The new living room furniture was delivered and the kitchen remodel finished the first week in December, so I rushed to put up Christmas decorations as soon as I had a place for the tree. Since I didn't have much time, I limited the decorating to the living room, dining room table and one tree downstairs, not even unpacking all the Hallmark ornaments. Nevertheless, Christmas spirit quickly filled the house.
On December 24th, I went to early church with Barney and Dorothy. Afterwards we went to a party and then came here to open presents.
Scheduling worked out favorably for a December 25th celebration with Kelly, Rodney and Adam spending the night here after presents were opened. Since Andrew and Alee had to return to Lawrence in the evening, we started the party around 4 pm with snacks set up on the new kitchen counter. Adam arrived later after an arduous trip fighting auto troubles. Tortilla roll ups and Sloppy joes provided traditional tastes but Triumph ribs proved the most popular for the second year in a row and will be on the menu again next year.
The next morning, Kelly and Rodney and I enjoyed coffee, tea and conversation in the kitchen. They left around 11:30 am. Adam slept until 3 pm.( He and I had stayed up until 3 am the night before.) Kelly commented that this had been one of the Merriest Christmases.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Well'mas
Plans to open presents on Dec. 25 changed on Christmas Eve day as the cold season lingered in Lawrence. The decision to delay was made shortly before noon when Kelly and I agreed to wait until all were feeling better and then we would celebrate Well'mas. Since I had frozen several food items earlier in the week and since Dorothy and Barney were coming over Christmas Day for left-overs anyway, a delay was not a disaster. Besides, we have always considered the celebration as being more important than the date.
So, a few days after New Year's, despite a weather forecast of sleet and snow threatening our plans, we were able to get together. After snacks, Sloppy Joes and Triumph ribs, we went downstairs to enjoy the renovations that had spanned over a year since the summer 2013 flooding.
Adam and Heather had to leave around 11:30 pm partly because of snow that was moving into the area but mostly because their dog Penelope was all alone in Lawrence. Then Rodney, who was still in the recovery phase of a cold, gave up on the festivities, taking an old towel and a jar of Vick's with him to bed. Not long after, the rest of us tucked in.
The next morning was sunny but cold. The snow forecast of several inches had not materialized so the return trip to Lawrence would not be difficult.
So, a few days after New Year's, despite a weather forecast of sleet and snow threatening our plans, we were able to get together. After snacks, Sloppy Joes and Triumph ribs, we went downstairs to enjoy the renovations that had spanned over a year since the summer 2013 flooding.
Adam and Heather had to leave around 11:30 pm partly because of snow that was moving into the area but mostly because their dog Penelope was all alone in Lawrence. Then Rodney, who was still in the recovery phase of a cold, gave up on the festivities, taking an old towel and a jar of Vick's with him to bed. Not long after, the rest of us tucked in.
The next morning was sunny but cold. The snow forecast of several inches had not materialized so the return trip to Lawrence would not be difficult.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Thursday, December 26, 2013
The Upstairs Christmas 2013
Although Christmas celebrations on Mockingbird Lane may not always be on Christmas, this year the family actually gathered on December 25 to open presents. As usual, our Christmas was not as usual. Restoration of the lower level is not yet complete so all the festivities (and trees and decorations and presents) were upstairs.
The change in venue didn't change spirits. Paper was torn and ribbons saved as we opened presents. My best gift was a shop vac from Rodney along with professional-grade accessories. Andrew's best was the last one he found under the Christmas tree after we all searched for it in the discarded wrapping paper. Adam got the worst present: a book that was the same as one that I had given him last year. Ooops! I did the same in 2012.
The revised configuration for sleeping arrangements turned out great. Andrew chose to set up the new air mattress downstairs and Adam opted to sleep on the upstairs living room couch. Both boys were handy the next morning to help Rodney move out some of his drying equipment for transport back to Kansas.
Barney and Dorothy came over on the 26th for my left-overs....crackers, dips, and the traditional sloppy joes. The next night, I went to their house for their traditional left-overs...ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, and hot rolls.
Regardless of the time or place, sharing time with family is what makes Christmas.
The change in venue didn't change spirits. Paper was torn and ribbons saved as we opened presents. My best gift was a shop vac from Rodney along with professional-grade accessories. Andrew's best was the last one he found under the Christmas tree after we all searched for it in the discarded wrapping paper. Adam got the worst present: a book that was the same as one that I had given him last year. Ooops! I did the same in 2012.
The revised configuration for sleeping arrangements turned out great. Andrew chose to set up the new air mattress downstairs and Adam opted to sleep on the upstairs living room couch. Both boys were handy the next morning to help Rodney move out some of his drying equipment for transport back to Kansas.
Barney and Dorothy came over on the 26th for my left-overs....crackers, dips, and the traditional sloppy joes. The next night, I went to their house for their traditional left-overs...ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, and hot rolls.
Regardless of the time or place, sharing time with family is what makes Christmas.
Monday, December 31, 2012
After'mas 2012
We celebrated Christmas here a few days after Dec. 25 because the Kansas side had full schedules and because Christmas spirit has no date limits for festivites. After dinner, and a surprise visit from Sally Ann Pippett Tietz and Aunt Dorothy, we opened presents. Conversations past midnight made early morning wake-ups the next day not so early. But, Rodney and I had time for our traditional chat while the others pulled themselves together for the trip home.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2012
I went to Dorothy and Barney's Christmas Eve to open presents. Then went there for dinner Christmas Day. (Ham, yummy sweet potatoes, green beans, cresent rolls) In the afternoon, Dot and I visited sister Norma. The streets near her place were thick with ice. SCAREY!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Best Christmas Ever 2011
This year we were able to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25. No blizzard interference so we took our time and relaxed. Andrew and Elizabeth headed back to Lawrence around 1 am. Kelly, Rodney and I stayed up until 4:30am talking and spent most of the next day in conversation while Adam and Heather slept.
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