November 25, 2024

Ho! Ho! Ho! or No. No. No.



Good Monday morning! It is Thanksgiving week, and that means turkey, stuffing, and all things Christmas! To start off this festive season, let's have some fun. Tell me if these things are a yes or a no for you!


First up: Peppermint Hot Cocoa


For me, it's a hard no. I love peppermint. I love chocolate. Yet, never the two shall meet!

How about a beautifully dressed turkey, carved and sliced at the table?


I would love this. I would love to see this on our table, as in the movies. However, the annoying, realistic part of me always wins out when I think of all the drippy juice and mess it makes. We always end up plating it in the kitchen and doing it buffet style. And honestly, it works just fine.

Ok. How about It's A Wonderful Life? Is it a yearly tradition for you?


Again, I want to say yes. I recognize it is a beautiful Christmas tradition for so many. I just don't like it, which is weird for me because I am all about old, classic movies and literature. This, however, is a no for me. 


Now, this is more my style. How about you? With children at home or not, do you still get nostalgic and watch any of these classics at Christmas?


Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes for me. I rediscovered these when Madison was a baby; they are still part of my Christmas every year. There is something about watching Frosty or Rudolph that brings me peace and joy; for that short time, I am a kid again. I watched these special shows the one time a year they were on with my sisters in the cozy home my mom decorated so beautifully. And for the record, Rudolph will always be my favorite.


Next, how do you feel about eggnog?


Are you ready for this? I have never tried it and have no idea what it is, so I am open to any and all opinions!



Molasses Cookies


If you have never eaten a soft, chewy molasses cookie right out of the oven, you must make that a priority this year. There are many kinds of cookies at Christmas, but these are the best. And they are highly underrated. My mom used to make them, and now Peyton has perfected them. They taste like Christmas to me.

Finally, are you ever too old for Santa?

In a word, no. I am fifty-five years old, and on Christmas Eve, I still search the skies for Santa and his reindeer and listen for the sound of his sleighbells.


Please share your answers, my friends!

And have a cozy Monday.


Billie Jo

( Google for the fun images. )

31 comments:

  1. No to everything except the molasses cookies! My mom liked them crispy, and I love them soft. I still use her recipe, and I swear it never quite comes out the same way twice. Making them brings back memories of her, so I am highly in favor of molasses cookies!

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  2. I do like peppermint and chocolate together but I'm not a big fan of hot drinks.
    We carve the turkey in the kitchen as well.
    It's a Wonderful Life is not a favorite. I can't tell you the last time I have watched it.
    I've never tried eggnog either. Maybe I really should this year.
    A big yes to molasses cookies. They scream Christmas to me.
    Have a great week Billie Jo.

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  3. Good morning Billie Jo.. this is a fun post. Molasses cookies...a definite yes for me. Eggnog...I've never tried it! Peppermint Chocolate...a NO for me! The Thanksgiving Turkey..we carve it in the kitchen and serve buffet style...however, I would love to have a Thanksgiving table like the picture above. Would you believe that my first time of seeing "It's a wonderful life" was just a couple of years ago...I would watch it again. The old Christmas collection of movies...YES. and last but not least.....Santa..Absolutely I watch for him with all the grandkids...every red light we see gets us excited. LOL...fun, fun answers..

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  4. Hi Billie Jo, yes to peppermint cocoa! Turkey has to be carved ahead of time. No to Wonderful life, never cared for it, but since husband does, it gets played once a year. No to the cartoon classics. Santa, no. Kids grown, grands in teens and older. Love molasses cookies.

