Christmas 2008

Opa showing Boo how to rip the paper off a 'present'

Boo knew what to do with that new babydoll and her stroller

Despite the fact that none of us had the oompf to celebrate, we managed to have a pretty darn decent day yesterday.
We did not expect anything from anyone, which really helped. We just kept it simple.
Wheelie and I got to sleep in until 7:15, as opposed to 7:00.

:>)

Bugs and Boo came over for "coffee" around 11:00. Boo had already opened her presents at home, but still didn't have a clue what 'presents' were, and that you had to unwrap them.
So we 'helped' a little.

The girls left and the two oldies spent the rest of the day noshing on stuff and pretty much sitting on our asses. Wheelie watched a few movies (for some reason Comcast is allowing us to watch many extra channels) and I read a few new books.

At Bugs' and Boo's house

At 4:30 the two of us trouped to Bugs' house for dinner. I was surprised not to find PH there, but apparently he was spending his time with his family. I didn't ask.

Dinner was delicious. I prepared myself with a good dose of Zantac, since my stomach doesn't allow me to eat a heavy dinner these days.
There was garlic smashed potatoes, french cut string beans, prime rib roast, garlic sticks, and capuchino cheesecake for desert.
I had the mouse portions, Wheelie had seconds of everything, as did Bugs.

It was very enjoyable, even though we didn't find much to chat about, each one of us apparently caught up in our own thoughts. Thank God for Boo, who keeps everyone's attention going.

So we were back home in time to watch the news and Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

:>)

I called my parents in the morning, hoping to grill mom for some memories of Christmas past, but my brother answered the phone, and from the sound of it they had a house full of visitors.
It was nice to catch up with everyone, be it every so quickly.

It just makes me wonder if I should pursue my foray into my youth memories.

The most important thing I DO remember is the calm, the reverence, the feeling of SPECIAL, the food, the cold weather, the smell of pine, and I also remember my parents being just a little less strickt, a little mellower.

The night before Christmas, (and I am talking about the time I was about 8 or 9, before my sister was born) we would all help set up the tree. That was all. Nothing else. After us kids went to bed my parents would drag out the manger and the nativity scene, and hang pine boughs all over the place over pictures on the walls, on lamps. They would hang little ornaments on everything, and those red and white paper bells you could fold out.
The table would be set for breakfast. With the white damask table cloth, the good china.

As far as I can remember it was always cold around December 25. My mom would wake me up around 11:30pm and we would walk to church to attend Midnight Mass bundled up in our winter coats with mittens, hats and scarves. Perhaps it seemed cold because I was dragged out of my warm bed. I do remember snow though.

In those days Midnight Mass would consist of three masses in a row. The church was always warm, the candles would be glowing, the huge nativity scene in the back of the church was just magical. The church would be full, and the sounds and music and smell of incense were overpowering. The organ playing and the adult choir singing would give me goosebumps.

My father and the boys would go to the later, 4:00am mass, when they had the children's choir going. So after a few hours of sleep I was dragged out of bed again to help Mom get breakfast ready. When the men would get home from mass (and defrosted), we all sat around and had our very special Christmas breakfast.
We would have raisin bread with almond spice inside (stollen), broodjes (kind of like hotdog buns, but better) with thinly sliced cold cuts and cheeses. This was special, because cold cuts were expensive, especially roast beef and liver. We would drink tea with milk and sugar.

Of course my special treat would be when I woke up at 11:30 before Midnight Mass and would be the first to see the nativity and all the decorations, plus the baby Jesus. I knitted a little blankie for him when I was in first grade. It made me feel special to be the first to see all this. A perk of being the oldest.

We did not have TV in those days, we did not have a car. No presents, no one took pictures. We listened to the radio, we played games. In the afternoon we would go and visit our grand father and aunt (my father's family)
After my aunt died, my Opa came to us instead.

Dinner was always special too. My mom would serve rabbit, which was a tradition. We would fight over the head (I know, dreadful) I wouldn't be able to eat rabbit now, but I do remember it to taste sweet and pretty delicate. Of course mom cooked it in a ton of butter.
There would be potatoes and a few types of veggies, like peas and green beans, nothing really special now, but it was then. We would have fruit compote and applesauce.
I can't for the life of me remember what we would have for desert though. We didn't have a refrigerator, so it was not ice cream. Maybe some home made vanilla and chocolate pudding? Yes! With little schuimpjes on it! (meringues)

The evening would be spent listening to something special on the radio or playing board games (something I hated because I almost lost.)

As I remember it now I can feel the quiet and specialness of that day. Peace on earth, really.
We were not privy to the news or the big bad world out there. The adults very pretty successful in keeping all that stuff away from us.

The day after Christmas was 'second Christmas day'. We were supposed to go to church again just like Sunday. In the afternoon we would visit other aunts and uncles.

So basically what I remember is

The cold
The warmth
The Midnight Mass
My parents being peaceful and happy
The whole day just being white and holy, and quiet.

How times have changed.

:>)


SGMKJ!