Post Christmas Blues Settle In

Christmas Cheer

A Grateful Granddaughter

It's 8:00 and I have only been up for a half hour, Rami as well, both of us engrossed in our computers. It's cloudy outside, our last day here in Darien, a high of 37º but no snow or rain forecast.  Let's hope it stays that way tomorrow when we head back to the lake.

Yesterday was a typical Christmas morning, of waiting and waiting, for Marisa, the fifth grader, who could not get to her presents until the older brothers got up which they did, finally, at 9:00.  Marisa had been up since 7:00 so it was quite a wait.  We adjourned to the Sun Room to open presents, with Ramiro's mother, Chelo, who lives in Florida, watching the opening on Face Time, a new way to enjoy Christmas from afar.  The kids as usual were inundated with  presents, the youngest always gets the most, the oldest, this time, received lots of clothes, as if they both now pay attention to what they are wearing.  Mitchell, for example, must of gotten at least ten tee shirts, with either skateboard or snow boarding themes.  Tyler, too, though his tee shirt themes usually had to do with music.  Marisa had three favorites, a soft, cosy bean bag chair, a soda maker, and a blanket given to her by Aunt Lettie. Even the dogs got presents!  Beth and Rami gave us a cool vase from Simon Pierce which we will put to good use in the summer.  It was a good day for everyone an we were through with the present opening by 11:00, giving us all time to enjoy the croissants from Trader Joe's, surprisingly good even thought frozen, light and flaky.

Marisa's Ready For Christmas

Tyler

Aunt Lettie

Beth Being Photo Bombed By Tyler

Mitch and Greta

Rami Loves Bella

Chelo On Face Time

We did not do much the rest of the day, relaxing, going for a walk, Marisa making sodas, the boys trying on their clothes to see if they fit or were cool.  About 3:00, Beth brought out heavy appetizers, a couple of our favorite cheeses, pate, crackers, and fried dough stuffed in chorizo, wrapped in kale leaves.  Yum.  After that, we were to lazy to move so we decided to watch a film.  Although we hesitate to recommend a film to anyone, we thought everyone would like a quirky film called Lars and the Real Girl, one of our favorites. It was fairly successful as everyone stayed for most of the film and Tyler even said he liked it.

Chelo's Traditional Grapefruit, Avocado and Pomegranate Seed Salad

Testing the Prime Rib

After the movie, we had dinner, prime rib, popovers, Brussels sprouts, the favorite family dinner. Unfortunately, we had a hassle with the prime rib.  We grilled outside, in a 340º covered grill for over three hours.  The internal temperature registered 120º, rare, so we took it off, let it sit for a half hour and began to cut it and it was raw in the middle.  So, we quickly threw it in the oven, turned on the broiler for about 15 minutes and voila, we had a tasty beef  rescue dinner.  What would a dinner be without something going wrong, right.  We literally did not get up from the table until 9:00 I think, did the dishes, and by then, it was close to 10:30, time to put Marisa to bed and most of us followed soon after, ending a good day for all.

Marisa in Her Heavenly Bean Bag

Cody Loves His New Christmas Collar