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  5. Billie Jo! Now I am worried about you... :) Peppermint and chocolate absolutely belong together. It's one of my favorite things!
    I love the look of that turkey, but oh the mess at the table. We carve it and then bring it to the table.
    It's a Wonderful Life is a classic at our house and we watch it most every year.
    Yes, I love those christmas cartoons. I remember how excited I was to see them as a kid.
    Eggnog - love it. Molasses cookies too. And there's the issue - I love it all! :)

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  6. Good Morning Billie Jo. You've definitely created a fun post for us to begin this week with.
    I love peppermint hot chocolate. Yummy!
    My turkeys never look like that after cooking. We definitely carve and bring the platter to the table.
    Hubby love The Wonderful Life. I don't care for it, but watch it for him. The main character just plain irritates me. I feel like he's a whiney baby. (Sacrilige, I know.)
    Love those cartoons. Rudolph and Frosty the Snowmen were my favorites.
    I do like eggnog but don't drink much of it because it's so full of calories. It's too rich the way you buy it, so we always add about a third of a glass of plain milk to it.
    I don't think I've ever had a molasses cookie, they do sound good though.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  7. I don't drink hot chocolate, too sugary, but I would love a peppermint one. I love love love the York patties, and have made them from scratch before, so yummy.
    The turkey gets carved on the counter, brought to the table on platters.
    It's a Wonderful Life, part of that movie was filmed in Seneca Falls, not 25 miles from here, I love it but don't need to keep rewatching it.
    The cartoons, love Rudolph but don't need to see it every year.
    Eggnog, nah...I mean, if it were super good for you, and I could tolerate a nice shot of rum, maybe, but nah.
    Molasses cookies, I make gingerbread men, does that count? I make molasses cookies with Paul's grandmother's recipe at other times of the year though.
    As usual, a wonderful visit here! :)

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  8. Weirdly I like a peppermint mocha, and the peppermint hot chocolate DQ Blizzard but not an actual peppermint hot chocolate.

    I would never choose a turkey period if given the option, Thanksgiving food is blah to me. We are having burgers this year and I guarantee no one will complain one bit.

    I also don't care for It's a Wonderful Life. It's because there's no comeuppance for Mr. Potter. And other than seeing all the good he's done, George Bailey's life is just as horrible at the end of the movie.

    Those other Christmas classics for sure! I also have never ever had Eggnog but I love love love Molasses cookies!

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  9. Always watch It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve. The children's movies are always fun to watch. I need to watch more with James. I like eggnog but forget to buy it. I love having turkey. We are going to Adam and Gabby's and someone else is making the turkey. We are bringing stuffing and green bean casserole. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  10. Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a yes for me. Love the peppermint mocha at Starbucks this time of year.
    Turkey usually sliced in kitchen and dished up there buffet style.
    Husband and I always watch It's A Wonderful Life Christmas Eve while wrapping presents.
    Love the classics. We own Rudolph so that one gets watched every year. We try to catch the rest on TV when they show.
    Do not like eggnog. Avoid it.
    The molasses cookies sound wonderful. We usually make gingerbread ones.
    Miss the magic of Santa with the kids.
    Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  11. *Peppermint hot cocoa, Yes!

    *No, on the turkey at the table. Like you, we serve it at the counter. That way we can slice our favorite piece and get all the juices we want.

    *No, on It's a Wonderful Life. This is one of my best friends favorite movie. But I've never been able to get into it.

    **Yes, on all the animated classics.....and a few new ones too. The animated Grinch is always fun to watch.

    **Yes, on eggnog. I sprinkle a little nutmeg on top. Some do not like it, but my dad used to make it when I was growing up, and it's still a holiday tradition.

    **Yes, on molasses cookies.....but I like gingerbread more at Christmastime. Oh, Peyton, your molasses cookies look amazing.

    **I'm never too old for Santa! He will live on in my heart forever.

    Fun fun, Billie Jo, and I loved hearing your answers too! We have very similar likes and dislikes, my friend. : )

    ~Sheri

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  12. No on peppermint hot chocolate - I am with you, I like both but not together. Unless it's an After Eight mint, which will always remind me of my grandfather at Christmas

    We carve the turkey in the kitchen but I do put it on platters on the table

    No on It's a Wonderful Life - our Italian family watches the Godfather on Thanksgiving! ;)

    Yes to all of those old classic Christmas shows! I don't watch any of those new Hallmark type movies but love all the old children's specials. Charlie Brown Christmas too!

