The past week put my holiday spirit into overdrive. It was one of the best Thanksgiving celebrations we've had in a long, long time. The constant smile on my Dad's face was enough for me speak in superlatives even if I wasn't in absolute agreement, but I was. The week was busy, Casa Wags was full and the holiday was extra festive with cousins coming to town. It also happened to be my baby cousin's b-day. Gigi turned 35 on Turkey Day. She brought her fiance and he brought the before dinner fun. He played his guitar and put on quite an impressive magic show. That kept everyone in the great room and out off the kitchen where my parents were busy mashing, stirring, heating and carving. I swear it was the best turkey I can remember. I don't think my Dad believed me because I say this every year, but it's true and I think we have the death of the turkey fryer last minute to thank for that. The turkey cook time was cut short so it was extra moist. There was also an abundance of gravy. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy are my culinary Thanksgiving trinity. And while the meal was top-notch, what defines the day for me is togetherness. That was in abundance all week long.
I was the night before Christmas excited for my cousin and his wife to arrive from Cali Tuesday to kick-off the week's festivities. It's been a too long time since they've been here for a visit, and the last time they were here was the last time I saw them. A trip West is in our purview btw. The timing was perfect. I had a holiday wine delivery for ample toasts, a crock of soup to warm their thin-blooded bones and nothing but time to catch-up, converse and connect. Mike made the most insane skillet of cornbread and I am usually not a fan. Lils was home for the weekend and Ted and Meryl came for dinner. Nothing makes me happier than family around my kitchen island.
We spent a lot of quality time around said island for the duration of the long weekend drinking coffee until cocktails, Christmas card making with crafty cousin Kate until game time, chatting from morning until the wee hours, and reminiscing all while creating new memories. Holiday visits are meant to be cozy. Lazy Pajama-clad mornings morph into evenings spent under warm afghans without pomp or pretense. They are easy, unassuming and without expectation. The attitude is come what may because what is meant to be...will...be. It's important not to stack the deck, to over plan...to leave room for time to unfold organically.
I used to stress, kill myself in the kitchen and make too many commitments. I've learned to stock the frig, prepare a breakfast casserole or quiche, stock the bar, have snack foods at the ready, a few restaurant choices in my pocket and a plan for an outing or two. It helps that TJ and Kate are excellent guests. They feel at home, help themselves and are like-minded about our time together. I think we all would have been without complaint had we stayed in Wednesday, but after dark we ventured out for a drink and then to dinner. We weren't sad about it. It being the fresh November air, the hopping bar filled with as many dogs as people, the Southern Italian food, taking the long way home along roads that are looking a lot like Christmas just to get back into our cozies and stay up way too late watching music videos, telling stories and making future plans.
Friday was another slow day. We had Kopp's cheeseburgers for lunch followed by naps, but we rallied to meet my brother and sister-in-law downtown for happy hour before the rest of the night's plans. There was quite a chill in the air and the streets were decked out, and I was feeling jazzed. We stopped for a drink at Santa's Tavern, a December pop-up, while we waited for an eleven-top across the street. Ted ordered the Kalikimaka. It was served in a shirtless Santa mug. Santa wore a hula and a mistletoe lei. It was a picture. We had dinner and drinks at the Door, but Game Show Battle Room was the night's final destination for a little friendly Family Feud, Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune competition. Actually, Casa Wags was the final stop. My team lost, but back home I was the winner of the Tik Tok Tortilla Slap Challenge. It's quite an honor I never expected to claim.
We said a long, sad goodbye to TJ and Kate when their Uber arrived very very early Saturday morning. Then we went to bed. Saturday was a lost day, which was, not going to lie, perfect. It snowed all day and most of the night. It's a little early for the first snow and so much snow at that, and yet it was just right for lounging and leftovers and the first viewing of Elf.
Sunday was spent getting organized for the week ahead. It's busy at work and there's much to do before Christmas here and there, but I want to be in the moment not rush to and through it. That's why today's late afternoon flurries made me smile. It's a reminder to slow down, be still and feel the spirit.
