CHRISTMAS EVE IN DARIEN WITH THE ALBARRANS

Marisa with Bella and Greta

7:15 In The Morning In Darien

Up at 7:15, to a colder morning, some blue sky, as we are all up now, at 8:00, getting ready to be the first shoppers in Costco, before the rush.   Why do we always need something else from the store, why can't we be done with it.  Are we ever done, just do without?

Yesterday was a bore, gray and dark, drizzle most of the day, making you just want to stay inside and sulk.  Not really but we did not do much of anything, at least that I can remember.  Evie and Marisa made thumb print cookies, with jam, Beth went out shopping early with Lettie to pick up the 12 pound standing rib for dinner.  I wonder if that will be enough?  Later, Beth went out again to pick up a few Christmas presents at the local stores.  I decided to do something, so Marisa and I went to Barrett's Bookstore, picked her out a book to read, and then went next door to one of our favorite donut shops for a coffee, hot chocolate, two donuts, a glazed for Marisa, a Boston creme for me, reminiscent of the morning break at Reserve when donuts were sold, the students happy to have a sugar break from class.

We got home around 12:30, and Beth had cut up the leftover pork and grilled some onions and peppers.  Evie made cheese pork sandwiches out of them, wrapped them in foil, and put them in the oven for twenty minutes.  Tyler had a buddy over, so they were all devoured, so that Evie had to make another couple of them.  Late afternoon, I took Cody for a walk in the rain, both of us getting soaked but it still felt good to be outside.

Mitch at Rest

Marisa Messing With Her Granny's Coif

Around 5:00, Beth's friend Nancy stopped over, so we pulled out a bottle of wine, some appetizers, and sat around talking with her before dinner.  After she left, Evie and Beth put together dinner, my request, a couple of meat loafs, with mashed potatoes, gravy and salad.  We held dinner for Rami  since he was getting home earlier than usual, at 7:30.  He had been in Philadelphia to close the Harrisburg Parking Deal and spent part of the afternoon celebrating in a tavern, smoking cigars and drinking, so he was in a good mood when he came home, the two year long deal finished.  Everyone loved the meal loaf, the ultimate comfort food, especially the mashed potatoes with gravy (I remember getting them for lunch in junior high) and everyone had seconds.  We hardly have any left for sandwiches for lunches.

My Grandson, High School Graduation

After Three Months of College

Nobody felt like doing much after dinner because it was so late.  Tyler as is his wont, disappeared upstairs, Mitch went to a buddies, Evie put Marisa to bed (it took an hour of giggling), Beth went up to read, Lettie surfed the Internet, and Rami and I fell asleep in the living room watching the Monday Night Football game.

Right now, menus are being finalized for the next two days, lists are being made for Costco and Trader Joe's, and in another half hour, Rami, Evie and Lettie will all be off, racing to Costco to be the first in line.  Beth and I stayed home, the only two sane ones in the house.