Monday, December 29, 2014

Christmas 2014









Christmas came and went with a bang at the Chesapeake Bay Family household--a bang that included me backing into Son's car first thing Christmas Eve on my way to the bank to deal with my debit card which had been compromised.  Aside from that and a major cut in my toe due to a splintering Pyrex dish hitting my kitchen's tile floor right in the middle of the most stressful part of dinner preparations, it was all fun and merriment!


The End


Now that the ugly parts are out of the way, let's try to tell this Chesapeake Bay Christmas tale again.








Christmas was magical this year because for the first time in a while Son, Daughter, Parents, Middle Sis and Baby Sis were all in attendance at Christmas Eve dinner--which is also my mother's birthday dinner. Typically we are missing one or the other, and with Son being off at college, it was all the more special having everyone together under the same roof.

(He's doing just fine since his recent surgery, good as new.)






























Because I had to work Monday and Tuesday and then had to deal with a compromised debit card Christmas Eve morning (never mind having to tell Son about the nice new dent in the side of his vehicle), I didn't have a lot of time to focus on getting the house ready, but somehow it all came together at the last minute.





Son made this snowman out of a sock for me at least a decade ago.  










Mr. Snowman seems to come to life with the mood lighting.  I think he's trying to dance here.
He might have a case of arthritis in the neck, though.  





























Dinner consisted of prime rib (which I practically got for free since I won a $50 gift certificate from Best Value--thanks, Best Value!), salmon (courtesy of my parents), shrimp, smashed potatoes (Middle Sis), macaroni and cheese (Middle Sis), twice baked acorn squash, broccolini, mushrooms, rolls (CB Mother), sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and a partridge in a pear tree (all cookies made by CB Mother).

(I made up the partridge part. Although I do have a pear tree in my yard, and for all I know there was one sitting in it.)













Daughter and Baby Sis










Parents and Middle Sis










Son, Parents, Middle Sis, Daughter










Please note the Santa cap and reindeer antlers on the parental units.
Also if Baby Sister's eyes are closed, don't say anything.  She'll never notice.
I don't even think she reads this blog.



We ate, drank, laughed, talked, told Son and Daughter how much we all love them, and had a grand time.

I love this wacky family.

I hope you enjoyed some down time with friends and/or family.

Welcome to the last few days of 2014.









7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Sounds like the magical moments won out. Glad you had a memorable (and mostly magical) Christmas and may the rest of 2014 by good to you. Betsy

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful family, and they are generous to allow their stories to be shared on this blog. May they each have wonderful days and good health in 2015! I have a younger son who does not care much for the holiday and my husband abhors it,(so we 'got through' the day rather than celebrate), but mom-in-law was in great form making dozens of cookies to give away, and her 2 daughters came to spend Saturday before Christmas helping to make tamales from scratch, which have mostly been given out, too. That was fun.
I will be seeing my brother and 90 year old mother this week. They celebrated Christmas Eve together, and my brother looked at Mom and told her she looked "beatific". Without missing a beat, she shot back,"Well, if the halo fits"... I love her. She hung with him and his rock band members at Christmas Brunch, too.
LLC

Meg McCormick said...

I have backed into other cars (that were ours) in my own driveway. Twice. I guess that's better than hitting someone ELSE'S car, right?

Sorry about your debit card and your toe. BUT it sure sounds like dinner was great, and your dining room table always looks so festive! So wonderful to be with family at this time of year.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

That sums it up nicely, Betsy, thank you, and Happy New Year!

LLC, you have such an interesting family--I've really enjoyed seeing glimpses on FB. I think you should do a blog yourself, seriously. Also, I'll take a dozen tamales, por favor. Muchisimas gracias.

Meg-The backing into Son's car was awful, the crunching sound was horrendous. I had just TOLD myself to be careful as I was walking down the steps to the car, carefully noting the position of his in relation to mine. The fact that he's usually not here (and therefore no other vehicles are ever in the yard) combined with the debit card fiasco *and* the stress of all my Christmas Eve To Do Lists created the perfect storm. Ah well, cars can be fixed. I"m glad to know I'm not alone...

Country Girl said...

It sounds like you all had a swell time. Dented cars, sliced toes and all. Belated happy birthday to your mom ~

Daryl said...

i say let it go .. whats a car without a little dent or two .. it gives it character .. the toe and compromised card are another thing .. but one your resolved and the other is healing .. what a terrific party you had .. happy birthday to your amazing mother!

Unknown said...

Now I know why you were wearing sandals in the FB shot with your sisters...