Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Is Here!!


Lauren's home for Christmas!  FINALLY!  It seems as though Beloit wanted to keep her there for ever.... She finally got home about 8:00 on Monday evening.  Here she is talking to a friend.  We waited till she was home to decorate the  Christmas tree.
This was a pretty laid back Christmas this year.  No school concerts to go to, cafeterias to decorate for jazz cafe, or musicals to attend.  Everyone was healthy, unlike last year.  David went into the hospital last year on Dec. 23 and was there thru January.  Marcia was staying with us.
In fact, they were here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year.  It was lovely. Marcia had to do a little last minute shopping at Artisan's  downtown. (They are giving Lauren pottery). We all went to the Bluebird Cafe for lunch.  It was yummy!
Later, we watched a couple of holiday movies and we had Tuscan Tomato soup that I had gotten from The Bread Garden.  David and Marcia had brought some fabulous bread from a bakery in Des Moines, Le Mie.  OMG!! 6 loaves!! Also, their 'assignment' was to bring bread and dessert for Christmas and a salad for Christmas Eve.  They made the exact same salad I had made!  What are the odds we would both make Strawberry pretzel jello salad???!?  It was great for a laugh....
Christmas morning I had to WAKE Lauren up!!  She's lucky I waited till 7 'cause I was awake at 5!!
So, here's the aftermath...


It was a wonderful Christmas! Everyone got great gifts and it was sooo nice to be together.
Christmas lunch was delightful.  I made a beef tenderloin (David was going to be the grill master until the grill ran out of gas..). Made a fabulous recipe with Brussels sprouts, and a yummy cheesy scalloped potatoes.  I also made eggplant Parmesan since Lauren is vegetarian. For dessert, we had oatmeal spice cake with coconut boiled icing..YUM!!
After David and Marcia headed back to Des Moines, Lauren went over to Sarah's, and Bob and I both fell asleep...
I got a new camera so I hope I remember to take more pictures this year for the blog!