Cocaine Princess here.
Okay here goes-- my last plea to Santa Claus.
Dear Santa,
I have been very good for the past one or two days.....so let's focus on that, okay big guy?
Love,
Colombian Princess
****
“Dasher... Dancer... Prancer... Nixon... Comet and Cupid... Donna Dixon?”
-Homer Simpson reciting reindeer names
-Homer Simpson reciting reindeer names
Here I am blogging another year end post. Wow! I can’t believe another year is nearly over. It seems like only yesterday I was celebrating the most joyous day of the year and partying away into the New Year in the tropics with my loved ones, and soon enough I will be again.
As you know by now my sister holds an annual event known as “The Cookie Exchange Party.” You can read previous entries about it here , here and here. The Cookie Exchange Party {CEP for short} is quite possibly-- and this is only my opinion--- the most bizarre food ritual on the planet. Hmm, you think by now I would be use to it, right? Sadly no. To this day I still can’t quite put my finger on why I think this whole cookie shindig is creepy. Oh who am I kidding? It’s downright weird! It’s no big surprise to anyone who knows me that I’m no Martha Stewart nor do I have any interest in possessing her crafting, baking or cooking abilities but I sometimes wonder if the CEP is really some type of weird cult and “the cookies” is really all just a massive coverup? To this day I’ve never received a proper reply from sister on why she feels compelled to hold it each year in our home.....unless she is head leader of this cult?
As you know by now my sister holds an annual event known as “The Cookie Exchange Party.” You can read previous entries about it here , here and here. The Cookie Exchange Party {CEP for short} is quite possibly-- and this is only my opinion--- the most bizarre food ritual on the planet. Hmm, you think by now I would be use to it, right? Sadly no. To this day I still can’t quite put my finger on why I think this whole cookie shindig is creepy. Oh who am I kidding? It’s downright weird! It’s no big surprise to anyone who knows me that I’m no Martha Stewart nor do I have any interest in possessing her crafting, baking or cooking abilities but I sometimes wonder if the CEP is really some type of weird cult and “the cookies” is really all just a massive coverup? To this day I’ve never received a proper reply from sister on why she feels compelled to hold it each year in our home.....unless she is head leader of this cult?
Prior to the guests arrival I was watching an Indiana Jones Marathon on TV. It had been years since I had seen it and I took notice of something. In Part 2 are you aware there is a club called “Club Obi Wan Kenobi?” I’m not sure if this was done on purpose but if it was wouldn’t it have made more sense to call it “Club Han Solo?”
Sister and housekeeper {HK} were both in the kitchen getting everything ready. Aside from cookies there were refreshments and other little desserts available. I was sitting on the couch all dolled up. Although I find the CEP extremely bizarre, one aspect I like is the fact that when attending this function one needs to be dressed to the nines. As strange as I find myself saying this, I find it far more strange typing this next statement: The Cookie Exchange Party Is A Blinged Out Affair.
Sister and housekeeper {HK} were both in the kitchen getting everything ready. Aside from cookies there were refreshments and other little desserts available. I was sitting on the couch all dolled up. Although I find the CEP extremely bizarre, one aspect I like is the fact that when attending this function one needs to be dressed to the nines. As strange as I find myself saying this, I find it far more strange typing this next statement: The Cookie Exchange Party Is A Blinged Out Affair.
The cult meeting --err-- I mean “the party” commenced this past Sunday afternoon at 1pm, at least that’s what time the doorbell began to ring. The first time it did was one of those continuous rings which led me to believe the person on the other side of the door was a mischievous one. HK answered the door and judging by the chatter from the foyer it was a large group. I couldn’t wait to see their outfits......Oh! They looked marvelous! Little girls in their decorative headbands, wearing mini bolero jackets with sequences over their satin dresses and the little guys in dress pants, clean shirt and crisp ties. Dressed To The Nines! Two girls managed to get past HK without her knowing still wearing their pink suede Ugg boots on. Each and every child looked so brilliant, like festive ornaments and as they made themselves at home their parents brought their home made cookies. The entire kitchen counter and table was filled with a wide variety of cookies in colorful metallic boxes. In front were index cards with the name and recipe printed on it. Our kitchen at one point looked like a restaurant specializing in dessert buffets.
And so the sampling of the cookies and the exchanging of the recipes began. There is always one favorite but this year there was a tie: The Molten Chocolate Chip Cookie and The Triple Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie. I would have taken a picture but those cookie monsters in human form devoured them all before I had a chance too. It always surprises me how much food the kids are able to fit in their tiny stomachs. For little people they sure have big appetites.
