Not going anywhere today

Just finished breakfast.  Yes, there is snow.  David prefers to get out and at it, before eating, so he's off to start blowing snow.  This means he'll spend the rest of the day reading and watching tv ( and snoozing off and on)  I put yesterday's turkey carcass on in the slow cooker(s) overnight, for stock, and woke up to the pleasant smell--and a morning's work for myself , as we had left the kitchen in a bit of a mess before going out yesterday, and I prepared the stock right over top of that.

David wore his hat yesterday, as, after all, that was the main reason he bought it.  Just after leaving Amber's he questioned whether the hat had been packed up with the three totes we brought home.  Worried all the way home, but found it, so all's right with the world.  Loren let me bring the turkey carcass home in the roaster, so I have that to wash and return to him, somehow.  Very nice roaster, by the way!!!  As things turned out everyone had brought some sort of dessert, although Amber made a very nice mousse and decorated it quite elegantly.  I left most of mine behind, but brought home two almond tarts.  I guess Sheila really feels like one of the family.  As everyone was busy negotiating the disposal of leftovers, she quietly went about washing the serving dishes and cooking pots.  Amber has a very small kitchen, and Judy and I took the option of staying out of the way, with Judy entertaining the children, who were being very good, as it's usually their job to wash dishes, and they were trying to stay very quiet and un-noticed.

  After our dinner we talked and reminisced about Christmas traditions ( A guided discussion)  Judy was the most vocal, talking about her family celebrations with 4 siblings, and how her mother would single-handed prepare huge traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve and Christmas day feasts, for extended family--most of whom are now gone--Amber and Darren are all she has left.  This is the most we have heard of her family, and I think the grandchildren children were listening. It played in nicely with the dishes she brought to our meal -- a traditional dressing and Ukrainian meatballs with mushrooms. 

It's been very nice to hear from everyone so quickly after the "main event", and to know everything went well, and everyone got home safely.  Cathy, I took the liberty of posting your picture on your blog post, since you mentioned having trouble with that.

Now--onto this week's anniversary and birthday!