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.
Men DO look hot in aprons!
And don’t tell anyone I said this, but Steven is cute. 😀
um…will you adopt me? 😉
looks fab! Thanks for sharing! xo
Please take it as a compliment when I tell you that I am now very, very hungry.
Merry Christmas!
There is nothing like a man in an apron to make a woman go weak at the knees and the chef’s hat just adds to the attraction! Woo wee! Who needs Christmas presents when you have a man who cooks!
Thanks for sharing pictures of your lovely family. It sure looks like it was worth the lack of sleep. As quiet as the house is for you today at least it will give you time to rest up for the next crew getting ready to make their dissension on the house in the forest.
Merry Christmas!
I am misty-eyed reading this. Do you run in the snow? I remember the weight of the snow pulling on my boots. Sneakers wouldn’t work.
Wonderful photos! Send your husband/chef right over. The food looks great. Love your beautiful biscotti, too.
Thanks so much for sharing. Christmas blessings to all.
that is a lot of christmas!
Aprons? Aprons? Why has no one mentioned this ’til now?
Me too! 😉
Wow, look at all that snow. It was eighty degrees down here.
Men do look hot in aprons. And when they are washing dishes, doing the laundry, vacuuming the house, caring for the kids and countless other things around the house. Hear that men?? 🙂
Writing, running, counting and solstice all sound like good plans to me. And I agree that men look hot in aprons. Hotter still if that’s all they have on but I can see why your BH wanted more coverage to man the grill chez vous.
Le Sigh
Your message made me happy-sad. Hope Christmas #2 and #3 are as wonderful.
What a sweet time with the Family. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a sparkly and spectacular 2008!!
xoxo
Linda
I love the photograph of your mom wearing that hat. She is so adorable =D. The gingerbread houses look like so much fun.
isn’t he! 🙂 I’ll keep him!
wow! sounds like a great first christmas! i’m glad you had fun! and the pictures are great too! =) ♥