We gathered at Richard and Jill's as a family on Christmas Day. Dan and Dad had planned to come up on the 28th, and the Don Leonard family had other plans, but the rest of us enjoyed getting together over a special dinner prepared by chef Chuck.
Clockwise from the front: Chuck, Leslie, Jill, Jaiden, Diane, David, Richard, Jackie, Matt, Joanna, Phyllis, Jim. Standing on the right are Melissa and John. Will was sound asleep, but we look forward to greeting him some time on the 28th.
Face Time
I made a call to Dad and Dan earlier in the day to wish them a Merry Christmas and have a chat. Dad's health has improved. He doesn't need the oxygen tank, gets around without a walker, and at least once last week walked to the end of the street and back. I'll get to catch up with Dan about his Portugal trip later.
Smart Watch
For Christmas I got Diane a watch that we had looked at earlier in the year - a Samsung Active 2. It will help her keep better track of what is going on with her heart. Just so happened that John also got the very same watch just this morning. He was able to help Diane set hers up after dinner.
If you click on the picture, it will open up a YouTube video of the scavenger hunt I put her through to find it on Christmas morning. Fun stuff!
Master Chef Chuck Hou
Chuck made the meal, and let me tell you, there's not a restaurant in the city that can touch what he put out for us.
For the Meat Lovers..
Presenting Beef Wellington with a red wine sauce! I wish I had gotten a picture of the entree before it was carved up. The puff pastry was perfectly golden.
The Spread
Beef Wellington with red wine sauce (not vegan at all), endive citrus salad, baked cauliflower casserole, real-deal mashed potatoes. For us, he created a Mushroom Thyme Tart. OMG.
For the Veggie Lovers..
Presenting the Mushroom Thyme Tart! I did not miss the beef at all. He gave me the recipe off the top of his head - a pound of mushrooms, a couple of cloves of garlic, a couple of shallots, some thyme, and puff pastry. You know. Just something you can just throw together.
Feeling Lucky!
John and I both got white elephant gifts of two lottery cards and a banana. John actually won $5. I got zip. The banana, however, is going towards my next pancake.
After Dinner Games
With the table cleared, Leslie and Chuck set about putting together the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle they had begun earlier.
Testing, Testing
The evening before, Diane set up the Window Wonderland gift we took home from the Misfits party and projected it onto the sliding glass door on our front porch. It kind of looks like Santa made a home movie with an old 8mm film camera.
Die Hard!
Did you know that Die Hard is the second most popular Christmas film in the nation? Richard and Melissa were the couch potatoes of the evening. I confess to joining them for most of the movie. Yippee-ki-yay, and Merry Christmas!
The Celebration Continues..
Dan and Dad arrived in the afternoon on the 28th and that evening the family went out to eat at On North on the Marietta square.
L-R: John, Jill, Richard, Dan, Dad.
Around the table, first stop
David, Diane and Hannah
Around the table, second stop
Melissa, Will, and John (with a photo bomber).
Along the wall (1)
Hanna, Kiki, and Don
Along the wall (2)
Chuck and Leslie
Little Will
This was my first time to actually hold the little man. He didn't cry, but he didn't smile either.
Great Auntie
Diane got her turn holding Will. Again, he didn't cry but.. I can just imagine what it might sound like! He was ready for nap time.
How it's done..
Aunt Leslie has a soothing effect on babies.
Silent Night
The photo doesn't do justice to the bright festive lights hanging from the trees all along Maple Avenue. It's almost a magical scene at night.
David, you outdid yourself with the scavenger hunt. So funny. I love the family pictures. Now I have some idea of how the newer family members look. Tell Chuck he can come to our house any time. The Christmas menu sounds scrumptious. Love you . Happy New Year.
By the way, please tell Diane NOT to ask me me do the dusting,!! LOL