Well, the presents have all been opened and the living room is semi-cleaned up already. The kids are both teenagers so they scream and hide their faces when I try to take a photo. I will try to get some later today.
I have to be stealthy, like a paparrazzi.
The kids got a lot more presents, and a lot more expensive presents, than the adults. I don't think they really noted that, which is good. We didn't do grownup stockings either, and the stocking stuffers I got for the kids were mostly from the dollar store. That's OK.
My friend Melanie and Steve gave us some wonderful sticky buns with pecans and raisins, and we had those for breakfast. Very wonderful.
Bruce "wrapped" things in old Amazon boxes, and his collection of large coffee cans. The kids got a kick out of digging down there and finding things. He is perfectly capable of putting gifts in gift bags, but he thinks it's more funny to use huge coffee cans or other boxes. All my gifts were in a vodka box..
He gave each teen a number of Hormel compleats - which they loved. They make excellent after-school snacks. My kids are both big eaters - they can eat one of those Compleats and be hungry again in 2 hours.
He gave Alesia an iTunes gift card, which was very exciting to her. Her other favorite present appears to have been a new throw that's purple and quilted, from Granny.
Bruce got Mike an antique sword, from a collector. It's over 100 years old. He didn't pre-approve that with me, but I am not going to make an issue of it. Mike is pretty mature about such things. We told Mike he could NOT take it to school. Bruce also gave him a pocket knife that's very nice, very similar to this one. He knows the "boy stuff" Mike will like.
Mother gave Mike several dress shirts and an i.d. bracelet with his name on it. That's OK. Mike approved everything, from the catalog.
Here's the key to buying for teens: either a gift card, or let them pick out what they like from catalogs. I got Alesia a new purse and she was distinctly under-thrilled with it, but so be it. She needed a new purse that is large enough to hold everything.
I failed to notice when I ordered it that the purse is made from fake snakeskin. Oh well.
Sometimes teens don't remember looking at the catalogs weeks before Christmas. Mother gave Alesia two pretty sweaters but Alesia had no recollection of marking them in the catalog. Oh well. She appeared pleased with them anyway.
I picked out nearly all my own Christmas gifts, except the ones Bruce gave me. In addition to my nice pot for the basil and several shirts, I also got a new purse and a gift card [Visa], which is fine.
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I made the best pound cake last night, a Cream Cheese pound cake. The recipe is very similar to this one, except the recipe I used called for 5 eggs, and 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 tsp. almond flavoring, which really made the flavor interesting. It's the heaviest, most delicious cake ever.
I also made creamed cauliflower using Plugra, which is the best butter. It makes a fabulous white sauce, and then I added lots of pepper and onion powder, and sharp cheddar cheese. That plus steamed mashed cauliflower ROCKS.
Today, we are making a beef tenerloin roast for dinner, plus a salad and garlic bread. We don't tend to do a really multi-dish complex holiday meal, but what we fix is always excellent. Quality over quantity. Last night we had steaks, the cauliflower, and french bread. Mike made some of his specialty guacamole, with chopped onions and tomatoes and lime juice. Yum.
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We are supposed to get a rain/snow mix this afternoon, with a high of 38. That won't stop us from our great Christmas tradition of going to the movie while mother naps. Tonight, however, it's going down to 24, so then we will see some real snow. I am glad everyone is here and not on the road.
Hope you and yours have a great day. Drink some egg nog and watch it's a Wonderful Life if you're having a hard time getting in the spirit...
