My first holiday festivity was for myself Saturday. Went with 5 friends in limo to the Windy City and had fabulous dinner at Petterino's, then to see
Dirty Dancing. Now the 'real holidays' get going.
My problem this year is with my nephew ending his 5 weeks of radiation at Mayo on Christmas Eve about noon, we pretty much have to confine the 'first wave' to Christmas Eve. While he's really withstood the radiation quite well, the effects have caught up a bit in the past couple of weeks. His hair is falling out and he's tired. We'll all be at my brother's house when he and my nephew return, have a quiet night, eat, exchange gifts and probably still make midnight mass, if the weather doesn't totally go haywire. (Yes, we're under another 'winter storm advisory'). My nephew's wife doesn't get off until 8, so again it's much easier for everyone to keep it low keyed.
Christmas Day is usually at my home, with anywhere from 12-20 people. Not this year; it'll just be my kids, the daughter's significant other, and myself. My older son's gf is in Israel, so there will only be 5 of us. I'm uncertain how to do 'Christmas dinner' for 5.
So far I'm thinking prime rib with a horseradish sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, root veggies gratin, salad, some breads and dessert. Traditionally I've served a dozen appetizers and made pretty simple dinner. With only 5 that seems beyond excessive, so I'm tending towards shrimp cocktails with the salad, pizza rolls-yes weird but the kids love those best, and sweet sour meatballs.
My niece and her husband are arriving from NY on the 28th, so we'll be back at my brother's on New Year's Day, after 3 for some sort of catered get together.
Funny while writing this my brother called from MN, then his wife called me. My brother and nephew just got in and wanted to say, "Hi!" and let me know Jay is feeling better than last week. His treatment today is at 4 and they hope to get an early one on Wednesday, his last, and start home.
My SIL called me back, I had wanted to know what to bring Wednesday evening. Jumbo shrimp with my cocktail sauce, (good bye shrimp for Christmas!
, onto plan C), dessert, and wine.
Zowie! Before I could finish this my niece called, she wanted to know what wines and desserts she might bring for New Year's day for my daughter and myself. She said her husband had picked up some 'interesting beers' from some market. She's in her last year at Columbia Law and her husband is doing his residency at New York Presbyterian and he can't get time off until the 28th, I know she's homesick. I wonder if they are going to be able to get the liquor on the plane, probably shipping it now that I think of it.
Funny how something like taking a break by reading and then trying to post this brings home 'the holidays' in ways one doesn't always think of. My son had decided to stop home for lunch, just to see what was going on. 3 family phone calls in less than 20 minutes is weird. Yep, the holidays are here. Regardless of the celebration, it really is about family and keeping in touch.
Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate!
