MOUNTAIN PULSE: Christmas Day 2013

Christmas morning fills my soul. Flat out. Following our traditions, I wake up, take a shower, put coffee on, turn on some celtic-y Christmas music, light candles, ~~get the kiddo up~~ allow the child who has been awake for hours to come out of her room, wake up Miles if he isn't already, and settle in next to the tree with all it's new gifts.  We first relieve our stockings of their goodies to enjoy while the cinnamon rolls bake. Then we DEVOUR those godammned miraculous confections with a second mug of coffee.... When dem bellies full, we head back into the living room to open presents. I always play Santa, it seems. We spend time digging what we gave and got. And THIS year, for the first time EVER, methinks, I didn't feel like I had to rush and leave my little pile of fun to go somewhere else! When I was a kid, no sooner then your presents were open, you were whisked away to church-catholic, ugh-and then to the aunt and uncle's house for Christmas dinner all the while yearning to get back to your new treasurers from the North Pole. We took our time passing around gifts-Willa and Dylan will still get some "Santa" gifts, we'll continue to "pretend" he is real-and it was so sweet to each receive a huge hug and "thank you!" after each gift she opened! I'm so happy for her that she seems to have true gratitude within....I believe it makes a person more whole, purposeful, happy and satisfied in life when they can see beyond themselves and truly cherish what they have. It was GRAND and GLORIOUS to just hang out on Christmas Day! Basking.......no rush...... What my dad would describe as a

"nice.........................................................................
                                       leisurely....................................................................
                                                                            time...............................................................".

And when we were ready, we got cookin' in preparation for our friends to arrive for dinner. At OUR house!!!! Another first! Finally having a proper dinning room and big table to seat everyone for a feast. Finally! And a feast it was! Our Christmas Eve and Day dinners were the best I think I ever had! A brined and smoked turkey hen, mashed taters with a smidge of bacon grease, candied yams, fresh bread and butter, spicy cranberry chutney and oyster/deer sausage stuffing(These ROCKED mah belleh, if I don't say so myself!!!!), red wine and an out-of-this-world brussel sprout dish that our friends brought.

WE ATE LIKE KINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KINGS!!!!!   Mother of baby bacon fat covered jeezus..........

Miles and I (and Willa, too, I'm sure) are so grateful for our friends, the Ruiz's. We met them about a year and a half ago at the Salmonstock Music festival. They were camped at the same campground as we were. Willa and their daughter, Lily, found each other and hit it off right away, playing on the beach. Moms and dads introduced themselves and we've been buds ever since. I feel like I can relax and be myself with them. The type of friends you'd pick to live in a commune with....or if shipwrecked on an island.....

We did a "Chinese gift exchange" which is always a fun way to exchange gifts. I threw in a pair of 3x grannie underwear for fun! We were hoping to play our Cards Against Humanity game that Santa brought, but the Ruizes all had head colds and were feeling the need to head home. It was a wonderful evening and I really hope to make Christmas Day dinner at our home a more regular event....

Sweetheart....

Fun with Christmas lights!

Weeeeee!

My 5th grade revisited and passed to Willa...The great Gilly Hopkins and Chinese Jacks!!! Remember those?!?!

A new telescope!!! (remember that foreshadowing?!) Here I am trying to reenact the photo of the jump in the air I did 10 years ago when we got our first telescope

This year's hand made gifts. Dig the candy bowl Willa made for her daddy with an old vinyl record! I made Miles and Willa plaques to hang running medals and beer brewing awards on. (beer awards are Miles, of course). Willa made a lovey painting of birch trees and a toy for the kitty!