Feeling a bit nostalgic.

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent.” - Victor Hugo

We've all been there. At some point in our lives, we've been driving down the road flipping through radio stations when a song comes on and instantly you're back in time, thinking of a certain memory associated with said song. This has been happening quite a big lately. I found my old CD case that I thought I had lost. There are CDs in there from when I was 14 years old! They're all marked with the year I made them and I love going through them all. They certainly reflect how I was feeling the night I made the CD. There are CDs full of love songs, some full of rap, pop or country and others with sad love songs when I just thought for sure the world was over because my latest relationship had ended. Then there are those that are so full of horrible songs that I can't believe I'm the one who made it! One of my favorites is the one I made the hubby on our first Valentine's Day, five years ago. I'm not sure why I'm the one who has it had it, but it was still fun listening to it. It took me back to those feelings of a new, exciting love! We surely have been through a lot since then! Another favorite was the one I made when I thought I was leaving Virginia for Missouri. I called it my "goodbye" CD and it has so many great songs on it! Some are sad, but some are inspirational. They all talk about finding a new life and moving forward, leaving the past behind. Finding this case definitely has made me happy. Each time I listen to one of them, it takes me right back to that moment and how I was feeling. I know it isn't good to dwell on the past, but it's nice to take a trip down memory lane every now and then!

Christmas Memories

I keep reading on Facebook about how people need to finish their Christmas shopping. Me? I haven't even started. I mean, I have ideas of what I want to get everyone, but those can only go so far if you no have money. Now that the wedding's finished, we will have some extra money, but it won't be enough for what we want to buy for everyone. Isn't that how it always goes? I'm thinking of opening up a Christmas Club account this January. That'll at least give us some extra money next Christmas.

Our parents keep saying not to get them anything, but I couldn't imagine NOT getting them something. After all they've done for us this year, I feel as if we need to get them a little something. Of course, there's no question about our nieces and nephew. Emma's only four months old, so we can't really buy her any cool toys for her to enjoy right now. This is Jayden's second Christmas, but last year he was only two months old, so he'll actually have fun ripping the paper off the presents! Makayla's three years old now, so she knows exactly what's going on! I'm really looking forward to that! I'm still not sure what to get Kevin? Any ideas? What are you guys getting your men?

I've been printing off Christmas candy recipes all morning! I'm really excited! Hopefully, it'll all turn out okay? I'm not the best at baking, but I sure do give it my best! My plan is to be like my mom someday. That woman is the best cook in the whole world! Everything she makes tastes amazing. I always know its Christmas time when she's making peanut butter and chocolate fudge, as well as applesauce cakes! Yum! Dad, Whit and I always fought over who would get to eat the fudge off the sides of the saucepan when she was done! haha!

My favorite Christmas candy! :)

I'm also going to attempt to make this:

Tiger Butter Fudge! This was first introduced to me by Kelli when we worked together @ FOL. I've loved it ever since!

I've also looked up some punch recipes! That's another thing that makes me think of Christmas. My sweet little mamaw always made punch at Christmas! She would always be dressed up in a pretty little Christmas sweater and a Christmas aapron. She'd set up the punch, as well as Coke and some other sodas, on a little table in the foyer! It was always so fun to spend Christmas at her house!

What about you guys? Do you have anything like that that reminds you of Christmas? Nothing like the usual stuff (trees, snow, Santa, etc)!