.....the actual Day is behind us now....and we are well into the month of January. We all had a lovely Christmas with family and friends and the whirlwind buzz of the last few months has settled us all down into a calm, laid back, state of ZEN! :-) While we anxiously await March 1, (psychologically, this is the date that signifies the end of winter and the hope of longer days, more sunshine and warmer temps!), I thought I would catch friends/family up on the events of our Christmas holiday.
Bryan, Eddie and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my mother, my sister Susan and her husband Craig from Connecticut, and my niece and her boyfriend - Kristen and Greg. Christmas Eve was spent at my mom's in Shelburne. My sister Sue and her husband Craig arrived from Connecticut mid afternoon and then we all went to the Children's Mass at St. Catherine's Church in Shelburne. What a treat to see all of the little ones participating in most aspects of the Mass. It brought us back to earlier memories of when Bryan enjoyed the re-enactments of the birth of Christ and played the roles of angel, shepherd, a wise man, and fulfilling the ultimate gig of Joseph! It was retirement after that particular role....he had hit the high note, for sure! Anyway, the life and energy of the children in the Mass was fun and heartwarming. After Mass, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at my mother's home and then back to Colchester for an evening of wrapping gifts and "assisting Santa" in the delivery of presents! What a bounty!
Christmas Day....Everyone arrived at our home in Colchester - first to enjoy a lovely brunch, and then to later enjoy a scrumptious Christmas Dinner with the opening of fabulous Christmas gifts for all! My sister Susan is an accomplished cook and I always enjoy the opportunity to create a meal with her....and having my mom there to always be the best sous chef a person could ever ask for!!! She is always at the ready with a cutting board and a knife AND of course, her apron!
After all of the years of my mother creating delicious culinary masterpieces, she can now sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor! Cheers... And what a dinner it was! The timeline of the meal became a bit hectic towards serving time and regrettably I forgot to take photos of the FOOD! Imagine that!!! Drats.... Anyway, just imagine , (in my most humbled opionion), the BEST roasted prime rib of beef, au jus with baby bella mushrooms, a baked potato casserole that was to die for - Thanks to Susan!, sauteed green beans with shallots, bacon and garlic, and a lovely creme brulee cake from our favorite patisserie, Mirabelle's. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Christmas cocktail of choice....pomegranate martinis! What a meal!
I did manage a quick photo of the ham and cheese strata that was served for brunch! Deeelish! This strata was baked in a springform pan and sliced - a lovely presentation.
The lovely strata was complimented by the incredible edible arrangement that Sue and Craig brought to brunch! Nothing like fabulous fresh fruit in the dead of winter....some of it (the pineapples and strawberries!) was covered in chocolate! YUM!After dinner we all descended upon the living room and our Christmas tree for gifts and fun!
The first photo of Christmas morning....opening THE STOCKING! Bryan, barely awake..
Bryan, later in the day, more awake! Books, books!! Always on the Christmas list!
Bryan and Greg...."Whose turn is it to open next?"....waiting patiently!
Greg and Krissy opening together....nothing like teamwork to get the job done!
1..2...3...OPEN! Eddie and Craig opening their LIGHTS....it wouldn't be Christmas without one present involving a beam of brightness! :-)
What a lovely day....Krissy and Grandma taking a break from a fun filled time of opening gifts. Cheers to Christmas of 2010....we were so fortunate, to once again, all be together on a very special holiday.
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