Saturday, December 27, 2025

Christmas Eve

Today, we are off to visit extended family in a cottage they are renting for a week, just an hour south of us. Cancelled due to weather and health on both sides. This is the AI summary of the morning conflab* on FB  

For the sake of the blog, however, it is time to catch up with Christmas doings. We all prepare for so long, but then it is over in a flash. Today, I take you back to Christmas Eve, which we hosted for, I think, the first time since we moved here.

We only graze on Christmas morning before we all disperse by noon, but we have a meal on the Eve. This year it was Mexican Lasagna. In this first photo, Sha and Dani were at the stove about to serve themselves before heading to the table.


It was apple pie for dessert, served from my mother's ancient silver, pie plate holder.


There were post-dinner games at the table: Tiddly Winks in the first picture, Wizard in the second. I think JJ won at Tiddly, and I know that Dani won at Wizard because she noted such very clearly on the scoresheet which we will keep. 



The kids enjoyed hot chocolate.


Sue revived the Christmas Journal in which everyone leaves a note. The practice stopped with COVID, but it was time to revive it, especially since we were here for Christmas Eve and Sue recently came across the book again.


It was a very nice Christmas Eve. On this occasion we didn’t need to bundle up and drive home in a cold car that would barely have a chance to heat before we arrived. 

* Spellcheck doesn’t like conflab, but it is in the Dictionary: “noun INFORMAL an informal private conversation or discussion.

19 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear sickness has invaded the AC-manor house. Glad you all had this lovely Christmas Eve time together. Love the journal idea. A good way to record bits of wisdom!

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  2. What a shame to have to cancel, but sounds like a wise decision. Looks like fun at your house Christmas Eve!

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  3. I hope sue gets well soon.

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  4. Merry Christmas! I hope you’re enjoying the quiet after the "flash" of the big day.

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  5. I'm so sorry that Sue is sick. 'Tis the season. Ugh! What a lovely celebration. I enjoy playing games. Your mom's pie holder is stunning.

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  6. It all looks very relaxing. There is a lot of flu going around.

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  7. Really lovely photos. I still can't read online with my eye but it is healing. Wanted to wish you and your family the best of 2026

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  8. Sorry to hear that sickness and postponement bit into your Christmas plans. But it looks as if the Eve was a fine time. Love the pie holder. I use my mother's plates but they are very plain. I use my mother's recipes and methods of fluting the crusts, however. We had a baking Christmas day - the grandkid is a superwoman in the kitchen. It all came out except her 'Pavlova", but this last dish tasted amazing, even if it was not as beautiful as was planned.
    We are now consuming leftovers, even the dog, and planning to hit Wheelers for New Year's. Luckily, my gift of sweaters fits big.
    Best wishes to you and yours for the new year.

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  9. Hi dear friend, our hospitals here in Montreal are way over capacity at the ERs with Flu cases.
    Your photos are beautiful, I am so glad you got to enjoy some time with loved one and to play some games as well. Everything looks great, you all look fantastic!
    Thank you so much for sharing. I wish you all good health, peace and happiness now and always!

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  10. I hope everyone is feeling better. Your eve looks perfect, good food & fun games :)

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  11. Time with family is the best! Your Christmas looks lovely!

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  12. What a perfect family Christmas!

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  13. It's always good to have a little tradition in your Christmas celebrations. Some games. I like the idea of a journal.




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  14. Feels as cozy as that hot chocolate. We had Christmas hot chocolate with whipped cream.

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  15. It is a very warm post. I love the images.

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  16. I admit to being a bit confused by the opening to this post because not sure if Sue was ill as the rest if the post had Christmas Eve photos with everyone gathering. If there was illness, hope it did not deter from the good times together.

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    1. The intro was in the present as of Saturday. We then returned to Christmas Eve. She was fine then.

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  17. Christmas does pass in a flash after those long preparations!

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