Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning, I came back over to the folks’ place, and we started in on the Bubble Bread while waiting for Gram to be ready for Pop and Scrooge to pick her up. And keeping the cat out of the tree. Upon Gram’s arrival, we finally started opening presents. It has been long tradition that everybody takes a turn choosing a present that they want to see opened… whether or not they know what is inside, or to whom it is to be given. And I in my Santa Hat am the official deliverer. Translation: as the youngest member of the household, I’m the one who gets to hop up and down to pick up and deliver the gifts.

A New Game

I had a LITTLE more money this year for Christmas gifts, so there was more than a book and a calendar under the tree for everybody… from me, anyway. Plus, I had just enough extra to buy a new family game for Family Sunday Dinner night. It’s called Apples to Apples, and I was relieved that it went over VERY well. We played it all night. It really is a lotta fun. You have two different sets of cards: green apple cards and red apple cards. Each person takes turns being the “judge”, who holds a green card that lists a descriptive word, like “odd”. Each of the other players hold 7 red cards that list different scenarios, such as “giant sea turtles”, “Michael Jackson”, or “my love life”. Each player chooses one of their cards that they feel best matches the judge’s card, and submits it anonymously. The judge then decides which card he or she feels is the best match, and the player who offered that card wins that match. With the limitless combinations and interpretations, the game can get hilarious.

It’s Like They Want Me to Cook or Something

As for my own Christmas take, I was very happy. Mostly kitchen stuff… some I’d asked for, some were a pleasant surprise. Most importantly, the new convection oven… my old one works great, but is really difficult to keep clean. Which, of course, is a death sentence in my household.

Stuffin Our Faces

Christmas dinner was a much less elaborate affair than past years, but no less delicious. I think I rather LIKE having less side dishes, which leaves more room for seconds of the dishes I REALLY like. Such as cream baked asparagus… mmmmm. Mom baked up a sugar-cured ham, and was kind enough to hunt for some sort of turkey-equivalent for me, since my meat intake consists of poultry and seafood. Plus, we had baked beans, cornbread, candied yams with marshmallows, and the all-important cream baked asparagus. And pumpkin pie for dessert, of course. Well, in Pop’s and my case, whipped cream with a little bit of pumpkin pie for dessert.

All in all, a pleasant Christmas. It was good to relax… with Mom and Pop and I all workin together on the clean-up, it didn’t take long at all, and then we could all enjoy the evening of Apples to Apples. We played long into the night until both Gram and I started losing coherency and needed to head home.

Christmas With the IHOP Family

Which brings me to yesterday… all I had left was a trip to see the IHOP family. IHOP Hubby wasn’t home, as he’s back to working full time and was on the road. IHOP Buddy and I had a very pleasant visit, though I have to admit her son knows my weakness. Rather, my friend explained to me that her son HAS my weakness… and assumes everybody else does, too. Either way, he never fails to drag me down into one video game or another while I’m there. *grin* Not that I’m complaining, but poor IHOP Buddy has become accustomed to finally sitting down to read a book after getting nonsensical replies to any tidbit of conversation she tries to offer while I’m intently focusing on a game.

But that’s why we like each other so much. We can be totally rood to each other that way, and we both completely understand. Human nature is human nature, and we just go with the flow. :) Eventually, I always rip myself away from the game to visit some more with her.

Until We Meet Again

Okee, that’s about it. I sat down to type almost right after I got home from the dentist, and Ms. Pukesalot has been incessantly reminding me for about a half hour now that I’ve been completely ignoring her. I have no idea when I’ll be back on here… and it’s almost more appealing that way. It shall be as much a surprise to me as it will be for you. :)

G’night!