re-visiting the aftermath of the Christmas party at Kelly and Beths

One of the "traditions" of our gift exchange is that on occassion some have been known to "forget" and leave behind some of our more favored gifts in the hosts house. I know, I have been accused of this many times. This year I of course have documentation - see previous post - that both of our gifts made it back to our house - (a first?) . Anyway for those of you whe do not read comments on my blog, let me share the most recent.- and one that indicates a new twist to an old tradition.

In the comment cousin Janet relays an event something like this : when she got to church this past Sunday, she opened her purse and found the Clay Aiken book that was mentioned in last post.

Congratulations are in order! a hearty well done is in order to someone. As hosts next year, Patt and I are encouraging this new trend.

It was a very good time and well celebrated

Christmas Day was very quiet, I, yes, I actually baked some cookies, molasses cookies of course, a few oatmeal and raisin too, and played some really nice Christmas music too. Patt and her Mom were out visiting Betty, so there I was with cookie dough and the oven and it happened. Don't know if I should have mentioned it but I have. So I have now demonstrated that I can actually cook more than scrambled eggs. That is partial documentation above.
Christmas Day night Florence, Patt and I hosted the family for dinner - well actually guests brought some food too, but we did the work - I mention this because of the previous post when I went to the grocery store so many times - about 200 it seemed. Loved each and every trip too. -- and that is how I get to be a host. You go to the grocery store that many times, it counts as hosting. We exchanged gifts and of course Grandmother got the most. (hear that you all -- Grandparents get lots of presents ! ! ) Another feature of the party was opportunity to meet new boyfriends such as Evan here with Melissa.

On the day after Christmas, Patt and I with friends and neighbors drove up I-85 to Kelly and Beth's, James and Maddie here with tree. We played Jungo or Jingo or Jengo some name like that and had some fun competitive cross generational games. Kelly prepared a prime rib on his cooker that was awesome ( bet someone went to the grocery store too ) and we had our traditional gift exchanges.
Patt was fortunate enough to draw one of Eric's special entries, and doubly fortunate in that no one chose it from her in the following auctions and trading extravaganza. Unfortunately the original cap of whatever it is - is missing and someone had added another cap that takes away from the ultimate value of this collectors item.
Not sure who contributed the porcelain object I selected in an unmarked package. I was unfortunate in that no one selected this in the subsequent exchange as there seemed to be a surplus of porcelain or objects with no apparent purpose available for exchang. (though there was a book about Clay Aiken, three D painting of a tiger, nose hair trimmer, large flying cardinal flower pot holder, inflatable underwear, - you can see some good stuff) . Below is where I think we will keep the porcelain thing I got, assuming Patt approves. - I tossed out the cup and saucer -

Christmas Eve Day

We drove to Charlotte Christmas Eve Day stopping in Graham to visit briefly with Kelly, Beth, James and Maddie. Kelly posed in his Fighting Sioux sweatshirt looking ND like in his neighbor's north facing yard - the remnants of snow a week ago - so you can see it's been cold in NC too!Later in the day we did some grocery shopping along with everyone else in Charlotte - friends and neighbors as Dad likes to say. The store was a mad house - Dad said only on a Saturday afternoon in Oak Island has he seen a more crowded grocery store. We went back twice later - Dad once and me once - to get what mother didn't have in her pantry. Made cookies - photos later!

PS - this is my first post - practicing for China!

Holidays are here !

Empty office, yes sirree, work is over for the Christmas Holidays !! I left that office headed home, changed and got close to the Christmas tree. Dressed formally too as you can see. Now we are off for a few days, going to Charlotte for Christmas. Then after all the holidays and such it is back to work for me --- and guess who is off to visit Grandchildren ? That would not be me ! guess who is excited about going to visit Grandchildren ? That would be Patt. She will soon be entering the world of entering stuff here on this site. So get ready!

Seemed like a good idea at the time

that could be the title of many of my activities. That new, well now not so new front yard feature has been there going on half a year now it seems. It is a pile of mulch that tree guys make when they grind up trees. I thought it would be good stuff to have to put around bushes, in the compost pile with some leaves, and so on. I had done it years before - well it sits there and grows. No one moves it. A few wheelbarrow loads have made their way around a few shrubs in the back and a few have made their way to the compost pile but I cannot keep Patt on the job.

I move a little every now and then from the back side as you can see but basically it just will not go away. If you want any -- it does not seem to be going anywhere.

We did it -- went shopping --

Oh the traffic outside was frightful, and the parking was non-existantful. (sung to some Christmas tune)

and Patt and I ventured out after all and went shopping for Christmas presents and bought stuff. Stimulated the economy somewhat modestly if you will note the size of the bag below. We did end up with a bit more for ourselves and do still need to go by Goodwill for stuff for the family members whose names we drew in the family draw for gift exchange.- or possibly we will be able to find something in the church closet for the needy.

We did see this group on one of the corners and I am trying to find out how one joins such a group. I can just see Stephen in a group like this too. He and Jen would look so cute.

Its Christmas time in the City step 2

Check out that tree! Patt and I put it up today. Decorated it between naps, Panthers losing (again) and enjoying a warm house on a cold rainy day in the big city of Raleigh. Decorated ! lights ! Camera ! and does not turn over ! might have something to do with no children, pets, diminutive size, experience, and being nailed to the floor. The stories of trees crashing to the floor in the household of my youth are legend. Well we remember the year Dad was so frustrated he had our tree so that it swung freely from the ceiling. Helping Dad wire the tree to the wall and cornice became a normal, expected, "big boys" part of the routine of putting up the tree of our youth.
We have decorations in the den and little angel choir is in the living room next to our Ecuadorian village church.
and even more little decorations are in the book case next to the box where the Cowboys are losing to the Chargers as Philip Rivers is looking real good. (Go Pack)

Christmas is close step 1

The tree is in the garage, heck you could say it is half way up compared to where it was - at Crabtree Baptist parking lot. I am making progress. I got the boxes of decorations down stairs, some even partially unloaded and stuff set out. Talk about your basic move in process. The boxes almost become furniture before they get unloaded. I think it was last weekend I brought them down from the attic.
As you can see, once again we went all out in the front of the house. Four, count 'em, four windows with candles in them. I reckon we need some yard art and another light or two.

We found the box of angels and have them out and on the mantel and in various other places around the house. We like them. The actual number of them is unknown but it is quite large and many come with stories.
we just might enter a house Christmas decoration contest or something..... yeah -- right...