I hope you had a lovely Christmas day. Ours was just the way we wanted it – fairly low-key. We had a lazy morning, drinking coffee, slowly opening presents, and then I made French Toast. Later, in the early afternoon, we went over to Rick and Doug’s for some homemade soup (made by our friend, Russ) and some popovers (made by Rick.) As always, lots of great conversation.
As we left to return home, the sun was setting and we had to stop so I could take this picture:
Absolutely gorgeous.
We’re tuckered out today. This was our 26th Christmas together and they’ve always been magical. At times, money was so tight that we had a budget of $25 to spend on each other. At other times, we were temporarily earning more, so we could indulge a little. I can honestly say that whatever the budget, the joy in choosing a present for a loved one remains the same. You just get a little more creative!
We stopped by Rick and Doug’s on Christmas Eve to let Sam out. As we walked him around the property, he found a big stick:
What a sweetie he is.
Okay. I have to pay some bills, do some paperwork, that kind of thing.
Happy Thursday.
It sounds delightful, Claudia. We had the Toddler Twosome and their parents (at their house) and after, on the road and dinner with friends. And today, I’m whipped! I think I like your low key much better!
And even with low-key, we’re tired today! Thanks, Jeanie.
Low key is a grand key!! I am exhausted today.
Glad your days were lovely. Sam and the stick….. oh-so-cute!
He’s so adorable! Thanks, Chris!
I also had a low-key day – watched two films I’d been wanting to see, The Farewell and Won’t You Be My Neighbor with a couple of wonderful neighbors. The rest of my family was elsewhere, France, the SF North Bay, and the East Bay. Long distance vacations are out for me for the near future. Our cat is quite happy about that.
I so appreciated your heart-felt posting yesterday, as well as the postings of everyone else. You are such a dear person, Claudia, and you attract the nicest people to your blog. Thankful to Don that I found you through him on fb.
Difficult for me to expose the losses of the year; trying to focus on the future.
Sam and his sticks – what a sweetie. Love the trees in silhouette with a beautiful sunset.
XOXO
Focusing on the future is a good thing, Martha! Thank you!
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas together and with friends you love. I have had many Christmas that were flush and many more that were thin; couple of years were “lets get stuff for the family and do $10 each for just us” kind of year – we always got gifts for our parents 1st, then small gifts for siblings (as I only had 2 and he only had 1) and then we had a sweet nephew we just had to buy goodies for too which was extra fun the 5 years we lived in Hawaii – we sent out great gifts those years as those were flush years. Later I had 2 more nephews and a niece l but by then I was divorced but even with limited funds, I managed to MAKE / PAINT /CRAFT many of my gifts and every one of those years is a blessed memory, especially now that both my parents are deceased (passing 14 months apart from each other, just lost Mom 11/7/19).
I felt my parents’ absence this year. I do every year, but this year was a bit tougher. I understand.
As long as the gifts are chosen with love, it doesn’t matter whether they cost $5 or $50!
oh that beautiful Sam!
they always love a big… BIG stick! LOL!
I’m glad your Christmas was wonderful. so was mine. xoxo
So glad to hear your Christmas was wonderful, Tammy!
Glad you and Don had a nice Christmas. I had a nice one, quiet and cozy with my two sisters. Our parents are gone and the remaining relatives live far away.
Marilyn
I’m sure you and your sisters had a lovely day together, Marilyn.
Wow–26 Christmasses together. Wonderful! I love the photo of Sam channeling Teddy Roosevelt: Walk softly…etc. LOL. Hope the next few days find you both recovered.
Sam is adorable! Thanks, Nora.
We had a low -key but wonderful Christmas, too. Just family…but I am exhausted today. And, I managed to overcook my mashed potatoes, because I was too busy talking to London son. Never had soupy potatoes before…never plan on eating them again…lol!
I’ve had plenty of time to relax today, after a quick trip to the grocery. Glad to hear your day was everything you wanted it to be! ;)
We’re grocery shopping this morning. And then a relaxing weekend! Thanks, Donna.
sounds like you had a lovely Christmas day with don and some two- and four-legged friends. i am glad for you!
my family and i have always celebrated holidays and birthdays low-key and i wouldn’t want it any other way. and not just for me being introverted … being together is the most important thing! we couldn’t all be physically together yesterday and that is hard … another reason i like things to be low-key.
grateful that i had today off work. even though i spent most of it cleaning and that feels good. as it reached 41 degrees, i opened a window and applied wax to a slow-going wood project. hope that is the source of my new sore throat.
hope you and don are feeling all better. how are you?
kathy in iowa
Take care of yourself, Kathy!
We’re feeling much better. Still residual ‘stuff’ but much better on the whole.
Your Christmas Day sounds perfect! Just like mine. Friends and family.
The best! Thanks, Kay.