Happy New Year.

 Tonight I opted to celebrate rather than stay home and be sad. Mr Macho and I dined out. We attended a local dance at the Community Center. Old folks. Country music. Get the picture? But. We were welcomed. And we danced. And. We left early. So we could get home and drink some bubbles and send a wishing lantern into the night sky in memory of Dad. 

We watched it fly into the night. We watched until it burned out - many miles into oblivion. 

Happy New Year. 

On Eagle's Wings

Christmas glow.

May I say it has been a blessed and rewarding week of Christmas? Why, yes I may. And. I am saying just that. Mr. Macho and I drove down to Mom's on Christmas Eve. After attending vigil Mass we honored my brother's invitation to join his family for seafood gumbo. And it was good. The company. And the gumbo. I wish I had taken some snaps of the gumbo. Much discussion of gumbo was had with multiple siblings throughout the course of the week. Like the Belgian waffles, we all do our own variations of the gumbo. Most of us like our own gumbo the best. Having said that, I do enjoy the other gumbos. 

Anyway. Christmas morning dawned and the three of us - Mom, Mr. Macho, and I - awoke leisurely and enjoyed a breakfast of waffles, sausage balls, scrambled eggs, coffee and fruit. We had a few gifts to open and we so enjoyed watching Mom open her's. 

Sister from Virginia arranged for 10 shampoo and blow dries with Mom's barber. Very neat gift! 

Another sister sent a package with, at least, 12 wrapped presents. Mom opened one every day while we were there and planned to keep opening one a day until all were opened. It was fun. 

The Christmas lasagna was good. We had stopped at the grocery store on the way out of town to pick up the fresh ingredients. I love the way the salads looked - so Christmas-y!! It was yummy. Later in the afternoon we had coffee and almond coffee cake. 

The ruby slippers were one of the things we gave Mom. And she loved them! She showed them to every one that came over. She said she couldn't stop looking at her feet because they were so sparkly. The light will follow her wherever she goes!

It was so very good to be at the heart of my family during Christmas time. I loved being with Mom and seeing these two sisters and my brothers. It was a joy. 

Thursday Mr. Macho and I took a long walk on the street where I grew up. We walked the old properties and I captured this lovely beach sky. The weather was just right. No need for  jacket. And mostly sunny. 

Thursday night we enjoyed more gumbo and Dr. Brother's house. Friday we ate at a local fish place that wasn't anything to brag about. Don't think we will repeat that one. But Mr. Macho enjoyed some barbecue ribs that night. I don't want to think about food for a while. I am tired of eating. 

It started raining during the night last night. At Mom's house the rain made it sound like someone was hammering. It was so loud. After breakfast we loaded up and headed north. It was hard and sad to drive away with my little Mom waving from her garage until we were out of sight.  It was nasty rain all the way home. I wish we lived closer.

Totally worth it. The trip. Planning and transporting the meal. Changing tradition. Stretching Mr. Macho beyond his comfort. Sleeping on the uncomfortable mattress. All the little aggravations. It was all worth it. More than once Mom told me that we had made her Christmas. That was the pay off. That is the joy. 

Joy to the world. The Lord has come. Let every heart prepare him room. 

Merry Christmas. Love you, Mom. 

Not a creature was stirring...

'Twas the week before Christmas

And the Reeves had all met,

And, as typically southern,

The weather got wet.

The games that they played!

Oh how they did laugh!

And all the little girls had a 

Scrubbley-bubbley bath!

The gifts got exchanged.

The food they all ate.

Then they play in the yard

Until it was late.

Too soon it was over 

And time to depart

Then kisses and hugs

Were given straight from their hearts. 

We thought of the family

And talked about y'all

And send you glad tidings to

The tall and the small.

So from all of our clan

to kin and to friend-

Merry Christmas to all

and may your team win! 

***

Twas a grand time had by all that gathered here this past weekend. We opened the door and let Christmas in early. Chinese pictionary, big breakfast, laughter, bubble baths, hide and seek...We will critique at a later date to see what we shall repeat and what we shall eliminate for next year. The house was full. The food was plentiful. And the noise! Oh the noise, noise, noise, noise! I enjoyed every minute.

