My son thinks Christmas Eve is the best day of the year ... NOT Christmas day ... Christmas Eve.
I agree with him.
We always spend it home with everyone together. That is the focus, "together". We don't invite anyone else, we just soak up each other.
We try not to leave PFHQ at all on December 24, but often there's that quick, one last trip to town ... this year it was Mrs. FC who dashed in for some forgotten item.
The girls and their "little" brother spent the day hanging out, wrapping gifts, tending a campfire out back, playing with the pig, and rebonding.
Around midday, I tossed a turkey in the oven, which was already warm from the cocanut-pecan pound cake Mrs. FC made for tomorrow. (Yes, we have to wait for Christmas Day to try it)
Tonight, we had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner: Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. It never varies and in fact must NOT vary according to the kids. We also have to eat it in the living room (at a table ... we're rednecks, not heathens!) using the Christmas china and wash it down with sparkling cider in wine glasses. While we eat, we watch "A Christmas Story" and laugh like we were seeing it for the first time. After dinner, we watch "A Muppet Christmas Carol" and laugh like the silly people we are.
It's not the parents who mandate this, we only started it. The kids demand it.
I love that.
Tomorrow morning will be fun, with lots of giving, unwrapping, and some new stuff. Tomorrow afternoon, we will see our larger family after our own personal Christmas here, and again there will be giving, unwrapping, and new stuff.
It will be an amazing special day ... one of the best of the year...
but not the best day ...
that was today.
Merry Christmas.
19 comments:
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Today was a great day for ours as well. A family progressive dinner, but we did not have to travel far for any course, just around the block. Luminaries in mason jars lined our sidewalk as we welcomed everyone in for dessert and gifts. Today was the relaxed day. Tomorrow will be hectic with twenty coming for lunch. I am enjoying the peace and quiet right now, but soon will rush everyone off to bed. Santa will not come until they are all sound asleep. Or so they still think, I hope.
Best Christmas wishes to all at Pure Florida...you folks almost feel like a second family, thanks to your sharing through your wonderful blog. Thanks for welcoming all us far off folks into your wonderful lives!
FC, thank you for the past year's pleasure in reading your blog!
Merry Christmas! to you and your family.
And ... Merry Christmas to Flounder & Feather! from Chudleigh and Snowdog.
A fine family. (I don't know how you did it, FC.)
My "little ones" are all snug in their beds still. A couple more will arrive about mid-day. I'm enjoying the solitude.
Pablo of Roundrock (and points north)
Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful Pure Florida family, fc. I love your Christmas Eve tradition.
I agree on the traditions. I love Christmas Eve more, but being away from my family now it is a lot different than growing up.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas FC, from MY HOUSE to yours! Christmas Eve is big with my family too.
The best Christmases are with family, no matter what. I love the photos of your house, it definitely looks like a Christmas house!
Merry Christmas to all of you at Pure Florida, turtles, pigs and dogs included! ;)
merry christmas! we had our special day today -- us, the kids, and son's girlfriend; food all day long; happy times!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, from Minnesotarctica. :)
I always liked Christmas Eve more that the day itself as a child. Your family tradition sounds special. Note to self: must create more traditions!
I know this is late, but Merry Christmas to all at PF. Have been a busy week to say the least. I love the Chritmas eve. This year we were able to hit both families on Chritmas day. I still don't feel like eating. HAve a great week. Todd
Merry Christmas to "the pack".
I hope that Christmas was wonderful for everyone at Pure Florida. Here's to a prosperous and healthy 2008.
Christmas Eve is a special night many memories of your Mom and Dads party and when we walked home we always looked up to see if we might see santa. We too enjoy an at home night on Christmas Eve this year I smoked 3 turkeys as we just hung out.
Merry Christmas, FC and all the best for a nature-ful and peaceful new year. It's wonderful when family traditions become so important to children that they carry them on. Your Christmas Eve sounds like the absolute best.
Home again!!
Woohoo!
Thanks all. I hope each of you had a joyous holiday.
My post Christmas goal is to stay out of stores and stay outdoors.
Merry Christmas from Little Rock. We also love "A Christmas Story".It's great having a green Christmas.
Aren't traditions wonderful? "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is a must for me too. Along with the musical version of "A Christmas Carol" from 1979.
Catching up. I love your house! :)
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