Early Christmas 2007

My sister and I were both born in California and moved to Texas when we were 11 and 14 respectively. Rachel moved back to California a year after she graduated high school. Upon returning, she began working in the city and eventually met her now husband. From there love took her a roundabout way to Canada, where Mike is from. (Yep, she married a Mike. I married a Mike. There are uncles named Mike on both sides. It's almost enough to make you think the name Michael is common or something.)

Toronto is now my sister's home—although a foot and a half of snow dumped itself on her "home" recently, giving her reason to rethink all those horrible things she's said about Texas, where a high of 71 is expected later this week. (Rachel, it got very chilly on Saturday, if that makes you hate me less. It actually dipped into the TWENTIES and stayed there for a good hour, I believe.) Anyway, my mom is flying out this Thursday to spend Christmas with my sister and her husband and baby boy and because we'll be apart on Christmas Day, we got together Sunday night to celebrate the holiday with my mom, Mike's parents and Natalie.

Natalie actually came over around 10 that morning, under the guise of quality time with me, and ended up decorating our tree, folding some laundry and mixing cookie dough for a half hour. Lucky girl, that one. We did rough the outdoor mall near my house and, what's more, Central Market. But a day spent with Natalie—even among the holiday crazies—is a good day.

After hours of shopping, cleaning, decorating, cooking and not a single glass-of-wine consuming, it felt much more like Christmas around our house.

Here, look:

(A few things to note in this picture: 1) Our tree is propped up on a stool for reasons I don't quite understand 2) If you ever come visit, I'll force you to sit through a viewing of our wedding album, resting on the coffee table 3) The apparent nature program on the TV is proof that our TiVo queue could cure insomnia and 4) It appears an A&M gift shop threw up in our living room.)

Also, there's PLENTY of room underneath that tree there for Christmas gifts. Hint. Hint.

So, my cooking kick hasn't run its course yet and NO ONE is more surprised about this than I am. For dinner on Sunday we made pizza casserole and veggies. For dessert we had The Pioneer Woman Cooks' blackberry cobbler and Kicky Boots' cookie dough truffles (what I've termed them).

We also watched Todd get crowned sole Survivor and, thankfully, James receive a nice Sprint-sponsored consolation prize of $100,000.

To view the rest of our "Early Christmas" photos, hop on over here.

::

I'm a firm believer that you celebrate whenever you get the chance to celebrate. If schedules conflict and birthdays or holidays or anniversaries have to be celebrated the week or month before or after the event, oh well. A date is just a date—no more than a box on a calendar. And it's odd, that I feel this way, because NO ONE likes celebrating more than I do. But I believe that what you're celebrating isn't the number, it's the event, the memories, the rareness of genuine traditions. I was so happy to have family and friends over for food and fun. And even though it was December 16, it sure felt like Christmas.

And really, what's better than that? When life just feels right.

::

Also, a conversation that had to be included, from last night:

Mike: What did you just eat?

Jennie: Nothing.

Mike: Really? You didn't eat a cookie dough truffle?

Jennie: Nope.

Mike: You still have melted chocolate on your face.

Comments

[Jess]

There was a time for about a year when my sister and I were both dating guys named Ben. Now, seven years later, both Bens are gone. It took that long. Makes me sad, actually.

[Katie]

Your house looks beautiful! You're lucky that you both went to the same college, as mine is a divided household, and thus we have to sport ornaments from both schools! And also, I completely agree with you on celebrating when you have the opportunity. I'll be having Christmas on Saturday with my in-laws :)

[Angella]

Amen to that! Which is why we did Christmas last weekend with the out-laws. And are doing it again on the 25th :)

Those cookie dough truffles are amazing, hey? Or at least that's what I have heard.

*wipes chocolate from her mouth*

[Kitty]

Ooooh! I'm totally going to have to try that recipe. YUMMY!!!

Glad you had a fun Christmas celebration. I'm surprised there's not a single mention of the cool gifts I'm sure you received. What's up with that? Come on, spill! Since I will not get a single gift this year, I need to live vicariously through you....

[Raven]

Yeah, where's teh haul?

Merry Christmas!

I would totally love to have people over and feed them amazing things but my family is full of flakes and they canceled. I already bought the plates and everything.

[Michelle & the City]

haha. caught in the act :)

and i agree with you that celebrating with the people you love is the most important part of christmas. not necessarily the date.

[rebecca]

Where did you go to school again? :)
I love Christmas. Lucky you to get to celebrate early.

[Natalie]

Hey dear! It was so fun cooking & shopping with you. Yeah, I'm not sure why the christmas tree is on a stand either....Good thing barley didn't come or he'd knocked it off in no time flat. I'm glad you had such a good early Christmas, and that you choose to invite me along! See you tonight!

[Someone Being Me]

I agree that you can celebrate an occasion even if its not on the exact date. We will be doing Christmas this weekend, on Christmas, and after Christmas in various locations across the state. I am so looking forward to it. I think it makes the holidays even more fun if you can spread it out.

[Amanda Brown]

Yay! I made your dessert roster! Glad you liked them. :)
Your living room looks very homey and inviting. And I would gladly peruse your wedding album if(/when) I ever came to your house.

[Someone Being Me]

You can get the Chex Muddy Buddies recipe here.

http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=19919&CategoryId=342

I make it every year.

[Someone Being Me]

You can get the Chex Muddy Buddies recipe here.

http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=19919&CategoryId=342

I make it every year.

[Someone Being Me]

You can get the Chex Muddy Buddies recipe here.

http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=19919&CategoryId=342

I make it every year. You are guaranteed to get chocolate on your face and fingers with this recipe.

[EmilyPie]

I was noticing all of the Aggie gear .... what pride! :)~

[Kristie]

Love your tree! It's so cute!