    I have never had a molasses cookie but I think I'd like it!

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  13. Yes, to peppermint hot chocolate!
    No, to the turkey on the table. It has been buffet style for years.
    No, to It's A Wonderful Life, but YES, to the children's classics along with Home Alone and Christmas with the Cranks.
    BIG NO on the eggnog! Ewww!
    BIG Yes to Molasses Cookies. Or any Christmas cookie for that matter!
    Yes, to believing in the magic of Santa.

    Wishing you and your family a very blessed Thanksgiving, Billie Jo!

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  14. I've always been too old for Santa. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned before, but as much as I love Christmas, and all the festivities, I have a bit of a phobia of the man in the red suit.
    I probably won't be watching 'It's a Wonderful Life', but I've already booked to see 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' at the cinema. Xx

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  15. I am with you when it comes to carving the turkey. At the table gets a hard no. Have a great week.

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  16. Happy Monday dear Billie Jo!
    I love peppermint cocoa and peppermint mocha coffee. But only at the holiday times - I wouldn't pick it otherwise. Lol
    We do carve some of the turkey and put it on a platter on the table - but nothing fancy, just for convenience.
    I love It's a Wonderful life and the message in it and i love Jimmy Stewart! But I don't watch it every year - it's not a tradition. Have you ever watched The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant? It's one of the best old Christmas movies to me. And I LOVE all the nostalgia of those kiddo movies. They are kind of bittersweet because they make me miss my kiddos being young - but I love them!
    I do love molasses cookies - soft like that. So yummy!
    And I will always believe in the magic of fairies, fairy folk and of course Santa!! :)
    Blessings on your week and know how very thankful I am for your friendship and this wonderful blogland space! xoxo

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  17. I think chocolate and mint are a match made in heaven :)
    I can't imagine anybody except in Norman Rockwell paintings actually carving a turkey at the table.
    I love all of the Christmas movies you showed, but don't seem to watch them like I used to.
    That cookie looks so good. I wish I could reach into the screen and grab it. Yum!!
    I do like the taste of eggnog and might have one glass during the holidays. I think it is full of calories and sugar that I don't need so mostly avoid it.

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  18. I love it ALL. Especially the peppermint hot chocolate! But like you, I have never tried eggnog and don't think I would like it. Don't even want to try it. Now give me one of those cookies!

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  19. I'd love peppermint hot cocoa
    Carve turkey at table
    Some years we watch It's a Wonderful Life, I love it
    No, don't watch the cartoons
    Don't like eggnog
    Love molasses cookies
    Don't look for Santa but celebrate the birth of Jesus. :)

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  20. Peppermint hot cocoa would be a definite yes for me.
    We carve our turkey in the kitchen before it goes on the table.
    I love It's a Wonderful Life, but honestly, we don't watch it all the way through every year.
    I'm not much of a cartoon fan but Frosty brings back good memories.
    I used to like eggnog, but don't drink it any more.
    Molasses cookies are a yummy yes for me.
    We used to watch for Santa when the kids were little, but not so much any more.
    This was a fun post. Have a good week. See you again soon!

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  21. No to peppermint hot chocolate. I end up tasting too much peppermint and not enough chocolate! Yes to It's a Wonderful Life. We watch it every year. But if I had to choose, it would be the classics - I have all of those animated movies on DVD. Sometimes I pull up the Little Drummer Boy on Youtube and listen to the song over and over. YES on eggnog!! Oh my goodness, it's not really Christmas until I've had that first mug of eggnogg. I prefer the Darigold brand. I'm not a big fan of molasses and have never had a molasses cookie. If I get a chance though, I will try one. :)

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  22. No, on the peppermint cocoa. The only thing I like in my cocoa is marshmallows, or whipped cream! (With chocolate sprinkles)
    The turkey is carved in the kitchen. I can't imagine doing it at the table!
    I think I've watched It's a Wonderful LIfe maybe once? all the way through. It's just too long! Lovely story, though.
    I'm not much of a fan of kids' cartoons. Even as a kid!
    I LOVE eggnog!
    Molasses cookies and ginger snaps are my faves.
    We still hang stockings for Santa to fill -- even when it's just me and my husband!

