. I made currant scones and we had chestnut jam, clotted cream, butter and strawberry jam. Also featured: my mom's Christmas cookies and our Christmas morning dusting of snow outside!

StacyLH24 · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

I do celebrate Christmas. I've never been religious, but we have always celebrated. Growing up, we always cut down a real tree. One year, we got a fake one and I didn't think I would mind, but I did! C and I carry on the tradition in our home. We go with my parents and both sets of us pick out trees to cut down. I still open a present from Santa on Christmas Eve as well. I will continue the tradition as long as my Mom lets me! C and I don't exchange gifts. She isn't into shopping and things like that. It bothers me a bit, because that is what I'm used to and I enjoy buying gifts for others. I'm getting used to the change though, little by little.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

The last time I went was with my SIL to BJs and we shopped mainly for my MIL's surprise party. I bought toilet paper, 20 pounds worth of pork loin, BBQ sauce, cereal, milk, cat food, hot dogs, rolls and some Miller Lite for C.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

Today it was a little chilly and windy. Still some snow on the ground in spots, but not much. Overall, for the middle of November in Western NY, not so bad!

4. What are you doing this weekend?

Cleaning, relaxing and taking our dogs to run.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

Well, we live out in the middle of nowhere basically, so it would be more of a tour of our county as opposed to our city. We would go geocaching at some spots throughout the county. Mostly in the country as that is what we like best. We would go to a small hole in the wall diner for breakfast, called Langworthy's. They have great breakfast options! We would then geocache our way out to the Amish and indulge in some great home baked goods! We would go to the Amish store, which is in the basement of a very nice Amish lady's home. After breakfast and the goodies, we wouldn't need lunch. We would make a stop at the Cheese Factory for some more good food options. Then for dinner, we would head to a bar/restaurant in Ellicottville called The Gin Mill. Great food at a decent price and many beer options to choose from.

Bonus: We always love a PIP!

So my bonus PIP is from a few years ago. I wish I was still that skinny! Anyway, I had joined WW and after a year and a half I lost 51 pounds and ended an unhealthy relationship. This was my gift to myself for doing all of that. Fly from the Inside is a song that I love and was a constant motivation for me to push through ending my relationship at that time. I have 11 tattoos total.

StacyLH24 · November 2013

@herbabymama - I want to come back to California so bad! We were there in May and drove highway 1 for what seemed like forever! We passed through Monterey Bay and went down to Big Sur. In total on that trip, we went from San Fran to Redway (Avenue of the Giants), to Stockton, then down to Monterey Bay, Big Sur and back to San Fran. It was so beautiful. Some parts of highway 1 are scary!!!

redrockmama · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

Yes we celebrate Christmas, but don't really appreciate the commercialization of the holiday. We are both atheist, but for us Christmas is about family and giving and good food. This is the first year we will be at our one house in a while. We were in grad school and driving across the country during winter break for a couple of years. We will definitely have a real tree and have some fun decorating our new house for the first time. We have some traditions, but I can't seem to remember any of them right now.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

Stuff to make vegan, gluten free brownies. They were actually pretty good. Ice cream (to go with the brownies of course) and some more vegan stuff for my sister who is visiting and staying with us from Seattle.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

So miserably cold. I really dislike winter and cold. It was raining earlier and is supposed to snow tonight. (

4. What are you doing this weekend?

My sister, wife and I are going to do take care of some things at my dads house. His wife, my stepmom, has renal cell carcinoma and has been in the hospital for almost 3 weeks. She is hopefully coming home on Monday so we are going to clean the chicken coop, mow the lawn, clean the house, get groceries, etc. etc.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

Oh man, just one day...that's hard. I'd have us check out the Mormon temple, haha jk jk. Definitely a hike in the mountains, it's my favorite thing about this city. There are so many good restaurants, but lately I've been loving this new place Pig and a Jelly Jar so we'd go there for breakfast and maybe The Avenues Bistro for lunch and the Red Iguana for dinner, best Mexican food ever.

Here's a photo of one of our pups a couple of Christmases ago.

trisholio · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

We do celebrate Christmas, but yet to have any traditions of our very own. We own a little 2ft tree but are planning on getting a real tree this year. We have even gone to church on Christmas Eve the last few years. I was raised Episcopalian and my wife loves their services. My family tradition is always to open presents at my moms house on Christmas morning. Though the last few years we have had this event at our house because my mom was single and not so much in the mood to host. Then we do Christmas dinner at one of my Aunts house. We celebrate with my wife's family on another weekend or even in January.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

We just got back from the store and bought too much stuff, but a lot of basics like coffee, creamer, toilet paper, ect

3. How's the weather for you right now?

It is actually nice out today, well for Ohio in November. It was snowing last week and today it is in the 50s. We are going to reach almost 70 on Sunday but with severethunderstorms, so weird!

