The
laundry that accumulated over the holidays has been washed, the suitcases
packed away, the pictures downloaded, and the presents “unwrapped” a second
time as I sit here to try and wrap up the blogging of our fifteen days of
Christmas. I find it a little hard to concentrate though, what with the 55 degree
sunny day we are having today: the Christmas feeling is all but gone. Looking
back through my pictures I believe I have to wrap up this holiday blogging
quickly, in order to move on to the other events taking place here shortly,
such as a particular birthday that takes place tomorrow, Kings Day (or Epiphany which took place on Sunday the
6th, but we might celebrate later this week), and of course another
birthday coming up later this month.
So,
without further ado, the remaining twelve days of Christmas in pictures…
We celebrated the day after Christmas at my parents’ house with my extended family. I made this pecan pie with the help of those pie-toppers my sister and her husband gifted me for my birthday.
However,
the pie-toppers don’t qualify as best Christmas gift, that spot is reserved for
the lion paw mittens Lauris and Mikus got from Santa. Straight out of "Where the Wild Things Are".
On our last day in Chicago all the girls met for a delicious brunch at Café Selmarie, one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago not only for food but atmosphere and memories. Sitting with my grandmother, mother, aunts, sister and cousins I recalled my last meal there - over which I invited most of those sisters and cousins to be bridesmaids and helpers at my wedding!
On our last day in Chicago all the girls met for a delicious brunch at Café Selmarie, one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago not only for food but atmosphere and memories. Sitting with my grandmother, mother, aunts, sister and cousins I recalled my last meal there - over which I invited most of those sisters and cousins to be bridesmaids and helpers at my wedding!
My
little Christmas snow angel! The festivities continued in Kalamazoo. Lauris and Mikus were reunited with their cousins, and the grandparent's house descended into a happy sort of chaos. Well, sometimes just chaos, but I lived to tell the tale. A day spent visiting those near and dear in Detroit, then Me
My parents-in-law were kind enough to care for the boys while Roberts and I had an evening out. We chose a restaurant in downtown Kalamazoo, Rustica. Delicious food, great atmosphere and a decent wine selection, which takes care of the 9th day of Christmas, festive tipple.
As far as three great memories of the past year go, I like to look forward rather than back, especially as this year has been one of great transition for us. "You can look back babe, but it's best not to stare." Dwelling on all the good times in France makes moving forward into 2013 hard, so I’ll just mention the three that most stand out in my mind.
1. The birth of Mikus
2. Our trip to Greece
3. This holiday journey
 |
| The scallops and mussels at Rustica |
My parents-in-law were kind enough to care for the boys while Roberts and I had an evening out. We chose a restaurant in downtown Kalamazoo, Rustica. Delicious food, great atmosphere and a decent wine selection, which takes care of the 9th day of Christmas, festive tipple.
As far as three great memories of the past year go, I like to look forward rather than back, especially as this year has been one of great transition for us. "You can look back babe, but it's best not to stare." Dwelling on all the good times in France makes moving forward into 2013 hard, so I’ll just mention the three that most stand out in my mind.
1. The birth of Mikus
2. Our trip to Greece
3. This holiday journey
And then the final day of 2012... I’ll
tell you what, I’m lucky to have seen the ball drop to ring in the New Year!
With invitations to several parties turned down, we spent a low-key evening at the
in-laws. Between the various bugs that had me coughing and sneezing most of the
holidays, and the headaches from pressure and temperature changes, I think this
was the best choice for us. I don’t regret the decision, I do regret not
staying outside longer to help with the construction of the three snowman that
came after these six. Yes, Roberts built nine snowmen.
As far
as New Year’s Resolutions go, it’s the standard eat healthier, exercise more
and do more with the kids. The best part about these three areas needing
improvement are that they complement one another. I hope to spend more time in
the kitchen with the boys; Lauris helped me with the kliņģeris today and I hope to tackle a
King’s Cake later this week. Outdoor activities invariably end with exercise
for me, such as our walk to the construction site to see what the excavators
and builders were up to today. Once the weather warms I’ll turn my attention to
the raised beds we built in the backyard, and hopefully the exercise of
gardening will lead to some healthier eating.
Happy
New Year, may 2013 be a memorable one!
Winding
down the Twelve Days of Christmas
21st
December; A Festive Song
22nd
December; A Picture of Your Tree
23rd
December; A Christmas Wish
24th
December; A Christmas Tradition
25th
December; A Christmas Day Portrait
26th
December; Best Gifts
27th
December; A Memory of Christmas Past
28th
December; Your Christmas Angel
29th
December; Festive Tipple
30th
December; Three Great Memories Of The Past Year
31st
December; How You Will Bring In 2013
1st
January; A New Year’s Resolution (that you'll keep!)
Looks like a really wonderful time, Liene! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh, it was! Our time with family has been the very needed rain after a drought while living in France. Something I'm very much looking forward to in the New Year is more times like these. Happy New Year to you and yours as well!
DeleteYour pies always look so good!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year wishes to you and yours :)