January 4, 2007
Dear Everyone:
I spent the week before Christmas doing the usual running around shopping, wrapping, shipping, more shopping, more wrapping, more shipping. By that Saturday, I had finished all the shopping with one exception: Walnuts.
“Jeannie” was feeling a little under the weather that weekend, so I volunteered to take care of the Stockings (I had already picked three up during yet another shopping expedition.) I had candy, chocolates, toys and the essential Chocolate Santa from Sees. And I had tangerines. When we were growing up, Santa always filled our stockings with at least one tangerine and several unshelled walnuts. I suspect Santa did it to make the stockings look and feel more full without adding any more sugar to the mix. Whatever the reason, Christmas would not be Christmas without tangerines and walnuts.
But my regular supermarket did not have any walnuts. They usually have a whole station in the produce section devoted to all kinds of nuts both shelled and unshelled. But they must have moved them into the back to make room for more seasonal things. I was able to get a lovely evergreen wreath for my front door, but now I could not find walnuts. No walnuts, not even a bag of shelled ones, just big bags of peanuts.
On Christmas Eve, on my way up to “Jeannie’s” place, I stopped at the Other supermarket, the one on the other side of the freeway. They had the usual nut bins and I was able to get the all-important walnuts.
“Marshall” got to “Jeannie’s” place just before I
did. We decided to have the
traditional Wood Family Christmas Eve dinner of Chinese food.
We started out at the one in
So we went to another, rather superior but further
away place near
When I got home I still had the Stockings to stuff and, frankly, by the time I shoehorned the chocolate Santas in, they were quite stuffed indeed. Christmas morning dawned clear, sunny and not terribly cold. I crammed stockings and presents into my car and drove up to “Jeannie’s” place.
We placed the gifts around “Jeannie’s” little ivy tree and had some pastry before beginning the great unwrapping. With only three people, this went much more smoothly than sometimes in the past. I don’t remember everything that each of us got, but I know “Marshall” got a Polar Bear lantern. (When I saw it in the candle store, my first thought was, “’Marshall’ needs one of these!”)
“Jeannie” got the ornament she had requested and, because I discovered everything in the store was 25% off, some more ornaments that would go with her little ivy tree. Both “Jeannie” and I got bottles of wine from “Marshall’s” vineyard, in charming cloth bottle bags. Knowing my penchant for making lists, “Marshall” gave me pre-printed shopping and packing lists. You just check the box for things that you need to pick up at the supermarket, or for things you need to pack for a trip. (Has he actually seen that my computer contains a folder dedicated to trip lists?)
When it was time for dinner, we changed into more
formal attire and went to
I couldn’t possibly remember everything they offered (I understand “Frankie” has requested a complete list), but I’ll try:
Jumbo shrimp at the appetizers station.
The two young men who planted themselves right in front of me
assured each other that these shrimp were far superior to last year’s.
Also oysters and crabs legs, although I limited myself to the
shrimp and sliced smoked salmon with cream cheese, capers and
There were stacks of bagels, rolls and sliced breads. The carving stations featured prime rib, ham, and roasted turkey. There were huge chafing dishes with chicken breasts and potatoes in various forms. I went for the potatoes au gratin myself. I did catch a glimpse of the waffle station out of the corner of my eye, but the waffles were only supposed to be available until 3:00 pm. Besides, waffles don’t go with potatoes and prime rib.
The dessert station had four sides to it, with many tasty things, constantly being replaced with more tasty things. Again, I limited myself to just two small cake slices. The trouble with “all you can eat” is that you feel compelled to eat all you can. I’ve learned you can hurt yourself that way.
I’m sure there were vegetables around somewhere. I just wasn’t looking for them.
When we finally rolled out of there, some people were complaining of being just a little too full. We visited some gift shops on our way out. Then it was back to “Jeannie’s” and eventually home to my place.
And who got the annual Circulating Stocking Stuffer? For a year it occupied a place of honor on the top of my computer cart. Christmas morning I presented it to “Jeannie” in the exact same box that “Marshall” had used to give it to me. However, because “Jeannie” has legions of Borrowers within her walls, and because she’s going to be having construction going on at her place, I will keep it safely with me until around next October, when we will plot together as to who should get it next.
On New Year’s Day I bit the head off my chocolate Santa. Last night I finished off the last of him.
Love, as always,
Pete
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