West Side Stories
A Tosa resident for almost 20 years, Karen is a mom and freelance writer, addicted to playing tennis. When not on the tennis court, she spends the fall and winter in the stands at Green Bay Packer and Marquette basketball games.
Karen is the author of “Grab a Bite,” a dining out column and the former community columnist for the Wauwatosa NOW newspaper.
All Things Christmas
OK, fine! It’s time – go ahead and bask in the glow of holiday excess! Listen to Christmas music 24 hours a day. Sleep to the sounds of WMYX. Soak it in and indulge.
In fact, despite my recently revealed Scrooginess, I’ll share with you several of my favorite things during the Christmas season. Maybe you won't think I’m completely green with Grinch-i-tude:
Christmas movies – I’m very particular and there are only a few that I can stand to watch. Of course I love It’s a Wonderful Life, but I always save that one for Christmas Eve. I’m very partial to A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sims. Nobody does it better…nobody. But for a more contemporary take, here are just a few more recent seasonal flicks that I love: Home Alone 1 and 2 (I can’t decide which is better), The Family Stone (funny, sad, quirky – too much to love). Hands down, my absolute favorite Christmas movie ever is…Elf. If you watch this and don’t smile and laugh, well, then there’s something wrong with you. And yes, you can watch it with the kids.
Christmas music – It might suprise you to know that I actually love Christmas music and have a few favorite albums: “Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas” (classic, simply classic.) “David Lanz – Christmas Eve” (gently beautiful) and the soundtrack from, you guessed it – “Elf.” (If you don’t fall in love with the Leon Redbone/Zoey Deschanel duet of “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” then you’re cold inside!) Then there are a few holiday nuggets on an old Billboard Christmas album, including “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Riu Chiu” and “Welcome Christmas” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Christmas food – Egg nog. My mother-in-law’s recipe for egg nog should be illegal. It’s so good you need a spoon to get every last drop. Sugar cookies – as long as they’re thin and crispy, then they are like a slice of heaven. Beef Wellington – my mom’s recipe is surprisingly easy and amazingly delicious. It’s become our little Christmas tradition.
Christmas gifts – well, I don’t know about you, but I got my first one today in the form of a brand-new recyclable cart. I have only once minor complaint. Isn’t this promotion of “The Bee Movie” going a little far?
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