4. What are you doing this weekend?

The only plans we have are for tomorrow to do a good deed for a friend. One of my friends D is selling a computer and another friend M needs a computer, so another lady G contacted me and offered to buy the computer for M. None of these people know one another and G is doing this as a act of kindness. This was all made possible by facebook and one person offering to pay it forward. So I am delivering the computer tomorrow and have to come up with a good reason why I am giving M the computer without telling her who purchased it for her.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

I am not much of a morning person, but I love breakfast food. So I would have my wonderful wife make breakfast. She makes amazing french toast with strawberries and powder sugar. I love it! Then we could go to the Columbus Zoo which is one of the best zoo's in the US. Then one of my favorite Mexican places for lunch called Cantina Laredo. They have amazing margaritas and fajitas. Then I would want to spend the afternoon walking around the Short North Area of Columbus. It is near downtown, but more artsy gay friendly area. They have many wine bars, hole in the wall places and upscale hooka bars. (Apparently none of us are pregnant during this day) For dinner we would eat at Hyde Park where you cut the steak with your fork because its so good. (Sorry to the vegetarians) Then spend the night dancing at Wall Street, its the only lesbian club in Columbus. We would kick out all the teeny boppers that hang out there now, but it used to be a lot of fun.

lamaitresse · November 2013

@herbabymama - omg I love mochi icecream so much! I have never had mango though. I usually get green tea or azuki bean, but I'll keep an eye out for mango next time. Have you ever had actual mochi before? Not the icecream-filled ones?

@ATXmommas - we had that saying in Calgary, too. The weather/air pressure changes (especially in winter) are so brutal out there!

shelly2314 · November 2013

@herbabymama...don't worry. You did not ruin anything. My massage therapist is one of my best friends and she is trained in Pregnancy and delivery massages so we are well prepared. I have also made sure to hydrate all day to prepare for it. But thank you for looking out for me!

Greysmom13 · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

I do celebrate Christmas but with no family around it is kind of hard to get really into it. This year seeing as how my little bean is supposed to be here, I have absolutely no idea what is going on. Things I love about Christmas time is getting a tree, decorating the house (used to do it on Thanksgiving after the huge meal), going to look at Christmas lights and drinking Spiced Tea. Getting new footy pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve and opening one present. Then having the magical Christmas morning with everything that Santa brought. These are things I absolutely loved about Christmas growing up, and that I hope to bring about again when bean is old enough. I am so excited to be able to be festive and enjoy the holidays again!

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

I went to the grocery store (Wal-Mart) last night. I got some fruit (apples, bananas), some avocados, and baby carrots. Milk, apple juice, and that was about it. Stuff that I have to buy more frequently.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

It's cool, and the sun was out all day. During the day is is supposed to get up into the low to mid 70's and a "cold front" is supposed to be coming through. But this is Texas, and as @ATXMommas already stated, if you don't like the weather, just wait! lol

4. What are you doing this weekend?

This is my weekend to work, and I am hoping that it is going to be my last weekend to work before little man is born. We shall see.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

I think going to The Stockyards, north of downtown Fort Worth would be a great way to enjoy the city. In my opinion, Fort Worth is way better than Dallas for many reasons. The Stockyards are so full of history, and there are great steak and mexican food places all right there. Exchange Ave takes you through the heart of the history. You park and walk down the street, of course with a festive alcoholic beverage of your choice (because that is what you do!) and watch the cattle drive go through the street. The Stockyards Inn is a great old hotel, and you can take a tour in which you see the room that Bonnie and Clyde stayed in right before they got shot. There you can see items that they left behind in their haste to leave. Then seeing as how it is something that must be seen, go to Dallas and visit Cedar Springs, which is the lesbian/gay mecca of Dallas. There you have to eat a hamburger at Hunky's, peruse the shops, and partake of the bars/clubs that are abundant there. Like PP, this is all assuming that we are not all preggers lol.

