Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I Could Get Used to This

Sleeping in, lingering over coffee, nowhere to be, all the kids home, a little reading, a little movie watching, snow falling gently making a beautiful picture postcard view out the front window.  Yup, I could easily take this on permanently.  But I'll take whatever I can get which is the rest of this week.

 A wonderful Christmas was had by all at the Living to Tell household.  It was the usual mayhem Christmas morning providing lots of laughs and smiles.  Throw a puppy into the mix and it got crazy at times.  Hubby and I always joke how it always takes us weeks to get it all ready and then it's over with in a half hour tornado.  Done. But oh, so worth all the work.  Love seeing the kids faces light up, and they still do even though they are 20, 18 and 16.

We hosted the Christmas Day dinner this year, the first time in 16 years.  Up till now I always did Thanksgiving and Christmas was at my sister's because T.'s birthday is Christmas day and when she was little I just didn't want to be stressed and occupied on her birthday.  But this year we figured it was our turn.   After cooking it this year though, Hubby and I made a decision that if we host Christmas Day dinner again we are NOT making turkey.  While the meal met with rave reviews, it was just too much work.  Hubby and I spent hours in the kitchen with cooking, dishes, carving, etc.  Everyone else was enjoying themselves in the living room and we really felt that the day passed us by.  So next time it will definitely  be something much simpler.  Still special, but simpler.

 The annual Christmas Eve picture in front of the fireplace with the stockings, this year with crazy puppy trying to chew everything.


Speaking of puppy, we've finally decided on a name.  He came with Bear and that just didn't sit with any of us.  So the name hunt was on.  As is usual when you get 5 people trying to make a decision we couldn't come to a consensus.  That is until we thought of Todd.  Todd was the little fox in one of my favorite Disney movies of all time, the Fox and the Hound.  And this little guy reminds us of him, so Todd it is.  He's already answering to it.  He certainly is a rambunctious little guy.  I'd forgotten what the puppy stage was like.  And our poor Sam was so lacking any energy in the last 6 months of his life that this is quite a shock.  But Todd is lots of fun and we're enjoying it.

Today is my last day to be 49.  Tomorrow I start a whole new half century.  Holy moly.  How did that happen?  Anyway, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.  I'll never be 49 again.  We might even go see Tron or the new Narnia movie.   Anyone see either of those yet?

Well, the family is calling.  Time for my quiet morning coffee to be done.  How was your Christmas?

7 comments:

ellen b. said...

Love the photo Susanne. I can just see the neighbors head snap around when you yell Todd at the doggie and he comes to you! LOL
Oh you young thing you...still in your forties! I've really enjoyed the decade of my fifties. Enjoy and a early Happy Happy Birthday to you!

Karen said...

It's so nice to see a photo of all your kids. Such a good looking bunch. Your week sounds heavenly. We were hoping Dan could take the week off, but it will be just a couple days instead, beginning tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it.

I agree with you, turkey is a lot of work. I enjoy making it for Thanksgiving, but there's so much going on Christmas day, that it seems three times as hard.

Just turning fifty? You youngster, you! But, welcome to the club, it's a great place to be! Happy Birthday, tomorrow:)

Barbara H. said...

I had a similar thought with so much to do leading up to Christmas and then all of a sudden the pressure of all that was off -- it was nice but felt weird. I love the way the kids' faces light up, too, though they're older.

Love the picture! My boys used to really love that Disney movie, too.

My husband and sons saw Tron -- I didn't go because it was at an Imax, and I just can't handle the sensory overload. They said the story was the greatest but it was "pretty" (in technological terms). :-)

Happy last day of 49! The fifties aren't bad at all -- it's just that thought of it being such a momentous number.

Faith said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! you are one year younger than me! and 50 IS the new 40 you know! lol...seriously...i feel so...settled, or something at this age (just turned 51 a few weeks ago).

LOVE your pic of the kids....beautiful young adults! and super cute pup..love the name :)

xmas was great..my xmas post will be up tomorrow....and i too am sooooo enjoying the sleeping in, lingering over books and coffee (I've finished FOUR books this month!) and just watching movies, etc. We have plans to see Narnia but not sure when. Might wait til out on dvd...movies are so expensive here! )$10.50! Well Happy birthday and Happy New Year

Carrie said...

=D Love this. And I LOVE the name Todd for your new pooch.

Happy Birthday as well. =D

Donnetta said...

How fun to have the new puppy. What a cute name for him.

Hubby and the 2 older kids are going with the youth group this Sun. to see Narnia.

Like you, I could get so used to the slower mornings with nowhere to be. Of course they haven't come to a halt with a 2 year old present, but slower nonetheless. :-)

And wishing you a VERY Happy Birthday friend!!!

Laura said...

You know I have to agree with you, turkey is a lot of work. One of my friends actually cooks hers the day before and carves it all up ahead and just throws it into the oven to reheat on Christmas day. I'm actually considering that for next year. I already make my mashed potatoes ahead and they are soooo good. They just get heated in the crockpot all day.

Love the picture!!

Have a wonderful day tomorrow, can't wait to hear all about how you spend it!