My Welch Corgi died today. She was fifteen years old, and we knew it wouldn’t be too much longer. But when we left for S. Carolina, she was still moving around great and excited about every meal (she was always excited about every meal). My inlaws told me she wouldn’t eat the last two days we were gone, but I assumed she was just nervous and out of routine (she’d had trouble dealing the last few times she’d be away from us). So when we still couldn’t get her to eat or really be interested in anything, I took her to the vet this past week. We were told it was very probable that she had cancer and that it had moved to her heart and lungs. So this week, I’ve babied her, tried to feed her little bits of people food, candies, treats, anything. But she either didn’t want it, or she couldn’t keep it down. So I knew it was any day. I just didn’t know if would be today. I’m glad to say that I was with her though, at the last.

I’ve been tagged with a little Christmas questionnaire by Sara Hantz

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Definitely hot chocolate–I live on the stuff in the winter. I’m excited at the idea of egg nog, but can only stomach a few sips.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? If he’s the man I think he is, he wraps them!

3. Coloured lights on tree/house or white? I could go either way. I love the colors, but the white, to me, is more Christmas-y (and more classy)

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. I’m sure there’d be some awkward surprises if I did.

5. When do you put your decorations up? I try for the first weekend in December.

6. What is your favourite holiday dish? We’ve been going non-traditional for the past several years. We’ve done Mexican food several times and last year soup, salad, and breads. So it’s hard to say–we never have the same things. Last year it was potato corn chowder.

7. Favourite holiday memory as a child? We were allowed to start opening presents when we could make it past my dad. He’d sit in front of the presents and try to guard them, tickling us and pushing us back. There were three of us, and none of us ever made it before he gave up.

8. When did you learn the truth about Santa? I don’t understand the question.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? My family opens all their gifts on Christmas Eve, but my husband’s opens Christmas morning, so we do both.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With enthusiasm and awe. I can’t believe I have all that stuff and that it all eventually fits on the tree.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Same answer as Sara…love it from the inside. Don’t really want to be out in it.

12. Can you ice skate? Marginally.

13. Do you remember your favourite gift? Not really.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? The spirit.

15. What is your favourite holiday dessert? Christmas cookies–the variety of what I make combined with what my mom makes.

16. What is your favourite holiday tradition? I buy my sons Advent calendars with little bits of chocolate hidden behind the doors. They love opening a door every morning.

17. What tops your tree? Reindeer

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. Although I’m no slouch on receiving either.

19. What is your favourite Christmas song? Winter Weather…or maybe that’s just a holiday song. If that doesn’t count, Oh Holy Night.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I don’t eat them alone, but I love ’em in pie and ice cream or crackled over peppermint bark. YUM!

I tag Trish, Amanda, Christine, and Beck!