Well Tuesday saw a big change in the temperature and just in time for Christmas. I still wore shorts and a t-shirt for most of the day but there was at least a 10 degree or more change and the humidity seemed to go away. It was downright pleasant so we opened the doors and aired out the house with the a/c off.
The morning started with me doing my usual morning routine; a cup of tea, a few quiet moments, a lite breakfast then a ride out to the rec on my bike for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had a smaller crowd of about 6 players which kept me on the court for most of the time as the winners split after each match to pair up with a different players. My shirt was soaked from the workout by 10 AM. I stopped off at the library for some extra reading material during my down time.
I headed home to hand water the gardens and then to help with getting ready for tonight's get together after the candle light service. Nancy was busy making an egg casserole as well as a multitude of other snack dishes. I washed dishes, vacuumed the house among some of the chores she had laid out for me. After a salad for lunch I took off to the grocery to pick a 13 pound rib roast which we will prepare for Christmas supper tomorrow.
We headed out around 5:30 for the candle light service at SFBC after picking up GG. It was a packed house and we saw and hugged lots of friendly necks once again. It's going on 6 years since we left there to be full time at Element in support of Bobby's ministry when we are in Florida. We were made to feel welcome and missed by those we once served there as Nancy cooked the fellowship meals for many years and I served there as a deacon as well as a dishwasher on the Wednesday night meals. Next year they announced they will hold 2 services on Christmas Eve due to the added interest. That's a plus but I think I will skip the 11 PM service. We sure missed our Element Family this year and we learned from the Tracy's they had a full house as well.
Well Amy and family along with GG, Dan, Carol and Jessie came back to the house for a late evening meal of Zuppa and pasta fousele soups, spinach dip, salsas, cheese dip, stuffed mushrooms and pastries. Yikes what a spread. Patrick, Kathryn and daughter Lauren came late from Element and Andy the Botbyl's son showed up for a plate as well. The kiddos were wound up with all the excitement of seeing the presents under the tree as well as being sugared up from the pastries. They were having a grand time and were still going strong at 9:30. We were all meeting back here this morning(Wed) at 10 AM for breakfast with Bobby's family included. The excitement and chaos should be a mountain top high.
Nancy put together a ham and egg casserole along with hash browns, Bobby will make his sausage gravy for the biscuits and GG her famous fruit salad and I think Carol will make her cheese blitz's for the breakfast on Christmas morning. Should be another great meal this morning and then we will eat again(skipping lunch) around 5'ish for our usual Christmas rib roast with all the trimming's as Nancy's sister Betsy along with son Braden will attend. Well it sure was nice to feel the cool air outside and to smell the wood smoke from someone who had a fire either in the fireplace or a campfire outside. Reminded us of the mountains and our many campfires over the past years. Hopefully we remember to take pictures for those who are interested today. Best to all and have a Merry Christmas with friends and family, LATER
