Christmas '09

Christmas was, mercifully, easy this year. We had the big feast at Tom and Erin's house.That was the first time I hadn't hosted it in maybe almost 30 years.Ray and I were included in the gift exchange draw that our kids do and only had to buy one gift each this year for our immediate family. I drew(It was fixed) Adam's name. I have a tradition that when one of my kids is engaged I buy 12-Day gifts for their fiance for Christmas. The first gift is to be opened Christmas Day, then each day a gift is opened for 12 days. Each gift has something to do with that particular day of the song 'Twelve days of Christmas'. So, as Adam is a chef, I had fun finding things he would appreciate. He was actually pretty easy to buy for. Day 1 was a nice wine that had a drawing of a partridge on it, a bottle of pear champagne vinegar, and pear puree to use on brie or whatever. It's fun to think each day what he'll be opening that morning. Day 3 was 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' by Julia Child and 2 other ladies from France(3 French hens.Get it?') , a book he wanted after seeing Julie and Julia.
One thing I got that I'm excited about is a webcam so I can talk to Bobby with his webcam in Taiwan on Skype and he can see me.I plan to have his nieces over to talk to him on the computer so he can see them growing up, and so they won't forget what he looks like.

Simple

The older I get, the simpler I want things to be. It seems to take me longer to get my brain around what I'm doing and longer to pull thoughts out of my head. My friend Janice and I talk about how hard it is to be a slow-moving person in a fast-paced world. I think that there should be a place in this world for people who move slowly, deliberately. There are some things I do quickly,though. I can pull a meal together in no time. All that practice over the years!

Checking up

So, everybody,how's Advent gong? Are you going crazy with the prep for Christmas? Do you feel like you're on a moving train,trying to get off? I'm okay so far, except I'll feel better when the church is decorated. I ordered greens and flowers from my contact at Safeway and they'll be ready for me on Tuesday, and next Sunday the Vietnamese family from Restaurant 224 comes to the parish to set up our creche (Cave) for our nativity set. I only ordered 4 trees this year, but my volunteers will be making fresh garlands for outside over the portico and 2 more largish ones inside. It's always a big time of year for me at the church, but when it's done, it feels magical.
Other than that, we have streamlined everything else. It's way more peaceful, and we are having Christmas Dinner at Tom and Erin's house,God bless 'em! It's the first time I haven't hosted it in about 25 years I think. I enjoyed hosting for the most part, but this is better!Let me know how you're doing,okay?