Today we're welcoming Renee Chaw (aka steelergirl83) to the Christmas Blogfest! Renee is now a good blogging friend and I'm so excited that she can be the first interviewee during the blogfest and, quite frankly, ever on Project Journal! We're making history today, folks! Thank you so much, Renee! Without further ado, here's Renee:
H: Are you a big celebrator of Christmas?
R: Well like a lot of families we’ve had to cut back in the recent years as far as going all out with decorating, gift-giving etc. but we still have a ton of Christmas spirit. Mind you nobody dresses up like Santa or anything but it’s definitely a holly jolly Christmas EVERY year!
H: I hear ya, Renee. I think that's true for everyone about cutting back recently. I'm glad you guys have managed to keep the Christmas spirit!! What are some of your traditions? (i.e. food, gift giving, family traditions, etc)
R: Well first things first we always put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. My dad works during the day and my brother goes to school so usually my mom, my younger brother, and I decorate the tree and have it lit by the time they come home so they can relax on the couch and enjoy it! These past two Christmas’s we’ve had Coco to “help” too so that’s always fun...I just wish we could train her to fetch the ornaments for us!
Coco under the Christmas tree last year
H: That is SO cool that you get your tree up that early! I got my fake Christmas tree up in my room (at home, not school) last weekend lol. Awwww Coco! I wish Maddie would fetch our ornaments too, it would cut a lot out of the process! Lol...do you have a favorite Christmas themed book/recommendation? Movie?
R: Oh I LOVE Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the movie (my favorite character is the abominable snowman of course!) and I love the book The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey! I really think it captures the spirit of the Christmas season.
H: Oh Renee! GREAT choices!! Love both of those! We actually have the figurines from the Rudolph movie, I thought I might add some pictures of those once we get them out : ) And we have that book! I always used to love hearing it....thanks for picking such great options for the people to try if they haven't! If you had to pick one “symbol” of Christmas (i.e. ornaments, the tree, the lights, the nativity set, etc.), what would you pick as your favorite?
R: Of course I love the Christmas tree but I would have to say that Nativity set is one of my favorite Christmas symbols, after all without the birth of Jesus there would be no “Christ”mas!
H: Renee! Great pick, I love the nativity set. There's something so peaceful and serene about it. I'm going to be posting pictures of ours too! Those are all coming up later on in our 25 days together. What did you ask Santa for this year? *wink*
R: Good question. I’m always last minute making my list and this year is no different. I’ve made up my mind that I want an e-reader of some sort but I’m kind of up in the air as to which one! Please help! LOL!
H: Ohhhh I've already told you what I think (Kindle!!) : D Maybe Santa will be good to you...that is if you've been good this year?! What was one gift that you always wanted, but never got?
R: A Barbie Dream House!
H: This was OUR Barbie Dream House!!
Renee's Favorites/Bests from Christmas' Past:
Christmas present as a child? Dream Bride Barbie or my Lil Miss Mermaid Doll
Christmas song? O Holy Night by Josh Groban
Place to spend Christmas day? My house with family and friends
Christmas food? PIE!!!!!!!!!
LOL Renee, I love that last answer, makes me laugh everytime I see it : D
Once again thanks so, so much for agreeing to spend a day with us. It was so much fun!! Now Renee has been kind enough in this giving spirit to offer a book giveaway for everyone today!! It is a "Mystery Giveaway" but it will definitely be a book ; ) This is only open to people within the United States, sorry about that! Make sure to leave your email in the comments and say that you want to be entered and you will be randomly entered in the drawing. Thanks again, Renee!!
If you want to check out Renee some more, join her on her blog: Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot!!!
And now it's time for our Mystery Christmas Song of the Day to listen to as you comment!! Today's hint: Brrrrr! It's freezing outside! *wink* This should be pretty easy I think....
Oh and I just couldn't resist! Just for FUN!!! Word of warning though, you'll have to turn the volume up a lot in the beginning if you want to hear all of it.
Hope you all have a lovely (Fri)day!!
Hannah
It was so much fun being interviewed thank you so much for having me and linking to my blog.
ReplyDeleteI see you picked one of my other favorite songs as your Song of the Day! I especially love the singer on the second version...she reminds me a lot of Katy Perry!
Merry Christmas :-)
XOXO~ Renee
Merry Christmas Renee, I always wanted a Barbie Dream House too.
