Which means that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, a day that made Kathy McGurk very happy. My mom was always generous, never short on celebrating and she loved spoiling us all. She made the most delicious tenderloin (well, eventually that was relegated to my husband), knew the perfect Santa to come make the magic for the kids and she had a mesmerizing carol voice as she crooned her way to Christmas. I'm feeling her vividly this Christmas and that is just one of the reasons for my quiet. I find I no longer have words for my grief. The sadness feels redundant, indulgent, ethereal and omnipresent. Know those adjectives were carefully chosen.
So here we are feeling the nostalgia, the anticipation and also the magical moments that always define the spirit of the season. This here is the heart of it all and I'm not ready for it to start let alone end.
Leaving work early today to finish baking and driving home in a surprising squall upped my Christmas spirit. I had no idea snow was in the forecast. The white stuff...it didn't stick, but it was such a pretty backdrop from my kitchen window as I mixed and rolled. I got a box of love this weekend...delicious love. My aunt sent us all our favorites from her Arizona kitchen. It was a delicious way of staying connected even though we won't be together in person this holiday.
I'll be paying it forward. Cookies for neighbors even those that don't celebrate Christmas because we all understand peace and good will and sprinkles. A tin for the lovely Lena who bags our groceries every week. One for the FedEx guy. The mailman too.
Pot pies as well. I was busy in the kitchen yesterday. Alan had surgery last week. Pot pie is a magic healing elixir especially when accompanied by homemade bread and Irish butter. I dropped off a little care package today and I know that he and Karen are feeling my good wishes tonight as they enjoy the meal I made. Another Christmas spirit boost.
This time each year I lean into letting every single person I can know that they are special to me. I think that's why this month goes too fast...I don't have the days to connect with or thank all the peeps I want to.
Okay I'm getting a little groovy. My Christmas spirit went into overdrive Friday when we had a family date downtown. We posed in front of the Pfister tree and I had heart pangs missing Cousin Carol who loved this iconic Milwaukee venue. Blu was a lovely spot for a cocktail before dinner at Zarlettis, a place that reminds me of my mom. Brad and Ashley hosted dinner and it was just a warm, cozy night of festivities and family. Ted's declared it a new family holiday tradition. Swanky boozy holiday dinner is definitely a thing. We dropped Ted off at an establishment to meet up with friends and the rest of us came home to cuddle cats and watch The Family Stone. Lily had never seen it. She loved it.
Another highlight of the weekend was a spontaneous Sunday afternoon visit with my mother and brother-in-law. The timing was perfect because...hello, cookie delivery and pot pie making. It was perfect to send them home with dinner and dessert because #foodislove. And it was kismet because we talked about inviting them and then got busy busy busy being busy, which we all know is not the best way to celebrate Christmas. I'm channeling my inner chill.
Tomorrow we will go to mass and I'm expecting that to be the pinnacle of my holiday happiness. We'll have a drink with the Sweeney's before driving home along the lake front to spectate all the lights. As a family, we decided on a simple make and bake pasta dish, garlic bread and a salad. That'll allow more time for fun and games. It's our tradition to do presents Christmas morning, but we may do them Christmas Eve. It seems the year to mix things up.
My parents will come for Christmas Day brunch. I don't have a decided upon menu yet, but we have a ham and there will be cookies so there's that. I told them to come in there pjs. Mike wrapped all the gifts, but I've yet to ribbon and bow them. I just may not. Ted's birthday gift is in the basement somewhere. I was going to order his favorite French silk pie, but he leaves for San Diego the day after and cookies. There's always Valentines Day.
Merry Christmas! Love and peace to all! Enjoy an extra cookie, say yes to the hot toddy, get in the family picture, sing loud and clear for all to hear and remember the reason for the season.
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