Warm Fuzzies

It's been a lovely Holiday season - in so many ways so very different from previous years. While each year has been delightful in it's own way, this year has been filled with lovely warm fuzzy type things that fill me with contentment and peace. O/our pre-Christmas activities were busy in a good way, and once vacation began everything improved!

Christmas Eve dinner at The Mountain Branch Grill & Pub (click here) with extended family was just wonderful, both the food and the company. Master chose the Roast Duck for me which the Chef prepared perfectly. Master's own 1# Pork Chop was delicious if a bit dryer than the last time W/we were there. I'm sure the immense crowds of Holiday revelers had something to do with that. Everyone else enjoyed their meals as well, and the evening was a success!

Christmas morning was a traditional morning complete with a child anxiously "dying" to open gifts, sleepy parents wishing for more sleep, a yummy breakfast, and a shared happiness all around. A bit later as naps and gift-enjoying set-in I baked some cookies and set out a tray of crudites while Master created delectable smoked salmon appetizers. After a big breakfast this was more than enough to hold eveyone until dinner of pork crown roast, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a simple romaine lettuce salad with balsamic vinagrette. Complimented by a lovely geverztraminer, and finished with a pecan pie and a mixed fruit pie, all were completely satiated. A rousing game of Scrabbble was the perfect ending to the day. (My 75 year-old mother may seem sweet and gentle, but don't let that fool you - she's cut-throat at Scrabble!!)

This Holiday W/we've also made time to see a couple of fun movies, National Treasure (click here) and The Golden Compass (click here) and have thought about seeing more. Such a beautiful change of pace for U/us to be able to sit back and relax a bit, do the things W/we want to do, and not feel overwhelmed and undertimed. Sadly, O/our Terps didn't win their Bowl game, but the Redskins are doing well (knock on wood) so W/we take the good with the bad.

Last night W/we spent a hilariously good time at a Holiday party. Such wonderful friends, well-known, and just-met! Just watch out for those spiders and their world wide web!!!!!

W/we're so blessed with such wonderful friends, and as 2007 ends and 2008 begins, W/we are grateful for those many blessings in O/our lives. Hoping that the New Year brings the best that life has to offer for each of you.

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