ReplyDeleteRenee,
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!!! Don't worry, I didn't do anything lol!
Oh good, I'm glad about the song thing :) I almost changed it to one of yours, but I have all the songs scheduled for everyday lol....soooo I decided to just go with it lol! Yep, Zooey Deschanel gets that a lot apparently lol!
Hey Joy! Thanks for stopping by : ) Make sure to leave your email if you want in for the mystery book giveaway!
Talk to you later,
Hannah
I love reading interviews about some of the folks I've met in the blogosphere. It was great reading about Renee here! Coco looks right at home by the tree. How sad about the Barbie Dream House, though. Hopefully, subsequent Chistmases have been happier--LOL! . . . I, too, cherish the Jonathan Toomey book. It's one of my favorites. And I enjoyed both versions of the Song of the Day. I'd say, anyone who doesn't is a cotton-headed ninny-muggins!
ReplyDeleteLOL Renee Ann!
ReplyDeleteYour comment just put a HUGE smile on my face today : )
I, too, love reading the interviews from some of my blogger buddies. Just wait for all the others I have planned, I'm sure you'll enjoy. Everyone has been doing a great job and it's been such a pleasure to work with all of them!!!
I'm glad you've read the Jonathan TOomey book, it is brilliant, isn't it? Might be getting to be around that time of year to pull it out again : D
Thanks for stopping by, Renee Ann!
Hannah
I wanted a Barbie Dream House too!
ReplyDeleteInstead I had to invent houses out of boxes and linens.
Oooo please count me in suitejuju(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hey, I forgot about a book giveaway! Count me in, also. I know Renee has great taste in romantic reads! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteAnd who said it was going to be a romance Renee Ann? Hehehe you know me well.
ReplyDeleteJuju I did pretty much the same thing I was always making tents and things for my stuffed bears and Barbies.
Merry Christmas Joy!
XOXO~ Renee
Great interview! Renee, you're too fun! ;) I have a lot to live up to, I think!
ReplyDeleteHannah, thanks for getting us all in the Christmas spirit! :D I love how festive you have it here on your blog.
Please enter me in the mystery giveaway! Thank you!
~Amber
stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net
Juju, I have a feeling there weren't too many of us little girls that DIDN'T want a Barbie Dream House ; ) You're in for the drawing, thanks!!
ReplyDelete*snicker* Renee and Renee Ann you two are too funny!! You're definitely in : )
Awww Amber, that was sweet : ) Renee will love that comment! And thanks! New background soon to come...shhhhh don't spill the beans! You're in, girl!
Thanks for coming by and making this such a fun party, everyone!! Makes me love doing this!
Hannah
Oops how could I forget the email? Joy gLee g@aol.com
ReplyDelete*gasp*
ReplyDeleteHow could you, Joy!?
: O
; )
Great post, Renee. I am humming the Santa Clause song now.
ReplyDeleteHANNAH AND RENEE -- FUN interview!!! Coco is SOOO adorable and, Renee, "pie" is my favorite Christmas food too!! Especially warm chocolate chip pie with ice cream -- YUM!!
ReplyDeleteGreat Christmas Blogfest, Hannah -- sure gets ya in the mood, sweetie!!
Christmas hugs,
Julie
Hello Ladies--what a fun interview, and thank you for sharing CoCo with us, Renee!
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to seeing what else you have in store, Hannah. Cyber PIE would be good . . .
Fa La La la la!
Candace
I'm a little late arriving to the month-long party, but I sure enjoyed Renee's interview! Renee, I love Coco!! What a cutie. :)
ReplyDeleteHannah, thanks for a great interview.
Hey all! *waving to everyone*
ReplyDeleteTHanks for stopping by!! I know, Renee and I appreciate it!
If you're interested in the giveaway, ladies, make sure to leave those emails! Thanks!
See you soon, hopefully : )
Hannah
Hehehe pies are my favorite things and Coco says thank you and that you had better not try to steal any presents...unless you have a steak for her then she *might* look the other way! ;-)
ReplyDeleteXOXO~ Renee
Hmm, "mystery book" . . . why not, I'll give it a try. =) How fun to interview another blogger! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletejafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu
Please enter me in the drawing!
ReplyDeletemaybeitsmallory@hotmail.com
Hey! Not sure if it was too late to enter, but if it's not - count me in! :-) I just found your blog and am now a follower!
ReplyDelete~ Katy
legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com