Santa Claus May Not Throw Up On Our House This Year (RE-POST from 12/6/14)

I have a wreath on my door now. That's something. Oh, and Dan got so sad that I didn't put up any winter decorations that he tracked down a couple of wooden snowmen in our garage. I ran this post from 2014 last Christmas, and obviously, not much has changed in a year. Enjoy! 
 
I might not get my decorations up this Christmas. I don't have a good reason, other than I am not very motivated.

For those of you who don't already know, I'm a music teacher, and Christmas is a crazy time of year for me. It's like one perpetual concert. Sometimes during the holidays, I have heard "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" so many times that I want to come home to nothing Christmas-y at all.

If Fox News (or Stephen Colbert) knew I existed, I might be accused of declaring a "War on Christmas." I have already been accused by a Tea Party guy of single-handedly removing "the Christ from Christmas" in our public schools. That was the same year I was also told that I didn't include enough traditional druid songs like, "Walkin' in a Wiccan Wonderland." You'll forgive me if I sometimes get a little too Christmas-ed out to trim the tree.

My husband, Dan, and I have one window of opportunity to decorate our house, the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving. If we don't do it then, the chances of getting it done are slim to none.

Most years, we spend that Saturday or Sunday listening to Christmas music while Dan puts up the (fake) tree, and I flit from room to room, trying to remember how I made space for everything the year before.

After we're done, Dan looks around the living room and says, "Yup. It looks like Santa Claus threw up on our house."

This year, Dan did put up the (fake) tree, but I went grocery shopping instead because . . . you know . . . well . . . food.

The truth is, I'm not really feeling it this weekend either because . . . well . . . I need to buy food again.

So, will we put up decorations this year?

It's a mystery . . . even to me . . .

Maybe I'll just go to Sun Valley and enjoy someone else's handiwork.

For the latest blog updates, visit and "like" Rebecca Turner-Duggan.

Top Five Winter Faves (RE-POST from 12/2/17)

I still love these things about winter. Enjoy this reread from 2017!

In the past, I have blogged about my Top Five Fall Faves, but I have never written about my winter faves.

"Why is that?" you may ask. "You certainly like talking about yourself and your preferences and your opinions on every other subject, Becky. Why have we never heard about your favorites during the winter?"

Well, let me tell you.

This time of year, I am overwhelmed with coordinating programs and concerts involving 100+ children between the ages of six and twelve and, depending on the year, taking on the role of performer in various community events. Sometimes, I forget there are things I like about this season.

I figured I had better put my favorites in writing before the cynicism of being a musician at Christmastime takes over.

1. Fluffy Scarves and Hats

Need I say more? Part fashion statement, part concealer of winter hair static and turkey neck, I can't get enough of fluffy hats and scarves.

2. Christmas Decorations and Lights

Even though I whine like a baby while decorating my house, I do enjoy my month of festive decor.

I also enjoy looking at all of decorations and lights around town, even though last year we had to drive around in that crazy snow on Christmas Eve, which did not mix with someone who occasionally battles motion sickness.

Let's just say I took my husband's favorite expression, "It looks like Santa threw up on our house" a little too literally.

3. Holiday Music . . . ?

I feel like I should say holiday music is my fave, being a musician and all, but music teachers are kind of like the Walmart of school. We start teaching the holiday standards in October because it takes that long to put a Winter Program together.

I do love listening to my cute first and second graders sing their holiday repertoire though, especially when I announce the song we're going to practice, and they all exclaim, "YES!" for Every. Single. Song.

4. Comfort Food

My enjoyment in life is mostly determined by food, and during the winter, there are just certain dishes I have to eat.

Butter Braid on Christmas morning? Christmas Eve Taco Dip? Butternut Squash Soup? Mac and Cheese? Christmas Date Log? Hello Dollies? Veggie Lasagna? Yes, please!

5. A Winter Wonderland . . . maybe . . .

I would say snow is one of my favorites, but then I think about last year . . . Snowmageddon, anyone?

For the latest blog updates, visit and "like" Rebecca Turner-Duggan.