Guest Post: The Jolly Amanda

[So our trip is wrapping up and I'm sure that at this point, we're all sad and miserable that this journey is about to end. We're still in Negev, going to take a hike up to Mt. Zephachot. Then we'll be in Tel Aviv, and that's where we'll stay until the trip is over. Sniff. This post by Amanda is sure to cheer anyone up!]

Hello fellow The Way I See It readers! This is Amanda from Just Beachy and I'm very excited to be guest blogging on Ali's lovely blog today while she is away in Isreal (jealous!)! After thinking long and hard about what I wanted to blog a bout some of my favorite things, especially since that's what blogging is all about to me. And then, when I thought about how broad that was, I decided I should just stick to the season at hand and stick to my favorite things about Christmas, which in and of itself, is one of my favorite things, so here it goes.Enjoy!

Christmas trees, to me, are what really bring out the spirit of Christmas. I can't have Christmas without a Christmas Tree. And what more magnificent tree is there than the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York? And, for that matter, what's more magnificent than New York at Christmastime?!

Since music is one of my greatest love, it seems fitting that the one thing that really gets me in the Christmas spirit is Chrstmas music. I've already made my mixed CD of Christmas music for my car :) (Yeah, not ashamed to say I've been listening since the beginning of this month!)

I bought a cinnamon and a pine candle around Thanksgiving time. I prefer cinnamon or vanilla year-round, but this time of year just makes that scent especially nastalgic. And since I have such a tiny apartment and can't fit a real tree, I have a pine-scente candle instead! It's particularly lovely at the end of a long day :)

I have Christmas decorations that I have owned for years and I'd like to think I'm starting my own traditions with them. I remember whe I was little we'd have so many hand-made ornaments that we hung on the tree and they all had stories behind them. That's what I'd like to have...and a house that looks just like the one above for Christmas. Although, that would mean I would have to move somewhere it snows! haha!

Which brings me to one of my favorite decorations at Christmas: Snowglobes! I get one for my mom every year. That's one tradition I've started! The snow is just something I'm envious of, even though I know I'd complain if I lived somewhere it snowed!

My mother's favorite Christmas movie is Charlie Brown's Christmas. I think I actually got her the movie on DVD one year. It's fantastic. Another tradition of mine is watching Home Alone 1 and 2 during Christmas. My brother and I can't get enough of those movies. They never seem to get old. Oh, and another good Holiday movie is The Santa Clause. I love that one too! I wish snowglobes like the one in the movie actually existed!

I've been hearing so many people say they've gone to see The Nutcracker or The Grinch on the stage and I have more jealous moments at hearing this! I used to go see The Nutcracker with my dad every year at Christmas time and I really miss the opportunity to see it. I remember getting all dressed up in a pretty dress and getting all excited to see a live ballet! I took ballet when I was around 6 or 7 years old and continually wonder what my life might have been like had I continued with it....

Lastly, I want to leave you with this gorgeous painting from Thomas Kinkade, who's art I have loved since I can remember and is fittingly titled "The Spirit of Christmas".

Happy Holidays everyone! And thank you Ali for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog! I hope you're having a wonderful time in Isreal!

Much love!

Amanda