Merry Christmas Morning!

Well, Merry Christmas, Everybody! It seems we just can't stop saying it, doesn't it? We had a wonderful dinner with family last night. Everything went off without a hitch, except that I put the meat in the oven way too early and found it ready hours ahead of time. I don't know what I was thinking, but I looked up the time and temperature on a table in one of my cookbooks. 30 minutes per pound, and 6 1/2 pounds...yeah, 6-1/2 hours. (Buzzer sounds.) Wrong. When it was ready mid-afternoon, I was shocked, shocked, I tell you! Then I realized my error. Duh. Oh well. I just wrapped it in foil, and it was fine when dinner time rolled around. My only excuse is that it's been quite some time since I've made a big dinner for family. I'd forgotten how much work it is, and I was exhausted by day's end. Still, it was all worth it to see those smiling and satisfied faces after dessert was served. I love my family.

So let's just back up, to yesterday morning, shall we? I finished off the 7th of nine blocks for Friendship's Garden. It's even more important than ever that I get in a little slow-stitching on a busy day.

And then I took some time to trace out the last of the names for the Shop Hop quilt.

It's hooped up now, and I'll start there this morning. I'm kind of excited to put the final row on this quilt.

It was a chilly drizzly morning, and the kitties were itching to get into their clubhouse. We make them stay down until past lunch time because they need some exercise. Sadie was completely disgusted by that. She climbed up on the top of the hutch-style bookcase on my desk.

I can nap purrfectly well anywhere. I'll just sit right here and watch you type.

Whenever we have a big dinner, I always write up the menu, restaurant style, on a little chalkboard that hangs in my kitchen. There's a story behind this.

When I quit working many years ago, I was forced out by a life-threatening illness. It was hard being at home and rather isolated, and I found myself at loose ends, not really sure what my purpose was any more. (I hadn't yet learned to quilt...which saved my life, I'm sure.) Mike was very helpful and supportive. I can't remember his exact words, but he gave me an idea to think of our home as my restaurant. I'd seen this little chalkboard at a gift shop in town, and so I picked it up and started writing up the dinner menu each night. Also, I wrote up elaborate descriptions of the dishes we were having that evening and sent them to him via email. It was fun, and it gave me a way to organize my day. I don't write up each day's menu any more, but I still like it when people come to sit around the table with us.

By the way, the recipe for the Stuffed Mushrooms with Panko and Pecorino appetizer was new.

It was easy and delicious, and it was consumed fast. I like any recipe that can be made ahead, and so it was all put together up to the point of putting it in the oven. I used a pound of mushrooms, and they all fit in my toaster oven, which made it even easier. You can find the recipe right here.

Here's how the table looked. The china was from Mike's grandmother. The silverware from my Great Aunt Marie. This stuff only comes out at holidays, and it's kind of fun to see it each year.

About the time family started arriving, the mountain was looking so pretty in the setting sun.

So I didn't take any pictures last night once we started eating. The camera can feel like an intruder at times, and frankly, I didn't even think of it. It was just so nice to have everyone there after being so far from home last Christmas.

This morning, I noticed one of the amaryllis blossoms is completely open. There are at least two more coming.

Pretty, huh?

There's one little outing this morning, visiting a man in a rehab center who is far from home with no family nearby. After that I'll get back to the beading on Wind in the Whiskers. There's just one week left to finish up my December OMG, and I'm determined to start the new year with that one in the rearview mirror.

Enjoy your Christmas day wherever you may be.