Christmas List: Part One

Admittedly, she had no idea I was planning this, but I still accuse Meghan of precognitive plagiarism for her post ripping off my Christmas Blogger List.

The idea is simple. Unfortunately, being poor and half-Scottish, I'm both broke and cheap. Therefore, I can't afford to send each of my blogging pals the gift they so richly deserve.

However, in the holiday spirit, I'm going to tell each of the 'blends' (portmanteau of 'blogger' and 'friend'... don't blame me, I didn't invent it) on my 'blogroll' what I would get them if I was totally rich and loaded.

So Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

This is Part One. I have a chubby blogroll, so if you don't see your name this time around, check back for Part Two of my Christmas list, coming soon!

An Uneducated Housewife's Guide to Politics - Coffee Bean's been really open and engaging about her Christian faith over the last year, even facing off against a Godless heathen like me! For that reason, I'd like to give her a book called The Shack, by William P. Young, which tackles the question which challenges all faithful people - how can a 'good' God let bad things happen?

BiPolar Blog - I had considered buying Sha a copy of Kate Perry's greatest hits (and a large hammer) but instead, I thought she'd get a giggle out of a book she mentioned in one of her blog posts - The Pop-Up Book of Sex!

Brit Gal in the USA - For my favorite Oklahoma Expat, I thought she might appreciate a copy of one of my favorites - in fact, the only cook book I own. Great British Dinners by TV chef (and Winchester resident) James Martin. I'm sure she's already educated her cowboy hubby about the Full English Breakfast, but there are some quintessentially British treats in here even she might have forgotten!

Cindy Lynn Speer's blog - I hope Cindy won't take any offence at me calling her the quintessential Renaissance Babe. She's a sword-wielding, Renn-Fairing lass who's also a darn talented aspiring author. From reading her stuff, I thought she might like A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans (not the star of The Fantastic Four OR the British celebrity ginger.) Evan's book is a startlingly original fantasy novel, updating swords and sorcery to muskets and magic.

CK's Blog - CK and I don't agree on much - but when I heard about Mike Huckabee's new book, I thought it might be something we could both find some middle ground on. Do The Right Thing is Mike Huckabee's answer to solving some of America's problems. The suggestion to 'treat other people as you'd like to be treated' illustrates a practical application of Christian theology that even I don't get my knickers in a twist about.

Cruel Virgin's Blog - It's difficult to pick something for Cruel Virgin as most of the stuff she talks about, she's already read and reviewed. So I'll just pick a product that she left a very deep and thoughtful review of. Maybe she can give it to a friend, or have a spare copy to leave on the coffee table. The Illuminated Bible. And here's her review of it.

Dina: Worrier Princess - For some reason, I imagined darling Dina would enjoy some holiday hijinks courtesy of Mamma Mia. It's sunny escapism with Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth and I'm sure they two gentlemen Dina would welcome to find in her Christmas stocking!

Erica Henderson - I wouldn't buy Erica anything. NOT A THING. Instead, I'd just buy everybody I know cards from her awesome online shop.

Essin' Em - Essin' Em's left herself a wishlist, which makes picking pressies easy. I'd choose for her something I'd want for myself. As soon as I saw the Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters plush toy (it's a stuffed-toy version of the man eating book from Prisoner of Azkaban) I thought: 'I WANT ONE OF THOSE!'

Expat Mum, author of Rules Britannia - Similar to Erica Henderson, I wouldn't buy Expat Mum anything. Instead, I'd buy every American I know a copy of her wonderful book, Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom.

Filmmaker MA Shumin's blog - Shumin is a wonderfully talented writer and filmmaker and one of the most cosmopolitan people I know. She's just fascinated by uncovering the hidden story beneath the surface and discovering more about different people and their cultures. Now , I know she's a fan of Catherine Sanderson's Petite Anglaise, so I'd buy her a copy of the far superior A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke.

Jenn of the Jungle RIGHT WING political blog - She's a true tough-talkin' lady, so I think the lovely Jenn would appreciate this book by straight-shooting and hugely entertaining country singer Trace Adkins. A Personal Stand contains the opinions and observations of a rough-around-the-edges, but witty and ultimately very clever man.

Jo's Haunted Eyeball - I secretly think Jo shares my belief that, one day, the zombies will show up and eat all our brains. Therefore, since Winchester is simply surrounded by graveyards, I'd slip her a copy of The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, which promises to offer 'Complete Protection from the Living Dead.' We can only hope!

Jodiferous: Faster, Pussycat... Type, Type! I would give Jodi the inestimable Michel Thomas' Guide to Speaking Russian. If she doesn't understand why, then it's officially time for her to update her 101 Things About Me section of her blog!

Meghan's Pirate Blog - I've definitely lived vicariously through single and sassy Meghan's adventures over the past year. I think she's get a kick out of this book for Christmas: Hot Chicks with Douchebags.

The Wonderful World of Weiners - Oh, for dear old Hallie, I just had to get this cozy murder mystery, Murder Can Depress Your Dachshund by Selma Eichler. It'd be just the silly escapism she needs, curled up on the sofa with her wieners, full after a big Christmas meal!

You Like Ashley - amazing photographer Ashley Strassburger - Ashley is just the most AMAZING photographer, so I would buy her an Apple MacBook Air. Apple Macs are meant to be insanely good for handling photographs and the Air weighs about as much as a candy bar, so it'd be perfect for Ashley's lifestyle (since she's always travelling cross country.)