Christmas Day

On Christmas morning my Shug and I slept in.  I love having the tree by our bed. We shared a simple gift exchange with each other, I made breakfast and we relaxed awhile before getting ready for the day.

 

I did have a batch of "No Bake" cookies to whip up.  I always make them on Christmas Eve and Easter and I didn't have time to make them on Christmas Eve.  My Brother-in-law asked where they were!  So I made them for Christmas Day.  We packed up the car, and

after visiting with My Shug's Mother, who is in an assisted living facility, we gathered at my Sister and Brother-in-Laws house, where they have a real fireplace, and not just one on a computer!

I think my Sister-in-law, Lorri, wins the prize for the most creative looking food item!

Have you ever noticed people always tend to gather in the kitchen?

 

My Sister got our childhood stockings from Mom and filled them and put them by our place settings at the table.  Sweet.

 

 After we ate dinner it was time to open presents.  The three girls have always sat in the same spot on the floor in front of the tree.  While we were waiting for everyone to assemble, I gave them a "house" gift from me.  Inside the bag were a few kitchen items like hot pads and spatulas and a couple of baking mixes that I know they like.

 But the best part was I had a 55 year old cookbook copied for them.  It was a cookbook that The Lullaby Club from Logansport, Ind put together in 1959.  Our Mom, two of our Aunts, and several friends were members of this club.  Their recipes are in the book.  Mom has used this cookbook for years.  It's so worn out that she no longer has the cover, and the pages are in a baggie! I had to put it in order before taking it to get copies made.

Our family draws names in October to see who we are buying for at Christmas time.  I drew Mom and My Shug drew Andrew, our nephew.  We have a $50 limit.  We started this several years ago, and I love it.  It has made Christmas so much LESS stressful on shopping and the budget.  One gift we got Andrew was a tatoo sleeve!  (I made him the hat, at his request)

He is cracking up laughing because he was going to play a trick on Mom.  He knew she would hate it.  He said, "hey Grammaw, you want to see what Michelle got me for Christmas?"  She was sitting across the room and at first she said she did not want to even see it. 

 

But he got up and showed her the sleeve and she realized it was just that, a sleeve.

He, of course, does have a tat that he had to show her.  He's an artsy kind of guy.

Now it was family picture time.

Mom is thinking, why can't this family just take a "normal" family picture.  Well, we tried that in October...which I haven't had a chance to post....but these are just so much more fun!

Dad, stop trying to hide your face!

Dad, STOP TRYING TO HIDE YOUR FACE!  MOM, SMILE!

JEESH!  Andrew was trying to take this with a phone.

A camera with a timer....Better....

Not bad!

We had to take several pictures with everyone's camera and phone...and finally!

WE DID IT....sort of.....a few weren't smiling...but it's the best we can do!

I love that Ralphie is in the picture too!

Peace,
Cindy Bee