Dear reader, This year was the first time in four years that my three children were here for Christmas. It was the best Christmas I remember with them, ever. Even though life isn't perfect, it is full of perfect moments. I feel so grateful. Patrick's children were out of town or with their mom, so we missed them.
We had a blast snowshoeing, bowling, lazing around the house, playing board games, visiting family. It was all good. We served dinner for the homeless on Christmas Eve, which put our own dinner terribly late, and it was worth it 100%. These pictures aren't in any particular order . . .
After one of many snowshoe races on Christmas Day. I was amazed what I can do with two Aleve and a Pepsi in my system!
Wyatt is definitely in the lead. Woof, woof!
The night before Dwight heads back to Vermont. Then he's off to Maryland to meet his sweet girlfriends family. Well, I'll be! :)
At the bowling alley. Gimme some knuckle buddy! Good one!
Dancing a little jig after I knocked a lot of the pins down. Quite proud of myself since I stink at bowling.
After bowling.
Sadie and her cousin Natalie serving drinks for the homeless on Christmas Eve.
Quinn on his way to take the salad and rolls to someone who just arrived for a warm Christmas dinner.
A simple Christmas Eve dinner that took me forever to make! Sadie doesn't like meat, so I make a lot of recipes out of this great vegetarian cookbook,
Heaven's Banquet. We had Mama-made Gingered carrot soup, Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Mama-made Crême Fraiche (which supposedly non-brussel sprout lovers like, which turned out to be true), roast chicken, and Gougères, instead of mashed potatoes.
The mama-made Gougères (cheesy cream puffs) are in the kids initials. Patrick and I ate the regular ones.
The top of their Christmas stockings.
Patrick asked me to read the Christmas story out of Luke before we all went to bed. Our youngest had just flown in from Vermont the night before Christmas Eve, so he was half asleep, too tired to eat the mama-made Hazlenut Torte, complete with Ganache and raspberry filling. Poor guy. Sadie's crocheting a hat for for grandmother. We ate on what I call our Cloven Grave plates, because they remind me so much of Cloven Grave in
Secret Speakers.
Our youngest is waiting to play the winner. I'm sure Sadie won me.
Usually I ask Heavenly Father to help each day feel like a week, but I forgot this time, and it sure went fast. (and during the summer the if-you-don't-mind-very-much prayer extends to asking that each week feel like a month, and each month like a year.) But I'm grateful for every fleeting, good moment. Each one made it feel like just one more invisible wound had healed.
We had lots of good Mama-made food.
This one was an easy meal: Smoked salmon with capers, tiny pickles and
roasted peppers with crusty french bread. The brown bread you see
tasted more like cardboard. When did I ever think it tasted good?
Absolutely so happy to see the fun time you had with your family!! I'm really glad you got that this year Karey.... that's wonderful :)
Posted by: Holli | January 02, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Thanks, Holls.
Posted by: Karey | January 05, 2010 at 08:39 PM