That old MERRY CRISIS Vine lives rent-free in my head this time of year
The decorations had been put out when I got home from work on Thursday, so I did not have to murder my entire family, fake my own death, and start over in a South American country with no extradition. Further buoying my spirits, the package from sirena73 had arrived, which included, among other things, more monoi oil and the new Elizabeth Hand book, A Haunting on the Hill.
Friday was super dead at work and at least half the office bounced right after lunch, so I figured no one would mind if I clocked out at 3:30. Saturday I hopped in the shower as soon as I opened my eyes--around 7:00--and went to Rouse's. The fresh turkeys were pretty picked over, and we have a narrow size window because bigger than 15 pounds won't fit in the air fryer, but we're also 9 people this year so we can't go too much below that, even with the ham as well. I managed to get one that was almost 13.5 pounds, which is about as close as I can hope to get.
Of course I had to go to Champagne's for a few things Rouse's didn't have, like fresh rosemary and dill. When I got home I vacuumed, then made the glazed pecans, and the batter for the Oreo truffles, then formed it into balls and put it in the freezer. Lori and Jeremy came over in the evening with crawfish for supper; they've been staying with an old friend of Lori's nearby. After supper I wrapped all of Mom's presents, and the presents Jamie had shipped here.
This morning I made scrambled eggs with the leftover sausage and potatoes that came with the crawfish, then went back out Champagne's because I hadn't known Lori and Jeremy were going to be here for Christmas Eve supper and I had to buy another box of meat pies. I also decided to get more eggs and another cheese for tomorrow's snack board--we're 2 extra people this year and it keeps throwing me off; plus I can't find a 15 oz. brie anywhere, only the 8 oz. one. I also went to CVS to get some gift cards for Greg, which is all he ever asks for.
In the afternoon I finished the Oreo truffles with a coating of vanilla almond bark, then baked my pies. I decided to make 2 these year, because again, 2 extra people (there's also a pecan pie that Jamie gets sent here every year from some bakery in Texas). In addition my Nutella pie, I also made an eggnog custard pie; I made that several years back and I remember it being pretty good. After that I wrapped my presents.
Except for dinner, which is easy--the meat pies are frozen, all I have to do is brush them with olive oil and put them in the oven, and throw a quick salad together--I think I'm done until tomorrow morning. Time for a glass of wine and a couple hits on the vape.
Jamie and Greg are going to show up at some point, but I don't think until late. They're in Houston now, but they have a 3 hour layover there, then they need to get their rental and dump their stuff at their Airbnb.
Thankfully no one brought a dog this year. Jamie and Greg's dog Poppy died a few months ago and they haven't gotten another yet (I'm sure they will at some point), and Lori and Jeremy decided to board Dexter in NOLA. Penny is very spoiled and she does not get along with other dogs. It's embarrassing, really.
Friday was super dead at work and at least half the office bounced right after lunch, so I figured no one would mind if I clocked out at 3:30. Saturday I hopped in the shower as soon as I opened my eyes--around 7:00--and went to Rouse's. The fresh turkeys were pretty picked over, and we have a narrow size window because bigger than 15 pounds won't fit in the air fryer, but we're also 9 people this year so we can't go too much below that, even with the ham as well. I managed to get one that was almost 13.5 pounds, which is about as close as I can hope to get.
Of course I had to go to Champagne's for a few things Rouse's didn't have, like fresh rosemary and dill. When I got home I vacuumed, then made the glazed pecans, and the batter for the Oreo truffles, then formed it into balls and put it in the freezer. Lori and Jeremy came over in the evening with crawfish for supper; they've been staying with an old friend of Lori's nearby. After supper I wrapped all of Mom's presents, and the presents Jamie had shipped here.
This morning I made scrambled eggs with the leftover sausage and potatoes that came with the crawfish, then went back out Champagne's because I hadn't known Lori and Jeremy were going to be here for Christmas Eve supper and I had to buy another box of meat pies. I also decided to get more eggs and another cheese for tomorrow's snack board--we're 2 extra people this year and it keeps throwing me off; plus I can't find a 15 oz. brie anywhere, only the 8 oz. one. I also went to CVS to get some gift cards for Greg, which is all he ever asks for.
In the afternoon I finished the Oreo truffles with a coating of vanilla almond bark, then baked my pies. I decided to make 2 these year, because again, 2 extra people (there's also a pecan pie that Jamie gets sent here every year from some bakery in Texas). In addition my Nutella pie, I also made an eggnog custard pie; I made that several years back and I remember it being pretty good. After that I wrapped my presents.
Except for dinner, which is easy--the meat pies are frozen, all I have to do is brush them with olive oil and put them in the oven, and throw a quick salad together--I think I'm done until tomorrow morning. Time for a glass of wine and a couple hits on the vape.
Jamie and Greg are going to show up at some point, but I don't think until late. They're in Houston now, but they have a 3 hour layover there, then they need to get their rental and dump their stuff at their Airbnb.
Thankfully no one brought a dog this year. Jamie and Greg's dog Poppy died a few months ago and they haven't gotten another yet (I'm sure they will at some point), and Lori and Jeremy decided to board Dexter in NOLA. Penny is very spoiled and she does not get along with other dogs. It's embarrassing, really.