Christmas Eve 2011

We had a white Christmas this year!!! After a fall and early winter of record warmth temps, we got a good few inches on the Friday before Christmas Eve (and the roads were BAD). And then, in true Maine weatherperson fashion, there wasnt even as much as a SNIFF of snow in the forecast on Christmas Day....so, obviously, it snowed ALL. DAY. LONG. Seriously. The weathermorons didnt even CONSIDER snow on Christmas. But it did. We got about four inches or so on CHristmas day.

On Christmas Eve I made a smoked fish chowder on the BBQ. Also, as an accompaniment to the chowder, I made some Scotch Eggs. Both came out really well, I think! Maybe I cook so much on the BBQ because I really love the smoky taste of cooking outdoors with charcoal and apple wood.....ORRRRRRRR maybe I cook on the BBQ so I can stay outside. Away. From. Everyone. I havent decided on a good answer yet....haha

Our Christmas Even table--Dave and Muriel joined us once again, and we were so happy to have their presence with us. Amanda made fantastic popovers to go with the chowder and eggs. And George and I, a week before Christmas, had a little snack date where we picked out...well...snacks for before and after dinner. But in a STRANGE twist of events....and this has actually never happened before....he forgot to bring the shrimp!
Lessons and Carols were at 7 at church. My Sunday school teens did a great job reading parts of the Christmas story....and little Emmy Carlson did an adorable solo of "Away in a Manger." It was FREEZING out on Christmas Eve. So Callum and I both wore our scarves. He is into scarves lately. In this picture he looks like he is either petrified or made of clay or experiencing a problem with his glands or hypnotized or a zombie or all of the above....
Most people know our kids are a little unusual....all, I believe, in good ways! For example, what other three year old prefers to watch figure skating to football? And which one prefers enacting scenes from "The Nutcracker Ballet?" That would be Callum. Additionally, whereas most kids have the most affection in their heart for jolly old St Nick, Callum is a TOTAL Rudolph man. He loves Rudoph--and all reindeer--for that matter. And he was most excited to leave cookies for Santa, carrots for the 'other' reindeer, and a shiny red apple for RUDOLPH! On Christmas morning, he was tickled pink to get a note from Santa, thanking him for his generous snyacks!
And here are the best Goldsmiths, walking downstairs on Christmas morning! Maira had a blast, of course, just crawling around and playing with wrapping paper and bows....but her favorite thing thus far must be the big bag of cat treats we got for Lupine....the shiny orange plastic bag is her favorite, and she carries that around most all day, every day.....