The weather was warm and humid. We took advantage of it and snapped photos outside and played until it got dark. 

The Alabama clan. 

The In Town Gang and a creeper in the background. 

Whatamustache! Out of Town Gang. 

Silly snap complete with photo bombing creeper. Do you see a trend? Poor Super Carrot had the same reaction to Santa. 

*****

Once again the house is too quiet. 

Silent night. Holy night. I am making room for the peace. 

The two of us will spend Christmas with my Mom this year. 

Merry Christmas to all. 

I just can't resist. This is one of my favorite Christmas Eve quotes...

BACKWARD, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again just for to-night! -Elizabeth Akers Allen

I am Walter Mitty.

At least this week I have been. My fantasy isn't very grand, though. I have been secretly dreaming that Mr. Macho had already bought my Christmas present. Today I even dreamed that he was making that compost bin I have been wanting and printing off the internet. Until. He asked. While sitting comfortably on the back porch. "I'm going to do my Christmas shopping tomorrow. What do you want? Or have you already bought your own Christmas present?" It is the last possible day he can shop. And here is my dilemma, I end up looking like the bad guy and feeling guilty. He backs me into this emotional corner and I am expected to come out all sweet and rosy. I reacted with a laugh. And a, "So you've waited until the 11th hour?" - Smart ass remark. Then he got all quiet and moody and said he just asked and didn't want a lecture.

I do over analyze these emotional stand offs.

I wonder. Next year if I hand him a very long list of unique gift suggestions when he asks, what would he do? That perks me up a little just thinking about it. Yep. I am feeling very Walter Mitty today.

I have spent my afternoon trying to regain that good holiday buzz that I had going up until the porch confrontation. I am almost back.

But. I do need a little Christmas. Right this very minute.

Glad tidings of great joy.

Tuesday I finished all the shopping. Running errands? Done. I will have to do one more grocery run before we head to Mom's next week. Other than that. I am ready for Christmas!!
Mr. Macho and I have made a tradition of taking his Dad and the friend-girl out to dinner during the holidays. So last night was it. We exchanged gifts at his Dad's house and headed up north to a neighboring town to a little-known restaurant called Lackey's. We have eaten there before, but only once or twice. On the way there is a flat stretch of land that afforded us the most spectacular view of the rising full orange moon that I have ever seen. It was fronted by the black silhouette of trees. It was a feast for my eyes. I could not stop looking at it.
When we arrived at the restaurant and walked into the place the very nice hostess asked if we were there for the party. I realized they were only open for a private party, and asked just that. She said yes, they only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights - but other nights for private parties. I said oh my, we are so sorry. She said let me ask if we can serve y'all and went back into the kitchen. When she came out she said they would and showed us to an empty dining room with a huge screen teevee, 'cause it was that kind of restaurant. Catfish place. You know. The sweet hostess actually waited on us. We all ordered fried fish, with me opting for the flounder and not the catfish. And it was all good. Hot fried fish, hush puppies, baked potato (or french fries), and cole slaw. When we finished and were paying out the owner/cook came out and visited with us and was most friendly and gracious. I told him how much we appreciated them serving us - as they weren't really open. He said, as any good business man would, "if you come through my door, I'm gonna feed you!" It was a delightful evening all around.
Today I had my beauty appointment where I got all spiffed up for Christmas. The afternoon has been spent making goodies for the weekend. Bunko with some of my girlies tonight with our usual white elephant dirty Santa. That means we bring gently used items to exchange. It is always a hoot. Tomorrow and Friday will be more of the same. Cooking a little. Cleaning a little. Spreading cheer.
We need a little Christmas. Right this very minute.

The parade came marching...

We made it to our town's little Christmas parade last night. Warmed by the chili that our church youth group served, we braved the cold to catch a glimpse of those famous horses. 

And we were not disappointed! It was exciting as they approached.

This man was one of the crew. He was giving treats to the horses. He was not a small man. So you can see how much taller the horses are than the man. They are truly magnificent animals. I am sorry I didn't get a photo of the Dalmatian on the wagon. He was a very handsome, too. 

Bonus bling on the way home. This house. Wow is all I can say. 

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas.