Last Christmas

Christmas is almost over.

WAAAAH. WHAT WILL I POST ABOUT NOW?

I had just the best of days today. Honestly, I know fully and completely that I am so lucky to have the family that I do, to live the life I have (despite my ever-present complaints), and I appreciate how blessed I am. "Blessed" in the cosmic sense, not like....religiousity wise. No offense to your beliefs and all, but before dinner I said, "Maybe we should say grace?" and everyone cracked up, so that should tell you all you need to know about my family's holiday reverence. I worship capitalism and consumerism and Pagan festiveness.

And Jesus was born in like, June. Or September? Something.

ANYWAY.

Dinner, of course, was absolutely decadent and incredible, which is to be expected. I made deviled eggs...divine. But of course, the real credit goes to El Madre and her culinary skillz. The TK family tradition is Thanksgiving Redux, turkey and gravy and green beans and such, and I have no complaints about that. Just...nom. So good. I could feast on stuffing until death and be quite happy about it, honestly. And then there was pie.

After dinner we played a few rounds of Scattergories, which my mother gifted to the family on Christmas Eve. (Back to tradition, every C.E. we open one gift each, which is always in the area of pjs/slippers/games/books. This year I got a pretty sweet nightgown and fuzzy fuzzy socks. And also, the game for the group.) Scattergories is super fun, SUPER INDEED. I do love the word games. And I enjoy an opportunity to use my brain, since my day job doesn't provide that particular fulfillment. After the gaming, we took to the couches with glasses of wine and watched "Magic Mike".

So Christmas-appropriate, no? "It's A Wonderful Life", "A Christmas Story", "Love Actually"...naked stripper man movie. Totally appropriate for the spirit of the season.

Sure.

Mmm. Yes.

So.

It's raining outside my window, a wonderfully kind gift from Santa or Mother Nature or whoever. SoCal has cooperated the last few days, provided winter appropriate weather to celebrate the holiday. I love when it's cold...which means a high of maybe 65 or so. Yeah. Ridiculous.

But basically, I have no complaints.  

I hope you and yours had an amazing, hilarious, loving, generous, warm and wonderful Christmas. 

You know...if that's what you're into.

Belated Happy Hanukkah, by the way. If that's your thing.

Jingle goat, jingle goat...

Courtesy of Jezebel I give you...goats.

And Christmas.

And goats.

Holiday Happenings

God, I love stuff. Getting it, giving it, eating it. And that's what Christmas is all about, right? Stuff?

And something about Jesus. I don't know, I don't have much of a religious education.

My Christmas morning went as follows: Woke up. Drank salted caramel hot chocolate. Opened presents. Ate insanely scrumptious coffee cake only made by my mother once a year. Then opened more gifts, including a Kindle which is basically never ever leaving my side again. Said au revoir to my sister's boyfriend, who had to head back to the Bay Area, then finished opening presents. So. Many. Presents.

After, my sister and I harassed the dogs and made them pose for Christmas pictures. 

That face says "please, no."

Now my Kindle (yet to be named) and I are supervising the goings-on in the kitchen, which is currently filled with the scent of sauteed onions and celery in butter. I'm 99% sure that is the most delicious smell in the world. In a bit I'll contribute by making deviled eggs, then I will no doubt return to my newly beloved e-reader.

Oh technology, why so tempting? 

Sidenote: Haven't heard from GS since he came to visit me whilst sick. My assumption is that means he is dead. Too bad for him, he's missing out on THIS. 

"I'll never outgrow the thrill of Christmas Day..."

Sticking with a Zooey Deschanel theme...

Merry Christmas to all!

Or, to steal from a friend, MEOWY CHRISTMAS.

Christmas Eve Evening

Merry Fucking Christmas Eve! (Yes, that expletive was absolutely necessary.)

I am a happy clam (were that clam not about to be made into chowder), 'cause it is Christmas, and I just love my family holidays.

LOVE.

Also, wine helps.

For the most part, traditionally, my Christmases are spent with just my immediate family plus the occasional boyfriend or friend or lonely wanderer. Our extended family is all in Nebraska, and we rarely travel for the holidays, so for the most part I associate Christmas and the like with private time with my beloved parents and darling if infuriating sister. This year, it's just the four of us plus my sister's boyfriend, who I like, so no complaints there, and things are just so damn fun.

