Sunday, December 26, 2010

A New Christmas

"There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called "The Present." ~ Kung Fu Panda

A friend of mine included this quote in her Christmas card this year, and I found it fitting, especially this year.

For the past 14 years, travel has been involved for us for either Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Last Christmas was the last one we spent at my Mom's house, and all of us were together, she has since sold her house and moved on.  So this year my family came to us for Thanksgiving, which meant a travel free Christmas for us at home. No hiding presents in the car, no battling bad travel weather or traffic, just staying home.  And we were very excited for that.

I had great plans for Christmas Eve, we were going to Mike's sisters house, for her big Italian fish dinner.  I wanted to go out for a run that morning to participate in the Santa Hat run that was organized on Daily Mile. But the one thing you can count on with kids, is that one of them will get sick.  Poor Lukie got the stomach flu the night before Christmas Eve, and he and I were up all night.  So instead of a morning run, I slept. Luke was feeling much better later in the day, but he hung out at home with Mike while Eliza and I went to the dinner, but we brought goodies back for them.

It was so nice to be home Christmas Eve.  Here are the kids and Frank putting out food for the reindeer:



Christmas morning was nice and mellow. Frank was zonked out on the couch in the living room, so the kids could open gifts in the family room in peace. I got a lovely new purse, as well as a stocking full of chocolate:





Santa brought the kids a new toy kitchen, to replace the one that "was for babies." He got a really good deal on it, and now I know why.  There were so many friggin' pieces in that box, it took me HOURS to put it together. 



The day was full of various toy assembly, a visit from Mike's parents, and snacking.  We rotated Christmas movies for background noise, and stayed in our pajamas.  I didn't shower until the afternoon, and got right back into my pj's.  Then it was time to tackle dinner, Mike took control of the prime rib roast, and I handled the side dishes.

Cauliflower gratin from Ina Garten, I used half the milk and butter that the recipe called for, and it still came out perfect:



"Perfect Roasted Potatoes" from Nigella Lawson. Nigella says in her cook book that when they are finished roasting, you put them in a dish to "bring to the table with pride in your heart" and I really did.




After the kids went to bed, Mike and I sat by the tree, having cocktails and being lazy.  Can you hear my sigh of contentment?

It was a different Christmas, a lovely Christmas, just hanging out with my little family. 

Which is what Christmas is all about.

27 comments:

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Goose fat? Really?

Unknown said...

Those potatoes look amazing.

Unknown said...

That is some major snow right there ..wow!

Bet Frank loves the snow?

Molly, the pic of the potatoes just gave me a serious hunger pain - they look freaking amazing!

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

agreeing with kelly!

I know it wasn't kungfu panda who said it first. I think it was alice morse earle. Still. It really is a nice quote. Merry Christmas, Molly! =)

yonca said...

I wonder if there's anyone who doesn't like potatoes:)The pic of roasted potatoes looks mouth watering good:)
Happy New Year!

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

Yum, those potatoes look awesome.

misszippy said...

Sounds perfect and so glad your son got over the stomach bug before Christmas!

Suzy said...

Merry Christmas. We haven't traveled for years and I am so happy that we stay put. I need to try the cauliflower recipe! It looks wonderful.

Caratunk Girl said...

Sounds like an awesome Christmas!! I love Ina Garten, but she is heavy on teh butter and cream for sure...good to know that cauliflower came out great with a little less!

Lisa said...

Sounds perfect! Glad it was a less stressful holiday. The food looks delicious!!!

Tinkerbeth said...

Sounds great! And the food looks wonderful!! Will you come on Thursday?

Annie said...

That sounds like a perfect Christmas. Minus your little one getting sick.

Unknown said...

We only leave carrots on a plate for Santa to feed the reindeer; your kiddos are so smart to leave something outside for them.
It looks like a great Christmas for everyone. The spuds look delicious.

The Green Girl said...

Aw, that sounds like a perfect, relaxing Christmas!

Black Knight said...

Indeed a wonderful Christmas (stomach flu apart) full of gifts and good food. ...and I see italian chocolate!

Terri said...

Sounds almost perfect - hope the little one is feeling better!

Carly said...

Sounds like a wonderful Christmas to me!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Christmas sounded wonderful and the food looked yummmy!!

RunToTheFinish said...

you actually had goose fat to cook with?! i am way impresssed.

hope everyone is feeling better and yes I do love not having to go anywhere and just getting to snuggle up at home

Anonymous said...

The picture of your kids with Frank is so adorable. I'm glad that Luke is feeling better and that you had a great holiday!

Amy said...

What a lovely Christmas. Those potatoes look good, but it's that chocolate that has my mouth watering!

*~*~* Tracy said...

That sounds like a completely wonderful Christmas.
And the potatoes and cauliflower look very delicious.

Mark said...

Ah, yes. The proverbial words of Kung Fu Panda. I like to quote Yoda a lot with my children.

We did not get hit nearly as bad as you guys did down 90.

Love the Bacci! I use to eat them as a kid with my parents as well. YUM! Good Ironman training food.

Anonymous said...

Sounds perfect!

Johann said...

A perfect Christmas! Those roast potatoes look fantastic! One of my favorites for carbo loading!

Iron Mike said...

Sorry you missed the x-mas eve run, it sounded like Fun, but on the bright side, it's good your son bounced back.
You're making me think that I SHOULD travel for x-mas, that would definitely limit the kids' presents.
I think your little kitchen construction was worth the effort, it looks really nice. And your stocking contents look delicious.
Glad you and your family had a great christmas!

Jill said...

Feeding the reindeer - love it!!
Sounds like you had the ideal Chrismtas...yay!