The Coffee House

[mmaria]

[QUOTE="pgriz, post: 3395629, member: 68030"Good afternoon, Marija - we missed you. And your photography. [/QUOTE]
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
just aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

[mmaria]

 

[sm4him]

And to you too, Marija!

Already had 3 cups of coffee (or maybe 4, I've lost count), made two batches of Ha' Penny snacks (they are a delicious little cheesy cookie kind of thing that my mom has made since forever), two batches of caramel corn, started a couple of vegan batches of the Ha' Pennies for my son, and started some Cheesy Potato Bread, which is now starting its first rise.

Still need to wrap presents, start the potato soup, cook at least one more batch of caramel corn, bake the vegan Ha' Pennies, pack up everything that has to go to my mom's AND somewhere in there try to practice the song we are singing in our Christmas Eve service at church.

Eldest son headed here this morning sometime.
After I go sing at the church service, we'll head to my mom's--Christmas Eve there, and then we'll have Christmas Day at what we call the Crystal Palace--it's my brother's house, but my brother doesn't live there, lol. My niece and her husband, and my son and his girlfriend live there.

Just 11 people this year. We used to have 20+, but after my dad passed and then my sister-in-law just a couple of years ago, we have had to reinvent our Christmas traditions.

We used to gather on Christmas Eve and sing carols. I don't really know why, because most of my family cannot stay on key or in rhythm, so it wasn't always pretty. But we loved it. Each person, starting with the youngest and moving to the oldest, picked what they wanted to sing. I had a book printed with a bunch of songs to choose from and we pulled this out every year.
Of course, there was also a lot of talking, reminiscing, and drinking. LOTS of drinking. Because when my family starts singing, you WANT to be drunk.

In the last three years, we've struggled to find the "right" new tradition. This year, we're going to have dinner, then play some games. And talk. And drink.

 

[Gary A.]

My SIL is the only one who has ever caused this much tension. There was a little bit of friction with my sister's husband, but that was different. He's not a a bad person but just has a personality that sometimes clashed until folks started understanding him a little better. Otherwise, all five of us kids have always gotten along well with each other. My oldest sister's husband is pretty awesome and fit in right from the first, and everyone seems to like Buzz. My other sister has been with her boyfriend for 10+ years and he gets along fine. But my SIL - she was friends with my sister first (same college major) and that's how my brother met her.

As for cheerleaders...meh, they're overrated

Gary, your pre-holiday dinner sounds lovely! We were there in spirit

It was very pleasant. Young Luke, (5 y/o), played around the pond and went fishing, helped me move Monarch caterpillars from spent Milkweed to Milkweed with more leaves. We discovered a number of chrysalis. All in all a very pleasant and enjoyable day ... even though it started badly. Sarah and family live in St. Louis and brought out a bottle of St. Louis wine and a Luke and Claire hand painted coffee mug as part of the Christmas gifts. Luke accidently knocked them out of the car and both items shattered on the driveway. But, we survived and the rest of the day went well. I managed to get through the day on over the counter cold medicines but I paying the price today.

As to your cheerleader comment ... after giving it some thought .... naahhhhh.

 

[BillM]

 

[otherprof92 34]

Leonore, let me guess... you were in the Hudson Highlands, and the point in your image is West Point?

Bingo! Get that man a prize

I love the Hudson Valley.

Does anyone remember the Bolderburg Manor, which was a restaurant in an old mansion, the first poured concrete building in NY State? I believe the first owner/builder made a fortune in concrete at that spot. It was a lovely spot, and the restaurant bathrooms were the old mansion's bathrooms, so I guess you could take a bath in a claw-footed tub in a number of them.

 

[minicoop1985]

I'm stuck in the hospital over Christmas. Yay. The coffee here is terrible.

 

[snowbear120 52]

Good afternoon, all. I got to work this morning and I had presents waiting for me -- a new computer, and four 24" monitors! Of course, I have to put everything together, but that's minor. They let us go early, so I'll play with everything on Friday.

In the last three years, we've struggled to find the "right" new tradition.

Maybe you can come up with something that involves black ink, dishwashing detergent, and the b@ts#!t b!tc#s in your life - the boss and the SIL.

 

[snowbear120 52]

Hello Marija (if you're still here - it's probably 10 or 11 where you are).

 

[BillM]

I'm stuck in the hospital over Christmas. Yay. The coffee here is terrible.

Sorry to hear that, here's hoping the new year is better for you

 

[snowbear120 52]

I'm stuck in the hospital over Christmas. Yay. The coffee here is terrible.

Yes, sorry to hear this. Nothing too serious, I hope.

 

[pgriz]

First dinner, Christmas Eve... Good food, good company. Sang carols, took turns doing readings. Told stories, played some more music.Talked deep stuff, talked humorous stuff, talked nonsense. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[snowbear120 52]

Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noël. A very hectic day, started bad, ended fine, emailed my TPF Secret Santa photo out; waiting for the Benadryl to kick in. Peace to all - stay safe and keep warm if you're in the colder areas.

 

[mmaria]

 

[snowbear120 52]

Merry Christmas & good afternoon, Marija!