Happy Merry

Well, the presents might not have come, but we had a fine Christmas eve, anyway.

My friend Julie from my last job, and one of my friends from the dance studio, Angie, came for dinner.

Unfortunately, Angie didn't feel well and had to leave in a hurry....

But it was nice to have SOMEONE here to help us eat that huge ham, which is very tasty this year.

The spoon bread was perfect, and I served baked cauliflower au gratin, too.

Now, today, as has been my usual practice since 1997, I take down the decorations on Christmas Day, and put them away.

A couple of years ago, I started making old fashioned, Dickens style gin punch for the occasion.

My mother's drink of choice was gin, and since she died on Christmas night, and that's why I take everything down on Christmas, it's a perfect little way to honor her.

Otherwise, I really hate gin, but the punch is yummy!  Sweet and lemony and warm.

All of the ice finally melted yesterday.  The shrub by the corner of the house is very resilient, it seems.  It appears undamaged.

The willow, though....well, it's sad.  It will live, but it's very damaged.  I took out my year's worth of anger and frustration on the ice yesterday, and whacked the crap out of the tree and shrubs with a broom stick.  I didn't want to see that ice re-freeze, so I removed as much as I could.

My arms and shoulders hurt today, but it was really good therapy!

Anyway, gentle readers, if there are any of you out there today, and if you celebrate this holiday, I wish you all the best and brightest.

And may 2014 be a MUCH BETTER YEAR!!