Momof3gurlz

We made it home from PA in record time tonight. Maybe folks are waiting until tomorrow to travel. We had lots of laughs, card games and way too much delicious food. Friday night we all went out to dinner, Saturday night was a parade of appetizers and a big brunch today. Tomorrow I get back to healthy eating. I’m pretty sure I’ve put on 10lbs this holiday season. I’m also giving “dry January” a shot to help cut out the calories. And I’m going to start walking again. Big plans, huh? We’ll see how it goes. I didn’t get any really great pictures, but here’s one of all the grandkids.

I also love this mirror Jimbo. You have a large fireplace and a chunky mantle so I think you need something to that same scale. Seems like a smaller mirror would look too delicate?

Before the night gets away from me I wanted to wish you all a safe, happy and healthy New Year! I hope this thread continues to bring us all joy, comfort and laughs through 2023 and well beyond. Thank you again Dani @dani negreanufor bringing us all together.

Bon Voyage, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!!

Congratulations on this new addition Debbie. He sure is a cutie!

My sympathies to your wallet.

We’re on our way to PA for our 2nd Christmas and a New Years celebration. Ali is riding down with us, so while she & Andy chat away I’m catching up on CC. I’m hoping to watch my iPhone photo school module on photographing children so I can get some good ones this weekend. @Jimbo the floor looks great! Things are really coming along. @Luckynana I’m glad you finally got moving. Hope the rest of the drive goes better. Just keep thinking about the warm weather! I hope everyone who’s not feeling well gets better soon.

What a great way to kick off 2023 and celebrate 51! I’m happily following along.

Never any judgement on this thread, especially when it comes to Kracken 😉!

We’re flying out of and into Boston, they had better flights & prices. Since we’re traveling with friends we can split the cost of parking there. We’re also leaving 2 days before the cruise; worst case scenario, if weather impacts flights we’ll just drive.

All these flight issues with Southwest are crazy. We’ve never had an issue with them however I can’t help but think they’ve really damaged their reputation with this fiasco. I hope they get things straightened out by then end of January. We’re flying them home (🤞) from Miami after our NCL cruise. On a completely unrelated topic, I just signed up for an online IPhone Photography course. If any of you have ever followed JimIain’s reviews over on the Celebrity boards, he’s referred to this course in response to questions about his iPhone photos. A special popped up yesterday in my FB feed so I joined it and have so far, after only a couple of videos into the first module, learned quite a bit. I hope you all will humor me over the next few weeks when I start posting my new artsy pics 😂.

I’ll drink to that!

I’m very glad your daughter and her family made it there with all the flight issues. Enjoy your week together! @A&L_Ont a great looking feast!

I really can’t say it any better than my fellow posters have. Touching, heartwarming and truly captures the spirit of Christmas.

Well I tried multiple times to quote this without the photos and CC kept freezing up on me. Anyway, thank you for sharing your Christmas with us Greg. It sounds like you all had a great holiday. Regarding the appetizer you posted, I don’t know if you’re active on InstaGram but if so, you should follow Half Baked Harvest. My kids recently turned me on to her blog and IG and gave me one if her cookbooks for Christmas. Her food photos and videos are beautiful. She also has some interesting cocktail recipes on her blog.

Just a warning for everyone. I suffered a Kracken injury last night opening the bottle, so be careful folks 😂!

We had a very nice Christmas Eve and Christmas Day brunch at our middle DD’s house. After about 2 years here on this thread, it’s past time for me to just refer to them by name. Oldest daughter is Cristina, middle daughter is Jessica and youngest is Ali. Our grandsons are Andrew, Will and Teddy, granddaughters are Abby and Ellie. SIL’s are Matt & Sam. Now you know the whole family, not including pets. This afternoon called for a nap and this seems like the perfect way to wrap up the day.

I’ve been reading along for the past day but just haven’t had time to comment. @jagsfan Mimi I’m so sorry about the sudden loss of your brother. May he Rest in Peace. @Luckynana Sorry to hear of those not feeling well in your family. I hope everyone gets better soon! Well Christmas Eve dinner & gift opening is done and I’m relaxing with a glass of wine. Okay “another” glass of wine to be exact. I had big intentions of taking lots of pictures but that went out the window as soon as everyone arrived. I took a couple beforehand. The roast heading into the oven, the bar all set up, the Christmas cookies we made & decorated with the kids on Thursday night and our charcuterie board. I want to add my wishes for a very Merry Christmas to all here who celebrate. Stay safe and warm!

Oh that would really stink. I guess I’d have to figure out how to roast an 11 lb. prime rib on the gas grill.

Safe travels to you! Also hoping everyone in the path of the storm stays safe. We’re expecting rain and wind here starting tonight with temps tomorrow in the 50’s. I hope the roads dry out before temperatures plummet so we don’t have icy roads. I don’t mind driving in snow, but ice terrifies me.

Cocktail experiment #2 tonight is Whoville’s Spiced Up Margarita. Made with tequila, Cointreau, Pomegranate juice, orange juice, honey, pinches of cinnamon, ginger & cayenne pepper and a sprig of rosemary. All shaken together & topped with a little ginger beer. I give this one a 3 out of 5 stars, only because I didn’t care for the cinnamon sugar rum. The drink itself is a 4, but the sweet rim just doesn’t go with it.

Handsome handsome boy Dani.

It’s from the back of the box of Kellogg’s Cornflake Crumbs. I made it one Easter several years ago and it’s become a staple for every holiday. Now referred to as “The Carrots” in our family. If you can’t find the cornflake crumbs, just use regular cornflakes (unfrosted of course!) and crush them yourself.

For you Hallmark movie lovers.

Okay Kracken fans. I’m trying out 3 cocktails, trying to decide which one to serve Christmas Eve. Tonight is experiment #1, the Fig Dark & Stormy. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. I did all my grocery shopping today for our holiday meal. I host Christmas Eve and middle DD hosts a Christmas Day brunch. It’s Andy & I, youngest DD, middle DD, SIL, 2 granddaughters and my aunt. Our menu is: Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Charcuterie Board Prime Rib of Beef with gravy Mashed Potatoes Roasted Green Beans Carrots Au Gratin Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Leftover beef is used to make prime rib hash for the Christmas Day brunch We’ll all travel to PA for New Years weekend to celebrate “2nd Christmas” with our oldest DD and her family. We always look forward to having the whole family together even though it’ll be mostly chaos!