And Another Thing . . .
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Sunday, December 26, 2004
I feel like I'm ready to get back in the almost-everyday posting routine. I miss this place!
A fine holiday was had by all. I just realized I have no people pictures, just pictures of things.
We had Steve's family over for Christmas Eve. We take turns between his mom, aunt, cousin and us - so when I volunteered last year to host it this year, I knew this 6' sub from Subway is what I wanted to do. We bought pasta salad and potato salad from Wegmans, threw some chips in bowls and called it a meal. I forgot to take pictures of the desserts I made but you've seen them before. I made the pumpkin roll we love so much and brownies with raspberry chips and raspberry cream cheese frosting.
Steve's sister, Barbara, brought these beautiful roses.
Steve's aunt & uncle gave me this bird feeder. I have it hanging outside my studio. We kept the animals sequestered while we ate but let them out afterwards by request. Reggi was well-behaved, Venus was nowhere to be found and little Rosa was a hit. She's so relaxed and friendly, people couldn't believe we had only had her 6 days at that point. I got some lengthy snuggle time with her while we socialized after dinner.
For Christmas, Simon gave me a CD player for my car, which I picked out at the store on Friday. Simon was going to install it for me but they offer free installation so we'll take them up on that after the holidays. I've never had a CD player in my car before and am really excited about this. There's so much "new" music I can listen to now, because I really don't listen to music in the house very much. Plus books come on CDs now too. I feel like a whole new world has opened up. I wouldn't have considered this if it weren't for Simon, who keeps telling me I need to get with it electronically. The other best part is he offered to take my car to the store for the installation. The store is near Border's and Michael's so I could have easily kept myself entertained while they installed it - but this is even better! Simon also gave me a mushy card that made me cry. He's really a terrific card picker outer! It was a red themed Christmas for me this year. I received lots of stuff for the kitchen, where apples rule.
A red glass apple wreath from Mom & Dad.
Red tea light holders from Gretchen.
A couple of the red towels I received.
A red trivet I hung on the wall. Gretchen knitted me a beautiful scarf that matches my coat perfectly. She stenciled a design on a clay pot filled with a philodendron. Oh - and me without my camera at Mom and Dad's! Gretchen made these most wonderful Martha-like centerpieces. (Gretchen - did you take pictures - or can you provide the link to Martha's pictures?) These things were gorgeous! We ate, we opened, we had fun.
Simon went home with Nick & Paul for a while, then went to celebrate some more with his dad's in-laws. Steve was at his mom's so I had a few hours of glorious Stefani Time. I took Reggi for a walk. I started my catch-up of journal reading. I put my new things away, cleaned up the mess I'd made wrapping presents on the work bench - and started priming the doors for our outdoor closet. And did laundry. It doesn't sound like fun, but it was! It was relaxing. Steve and I watched two movies last night, something we hadn't done in a long time. We watched Best in Show, which I enjoyed more than Steve did. It's more of a "character study" as I explained to Simon. They didn't blow nuthin' up. Then we watched Seabiscuit which was very good. We popped popcorn and snacked a bit on Christmas leftovers, of which we have plenty. Tonight Steve and I will attend his mom's annual family reunion. This year it is being catered - barbecue pork and assorted fixins'. We voted on it last year. There are a lot of good cooks in the family and you know I love to cook but sometimes buying prepared is a better choice, in terms of time and energy this time of year. Meanwhile, I'm spending today cleaning up my desk and studio and recharging too. I slept fairly well last night but took an hour and half nap after I finished the Sunday paper. I can't wait until next weekend - we actually have Friday off - and no commitments! That will be the true recharging time. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate this season. Pine Tree Designs December monthly newsletter!
Dinner: Pulled pork - and other assorted goodies. Reading: The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom. I feel like a dork because the friend that loaned me this book read it in 4 hours and it's taking me 4 weeks. I just haven't been reading much lately. Listening
to in the car:
The radio - can't wait for my CD player to be installed this
week!
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