Merry Christmas to All

Here's wishing a very merry Christmas to all of my readers. I was awakened this morning by my niece and nephews, the children of my older brother, who were eager to open their Christmas presents. They are good kids, patient enough to wait for the grand unveiling of presents. Breakfast was an informal affair, we ate leftovers from the last couple of days. Around eleven in the morning, one of my sister's sons called to say the family would be boarding their flight from LAX to Dulles... I didn't recognize his voice, he's fourteen and I have already been forewarned not to be too shocked at how big he's gotten.

The rest of the day has been occupied by cooking. I'm the designated root and tuber guy, so I attacked two rutabagas and about six pounds of potatoes, which are now resting, all puréed, in oven safe bowls. We've also had some social calls from neighbors who my mother has unofficial lay adopted. Tonight is going to be great, we'll have enough family over so we'll have to use two sets of plates, and there are two brothers left to arrive tomorrow. We'll clean out the china cabinet to be sure, as well as the board game collection.

It has been a great Christmas so far, and it's only going to get better.