The Other Eve Eve

 It's been a festive, full week. It was front-end loaded with Christmas and birthday celebrating and now we are sleeping in, watching movies, Ted Lasso and old family videos, playing games, cuddling kitties and finishing up all the Christmas treats. Our New Years plans were cancelled yesterday and while I love being with these favorite friends at Windmill Beach, a favorite place, this year I am happy to be home. A book I've been anticipating finally arrived and I am hoping that the last read of 2021 may be my best. There's nothing better than curling up by the tree with my coffee, a compelling read and my cats first thing in the morning, or last thing in the afternoon. Or any time really.

This Christmas made me happy and filled my heart to the brim. Despite the crazy world we live in, my little world is filled with love and laughs and lots of goodness. My mom made an appearance last night in a video taken fifteen years ago at Lake Winnepisaukee. Seeing her, well it audibly took my breath away. God how I miss her. Crazy Cousin Carol made a cameo too. I see them and I think how important it is to give and accept love because you just never know when you are going to lose someone special to you. I'm forever grateful that they knew how much they meant to me. The hard work is showing up and doing that every day. It's 100 percent worth it though.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my brother and sister-in-law's. They are the king and queen as far as host and hostess go and it was as lovely as ever. We started with Tom & Jerry's and white elephant and it was a nice mix up to do a pass before dinner. Loie scored another singing plushie. 2021 Twerk gave 2020 Mingo a run for his money. The karaoke microphone was another family favorite and the Let's Go Brandon shirt was stolen numerous times. We weren't supposed to give gifts except for to the kids, of course, but everyone always breaks the rules. I complain about it, but then I do it too. And the Christmas Day breakfast baskets I put together for my parents and my aunt and uncle were so much fun to bake for and assemble. My parents gave us all a cooking class at Gloriosos. We'll take over the school sometime soon. These are my kind of gifts and completely worth breaking the rules to bequeath.

Ashley made a beautiful salad and a piping hot pot of beef bourguignon that was the perfect holiday bowl of sustenance and comfort. Brad made coffee drinks after dinner and we enjoyed my Chocolate Gingerbread Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream for dessert. We ended the night with champagne cocktails and I'm pretty sure we used every glass in the house before the night was over. No, I know we did.

Ashley sent us home with a tray of fresh croissants that proofed overnight and made the most delicious Christmas morning breakfast. I think this will be a new tradition. Definitely.

I was up alone with the kittens who found their presents overnight and helped themselves. Christmas is just as much for cats as it is for kids. The Tres Amigos were totally spoiled. The two humans were too. Spoiled as in really stoked about their gifts. I had to wake them up though to begin the exchange. Long gone are the days of Mike and I begging for 10 more minutes and still getting up at dawn. That I do not miss. I also don't miss ripping through the presents as fast as possible. Now, we take our time.

 

My brother and sister-in-law joined us just before the Packer game Christmas Day for homemade Christmas pizza pies and games...football, golf, Wizard. We stayed in our jams ( the girls matching, the boys boycotting and that's ok) all day and night and had a very low key gathering. This too is a new, much loved tradition. The guys played poker and the girls retired to the family room to watch Love Actually. 

 Sunday was Wegehaupt Family Christmas and everyone was there. That's a full house and it was good to all be together again because it's been awhile. The brothers were in charge of dinner. The plan was to give mom a deserved break. We started the collaboration by picking up a couple pans of Glorioso's lasagna. Everyone else filled in the rest. It was a fine, scrumptious idea and, perhaps, another new tradition. 

 

We celebrated our birthday boy Monday. It was a Ted choice day and a good one. More on that later because it deserves it's very own post. And now you understand why I'm perfectly happy to stay home this weekend.

The Eve Eve

It's a cozy morning. Chilly, gray, quiet. The house is full and asleep. I'm slowly sipping my coffee and planning my day. It's the day of loose ends and I have a hefty list. On it are the usual suspects like shopping, wrapping and baking. There will be some cookie deliveries (before they all disappear) and a flower drop off to a special birthday girl. I did a good job keeping the lid on things this year, but I know myself and these days before Christmas I get the bug to give, give, give. There are certainly worse afflictions that shall remain nameless here today.

The anticipation is starting to build. For what exactly, I am unsure. We may have to pivot and host at Casa Wags and I am resigned to whatever will be will be. It seems to be the mantra for 2021. That means shopping might be on my list tomorrow too. Que sera sera.

I'm off through the new year. I haven't had a whole week off since before this endemic. It's my own doing, and it's long overdue. Of course, I was taking care of business this morning and I have to drop in the office later for a minute, but I'm okay with that because I love and am grateful for my job. I'm also proud of my little company that survived and even thrived these last two years.

We are blessed in many ways and boy do I know it. Feel it. I've been quiet here because I have been savoring these moments. I get to this place every year, but I have to say that this year is different. Now don't expect me to define different, just trust me. It's a very humble contentment. I felt it strongly in church last week when we sang O Come Emmanuel. It is a favorite because of the way it makes me feel. Hopeful, devout, awed. 

Last weekend was busy with seasonal preparations too. That meant lots of time with Lily and that is some of the best time. We baked, decorated our sugar cookies that taste better than they look, and made Chicken Wild Rice Soup (delish) together after our shopping spree (successful).

Saturday night I heard an owl outside my bedroom window before I drifted off, and then Sunday I saw a bald eagle fly through the yard. Tuesday was the longest night of the year and I always think of Adrienne Rich's words: We are moving towards the solstice and there is still so much I do not understand. I'm okay with not knowing. The wonder that I see and the awe I feel are plenty enough.

weekending

We sat in church Saturday evening and I asked Mike why there were three candles lit on the Advent wreath. Apparently, I have missed a week. I felt twitchy until the processional started. The Christmas season goes fast enough so I don't like misplacing seven days. Now I don't understand those who start pitching Christmas November first, but I just might have to start a little earlier next year. What I love best is not the going and doing, it's the basking. More time for hygge at home is the goal. Now that the kids are young adults, our traditions have changed. I may have tried to resist it at first, but now I find myself  leaning in and wanting to be open to new customs. If I'm really honest with myself, I don't miss Santa or Fred, our elf. Those days of magic and wonder were priceless, but also tons of work. The awe we now feel is in our connection to Him and one another.  

After mass, we headed to The Public Market for dinner. It was hopping and happening, but we got seats at the Mexican counter and then met back with our particular cravings. I went Mediterranean with Chicken Shawarma and a hummus sampler I knew Lil's would enjoy. She chose a wrap and Mike was predictable with a burrito. His salsa was so hot that we lost our appetites. We drove through Miller Valley to see the lights before heading home and were settled in watching a movie before we usually have dinner. 

I had a second of FOMO, but it passed. I don't have any strong desires to host or attend a string of holiday parties. That doesn't mean that, at times, I don't feel I should. But at the end of the day, I am content to cultivate more intimate gatherings that give me just the right amount of festive spirit.

Sunday was baking day. I made batch after batch with Lily's enthusiastic help. I love baking with her. We made some annuals and a couple new recipes too. We each have our particular favorites and then why stop there. More is more where Christmas cookies are concerned. I have a few batches to bake off and then I'll package most of them up and spread the love and the calories. 

This week I have to finish up decorating. I can't find Baby Jesus for the manger and that is really bothering me. I also have to finish my shopping, but I'm close. I kept to my intention to pare down the stuff this year except for the Kit Kats. I have lost control with their first Christmas even while fully knowing that the paper, boxes and bows will be the most exciting part of it for my three.