Better Luck Next Year?

The Tennessee branch of my family (me, DH and older daughter) were attempting to start a new tradition by having Christmas Eve Dinner out at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Last week when we checked, we were told that they would be open until about 7 pm on Christmas eve. So imagine our dismay when we arrived at said restaurant at shortly after 4 pm only to find out they were closing at 4:30.

So the scramble began. We finally settled on Applebee's and were rewarded with a great meal.  It wasn't the meal we had planned, but it was fun.

Next year, I might rely on my fallback plan and serve chocolate chip pancakes.

Christmas Traditions

Every family has their traditions, and one of the things I appreciated and miss the most, is my family's Christmas Eve tradition.

I think it started when my older sister had kids, so my parents didn't have to compete with the in-laws. Nevertheless, it was nice to spend a chaotic evening with parents, kids and grandkids. Because my youngest sisters were marginally older than older sis's kids, it seems that there were always lots of youngsters around. My younger sis and I had our kids around the same time, so that by that time older sister's kids were 11, 10 and 9. The last of mom and dad's grandkids were born in 1989 and 1991.

The tradition included a turkey and stuffing dinner, just like Thanksgiving until mom and dad were no longer able to cook dinner. Finally, a nice simple ham with pot luck dinner at Diane's house with the family. This was followed by watching the kids open their gifts and a normal or not-so-normal gift exchange among the adults! Oh my, we laughed so hard!

Older brother and his wife, and my DH and I and older daughter have all moved away from our home state to warmer climes.

This year, we are starting a new tradition here in Mid Tennessee, whereby DH finds a place for us to dine out on Christmas Eve. Last year we tried this and the only place really open at 6 p.m. was Steak & Shake. After we got our food we were asked to hurry up and eat as they were closing at 6:30. We'll see how that works out!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Things I Don't Miss This Year.

1. Snow. I find I can really live without a white Christmas. With the way Tennesseans drive, believe me a white Christmas is unnecessary.

2. Ice. God willing there will be none this holiday season.

3. Having to work the day after Christmas. I remember the last one I worked. Really, can you imagine keeping a library open on the day after Christmas? No one comes. They're out shopping.

Things I Miss This Holiday Season

1. First I miss my youngest daughter tremendously, especially at the holiday season.

2. I miss the mashed potatoes she makes. They are so good.

3. I miss the rest of my family and the traditions we have built.

4. I miss my mom and dad. What is Christmas after all without dad falling asleep while opening his gifts.

5. I miss DH's mom. I felt like I was her daughter. What more could you want in a mother-in-law.

6. I miss having small kids around at Christmas. Especially that 3-7 age group. They really make the celebration special.

First Day of Winter

Today is the first day of winter. I saw somewhere that it starts at 11:47 a.m. Is that Eastern or Central time?

Today is also the first day of my new blog called Gene Notes in which I cover family research topics.

It'll Be a Redneck Christmas

No, I did not go out and buy the "Jingle Bells & Shotgun Shells" Christmas lights at Tractor Supply. Apparently they do not carry them anymore.

However, while hanging a suet feeder for the birds, I just happened to look across the street and saw that our neighbor was butchering a deer in his driveway. No #*(^! I guess the 26 people they'll have for dinner on Christmas day will have a surprise.

At least I HOPE it was a DEER hanging from that tree!