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And doesn't have to be on "THE" Day (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 12/27/13 11:48 AM ET
We have bumped Christmas again this year to accommodate work, travel, etc. DS will be on his way later today and we will have Christmas Eve tonight and Christmas tomorrow. Since we don't really do gifts anymore, there was no problem waking up on the "real" day without all the hoopla. We did have DH's family traditional Chinese food Christmas Eve dinner and went there for a nice dinner on Christmas Day.
Tomorrow is my big dinner, so I hope the turkey is thawed enough. Today it is all about prepping the family special casserole and getting the other details worked out.
So excited to see DS, his girlfriend, a niece and nephew we rarely get the opportunity to see and a great niece! She is three - the first really little person we have had around at Christmas for a long time.
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Tomorrow is my big dinner, so I hope the turkey is thawed enough. Today it is all about prepping the family special casserole and getting the other details worked out.
So excited to see DS, his girlfriend, a niece and nephew we rarely get the opportunity to see and a great niece! She is three - the first really little person we have had around at Christmas for a long time.

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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 12/27/13 12:40 PM ET
Oh yes, good points about celebrating Your way to make lovely memories for everyone....and leave a lot of the stress behind.
My airline pilot husband was never home on "THE DAY" (or any holiday).
So we just tailored a celebration to what worked for our family.
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My airline pilot husband was never home on "THE DAY" (or any holiday).
So we just tailored a celebration to what worked for our family.
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Tamara
Excess of machines & fabric & patterns
Emerging skills & productivity
Evolving creativity
Excess of machines & fabric & patterns
Emerging skills & productivity
Evolving creativity
Posted on: 12/27/13 12:42 PM ET
My family has been rescheduling Christmas for *years*. My oldest sister works retail management, and never takes off for the holiday. Usually a couple of weeks beforehand they'll do Christmas at my parent's house. This year I am the one who didn't make it up for the holiday... (although I am hoping my folks come down to us, so we can show them our new apartment!)
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I'll try anything once :)
SM: Pfaff Performance 5.2; Brother LS2125-i; 1929 Singer 99k; 1956 Singer 15-125; Singer SewHandy
Serger: Babylock Acclaim; Janome 7034D
9/1/19: Meowied!
Sewed my veil, and Doggo's bowtie and ring bag.
SM: Pfaff Performance 5.2; Brother LS2125-i; 1929 Singer 99k; 1956 Singer 15-125; Singer SewHandy
Serger: Babylock Acclaim; Janome 7034D
9/1/19: Meowied!
Sewed my veil, and Doggo's bowtie and ring bag.
Posted on: 12/27/13 1:58 PM ET
In reply to tourist
Christmas is a day or the day?? I don't think so... Isn't that why it's called a "Holiday Season"??
Good on you for making it about family and friends and people you love. That is what it is all about and it doesn't matter which day(s) you do it. At least IMHO
What you are describing sounds so lovely.
A very Happy Christmas Season to you all Tourist.
-- Edited on 12/27/13 5:07 PM --
Good on you for making it about family and friends and people you love. That is what it is all about and it doesn't matter which day(s) you do it. At least IMHO
What you are describing sounds so lovely.
A very Happy Christmas Season to you all Tourist.
-- Edited on 12/27/13 5:07 PM --
Posted on: 12/27/13 4:08 PM ET
With our children all married/paired up, demanding work schedules, and travel issues, we almost always end up with an alternative date for celebrating Christmas. It's really nice because we choose a day when no has other obligations. We like to keep it relaxed and casual, and I actually like to cook something nontraditional, as well. This year I did tapas, but other years I have done chili in bread bowls, grilled shish kebabs, or smoked pork shoulder. It totally works for us!!!
My daughter's m-i-l is very demanding on all her family...everyone has to be there all Christmas day, or they are given the silent treatment & not given gifts.
Very selfish, IMO.
Edit to add...
Tourist, please enjoy your holiday gathering!!!!!
-- Edited on 12/27/13 4:10 PM --
My daughter's m-i-l is very demanding on all her family...everyone has to be there all Christmas day, or they are given the silent treatment & not given gifts.
Very selfish, IMO.Edit to add...
Tourist, please enjoy your holiday gathering!!!!!
-- Edited on 12/27/13 4:10 PM --
Posted on: 12/27/13 5:05 PM ET
We switched up Christmas this year too.
Christmas dinner was held on the 22nd, when db and his family were over at my mother's house. Mum and I shared the cooking duties.
Christmas Day I served brunch. This has been a tradition for many years. We had about 14 people all together for brunch, including this year for the first time a young child.
DS has a new girlfriend and she has a 3 year old dd. It was nice to have a child in the house, but exhausting too.
After all the guests left I got to relax and put my feet up for the rest of the day.
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Christmas dinner was held on the 22nd, when db and his family were over at my mother's house. Mum and I shared the cooking duties.
Christmas Day I served brunch. This has been a tradition for many years. We had about 14 people all together for brunch, including this year for the first time a young child.
