 |
It looks as though we will have 5 out of 6 kids with us for Christmas (because 4 are already living here and the other is local and lives alone), so I feel lucky compared to a lot of people. But I was still dreading it, because we usually have another family over for dinner, which makes the day feel special, and that can't happen this year.
The whole thing was making me miss my friends more than usual, and I wondered what we would do all day, once the gifts were opened. I sure didn't want everyone to retreat to their own rooms, like the housemates that we now are. So I half-jokingly suggested to the "kids" that they spend Christmas Day building gingerbread houses, like they used to, out of graham crackers and confectioners-sugar glue and candy. LOTS OF CANDY.
 |
| The results (2012 here) could be fairly impressive, I must say... |
As you can imagine, when they were small, this was a popular Christmas time activity, one we would invariably invite neighborhood kids to, and there was generally enough sugar flowing that we'd have to administer insulin shots on their way out the door.
I exaggerate, but you get my drift.
 |
| The amount of prep required? Also fairly impressive. |
Anyhoo, as everyone aged out, soon it was only Susie who wanted to build a house and so the practice fell by the wayside. And I didn't really think anyone now (ages 15 - 29) would be interested. But they all pretty much jumped at the idea, and so that's what we will be doing on Christmas Day. Building graham cracker houses. 2020 has yielded quite a few surprises, so I'll just add that one to the list.
I'm in the final stretch of Christmas knitting, which never looks pretty:
 |
| My hands hurt. A LOT. |
And we went all out for Chanukah, making latkes AND sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), both events being spearheaded by Theo, because I hate frying things.
 |
| Disappeared so fast, I didn't even get a photo of the full plate |
Tree is up, gifts are bought, Thanksgiving feels like eons ago. EONS. And, of course, Christmas cookies are baked:
 |
| Pecan bars, YUM |
What a stupid year this has been. I mean, really. I feel as though we will all wake up on January 1st and shake our heads and go, "What the heck happened?"
In the meantime, we soldier on. Stay safe! And keep your hands off those cookies...
We're all hoping for a better 2021. Have a nice holiday with your kids.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy 2021.
ReplyDeleteThose graham cracker houses look great and far easier than making gingerbread.
Everything looks delicious �� Miss you all!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to hear from you---enjoy your family time and all the baked goodies.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy, BETTER, 2021!
Michael’s is just clueless. And the Christmas houses look awesome. I think Leah would enjoy doing that and then Jeff would eat them. I will make a recommendation.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter had a melt down trying to make a halloween house kit so we'll refrain from doing that on Christmas lol. It is a weird year for sure. Some day we can all party with our friends and family again.
ReplyDeleteOur gingerbread house builders have mostly graduated also , but the 13 and 15 year old granddaughters are still hanging in there and their cousin, 20yo, and his girlfriend joined. That was so sweet. Thank goodness for FaceTime through this year!
ReplyDeleteMy 13yo GD made a SoCA gingerbread cottage. Green grass, pool in the backyard, wildfire in the front, and virus icon on the roof! 😂 Wish I knew how to send you a pic! Happy Holidays!!
I too had the sticky notes on the petti fours I bought for my Mom for Christmas from Swiss Colony. They had to be refrigerated, and thus were fair game without the note. We did our family party on the Sunday before, we all see each other regularly, but wore masks anyway. I love your houses, the train is impressive. I find that it's as adults that we get even more creative when revisiting our childhood favorites.
ReplyDeleteHope 2021 is so incredibly awesome for you!
Such beautiful knitting! And I do think it's great that the sugar structures were well received.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2021, SC! I hope it's a good year for you and your family.