Christmas 2019 has come and gone. The past couple days I felt the post holiday blahs bad. All the build up, preparation and anticipation and then it's over. All that's left are photos if you remembered to take them, lots of trash and memories. I took a few photos, the garbage is picked up and I have a cache of warm memories. It's back to reality. It's back to healthy eating, an exercise regimen and resolutions. I'm mostly ready. Every December I slip into the naughty habit of having Christmas cookies with my morning coffee. Sugar for breakfast is a no no, and yet I cannot resist. Yesterday I brought a giant veggie platter to work. I had green beans, the sweetest baby tomatoes and carrots for breakfast. Truth is it tasted better than cookies. I think I've reached my limit.
Christmas Eve we celebrated just the four of us. Church was first and foremost on the agenda. We slipped into our regular pew in the midst of the Christmas concert. By the time mass starts, it's standing room only so that was a stroke of luck. I shed a few tears of joy during the service. I can only say that I felt filled to the absolute brim with gratitude and overcome with spirit. While we sang the recessional, Hark the Herald Angels Sing I felt so light. All was right with Christmas. We planned to order Chinese, but we had a hard time finding a restaurant that would even answer the phone. They were all slammed. Mike headed to a nearby takeout place and they locked the door as soon as he entered. He was the last customer of the night. Another stroke of luck. They were out of rice, but we made due with some noodles. Dessert was a game of Uno, Lily's new favorite. Then we opened presents for the rest of the night. We were all very happy. Tigger most of the crew. He is the biggest kid of all. He loves the ribbons, boxes and bows. His bag of toys too. We retired to the family room for the first showing of Elf this year. I think we all nodded off about halfway through. It was a perfect family night.
Christmas Day was another family celebration. We gathered for a delicious brunch feast that Mike perfectly timed. It was a decadent spread of eggs benedict casserole with blender hollandaise, my brother's breakfast burritos, au gratin potato stacks, Lily's favorite Caesar salad, kielbasa, Rosie's tuna salad, croissants and fruit. Nothing makes me happier than family around my table. And yes, I use the good china. I use it every chance I get.We're still eating leftovers. We headed to the living room to exchange gifts. It was another marathon session. We ended the night with our white elephant exchange and dessert and appetizers. The hits were the Olaf suit Lily scored, Ted's Corona Christmas sweater, Grasshopper pie, Loie's cookies and her Irish toast. Ted went out with friends and Mike and I fell asleep in front of the tree rehashing the goodness of the day. It was a happy day.
I enjoyed a very lazy day after. I stayed in my pjs until dark enjoying a Survivor marathon. I finished one book and started another without an ounce of guilt. Candace came to catch up for happy hour. I used my fancy new aerator and plopped some homemades in the oven. Christmas isn't over yet.
And the festivities continued last night for Ted's birthday. We had a fun, delicious family dinner at his restaurant of choice. I thoroughly enjoyed being out on the town and my capellini alla caprese. Most of all my peeps. The kids went out with friends and Mike and I went to our local Cheers.
Teddy just rolled in. He's making eggs. Lily's still sleeping. We're talking about a family movie date this afternoon. Star Wars for the guys and Little Women for the girls. I know...how very gender predictable. We all have good intentions for a work out before the theater. It will be another good day. And for the record, Christmas isn't over just yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment