Christmas Dinner Buca Style

Ok, I don't think I have ever gone out to dinner on Christmas to a restaurant. That is until this Christmas. Because my daughter couldn't come here, we went there or close to it. We went to Buca de Beppa for Christmas dinner. The place is right in the middle of the big city, complete with all the lights, and hustle and bustle. Except the bustle was not so much on Christmas night. But I digress. The place is authentic Italian food in HUGE helpings. We ordered some things individual servings and others as family style. Yum! And since both my birthday and my daughter's birthday were within 7 days of our time there, we received brownie sundaes, complete with ice cream and whipped topping. But we didn't stop there. We ordered the 28 inch dessert platter with 4 towering desserts. And my oldest daughter ordered her own piece of cake. We didn't eat it all, but we tried. Those left overs will take soooooo good and remind us of the wonderful Christmas dinner we had together. The guilt I was feeling for making the people work on Christmas soon dissipated as we wound our way through all the people waiting for their turn to gorge on the delicious food.

Merry Christmas and Other Ramblings

As I sit near the glowing Christmas tree, alone, contemplating this Christmas with all the gatherings and gifts, I smile. It has been a good one. It has been the best one in years. All my family was here together, at the same time. We shared a meal and the unwrapping of the gifts. My youngest grandson took more pleasure in unwrapping and stuffing it in his mouth. He cared not what was in the boxes. How soon that will change as he grows older. Among many gifts, our older grandsons were thrilled with their slankets, (thicker, longer, original version of the snuggie). Heard that the next day they wore only their undies and the slankets for the whole day. Our granddaughter, Toots, was thrilled with her Little Mommy baby who talks, walks, sits, giggles, and drives you nuts just like a toddler. Our children were thrilled with their gifts as well, making all the right ohs and ahs in all the right places. For hubby and me it was a Christmas to remember.

A Chia Cat Has Adopted Me

I met the mailman as he approached our door, his arms overflowing with packages. I could almost see his red suit, but he had traded his reindeer for a 4-wheel drive to trudge through the snow. Back to the packages--On closer examination we found one box to be elegantly addressed to ME! Carefully slicing through the plastic tape, the open box revealed a Chia Pet!! I couldn't believe my eyes! I felt as if I were living the movie where the boy gets his gun. The card with it did not reveal the sender, only stating, "Heard you have been good." So to whomever is out there that has recognized my goodness and rewarded said goodness with the ultimate gift, I THANK YOU!

Shop Till You Freeze

I did some Christmas shopping in the sub-zero wind chills last night. I thought my legs were going to freeze and shatter. I didn't want to be out in the cold, but time is running out for me to shop. So I braved the snow-spotted parking lots, the long walk to the store, and shopped. I was successful and realize it was worth it all. Well, if the recipients like their gifts, then I was successful. Perhaps I'll warm up in a couple of months.

Christmas Wish List

So, what do you really want for Christmas? While pondering that question, I shall ramble a bit about the gift list. Product companies are counting on their advertisements to lure customers into buying their products. I absolutely love the IPAD commercial and am tempted. Then I pause and realize it is ELECTRONIC, which would be a waste on me. I am paralyzed to explore and use the techno items. I'm always afraid I will hit a wrong button or erase something. Proof in point, look at the bleakness of my blog!! I am afraid to update it for fear of something going wrong. Another gift is the I-phone that does everything. I'm still fumbling and figuring out the one I have had for two years. Do I need internet on my phone? Do I want internet on my phone? No, I just want to have a normal, regular conversation with my friends and family. I often check my phone to see if I had silenced it or if the power had run out. Alas, a new-fangled phone will not produce more conversations. So, my Christmas wish list remains simple and inexpensive, and gifts you can grab at the last minute at the local pharmacy store. I'm still waiting on my Chia pet.

Blanket of White, A Heaven of Diamonds Shine Down Through the Night

With our first blanket of snow covering the ground, I am inspired to think of songs or bits of them. So sing along with Leah...

• I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I use to know.
• Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, so if you've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
• Dashing through the snow...
• Frosty the Snowman, what a jolly happy soul...
• Walking in a winter wonderland...
• I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me. We'll have snow...
• Over the river and through the woods...
• Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Sleigh Ride...The snow is falling and friends are calling...
• I'll have a blue Christmas without you...

Okay, my mind is blank. Your turn. If you think of more, add them in the comments.

Family Time

During our Christmas get-together, our grandchildren played some games. I was quite pleased to see them stay with it for so long and no fighting. Wish we could be together all the more.

Christmas Memories

We had a great time opening gifts this year at Christmas. The most memorable gift was this one to the sons-in-law. Or should I say the most memorable reaction was this one. They are holding a most gawdy picture frame complete with feathers and a horrible picture of their mother-in-law. One of them looks proud of his gift. lol

Cookie Cutter Tree

Toots and I decorated this tree together. We placed 133 cookie cutters on it and added one more as a Christmas present. There are many antique metal cutters on it as well as cheap plastic ones in color. I actually have more cutters to make it all metal, but have never done it that way. The witch and bats for Halloween are in the back. The metal nativity pieces are at the bottom where Toots decided to place them. Now that Christmas is over, we need to put them all away until another year. But not yet. I enjoy the display so much.

Christmas Is Over

Christmas is over. I so enjoyed the season with the decorations, the music, lights, friends, gifts, and especially the reason--Christ's birth. I don't want to take down the trees and put away the lights. Suppose I could leave them up a while longer. I still enjoy them so.

