Kicking off the Holidays in Excelsior

Mayor Ruehl, Mrs. Mn Wendi Russo, Myrle Mackenzie
 and myself after the opening

There is nothing like Christmas in Excelsior!  Thanksgiving weekend we had our annual Christkindlsmarkt, which is an open air Christmas market modeled after the ones in Germany.

Christkindlsmarkt opened with a parade featuring Mrs. Minnesota Wendi Russo and Santa.  I had the pleasure of participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony with Excelsior Mayor Nick Ruehl.

Ribbon Cutting

Thankful Bagging

Today I had the pleasure of volunteering for the ICA Food Shelf.  Myself along with other volunteers from my community, including Excelsior Mayor Nick Ruehl bagged groceries at Cub Foods in Minnetonka to raise money for the ICA Food Shelf.

This was such a fun activity, besides it being for a great cause.  For one I thoroughly enjoy trying to figure out what people are planning on making with the groceries they are buying.  There were the Thanksgiving staples: turkeys, the makings for pie and stuffing. Then there were the awkward purchases of condoms and depends.  As a bagging professional I kept a straight face and didn't comment or giggle at these purchases.

On this eve of Thanksgiving I'm thankful that I have the opportunities I do to be involved in my community.  Even if it means handling someone else's birth control or depends.

Puppy Love and Fashion

Loki

How can I get upset with someone with a face like this?  Sure my puppy Loki pulled down an entire roll of TP and dragged it throughout my house, but when he tilts his head and looks at me with those big dark eyes, I melt into a sea of puppy love.

Yes he chews on my books, and keeps dragging my husband's underwear into the living room to share with guests, but he is so darn adorable when he paws at his eyes.

Plus I get to dress him up.  Loki is now available for work as a spokespuppy and model for fun fashion doggy wear.  We are exploring the world of pet accessories together and I will be acting as his agent.

With a face like this, what's a little exposed underwear between loved ones.

Let's Deck the Halls!

Growing up in Hawaii my Christmases were spent on the beach.  Not a bad holiday, but as a child I longed for snow and the holiday traditions of the mainland that I saw on TV.

I've lived in Minnesota for the last 17 years and have rejoiced in the fact that the holidays come earlier and earlier each year.  While others moan "too soon" I start listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween.  I'd probably start sooner but my hubby can only take so much.  While some may be starting to think about their Thanksgiving plans, I've already created and ordered my Christmas cards.  Normally I'm done with my design by Halloween.

Though Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, I'll admit I am in love with the commercialism the holiday brings.  Christmas trees, yards lit up with lights and egg nog lattes do for me what Grey Goose probably does for an alcoholic.  I can't get enough, and for me it can't come soon enough.

My holiday candles are lit, I'm working my magic to convince the kids to get the tree up this weekend and I hear egg nog lattes are just around the corner.

So moan and groan if you must about how Christmas shouldn't come before Thanksgiving.  I'll be perfecting my holiday playlist while sipping a drink of the season, and hitting the shops in downtown Excelsior.  Resistance is futile, the holidays are here!