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This Week…My Favorite Week

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Home Stager

 

This Week…My Favorite Week

 

Hang in there friends…the Holiday Season is coming to an end!

If chocolate is the answer….the question is irrelevant. (unknown)


This week…Christmas week…has alway been one of my favorite weeks. Even though people are rushing around doing last-minute shopping, most are in a friendly and giving mood. 

The 12-step chocoholics program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!
Terry Moore




My week was spent preparing to host Christmas brunch.  I’ve learned through trial, error, and “Why didn’t I…” to start days in advance doing anything I can do to make the day of the event/dinner less frantic. 

We had the perfect excuse to order dessert this week. We were out with friends for an early Christmas Eve dinner when a storm came up. In fact we were under a tornado watch...everyone's phones started going off. We ordered dessert and waited for the storms to pass. What better place to wait out heavy rains and a possible tornado!!!

Chocolate doesn’t make the world go ’round, but it sure does make the trip worthwhile!
unknown



The main table was set 3 days in advance. Even though I love tech and my devices, I use a legal pad to make my notes…what to do…who’s coming…the menu…what I need to purchase. 

 

Christmas Day was brunch because everyone was tired of the turkey, mashed potatoes kind of meal from Thanksgiving. 

 

 

After a bar of chocolate one can forgive anybody, even one’s relatives.
unknown



Our Santa had a hard time reading the names on the packages because the beard caused his glasses to fog up.  

 

Other things are just food. But chocolate’s chocolate.
Patrick Skene Catling


At one point, Raffe shouted…Where’s Uncle Matt ???  (Uncle Matt was filling in for Santa.) The adults made some lame excuses but I saw the look on Raffe’s face..he knew exactly where Uncle Matt was!!!



Enjoy the rest of our holiday season!!!



**Chocolate quotes in honor of National Chocolate Candy Day

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(20)

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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We always have a good supply of chocolates at our home.

Have an outstanding weekend.

Dec 28, 2024 05:09 AM
Kathy Streib

So do I Roy Kelley And, if push comes to shove, I've been known to open a bag of chocolate chips. 

Dec 28, 2024 12:55 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. Being from Chicago, the holiday season was incomplete with a box, or two more, of Frango Mints in the home. They were available at the Oak Park or downtown Marshal Fields. When they were bought by Macy's they were discontinued and then brought back by popular demand, We have a box on the kitchen counter. Enjoy your day.

Dec 28, 2024 05:09 AM
Kathy Streib

Wayne Martin I remember buying Frango Mints!!!  We had both stores in Houston so maybe I bought them there. 

Dec 28, 2024 12:56 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

OMG Wayne Martin I remember those mints and loved them!  I think I bought them at Macy's or Dillards......hmmmm.  Must find them again!

Dec 28, 2024 11:40 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, You’ve certainly had a full week, and I couldn’t help but notice your mentions of chocolate. That brought a smile to my face!

Dec 28, 2024 05:12 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 with all of the Christmas cookies we had, I ended up eating a piece of chocolate. 

Dec 28, 2024 12:57 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm glad Matt was able to fill in! It sounds like you had a great day, and I'm glad you can take a breather now!

Dec 28, 2024 05:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti We can!  There were two family functions yesterday but that's it. 

Dec 28, 2024 12:57 PM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Glad Chocolate got you thru the Tornado watch.  See it is an important thing in our lives. Thanks for sharing, make it a great Saturday and enjoy your

weekend!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Dec 28, 2024 06:02 AM
Kathy Streib

Bill Salvatore - East Valley chocolate really is. We were eating at our favorite Tex-Mex place so we weren't worried about running out of food. LOL

Dec 28, 2024 12:59 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy,

I love that Uncle Matt was able to fill in and leave it to Raffe to know exactly what was going on! LOL! Good idea to have Christmas brunch for your crowd...it's had to believe it's over and now New Years is on the horizon!

Dec 28, 2024 06:10 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Dorie Dillard Austin TX I had fun trying some recipes I saw on Instagram. They were incredibly easy!!!

Dec 28, 2024 01:09 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - your chocolate-infused theme was quite tasty this week.  Maybe Raffe can assist Santa with some artificial intelligence influence next Christmas for the gift exchange.  

Dec 28, 2024 06:45 AM
Kathy Streib

Michael Jacobs He's growing up so fast!  The sugar got to him!!