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  23. I think I would enjoy a hot cup of peppermint cocoa, as long as the cocoa was the bigger flavor. I will never drink eggnog! We watched It's a Wonderful Life every year with our kids. It's still my favorite. I did enjoy introducing the classic Christmas shows to the boys. I think we bought the boxed set so we wouldn't have to search the tv channels every year. I've never had a molasses cookie (I don't think). And no, I don't want to watch anyone carve a turkey. Just put the meat on a plate and take away the carcass :) And I still love Santa, the reindeer and the magic of the season.

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  24. The best Christmas movie by far is the eighties cult classic A Christmas Story, when that little kid's tongue gets stuck on the frozen light pole after a double dog dare. Other than the Home Alone classics, most are just weak tea.

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  25. I can't peppermint cocoa is a no for me but it's not something I seek out or look forward to either; my favorite is actually a raspberry hot cocoa. Sounds weird but it tastes delicious. We carve our turkey in the kitchen and serve buffet style too so we've never had the whole turkey at the table either. I don't like It's A Wonderful Life but our Christmas classics include Elf, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, and The Santa Clause but I've never enjoyed the older cartoon classics (even as a kid or when my boys were little). I can't stand eggnog, it's much too thick like drinking heavy cream would be but I do love the taste of it in baked goods like cookies and cheesecake! We don't eat molasses cookies or gingerbread either... but I do love all sorts of other holiday sweets we make.

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  26. Yes to everything except the Molasses cookies... I have never had them before but I would be open to trying them.

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  27. I had never had all of those but it must be SO good! And I love Christmas!

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  28. Semi new reader here... I love your blogs. They are always fun, interesting and a way I would want to live my life!
    I don't drink hot chocolate and peppermint! But I enjoy a little whipped cream in it once a year.
    Turkey is only carved in the kitchen. We don't buy the whole bird, just the breast. Funny thing is , in my family no loves turkey but we follow traditions from years ago, minus the rest of the bird.
    A hard no on "it's a wonderful life.....
    I've never had eggnog. One child likes it....
    Yes on one or two molasses cookies during Christmas season.
    YES on Santa! How can one keep the magic if they don't keep that magic in their heart?
    Yes on Rudolph, Santa Clause is coming to Town and more.
    I also Love The Holiday and The Family Stone as my go to emotional movies during this time.
    Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!
    Rosie

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  29. What a fun way to kick off the week!
    Nope - same reasons as you - I love a Peppermint Patty but not peppermint cocoa.
    Everything on the table and the turkey is sliced in the kitchen and put on a platter. Would love that Norman Rockwell look but oh-too messy. Great movie but it does make me a bit sad. Eggnog - yes but the “real” stuff - “eggnog drink” just isn’t the same to me. Molasses or gingersnap cookies yes! And absolutely- I still believe. Thanks so much for this - wishing you the best Thanksgiving possible - so thankful to have found your blog!

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  30. I’ve been preoccupied with things this week, so I’m reading your blog posts in reverse order….

    Peppermint Hot Cocoa — yes!

    The beautifully dressed turkey— sure, as long as somebody else is doing all the work!

    It’s a Wonderful Life — not every year, but sure, I like it.

    Christmas Classics for children — no, not any more.

    Eggnog - oh yes, just not too much of it lest it start up the lactose-intolerant tendencies.

    Molasses Cookies — yes.

    Santa — never too old for him!

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  31. Hi there....catching up on your posts and glad I didn't miss the fun. Although, with my answers, I feel like a bit of a grinch. I think I would say "no" to all of them - except molasses cookies (there's never been a cookie I would say "no" to) and perhaps peppermint hot cocoa. Cocoa is not a favorite but I think with some peppermint, I would be all in!!:)

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo