Christmas #1 is over.
I had to work more than I wanted, but we squeezed in lots of laughs and good food, late nights and much cuddling by the fire. The College Tribe has now moved on to other branches in the Family Forest and the house is very, very quiet.
But we took lots of pictures!
I took the photos. My Beloved Husband did most of the cooking. I think men look hot in aprons.
He made chicken one night and prime rib another, both on a rotisserie on the grill.
We have a couple feet of snow and its been chilly, so hats were an important holiday decoration this year, as modeled here by Steven, Mer’s boyfriend.
And here, by my mom.
We always made gingerbread houses when the kids were little. It seemed we needed one this year, too. So we dug out the rolling pin.
Did some gingerbread construction work.
And our expert decorating crew got busy.
I also turned cranberries and pistachios
into biscotti.
We all woke up early this morning for a giant breakfast made by BH.
They were sleepy.
Breakfast ended much too soon. Next time, I will plan on turning it into a five-course, seven-hour affair. But after being stuffed with waffles, they abandoned the table, loaded the car.
And they were gone.
I chased after the car and threw myself on the hood wailing “Don’t leave! Don’t leave!” but BH peeled me off and made hot chocolate. (Not really. This is me dashing outside to hand over the coat that was left behind.)
The house is quiet…. too quiet.
Winter Solstice is tomorrow night, then Christmas #2 next week. It looks like Christmas #3 (when the last of our kids will be able to get up here) is scheduled for whenever she can get time off in January.
I am happy and tired and crumpled-wrapping-paper-sad today. I am going to write and run, watch the snow fall and count my blessings.