While the parents swapped recipes and participated in gossip, I focused my attention on the children since I’m not apart of the mommies who love to tittle-tattle like they are still teenagers club. Happy, is not a word that doesn't even begin to come close to describe how the kids felt that Christmas was so near. Most of them wanted electronic gadgets-- LeapPad Explorer Tablet, the latest Xbox and something known as a Fijit. I had no idea what the heck that was until a 6 year old gave me the 411. Unlike fashion I'm not really into what's hot and what's not when it comes to toys. Some of them were heading south for the holidays while others were simply going to have a "staycation." Either way they were excited at the fact they were getting 2 weeks off from school.
While the parents swapped recipes and participated in gossip, I focused my attention on the children since I’m not apart of the mommies who love to tittle-tattle like they are still teenagers club. Happy, is not a word that doesn't even begin to come close to describe how the kids felt that Christmas was so near. Most of them wanted electronic gadgets-- LeapPad Explorer Tablet, the latest Xbox and something known as a Fijit. I had no idea what the heck that was until a 6 year old gave me the 411. Unlike fashion I'm not really into what's hot and what's not when it comes to toys. Some of them were heading south for the holidays while others were simply going to have a "staycation." Either way they were excited at the fact they were getting 2 weeks off from school.
Entertainment as always came in the form of watching DVDs. We saw “A Muppets Christmas Carol” {a lot of the kids were still pretty high on Muppet Fever after watching the latest film} and one of my personal favorites, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” As we ate and watched holiday specials sister opened up the gifts that were given to her. She received what appears to be an endless supply of boxed soaps and bath and body gift baskets that I'm quite sure she could open up her own Body Shop! One little boy whom I call “Froggy” well his gifts are always truly one of a kind. Last year he bought her a goat. This year an electronic ice cream maker.
“Let's Be Naughty & Save Santa The Trip” ~Gary Allan
Speaking of gifts, you're all aware of the popular and classic Christmas carol “12 Days Of Christmas.” You know a series of gifts that are given by a true love. Have you ever wondered what the actual cost of all these gifts are? I was interested in finding out and after I did a little online research, unknown to me there's an actual company called The PNC Christmas Price Index® who shows the current cost for one set of each of the gifts given in the song.
“It began 28 years ago when the chief economist at PNC Bank decided to figure out how much it would cost to buy each of the gifts. Little did he know, he was starting an economic tradition that continues to this day. The PNC Christmas Price Index® is similar to the Consumer Price Index, which measures changes in prices of goods and services like housing, food, clothing, transportation, etc.”
The Actual Cost:
Partridge In A Pear Tree
2011: $184.99
2010: $161.99
Price Increase of 14.2%
Two Turtle Doves
2011: $125.00
2010:$100.00
Price Increase of: 25%
Three French Hens
2011: $150.00
2010: $150.00
Price Increase of: 0%
Four Calling Birds
2011: $519.96
2010:$599.96
Price Increase of: -13.3%
Five Golden Rings
2011:$645.00
2010:$649.95
Price Increase of -0.8%
Six Geese A-Laying
2011:$162.00
2010:$150.00
Price Increase of:8%
Seven Swans A-Swimming
2011: $6,300.00
2010: $5,600.00
Price Increase of 12.5%
Eight Maids A-Milking
2011:$58.00
2010: $58.00
Price Increase of: 0%
Nine Ladies Dancing
2011: $6,294.03
2010:$6,294.03
Price Increase of: 0%
Ten Lords A-Leaping
2011:$4,766.70
2010:$4,766.70
Price Increase of: 0%
Eleven Pipers Piping
2011:$2,427.60
2010:$2,356.20
Price Increase of: 3%
Twelve Drummers Drumming
2011:$2,629.90
2010:$2,552.55
Price Increase of: 3%
***
In a few short days I’ll be jetting off for my annual winter vaycay and will be on blog hiatus until the New Year. ADIOS to my sweaters, coats, hats and gloves and ¡HOLA! to my itty-bitty bikinis, sunblock, shorts, mini skirts and open toed stilettos. For me there is no better way than celebrating Christmas with swaying palm trees, warm ocean breezes, a rum runner in my hand, silky sand in between my toes and best of all.....dancing under a Latin moon. A white Christmas doesn’t cut it for me.
Reading through my fellow bloggers posts I know some of you have been wrestling with various personal turmoils and your hearts are feeling heavy. Just hang in there, 2012 is right around the corner and with a New Year comes a fresh start and new opportunities.
Regardless of your faith and belief I hope the magic that I always feel during this time of year touches you in some way shape or form making your hearts a little lighter.
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays & May You Have A Sparkling New Year! Salud!!
May You Find Your Light in 2012.
I Wish You Love, Light, Serenity & Happiness.
Shine On & Twinkle On.
Peace Out.
I Wish You Love, Light, Serenity & Happiness.
Shine On & Twinkle On.
Peace Out.
XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess~x
