Christmas Day

I was an only child for a good portion of my growing up years. My parents didn't exactly spoil me, but they did encourage my independent thinking, my creativity, and my desire to express myself. They gave me the freedom to experience life with a child's excitement. It's something I haven't completely outgrown. Santa used to visit us. My dad would wake me up sometime after midnight and carry me down the hall, where I could watch him putting presents under the tree in his bright red suit and gigantic gift bag. To this day, they won't tell me who was in the suit. My mom's answer, "Santa. It was Santa!"

Like all kids, I was very excited Christmas Eve. I couldn't sleep. Unlike the parents of my friends, mine allowed me to wake them up when I couldn't be still any longer. When they were really young - this might be as early as 3:00 a.m. As they got older and I was able to control myself a little better, the time was pushed back to 5:00 a.m. It is when I still get up -- bright-eyed, ready to see the twinkling lights and rip the paper off my presents. We always started our morning with Christmas carols playing quietly in the background, coffee for Mom and Dad, hot chocolate with whipped cream for me, and a note from Santa thanking me for the tuna fish sandwich and milk I left him...umm...leave him. I don't know who eats it but it's gone every Christmas morning...still.

This year was no different. I wasn't home with my parents but the same traditions were followed. I turned on the music, had a fire in the fireplace, made hot chocolate and woke everyone up at 5:00. We opened presents and all went back to bed. It was lots of fun. Tonight we are having our Christmas meal. It is something new...

~Horseradish Crusted Steak Roulade

~Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes

~Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

~Sweet Corn

~Cucumber Onions in Sweet/Sour Sauce

~Crescent Rolls

~Sparkling Apple Cider

~Warm Apple Pie

The timer just went off so I need to put everything on the table.

Merry Christmas from H, J, S, W, R, Y, L, and T!