Christmas Day Traditions...

Each year we travel to Lindon Wood Farm to share the hospitality of Dennis and Jude. They prepare the courses...usually five...with incredible finesse. Jude, the stealth hosts makes sure our glasses are filled...and all kitchen magic is performed in silence. Dennis is gleeful and clapping can be heard when it turns out well...and choice words when there is a "challenge". It's a beautiful tradition, this gift of hearth and home for those of us who stay in the Village. I do so hope this takes you there

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Christmas Eve....take a deep breath

Incredible gratitude as on this night we settle in at Butch and Nancy's house for Christmas Eve dinner. It's a night of relaxed comfort for those of us who have been rushing about with last minute errands. 

We usually show up in jeans and try desperately to find something festive and clean to pull on over top. 

The table, on the other hand, gets "gussied up" with Nancy's dream china and the Waterford champagne glasses we decided we couldn't live without. 

 








Mother's are always welcomed...and Momma Neese joins us once again.  A maternal presence, reminding us of tradition and sharing stories of their own.  That's the magic of Christmas...that which lingers in the "eves" of our mind...memories that grow brighter on this night of nights.  




Back in the kitchen, Butch fries oysters and creates a mosaic of color with "confetti" rice and fresh snow peas. I love this meal...when you least expect it a plate of country ham appears...just because it's Christmas..and in Virginia that means ham. The fruitcake...dark as night and now taking on a kick, is passed around one more time.
 

At last...it's Christmas, what's done is done...what's not...well, I guess it really didn't matter. 

May each of you...new friends and old, have a blessed day, surrounded by all that makes you joyful. For Christmas is so much more than a day...it is a promise.