Christmas shopping in our family always gets a little carried away. Anyone who knows my family personally will tell ya we’re crazy when it comes to Christmas. Why? Because we love it we would damn near rather go bankrupt than to not have a huge, gi-normous Christmas. Where talking a Christmas with so many presents that we have to take breaks in the middle of opening presents. Now, I will say at any time we can have up to 3 generations with us opening presents, but still it’s insane. Especially if there is family in from out of town with their kids; then it can get really fun.

Over the last few years, I have introduced this style of Christmas to my in-laws and their family. They think I’m crazy too! Why not have some fun and watch the joy of somebody opening a present? Better yet, watch somebody completely freak out because you got them something they weren’t expecting but what they really wanted. I look forward to it every year.

My wife and I started our shopping this year on the dreaded Black Friday. We spent the weekend on Lake Grapevine camping with my family. It was cold and wet on Thanksgiving day, but it was a lot of fun the rest of the time. We went with the family to ride the North Pole Express Grapevine. It was a good time, only the kids were supposed to dress up in their pajamas, but all of us grown ups decided it would be fun too. You should have seen the looks we got walking through Historic Grapevine Texas in our pajamas. The train ride was okay and Santa looked great, but they could have done a lot more to make it more like the Polar Express Movie. I will say that my parents, my wife, and I really had more fun going to the wineries after the train ride in our PJs, because that’s when we really got some good looks. All in all, it was fun. It’s been awhile since I posted, so I am starting off with an easy one. If you haven’t been to Grapevine, Texas, during Christmastime, well, you’re just missing out. They claim that they are the Christmas Capital of Texas, and I bet that they are not far off on that claim. The whole downtown is done up with that Holiday flair and shows. You can’t walk past a shop or store without seeing wonderful Christmas decorations and holiday cheer.  We had so much fun that we may make family camping on Grapevine Lake a family tradition for this time of year. Where else can you do your Christmas shopping, drink as much wine as you can get your hands on, Christmas shop ’til you drop, and camp all at the same time? What a great time with the family and our dogs (we had 8 out there!).

Now it’s time for the real shopping to begin. We have our Christmas list and our checking it twice and we don’t care who has been naughty or nice. Actually sometimes the naughtier the better…

It’s been awhile since my last post so I am gearing up with a simple one and will get working on Holiday recipes. Christmas is my favorite time of year. I know that Christmas has a lot of different meanings, but, for me, it’s the look on people’s faces when they get something they really wanted that is my favorite.

Simple Honey Mustard Chicken

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper