Does it feel like 2015 has just flown by? I cannot believe it is December and that Christmas Day is a short three weeks away. There have been a few of things outside of running and triathlon in my life that has made 2015 feel like a challenge at times. I haven’t always felt like my usual happy self as I have let stress get to me more than I would have liked. That being said, with December and the holiday season among us I can’t help but feel a bit more joyful. I *love* the Christmas season! Here are my top five reasons why!
Eggnog
I love the conventional, thick, sweet eggnog that you buy in a carton from the grocery store but my husband is not a fan. Last year he made homemade eggnog for me and I can’t believe the difference. This year Neil whipped up a batch following Alton Brown’s recipe and it was ready just in time for us to decorate our tree. Yum!
Decorating Our Christmas Tree
Decorating our Christmas tree is one of my favourite ways to kick off the holiday season. I try to buy an ornament on every trip so many of the ornaments on our tree bring back some great memories. This year our two big trips were to Disney World for the Goofy Challenge and to Disneyland for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon.
Listening to Christmas Carols
I think it might be near impossible to be in a bad mood listening to Christmas carols. Some of my favourites?
- Fitz and the Tantrums – Santa Stole My Lady
- Straight No Chaser feat. Kristen Bell – Text Me Merry Christmas
- Bing Crosby & Peggy Lee – Little Jack Frost Get Lost
- Kay Starr – Everybody’s Waiting for the Man with the Bag
I love to sing along and dance around the house to these tunes.
Fun Holiday Themed Attire
While I don’t own any ugly Christmas sweaters, I love some of the fun holiday themed tech gear coming out these days. How great it this reindeer cycling jersey from SOAS? If I lived somewhere I could cycle outdoors in December I would snap this up in a heartbeat.
ProCompression also released some ugly Christmas sweater compression socks…but when I went to check them out online yesterday they had already sold out. 🙁
Holiday Movies
My holiday movie marathon has begun – starting with Home Alone and New Year’s Eve. Next up on my list? National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Polar Express and Elf.
What is your favourite Christmas movie?
I’m linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their Friday Five.
Have you bought the Dutchmen Dairy eggnog from Sunterra? AMAZING, and so thick. And it comes in a big glass bottle!
Oh, I have not tried that! I need to take a visit to Sunterra to get some of the special Fiasco Christmas gelato too. Dutchmen Dairy also makes great chocolate milk!!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 11.26.2015
I have never tried homemade eggnog! I want to give it a whirl.
Love your Disney ornaments! What a fun way to reflect on a good year.
Cheers to a great December!
Marilyn recently posted…BIG SUR HALF MARATHON – RACE RECAP
Thanks Marilyn! Let me know if you give the eggnog recipe a try. Neil whipped up another batch this weekend and it was so good!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 11.26.2015
Elf has got to be one of my favorite movies. It is actually playing at our local theater for free tonight. But I have it on DVD and we always watch it on Christmas Eve.
lacey recently posted…Five Dream Vacations
I love Elf too…I think it happens to be my favourite holiday movie!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 11.26.2015
You can’t go wrong with Elf. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it a million times but it still makes me laugh. Another Christmas movie I look forward to watching every year is It’s a Wonderful Life. It makes me cry every single time.
Fiona recently posted…December 2015 Goals
I haven’t seen It’s a Wonderful Life! I should add it to the list!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 11.26.2015
I love Christmas too for all the same reasons as you! I have to control myself with the eggnog as I’m the only one in the house that will drink it and I really don’t need that much eggnog!
Yes, I know the feeling Christine! Hope you had a great weekend!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 11.26.2015
Leanna, random question (but one thing I love about December is new cycling gear): do you have a power meter that you use with your trainer? If so, which one? Thoughts? My husband is going to buy me one for Christmas but I have no idea where to even start with that!
Sorry I just realized that I added an extra “n” to your name. I went to high school with a Leanna – old habit I guess. My apologies!
Hi Andrea, thanks for your question! I do have a power meter, I have the Garmin Vector pedals. Personally I really like them and have not had any issues with them. I have met a couple of people who have had issues (not sure if their issues are specific to the original Vector that came out though). I went with Garmin mostly because I like their products and I could swap pedals between bikes.
That being said, if you are looking for a great comprehensive guide to power meters I highly recommend this post by DC Rainmaker:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/10/buyers-guide2015-edition.html
He can walk you through the pros and cons of many power meters on the market right now and at the moment it looks like there are better options out there than the Vector at this price point.
I hope that helps a bit!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 11.26.2015