"Twas a Techno Christmas

What a great Christmas! We enjoyed being with family most of all. And the gifts were great, too. So many techno gifts. Our 5 year-old granddaughter got a DS (whatever that is) and knows how to play/use it. Marty got an underwater camera so he can spy on the fish and frogs this next summer. Doug got so many gadgets for his camera that he will need a suitcase--wait, that's not techno enough--to carry it all. Heidi got a gps with a big screen. I got a digital photo billfold whatever. Instead of carrying photos in my wallet, I now can share all my pictures digitally. Ally got an Ipod that holds more gigs than our computer. Jason, however, did not go techno. He asked for and received a 35 pound kettle bell for weight training. Guess you can't actually lift weights digitally. And we all received cds of the latest stars. Wonder why Heidi got Glee 1 and I got Glee 2? And Ally got the Beatles? Marty had a plan for his download. The girls had plans for their uploads. I'm still trying to figure out how to play my cd on the "old-fashioned" cd/radio player.

Christmas Rat/Mouse Race

Life can be such a rat/mouse race. We hurry about buying gifts for people when we are not sure what to get nor if it will fit or be the right color. Then we frantically find time to wrap the gifts sufficiently if not beautifully in paper that costs too much. Then we search our "list" to see if we bought everything we should have bought, wanted to buy, were expected to get. Then we panic when we can't find the list so we can wrap the gifts. And we forgot to write down some of the purchases so now we don't know what it is we should have wrapped. Merry Christmas

Slanketly Warm, Thank You

I received a Christmas gift from my grandsons last night when we had our gift exchange with them. They were very pleased about what they received from us. They weren't too pleased last year to get clothes (that's what we were told to get them). Their gift to me is a slanket, the original blanket with sleeves before snuggie ripped them off. Anyway, I'm sitting under it right now, toasty warm. It measures 63 X 90 inches and has sleeves. I'm sure I will enjoy this gift for a long, long time. Thanks, boys.

Unwrapped Gifts Patiently Waiting

I forgot to wrap the gifts I bought for my students. Glad I remembered it late last night so I can do it before I go to school. Now if only I could remember where I put the plastic gift bags. I know I had enough between two purchases of bags. Now I'll have to wait until hubby gets up to help me find them. Hope I am not late for school.

We Bought Games, Balls, Socks, Clothes...

The small group that we attend (people from our church) is sponsoring a child all year long. It was decided that we would also buy gifts for his siblings and other children living in his household. So the ladies of our group power shopped while the men cooked our dinner. After eating we mass wrapped the gifts to give to the children. It was so much fun. I never saw so many scissors, tape, and rolls of wrapping paper flying into action. The end result was awesome to see. Wish we could see the children open their gifts. Thank you, Corinna, for the idea to do this. You are such a great mission worker!

Christmas Shopping

Well, hubby and I are trekking out to shop the day away. Hopefully we will accomplish all we need to do, but I doubt that will happen. At least we can spend the day together.

Highest Priority

I know what I want most for my Christmas gift. I want a thick, soft, warm snuggie! And I want it early. I am up early every day, and I am freezing as I sit around waiting for the heat to kick on. Where is my snuggie? Please?

Cut the Trim

Well, I finally tackled the job of undecorating the Christmas trees and putting all the boxes of ornaments, lights, etc. away. I worked on it off and on all day. It wasn't as much fun as decorating, but still rewarding. Having the empty spaces and clean look back was quite refreshing. My granddaughter was here and was not happy about it. She thought since the weather was still cold that we should leave the trees up for longer. She made a good point, but the trees had to come down. I didn't try to explain to her that in just about 10 months we start the process all over again. Ugh! Now that sounds like work.

Bear with Some Assembly Required

My granddaughter came to spend the day with me today. She brought with her a build-a-bear kit that she got from her other Mimi. I sewed it together and Toots stuffed it. She did an excellent job. She chose the decorations for the little green jumper that goes on the bear while I ironed them on. It turned out to be an excellent gift with loads of fun in making it. And the best part of the day is that right now she is asleep with the bear.

Christmas Remembered

The excitement is over. The Christmas Eve service at church is done. The food eaten. The gifts all unwrapped. The trash has been carried out. The dishes done. All that remain are decorated trees and memories. And both are beautiful. We had several gifts for our granddaughter to unwrap. Her mission was to unwrap the gifts regardless of what was in the box. When she unwrapped the 4-cup coffee maker, she excitedly said, "I have my own coffee pot." Then she quickly went on to the next gift, not saying anything like, "I don't drink coffee." For all we know, she will awaken one of these mornings and wonder where her coffee pot is! Hubby and I came up with an idea of giving gag gifts with redeemable-for-cash coupons attached. The only stipulation was that the gifts had to be accepted and taken home. Instead of spending more money on "stuff " we found our kids' treasures that they have left behind when they moved out. I never heard them laugh so hard when the gifts revealed used make-up from the early 90s, expired food that the child purchased many years ago and left behind, or a college textbook that seemed untouched. We found these treasures in their old rooms. I think hubby and I had as much fun as they did as we carefully made our selections from the vast array of treasures. One of our children tried to trash one of the items saying that it was so old and not of use any more. We suggested that they come one day and help go through the treasures/trash and dispose of it properly. We were careful not to promise that they would see them as gifts next year.