The Many Days [and Meals] of Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas, extending over several days.  Some days were so busy that I didn't get any photographs!

On Christmas Eve, we were ushers at the early service and then had dinner at a friend's house where a beautiful grandson was visiting

We came home and I opened my SSCS package from Carol who made me these lovely gifts. Just look at the detail in the Christmas family grouping!  Isn't it great?  And she made that darling Christmasy totebag and little treat holder -- complete with melt-in-the-mouth chocolates.  Oh, my!  Carol, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.

Christmas day was busy.  We began by opening our own gifts at home and then went over to Bonnie's for breakfast, just the three of us.  After her yummy meal, we exchanged our gifts and came home again for a bit of a nap before heading out to Sherry's where the whole family was gathering for the main Christmas celebration and non-traditional Mexican dinner.  I didn't get a single picture that day!

Sunday was my Christmas brunch, with family and our dear neighbors.  It was a sumptuous feast, as many people brought something to augment what I had prepared.

I had made Linda's famous ham balls in brown sugar and mustard sauce, a scrumptious solid cholesterol egg and cheese concoction called Eggs Presnov, spinach salad, pineapple and blueberries, cheese dip, Swedish plate, and lots of cookies.  Karen brought a chocolate chip coffee cake and Maggie some pears poached in wine; Susie offered a traditional toad-in-the-whole which most of us had never had before; it was an instant hit. And, of course, there was Amy's fudge, a Christmas necessity. Our neighbor Andrea had given us a lovely centerpiece to grace the table.

I do believe that people got enough to eat!

Sherry and her family had not been able to join us for the brunch, but all of our kids and their kids were at our house most of Monday.  Sam and Caroline are wonderful, well-behaved little people who were happy to play together and allow the adults to have time to chat.  I couldn't get enough of Elijah and Nate.  At one point Chris and I had a rousing game of two-person Scrabble.  Various people enjoyed taking Blackberry out for his first experience with snow.  A wonderful day!

And now the house is quiet.  Blackberry and Joe are trying to decide which of them is the more tired.  I have a bazillion loads of laundry to tackle, the Christmas cards to get to the post office (don't want to rush into these things, you know), and some much needed Bernina time on my schedule.  And, of course, there will be more visiting in the days ahead.