HAPPY BOXING DAY! ! !
and Happy Second Day of Christmas! Got cards today from poodlemama and sheryll--thanks!
Christmas Eve was lovely--at home all day until a couple of friends got home from their early service, and we did Christmas, with shrimp, couscous, salad and shortbread cookies, accompanied by red wine. Then off to my home church for their 8 PM Candles, Carols and Communion service, followed by the 11 PM service at St. George's, where I was a lay minister. I had been a little bit verklempt all day--watching "The Nativity Story" on December 23 made me cry, and then at Christmas Eve, kneeling to sing "Silent Night", I couldn't help but think of my parents and Darrell, who I know were with me in spirit and watching over me. I had to stop myself before I had a meltdown--but Christmas Eve is such a tender time for me.
I had a delightful Christmas Day--up at home, with the lights on the tree, opening some gifts from church friends. Then to breakfast with friends (bacon, eggs, biscuits, French toast, orange juice, hot chocolate) and more presents, to lunch at the home of a couple of Brit friends of mine (chicken & dressing, ham, bacon, sausages, green bean casserole, carrots & swede, trifle, Christmas pudding with peach brandy), wine and champagne, and then to dinner at my godkids' home. Of course, here we snapped crackers.
For lunch, I took a vegetable tray, and got to use my Christmas wreath crystal platter, and for dinner I made sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, took rolls and wine, and made a chess pie.
After dinner, we did presents and one of my godsons played Christmas music on the violin, and then we adjourned to play "Apples to Apples."
Came home, finished reading the paper, and listened to Christmas music until time to light the Advent wreath and drift off to sleep.
I hope all of you had wonderful times--I know some of you had not so happy Christmas days, and I'm thinking of all of you with love.
(Will report on what Santa brought later, but this is the important part of Christmas to me).
Christmas Eve was lovely--at home all day until a couple of friends got home from their early service, and we did Christmas, with shrimp, couscous, salad and shortbread cookies, accompanied by red wine. Then off to my home church for their 8 PM Candles, Carols and Communion service, followed by the 11 PM service at St. George's, where I was a lay minister. I had been a little bit verklempt all day--watching "The Nativity Story" on December 23 made me cry, and then at Christmas Eve, kneeling to sing "Silent Night", I couldn't help but think of my parents and Darrell, who I know were with me in spirit and watching over me. I had to stop myself before I had a meltdown--but Christmas Eve is such a tender time for me.
I had a delightful Christmas Day--up at home, with the lights on the tree, opening some gifts from church friends. Then to breakfast with friends (bacon, eggs, biscuits, French toast, orange juice, hot chocolate) and more presents, to lunch at the home of a couple of Brit friends of mine (chicken & dressing, ham, bacon, sausages, green bean casserole, carrots & swede, trifle, Christmas pudding with peach brandy), wine and champagne, and then to dinner at my godkids' home. Of course, here we snapped crackers.
For lunch, I took a vegetable tray, and got to use my Christmas wreath crystal platter, and for dinner I made sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, took rolls and wine, and made a chess pie.
After dinner, we did presents and one of my godsons played Christmas music on the violin, and then we adjourned to play "Apples to Apples."
Came home, finished reading the paper, and listened to Christmas music until time to light the Advent wreath and drift off to sleep.
I hope all of you had wonderful times--I know some of you had not so happy Christmas days, and I'm thinking of all of you with love.
(Will report on what Santa brought later, but this is the important part of Christmas to me).