What I'm Eating
So.Many. Leftovers! Not only do we have leftover turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, etc., etc., but; we have an entire mini fridge full of leftover Chinese food that we got as takeout so I wouldn't have to cook on Christmas Eve. Don't even get me started on the baked treats.
What I'm Reminiscing About
It's hard to think of Christmas without reminiscing about how we celebrated at the house in Mayberry. It's also crazy to think that it was just last year at this time that Mom sat us all down and told us that she wanted to sell the house and move to Hooterville. A lot can happen in a year.
What I'm Loving
Queen B flew in from Texas on the 19th and I am loving my time with her!
I tried my hand at homemade eggnog for Christmas and it was so good, I will never purchase eggnog from a store, again. Hugh even did a blind taste test between my home brew and a bottle of Jack Daniels Eggnog that he received as a gift from one of his wrestling official buddies and mine won, hands down. Also, I served mine in a silver punch bowl; it doesn't get bougier than that.
What I've Been Up To
Earlier this month, the Man-Cub underwent surgery for an old football injury on his shoulder. He came through like a champ.
Our family hosted our 2nd annual Christmas Cocktail Contest, which was a lot of fun. I didn't win, but I also didn't come in last, so, yay! I made each of the competitors wear Santa jumpsuits, so, we were all winners, really.
We also made time to decorate cut sugar cookies and to make Dad's favorite popcorn balls. Mikey and Shanti joined us this year, and the Rodeo Princess had arrived from Texas just in time to attend; I cherish this time with us all together and I'm so happy that my kids (and my bonus kiddos) all enjoy carrying on these precious traditions.
What I'm Working On
I'm not really working on anything, at the moment. We typically close the office at Not So New Job the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, so I have mostly been hanging out with Queen B. She goes back to Texas on Friday, so I am trying to soak up every minute with her.
What I'm Dreading
I'm not really dreading it, but, January is reporting month at Not So New Job. I don't have as many grants to report on as I used to, so it really isn't that bad, just time consuming. But, hey! If this is the worst thing that I have to deal with, I'll take it.
What I'm Excited About
Dare I say; I am excited about a brand new year? 23 has been my lucky number for years, so I am really hopeful that 2023 will bring us nothing but luck. Fingers crossed! (please don't smite me, Universe)
What I'm Watching
I got super burned out on all the Christmas specials, Hallmark shows, and similar seasonal schmaltz that infiltrated every streaming service to which we subscribe, so I joined Queen B in watching less, ummm.. savory offerings, including Secrets of Playboy on Hulu (takeaway: Hugh Heffner was the devil, incarnate) and I survived a Serial Killer. Then, because I needed something less dark but not quite as saccharine as Hallmark; I watched the latest season of Emily in Paris (Takeaway: I really want to go back to Paris).
What I'm Reading/Listening To
I haven't had time for any reading this month, but I have listened to my entire collection of vintage Christmas music on my record player while wrapping presents and baking.
What I'm Wearing
I busted out my vast collection of holiday pajamas and made it a practice to come home from work and change into a pair. I've also worn a holiday apron quite a bit, because I have several and I like them. So, there.
What I'm Doing This Weekend
Saturday night, we are having friends over for a New Year's Eve gathering. We are having appetizers and cheese fondue. I haven't pulled out my fondu pot in years; I hope it still works.
Sunday will probably be Day 1 of a two-day de-Christmasing spree. I have Monday off from Not So New Job and am hoping to get the inside decorations down and stored away for another year.
What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month
January is always a strange month; we have no activities planned, no trips to look forward to, etc. I'm hoping it is a month of reorganization, relaxation, and hibernation, following the craziness of December. Last year, I embraced the hygge philosophy, and I'm thinking I'll do the same this year.
Favorite Amazon Find This Month
I purchased this tablecloth for our Christmas table. It coordinated beautifully with my Pfaltzgraf Winterberry dishes. I wish I had thought to take a picture of the finished table, but I was too busy feeding thirteen people.
That photo of you and your daughter is lovely! It looks like a wonderful month of fun. Wishing you a fabulous '23!
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