2MamazInSeattle · November 2013

. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

I love to celebrate Christmas, though I'm not Christian, I was raised Catholic with a lot of German traditions that my mom instilled in the routine. We always got stockings on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and that was the shit. As a kid, it was the perfect 'teaser ' to get you through to Christmas morning. This year, my sisters wanted to get together and do this so we are. I'm super excited. For Christmas itself, we get a real tree and decorate the house a bit. Growing up we had fake trees, but my wife before J grew up on a Christmas Tree farm and showed me the light on that one. J and I get ornaments when we travel, so our tree tells our story a bit! We both have loads of our own childhood ornaments on it too. It's a very happy, cute fun tree. Otherwise, I usually host Christmas eve dinner, and I make a Cranberry Braised Pork Shoulder (and usually 3 other meals because its Seattle an everyone has something. Usually a vegetarian, a gluten free person, and someone who eats fish/chicken....oh an dairyfree. Some year I will serve sawdust.) My family love Brussels Sprouts, so I make those and mashed potatoes. For dessert, Christmas cookies and chocolate.Christmas morning is just me and J, and then we go to one of my sister's for 1 or 2 .p.m. dinner and family presents. J LOVES presents and I get to see the 8-year-old in her every year.Super cute.She also snoops, and tries to get me to let her open things early! Naughty J.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

I had a LONG work week - so Thursday I hit the deli at our local co-op (it's a fancy chain in Seattle, like a localized Whole Foods). We have been trying t eat out less but with time issues, we've been leaning on the deli a couple nights a week - it's a win-win - I don't have to cook, but it's still healthy and while a little spendy, way cheaper than going out. So - I got turkey meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and three types of sweet potatoes (for snacking not dinner) - one with kale; one Moroccan style with almonds, cumin and raisins; and one mashed with coconut milk (J is lactard). I got cream for coffee and some Brussels sprouts and mushrooms to have a veggie but I didn't end up making them (work call went until 7:30). I go to the grocery way too much!

3. How's the weather for you right now?

Friday was warm (50's) and rainy, but then got cold and windy toward dusk. BR! Instead of meeting a friend out for dinner, she came over and we ordered pizza - J didn't want to go out in the cold. Me either! However, getting back from Toronto and more so Ottawa this week, Seattle fees like the tropics.

4. What are you doing this weekend?

I am super excited to do almost nothing. Chores and hanging out at home today; tomorrow I have a Yoga Nidra workshop (it's like sleep yoga, I don't really 'get it' hence I'm going to learn). We collect xmas gifts for people all year, so I started wrapping gifts last night! Yes, seriously. I will do more today. Less pressure later, and kinda getting me in the spirit of the holidays.

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc. (stolen from @ball.and.chain's AMA to @AXTMommas)

Sorry I thought @healz413 told me about it, but that b&c had asked it! Credit to Healz!!!

Seattle is so awesome! What we would do would depend on you and your interests BUT, let's assume it's a perfect summer day (75ish degrees,sunny, no wind).

I'd start us off at my wife's original coffeeshop which is super family friendly. We'd have coffee, and then breakfast - she has breakfast sandwiches, quiches, a zillion baked goods, smoothies, and more.Then we'd go to Pike Place Market because you have to do that on your first trip! We could eat lunch in the market, or, head up to the Gayborhood Capitol Hill, and eat at one of our go-tos Café Presse - cheap accessible French food, If you are vegan, we would go to Plum Vegan Bistro for a bigger lunch or else grab an acia bowl at another spot nearby. Then we'd bum around the Hill, shop and stop by Volunteer Park for some nice mountain/sound/sneedle views. A little break/rest stop back at our house (happy hour? ok!) and then out to dinner -and this can really vary! If it's warm and we don't want to spend a lot, we order Paso Cuban Roast pork sandwiches or I make ribs on the grill and we kick it in our backyard. If you are a foodie, we go to Revel, Mamnoon or a local farm to table spot like Tith or The Stumbling Goat. If you brought a fat wallet, we could so a splurge meal at Mistral, Canlis or even The Herbfarm!

lamaitresse · November 2013

@2Mamaz - I was going to razz you about being cold in Toronto (it wasn't THAT bad this week)... but when you mentioned Ottawa, I don't freaking blame you! It's always freeeeeeeezing in Ottawa in fall/winter.

ATXmommas · November 2013

@2MamazinSeattle - two things... 1) do you have a Brussel sprout recipe I need to know about? 2) your dx of J when it comes to gifts sounds just like Z!

firstcomeslove2013 · November 2013

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

We do celebrate Christmas, C and I have always been more spiritual than religious but we love the holidays and celebrating! When we first got together we spent a few holidays apart. It was hard at Christmas so we invented babemas which was a few days after Christmas where we would have our own holiday, laying around and opening gifts and eating good food.

