Happy Holidays to you Diane!

I'm not really sure how the next couple of days will go. the upstairs neighbors left this morning for New York and my son is going to be gone until Thursday, leaving this evening. It's gonna be quiet like the grave! Hardly seems festive? I broke my rule last night--we watched A Christmas Story. I never watch it before the marathon. But son won't be around on Tuesday, so it was now or never. Now, I have it running while I'm working. I'm all off-kilter! I am all set to cook, but probably won't until Tuesday. No more sweets. I'm sick of sweets. There have been candy and cookies in my office (central to the labs) all week long. Sweets in the office downstairs that I have to visit for certaint things. I am ready for some clear broth and veggies.

"There it is! The holy grail of Christmas gifts! The Red Rider, 200 shot, range rifle. And there he is, Red Rider himself"

Merry Christmas to All!

Working today (UGH) but seems to be doing everything verrrrrrry sloooowly. Meeting friends for cocktails later, sort of the Friday thing to do. Tomorrow there is an invitational swim meet an hour from the house, not sure I will make the trip since 15yo has been out of the pool all week with ear infections/sinus infections and won't be competing. He will be there to support the team though, and will be happier taking the team bus. Tomorrow night is a Christmas party at a friends - ugly sweater party which should be fun. Sunday we are supposed to go to one of the local organic farms which is having a holiday open house, but it is going to be almost 70F and rainy. Not sure I want to be slogging around the farm in the rain.

Rob - that is one of my fav movies! When we redid the wet bar in the family room we replaced the corner support with a mannequin leg - a la the Leg Lamp from the movie!

Diane - hope you feel lots better and enjoy your family get together. Sounds like fun!

Safety and happiness and health to all!

Alexa

I'm chomping at the bit to watch Darlene Love singing "Christmas - Baby Please Come Home" on the David Letterman show tonight - a holiday tradition since 1986, although this year is the 50th anniversary of her originally recording it. We'll be at a party tonight but the host will flip it on if we're still there.

Not too much cooking going on this weekend, since I made and froze quiches for Christmas brunch yesterday. I'm going up to the Dairy Store this afternoon to pick up an eggnog order for our neighborhood co-op.

I hope everyone has a happy weekend and doesn't overdo it in the kitchen.

We'll spend the weekend driving to the SF Bay where we will house-sit for a friend at their home in the Berkeley Hills, for two weeks. I will work from the laptop in the mornings, go on bike rides in the afternoons, catch up with our friends in Berkeley and San Francisco, and put together an improvised holdiay dinner or two.

Oh Diane, hope you are feeling better by Sunday. I have always loved listening to you tell of your family gatherings and the menu! To me it;s what Christmas is all about.

Nothing tonight or tomorrow, Sunday we have an open house to attend assuming the weather permits. Calling for a huge snowfall.

Tomorrow I am doing some cooking in preparation for Christmas day , three types of yeast rolls, and some chipolte cheddar biscuits. Ill probably do the cranberry sauce and ham sauce as well. Might wrap himself's gifts if her gets lost for a bit.

Other than that just some hot tub and wine time! LOL

Happy weekend everyone

I'll clink with a martini about 6 ish!

Dang! I wish I could get there at 6 for hot tubs and martinis. Sounds good.

Alexa, it's why I make myself wait. It's SO good. "Electric sex" HA!

i don't post here often, I want to thank those who share recipes and experiences. I use many, and have learned alot. Again, Thank you and have a wonderful Holiday!

ML

I just finished decorating the tree. I'd have had it done two days ago but one of the strings of lights died and I didn't get a new one until today. At least it was 50 percent off!

My house is pretty much a mess, so I will spend most of the weekend cleaning. I thought my niece was coming next weekend, but now she is coming early on the 26th , so I have less time to clean upstairs than I thought.

I think I am going to a Christmas party on Sunday, so even less time to clean. Oh well. I may be cleaning on Christmas Day.

Still have few last minute items to buy. Wish the Amazon stuff would get here so I could finish the wrapping.

Merry Christmas one and all.

TGIF everyone. I've been too busy to get into the holiday spirit this year. Bagged putting up a tree, and didn't bother with the usual lights. Work is decorated and that's where I spend most of my time. We'll go to The Kid's for Christmas and she's all into being a Martha (Stewart), so I don't feel too deprived.

It's a long weekend for me, with a rare Saturday off. It's been an odd week, including bunch of deadlines, contentious meetings and being the victim of a random act of kindness (detailed on the Conversations side). I started out my weekend Thursday night with a deep tissue massage... came home, had a glass of wine and fell soundly asleep in my chair. Ahhhhh.......

Today was a trip to town for a doctor appt. during our first real snow. People got complacent, I think...wrecks and ambulances everywhere. So we grabbed some groceries and ran for home. I got my sis's package mailed.... main mission accomplished.

Tomorrow I'll wrap the kids' presents, put together goodie baskets for work. Maybe bake something using the wonderful crystallized ginger one of my girls brought me from Australia.

Sunday DH made an appointment for a hearing test. At noon. At Costco. On the Sunday before Christmas. argh.

Clinking with a cup of eggnog laced w/ rum. Be healthy and travel safely everyone.