DS has a new girlfriend and she has a 3 year old dd. It was nice to have a child in the house, but exhausting too.
After all the guests left I got to relax and put my feet up for the rest of the day.
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Living life to the fullest.
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Posted on: 12/27/13 5:55 PM ET
My parents arrived this morning, and we'll do our gift exchange tomorrow. I announced that this year I AM NOT COOKING, and to punctuate that fact, DH and I started a jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table! 
Like others, we've been juggling holidays for years and years. DH and his mom play together in his hometown Tuba Christmas (an annual free holiday concert for low brass), which is usually the first week in December... so that's when his side of the family has their/our celebration. And somehow we've fallen into a nice rhythm of spending New Year's with my folks (my brother's family lives across the country, so someone always has to travel). It works for us, and spreads out the season. Mostly it's wonderful, not having to cram all the expectations into One Single Perfect Holiday (and it gives DH and me, both introverts, a quiet celebration by ourselves)... but sometimes it wears you out.
Happy holidays, everyone!!
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Like others, we've been juggling holidays for years and years. DH and his mom play together in his hometown Tuba Christmas (an annual free holiday concert for low brass), which is usually the first week in December... so that's when his side of the family has their/our celebration. And somehow we've fallen into a nice rhythm of spending New Year's with my folks (my brother's family lives across the country, so someone always has to travel). It works for us, and spreads out the season. Mostly it's wonderful, not having to cram all the expectations into One Single Perfect Holiday (and it gives DH and me, both introverts, a quiet celebration by ourselves)... but sometimes it wears you out.

Happy holidays, everyone!!
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 12/27/13 10:06 PM ET
You mean to tell me I can get a repeat; that my dysfunctional family will get over its drama and behave itself and all will be well? That I can get another go at it and all will be good? Yipeee!
Sign me up!
-- Edited on 12/27/13 10:07 PM --
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Sign me up!
-- Edited on 12/27/13 10:07 PM --
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"Play the cards you are dealt, but choose who is sitting at the table"..AARP magazine
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Posted on: 12/27/13 10:53 PM ET
In reply to tourist
What is your special family casserole?
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Elna Lotus TSP, Singer 503a-Rocketeer, Brother Innovis 1250D, Pfaff Passport 2.0, Kenmore 10-Stitch, Centennial Singer Featherweight from 1950, Brother Stellaire XE1(embroidery only)
Posted on: 12/28/13 10:47 AM ET
In reply to speattle
Glad you asked, speattle.
It apparently came through my SIL's inlaws via a family friend. We have had to de-glutenize it for a couple of family members, but that turned out to be pretty easy. Using a lasagna pan allows it to fit under the turkey in the oven, assuming a reasonable sized bird - not "birdzilla" as we sometimes call a super-sized turkey. The leftovers are coveted, as it is even a bit better the next day!
Veggie medley
3 – 5 carrots
1 ½ lb broccoli (8 cups)
1 med. Cauliflower (8 cups)
Sauce
5 Tbsp butter
5 Tbsp flour (I use cornstarch now)
2 ¾ c milk
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups grated cheddar
Topping
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 c. dry bread crumbs (use rice bread to make your own crumbs)
1/3 c. parmesan cheese
chopped fresh parsley
One day ahead – steam the carrots and cauliflower about 9 minutes. Add the broccoli and steam 2 minutes more. Plunge them into ice water immediately, drain and place in a buttered baking dish. Any type will work, but a large, flat-ish one like a lasagne pan gives the best topping coverage.
Prepare the sauce using the white sauce method. Stir in the salt, pepper, cheese and mustard. Allow it to cool somewhat before pouring it over the veggies. Refrigerate overnight.
Spread the topping on just before baking. Bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees, covered lightly with foil until the last 10 minutes or so.
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It apparently came through my SIL's inlaws via a family friend. We have had to de-glutenize it for a couple of family members, but that turned out to be pretty easy. Using a lasagna pan allows it to fit under the turkey in the oven, assuming a reasonable sized bird - not "birdzilla" as we sometimes call a super-sized turkey. The leftovers are coveted, as it is even a bit better the next day!Veggie medley
3 – 5 carrots
1 ½ lb broccoli (8 cups)
1 med. Cauliflower (8 cups)
Sauce
5 Tbsp butter
5 Tbsp flour (I use cornstarch now)
2 ¾ c milk
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups grated cheddar
Topping
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 c. dry bread crumbs (use rice bread to make your own crumbs)
1/3 c. parmesan cheese
chopped fresh parsley
One day ahead – steam the carrots and cauliflower about 9 minutes. Add the broccoli and steam 2 minutes more. Plunge them into ice water immediately, drain and place in a buttered baking dish. Any type will work, but a large, flat-ish one like a lasagne pan gives the best topping coverage.
Prepare the sauce using the white sauce method. Stir in the salt, pepper, cheese and mustard. Allow it to cool somewhat before pouring it over the veggies. Refrigerate overnight.
Spread the topping on just before baking. Bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees, covered lightly with foil until the last 10 minutes or so.
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
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