Now that we are big grown up and married we alternate families each year and either way it's lots of time with family and food and presents and love!

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?
I went today to pick up some flowers, candy and stuff to make cookies for my grandma. Her 89th birthday was last week and I'm going to bring her some goodies tomorrow when I meet her and some of my other family for lunch! C also needed some soup so we picked some of that up as well.

3. How's the weather for you right now?
It's actually super nice...really enjoyable...not too cold...a perfect fall day!

4. What are you doing this weekend?
Last night was date night and it was awesome! Today C and I went and ran errands together...it was so much fun! Then C had to go to work, I am making cookies and working on school work! Tomorrow we'll go to church, then teach Sunday school and then C has to work and I am meeting some of our family for lunch. Then probably more school work...

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, ect.

So much to do in the C-bus...first we would start with breakfast at North Star...super delicious and creative food. Then we would maybe head over to one of the awesome parks here and hang out, go for a walk, people watch...whatever you're into. Then we'd head down to North Market and walk around and get some yummy lunch! Then maybe back to our house for a rest. We are not "going out people" but maybe we'd go down to the Short North and walk around. There are some really awesome little bars and places to see. Hopefully a festival would be in town down at Columbus Commons. If we were looking for a fancy dinner we'd probably go to Milestone 229 which is on the river and beautiful. In the summertime it it right next to the fountains so you can watch kids play...it's so cute! They also have the best food and some really delicious mixed drinks!

ball.and.chain · November 2013

herbabymama said:

@ball.and.chain Your Christmas celebration and treat making sound amazing. After all these years, it is still hard for me to get used to a Christmas without snow and it sounds kind of nice. Last year, we were in Indianapolis with K's family and there was a huge blizzard and we were stuck inside. It was kind of fun! Boston winters can be brutal and go on forever. As I recall, it was a blizzard in Boston in February that prevented me from meeting you IRL! I'll have to come back in the summer!

A blizzard and a cold, I think! Come back in spring or fall; it's pretty humid in the summer for you dry-weather Californians. But of course you and K and baby are welcome to visit anytime!

shelly2314 · November 2013

@herbabymama....It is great! Hope your weekend went great as well

shelly2314 · November 2013

@kaysa2....my father is Jewish and my mother is Catholic. We always celebrated both and I loved experiencing both. It really helped me to remain open and curious to new things

2MamazInSeattle · November 2013

@kaysa2 - where are you in the PNW?

newmompeanut · November 2013

Great idea to implement the 5 questions instead of 10. I rarely seem to have time to read everyone's responses and to respond to 10 questions.

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that look like for you? (Tree? Decorations? Gifts? Special traditions?)

keepsawaythenargles is doing with the pjs on Christmas Eve.

2. What did you buy the last time you went to the grocery store?

B is a French teacher and is having a party with her kids today, so last night we ran out and got food and drinks for her party. Nutella, Eggs and Milk for crepe batter, Soda, etc.

3. How's the weather for you right now?

We have snow! It's only a light dusting, and luckily we didn't have to shovel this morning, but it's pretty chilly out so the little bit of snow is sticking!

4. What are you doing this weekend?

This weekend is our one year anniversary and B is planning a surprise. All I know is that I have to take a half day tomorrow from work and meet her at home by 12:15. I'm so excited! I'm really terrible with surprises because I normally go hunting for clues and try to figure it out like it's a game, but this time I didn't do any hunting so it can be a true surprise!

5. If you were to lay out a 1-day itinerary for one of us visiting your city, tell us what we'd do! Include activities, favorite places to eat, etc.

I live in a pretty small town so most of the items that I would want to do are all going to be little local places. We would start with breakfast at Bresina's, where you get a full breakfast for about $3. And then maybe go to Leinenkugel's brewery (Do any of you have this beer or is it just a local thing?) for a tour. I'd love to go to Connell's Supper Club for dinner because they have amazing steak. And then take a tour of the couple downtown shops since I think it's adorable that my town still has all of these little town shops. And finally, my house is three houses away from the city park (sidenote: which also includes a full zoo!) and every Christmas season people volunteer and decorate the park with hundreds of thousands of lights. It's absolutely gorgeous, so I would definitely want to end there.

StacyLH24 · November 2013

@newmompeanut - We do have that beer here. We have a few stores that carry specialty beers. Our local brewery is Ellicottville Brewing Company (EBC).

GTKY! (New shorter edition)

Re: GTKY! (New shorter edition)

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