Christmas 2021

It's Christmas Eve, Christmas is finally here!

Jill and the grands arrived by 3:00. Irene and I watched our beloved Christmas on Sesame Street. The message? "Keep Christmas with you, all through the year." We love that song, and Also "True Blue Miracle".

Jill and Isaac played a game. Tom tended the turkey. 

Jan and Jake arrived. 

The turkey was done and we got everything else finished up. I had good helpers in the kitchen.

The turkey went into the smoke about 1:00.

By 5:00 there was lots of activity in the kitchen.

The plan was to eat at 5:30 so Jill and the kids could be at the Christmas Eve service at their church at 9:00. We were right on the dot, 5:30, as I raised my glass and toasted us all a Merry Christmas. 

After the clean up, with many helpers, we settled in to watch another favorite, the original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". When your heart is big enough you'll know that Christmas doesn't come from a store, although I must admit quite a few stores were involved in our Christmas.

Then we gathered again around the dining room table for cookies and ice cream. 

When all of the young people left, Jan, Tom and I settled in to watch a movie, A Christmas Story. Yes, he almost did put his eye out, sort of. 

Christmas morning was chilly and damp, typical Christmas in the northwest. Tom, Jan and I stopped for Starbucks lattes on the way to Jill's house. When Jake arrived, we opened stockings. Mine was very well stocked. In fact several of us had to have "auxiliary bags". 

Then we had breakfast. Irene frosted and decorated the cardamom bread. 

We open gifts one at a time so everyone can see them and know who they are from. It takes a long time, and we want it to. Christmas comes but once a year. 

But I stopped taking photos long before the day was over. 

We ate left overs from the Christmas Eve dinner. We had lots of cookies and candy to sweeten us up. Some of us played games. A football game was on for a few others. 

Threats of snow sent Jan home early, but all we got was slush.

It was Boxing Day when we woke up to snow. 

The turkey has now gone into the soup pot. Tom and I put on our coats and boots to walk to the store for noodles for the soup. We ate our first serving this evening. I did my PT, put a few things a way, and watched football. The Seahawks lost again, but I went through my gifts and re-appreciated them and began putting things away. 

Christmas is over for another year, but it's all good. The fun, the food, the gifts, and most of all, the love, will linger. 

When Christmas time is over and presents put away, don't be sad
There'll be so much to treasure about this Christmas day and the fun we've had
So may happy feelings to celebrate with you
And, oh, the good times hurry by so fast
But even when it's over there's something you can do to make Christmas last
Keep Christmas with you
All through the year
When Christmas is over
You can keep it near
Think of this Christmas day
When Christmas is far away
Keep Christmas with you
All through the year
When Christmas is over
Save some Christmas cheer
These precious moments
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year
Christmas means the spirit of giving
Peace and joy to you
The goodness of loving
The gladness of living;
These are Christmas too
So, keep Christmas with you
All through the year
When Christmas is over
Save some Christmas cheer
These precious moments
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year