We had a house full of family coming around 10 for breakfast. Nancy had a delicious ham, cheese and crusty bread on top egg casserole along with a skillet of hash brown 'taters and biscuits while Amy made the cheese blintz's this year and brought fresh orange juice. Wow what a feast. We called neighbor Dan to come down a get a couple plates for him, Carol and Jesse as we always had them for breakfast on Christmas morning and the night before,but they were under the weather this year and didn't want to infect us so they missed both get together's. Bobby got here alone just before 10 and we started to work on the garnish for the roast that would go in the oven at 3 PM.
I harvested fresh thyme and rosemary from the garden and we also used garlic brought back from cabin patch for the roast. I bought a 5 bone 14 pound standing rib roast and it was warming up to room temperature with the mixture atop to gradually seep into the meat from the top down and to place a nice crust on top when placed in the hot 500 degree oven and then immediately turned down to 350 for the next 3 hours. Wow that piece of meat was cooked to perfection, medium rare after letting it set for about 30 minutes after taking it from the oven. Bobby also did the smashed taters with Gorgonzola cheese and the gravy was gourmet as well with Dijon mustard and fresh mushrooms. We had fresh carrots and Brussels sprouts as well with crusty bread and then cherry pie, a pastry and chocolate moose tarts for dessert. I passed on all the sweet dishes and stayed away from the taters except for a taste. It was difficult to pass up especially with all of the delicious looking dishes but if I'm ever going to reduce this spare tire today was the perfect start which was a strain on my will power; but I prevailed.
I almost forgot to mention all of the eating took place after our kids came with their kids around 3 PM and we took pictures before we let them open their gifts. Wow they did cooperate the best they could as it was difficult due to their excitement. Little Eliza Faye was so funny as we watched her right in there with the big kids in the gift openings. Well grandma Nancy out did her self once again with several gifts for each child and now its buy double for both the boys and girls.They all loaded up with shopping bags of toys and a few clothes. The girls were in their glory as they were into making crafts on the kitchen table and the boys were running their monster trucks over every available space through out the house. Eliza Faye was right in there with them and at times slowed them down with her curiosity as to what they were doing.
I finally had to dispose of my old robe which I had for nearly 40 years or more; of course I had only worn it when the morning temps were cold in the house but many Christmas's were on film with me wearing that robe I had before Nancy and I were married. That was the big laugh of the day as Amy saw me once a couple weeks ago with the old robe on with the hem falling down and a rip under the arm, so she gave me a beautiful blue Izod robe and immediately I tossed the old one(which was to everyone's surprise as I like old things). Anyhow the gift giving was complete and the trash bag was full of wrapping paper and bows. The kiddos were buzzing around with their toys so we broke out a good bottle of vino which helped to calm the situation until we ate around 6'ish.
The GAB(Betsy) came around 5 'ish and then Braden came around 7:30 as he had to work the emergency room during the day. We sent plates home for Gus and Garrett and then we worked on the cleanup. Tyler wanted to use china and so we had to hand wash it ahead of the meal and then again afterwards. That was the first time we had used the china in many years and it made for a festive setting as well. After the kiddos were all bathed with their pj's on everyone decided it was time to head for their houses. We were initially going to play a new game we received but we were all worn out by the kiddos and our full tummy's so we decided another time and day. I was so sleepy at 9:30 after they left I could barely keep my eyes open so it was horizontal lab for me before 10, LATER