Our traditions did get changed around a bit this year, though. Usually,  my mother makes three meals for us greedy hungry folk: Christmas eve, morning and day. This year, she decided (quite rightfully) that one of them needed to go by the wayside, so tonight we went out for dinner, foregoing our traditional oyster stew/chili/clam chowder evening.

The last two years, my parents and I have gone to Wine Cask in Santa Barbara to celebrate New Year's Eve. This year, we decided to try it for the Christmas E.

Butternut squash soup, lamb with pomegranates and mint
with pureed carrot, and a cookie pie.

Pretty damn good! I will say, compared to previous experiences, service/quality of tasty were not quite up to par, but we still had a wonderful experience, and a grand ole time. My family can pretty much have fun anywhere, so that was to be expected.

On the way home we took a detour to one of the streets that is always overdone for Christmas. I would never put a bunch of inflatable characters and illuminated animals on my front lawn for the holidays, but I certainly appreciate those who do.

I'm tucked in bed now, and having trouble sleeping. It doesn't matter how old I get, I still find myself unable to sleep on Christmas Eve, anxious with the promise of the morning's presents and joy and tradition. 

It just makes me happy.

Merry. Fucking. Christmas. 

Here Comes Santa Claus...

December Photo Challenge #15-21

Day 15

Something blue

Our "Christmas Eve" tree.

Day 16

Something that made you smile

Need I explain?

Day 17

The last thing you bought

A snowglobe birthday gift.

Day 18

The last thing you made

See that mess?
I made it.

Day 19

Heavy

I'm wearing sweats,
and I already had breakfast
and I'm bloated
and this scale weighs me heavier
and shut up.

Day 20

Light

Sunshine pouring in.

Day 21

Dark

No light bulb in the fridge
for late night hunting.

"I wish with all my might..."

The Wilson Phillips Christmas album was basically my favorite thing throughout my childhood. Such found memories of singing these songs while dancing around and annoying my mother.

Welcome to my memories.

Maternal Celebrations

Today is my dear mother's birthday.

And so I say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to the greatest mama a girl could ever ask for.

I said a tearful goodbye to my Bentley and drove to Santa Barbara this morning, picking up a rhubarb pie on the way. Did not eat it with my hands while driving, which is a sign that I do in fact have SOME self-control left. Wonderful. The fam and I went for lunch at a newish fancy Mexican place downtown, Cielito's, and it was pretty darn tasty. I was a big fan of their guac with pomegranate seeds, definitely scrumptious. We then went to see "Life of Pi", which I enjoyed, but I'm not really sure if I liked it. Spoiler alert: I don't like movies where animals die. Plus, at parts it was a bit slow and boring. It was visually stunning, however, and worth a viewing just for the incredible imagery. Also, the tiger totally reminded me of Mr. Tree. So there's that.

My sister's boyfriend came to town for Christmas and offered to make dinner tonight for the birthday girl, so we enjoyed pine nut crusted salmon on a bed of kale, homemade pesto, brussel sprouts and wine. Two thumbs up to him and his culinary skills.

I leave you with a holiday tune I'd never heard until today when my sister introduced me to it. Now it's stuck in my head and it won't go away.

Join me.

 

Holiday Singles

I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this way. 

Twinkle Twinkle

Christmas Wrapping

A Merry Family Christmas

Anything and everything goes.

With 2013 looming in the distance, and the promise of a total fresh slate dangled in front of me like a super motivating carrot, I'm kind of in free fall. Anything goes at this point, I'm not even half pretending to behave.

And today, I saw "Anything Goes" at the Ahmanson downtown.

Yes, that was such an artificially created transition. So sue me.

So yeah, saw me a revival. Wasn't so into it. I guess I'm more a fan of the modern musical, as much as I love Cole Porter and "De-Lovely" and "in olden days a glimpse of stocking...", I just wasn't that into it. Kinda boring. And maybe being sick did something to my ears, 'cause I swear the vocals were just not that good.

But, I always love a mommy/daughter date downtown, and it's fun being out in the city during the holidays. Give me a sparkly bow and some evergreen and I am happy.

And an excuse to come up with an outfit.

Happy Christmas Eve Eve Eve!

White Sand Christmas