Friday, December 24, 2021

Christmas Eve

 I thought I'd take a few minutes to check-in before the flurry of activities begins for the day. Later, several of Ward's family members will be joining us for Christmas Eve lunch, some of which we haven't seen in a few years. I'm not sure how many because COVID has skewed my sense of time. Things are either pre-COVID or now. Let's just say some of the relatives we haven't seen since pre-COVID. Also, I appreciate the efforts the visitors are making to make this gathering as safe as it can be. 

Yesterday we figured out how we were going to accommodate the group for lunch because we have turned our dining room into an office and our eat-in kitchen is not big enough. Ward made a table top to go over a banquet table which we have set up in the living room. I've always thought the living room was bigger than it needed to be, but on these special occasions, maybe not. 

We planned the menu (ham, mac and cheese) last week and are in pretty good shape as far as that goes. Of course, several things can't be made ahead of time, so there will be the standard last-minute flurry in the kitchen. BTW, we are having some of my family over for Christmas with an entirely different menu (smoked pulled pork) and we worked on that yesterday.

Wally arrived last night and has some work that he needs to do today, and I anticipate that Theo will get a slow start today after working for 12 hours yesterday and many 10 hour days before that. I think that means that Ward and I are up for the last-minute house straightening that still needs to be done. Since some of the visitors have never been here, we will be giving house tours.

I'm done with my wrapping, but I think others have some gift wrapping that needs to be done before the crowd arrives. Now if we could just find the bucket of bows. The gift wrap, both every day and Christmas, lives under the bed in the guest room. Always has. With the paper, was a bucket of bows that are yet to be seen this year. They'll probably show up somewhere around the first of February. :)

I think it's time for me to move on to other things now.

Merry Christmas! Wishing you health and happiness in the new year.

Until next time...