Christmas

Our Christmas meal had a smaller number of participants this year.  It was just our immediate family so I decided we could eat upstairs in the kitchen this year instead of in the basement.  I still tried to make a pretty Christmas table though.

Since Suzanne had finished her desserts the previous day, she was actually free to visit with the cooks.  She kept everyone plied with wine, Prosecco and a version of a champagne cocktail called Poinsettias.  In our case, these were made with Pomegranate juice, Prosecco and orange slices.  Laura made sure we had hors d'oeurves of tomato jam and goat cheese so as to keep our strength up and our focus on the main meal.

While people were busy in the kitchen, Mike started to put away his presents.  He hung his Jeep ornament on the Christmas tree but then decided to make some adjustments.  He rearranged his tree decorations so his Jeep had working headlights.

Finally it was time for dinner.   Emily baked a brined turkey and made the stuffing.  Laura made the mashed potatoes after I peeled them and Heath made his famous macaroni and cheese dish as well as brussel sprouts.  I made artisan bread and Suzanne made pumpkin pie and cheesecake for dessert.  It was all delicious.

Mike's mom Lois, brother Bill and niece Mary had their own Italian feast across the street.  Since they were having it later than ours, we walked over to their house.  We brought their Christmas presents and shared some of Suzanne's dessert.  Mike's Aunt Della also dropped in to see everyone.  Bill claimed he always liked cheesecake made from a box but once he ate Suzanne's homemade cheese cake he let her know she could make him one anytime.

Heath was the only one among us who had to work the next day so he had to leave.  However, we gave him lots of leftovers as a consolation prize.  He took Pongo but left Finn and Suzanne with us for one more day.

The next day the five of us left at the pond, and Finn, took off for O'Fallon.  Suzanne dropped Finn off at her house and we all met for lunch at Red Robin.  Then we split up.  Mike ended up at the Gateway Classic Car Museum and then Academy.  The rest of us stayed together and went to the mall and to DSW to buy shoes.  I found a Starbucks at the mall and bought out all their Christmas Blend whole bean coffee made from aged sumatra.  It is Mike's favorite and they were on sale.  However, the girls were embarrassed to see me standing in line with my arms full of all the coffee I could find.

Mike, Emily and I were the only ones who returned to our house where we had an excellent meal of homemade turkey noodle soup and Christmas meal leftovers.  I had previously sent a lot of the leftovers home with Laura and Suzanne but somehow I forgot to share any dessert leftovers with them.  Needless to say they did not remain in my refrigerator long.

The remaining days of Emily's visit were spent relaxing at the farm and enjoying our time together and with the dogs.  The weather was unseasonably warm so we spent time outside too.  As always I am glad we had this time together.