Dec 28, 2024 01:11 PM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Kathy- I can't believe the holidays are almost coming to an end, but I will continue to eat chocolate year around. Love chocolate (dark chocolate).  Thanks for your post. Joe

Dec 28, 2024 06:50 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Joe Mojica I too eat chocolate all year!!!! And yes to dark chocolate!  Next up...New Years Eve. 

Dec 28, 2024 01:12 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I always liked the week between Christmas and New Year. You get to play with any new gadgets you got, most folks have off from work and everyone seems to be in a pretty good mood. What else could you ask for  :)   Now, just for the weight loss needed from all the calories consumed. 

Dec 28, 2024 07:28 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty I've been fairly good...what I have to watch are the sweets!!  If you're still in the area, hope you didn't get caught in the tornado today (12/28)

Dec 28, 2024 01:14 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I am so with you on the setting of table so early. Rick always makes fun of me when I do it. You have to plan your time wisely!

Love the chocolate quotes!

Dec 28, 2024 08:38 AM
Kathy Streib

Sharon Tara I get as much done as I can days before. It's all the little things that add up and take up our time.  I usually plan it so that I'm done with everything at least an hour before everyone comes over but some of my dishes had to wait to be baked until the last minute. 

Dec 28, 2024 01:17 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello My Friend Kathy and I can see why you love this week but heavy rain and maybe more bad weather would of been the only draw back for the week.  Which games are you watching today.

 

Dec 28, 2024 09:09 AM
Kathy Streib

Will Hamm we're watching Iowa State and Miami now. We were in Larr's closet for a few minutes this morning because there was a tornado warning. Our watches and phones started to go off. 

Dec 28, 2024 01:19 PM
Dennis Neal
Exp Realty of Southern California, Inc. - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

What a delightful post, Kathy! I love how you mix humor, warmth, and practicality, especially with your pre-planning tips for a smooth holiday celebration. It’s always refreshing to read about how the little things, like chocolate and laughter, can make such a difference in a hectic season!

Dec 28, 2024 09:48 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Dennis Neal I appreciate your very kind words!!!!  I sometimes think of my mixing as 'rattling on."

Dec 28, 2024 01:22 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Oh my goodness, Kathy... I loved, loved, loved all your chocolate quotes. Life without chocolate would be very sad. 

Dec 28, 2024 10:37 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib on my goodness... I can taste it now!

Dec 28, 2024 01:55 PM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker you and I are on the same page when it comes to chocolate!!!! I made dark chocolate bark that had roasted pumpkin seeds, pistachios and walnuts and craisins in it. 

Dec 28, 2024 01:23 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Christmas aound your house is a lively event, Kathy! We had a quiet one with dinner in the Silo and FaceTimed the grands. Life is so good!

Dec 28, 2024 11:26 AM
Kathy Streib

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! it is indeed. Everyone is talking at the same time! It's fun and I really enjoy seeing everyone. 

Dec 28, 2024 01:25 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Really do miss those days when everyone came together to catch up and celebrate, Kathy Streib

Dec 28, 2024 05:55 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

I had to laugh Kathy.....your post covered A LOT of stuff.  Kind of like all the work it took to plan and prepare for the brunch AND all the holiday activities!  It's time for us t relax........and enjoy more dark chocolate of course!

Dec 28, 2024 11:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Anna "Banana" Kruchten I think the sugar kicked in! LOL  We had another tornado warning today and this time Larry and I headed to his closet!  

Dec 28, 2024 01:31 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you, Kathy Streib, for this delightful peek into your festive week filled with chocolate and cheer! Your lighthearted approach to holiday preparations and the joyful moments you shared truly capture the spirit of the season.

Dec 28, 2024 01:29 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy it looks like you have Christmas week and the days leading up to it perfected.  ☺️

Dec 28, 2024 02:47 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Uh oh, Raffe is figuring it out, haha.  Time with family is such a wonderful thing and you have such a beautiful family!  Merry Christmas!

Dec 29, 2024 06:13 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Well, yes indeed - chocolate is always the best answer (no matter what the question was to begin with)

Dec 29, 2024 07:41 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Kathy:

Sounds like a very busy week of planning, shopping and cooking. But I bet it was all worth it.

Loved the chocolate quotes...and now I am wishing for some chocolate.

Jeff

Dec 30, 2024 09:45 AM