Tom and Sheila hosted a winter solstice party on Saturday night for small gatherings of friends and neighbors. The usual suspects were there along with the new neighbors who just moved into the house catty-corner to Tom and Sheila. The new neighbors are a young couple with a small daughter. The husband is handsome as the day is long. The wife looks like Gail Simmons but is much taller and thinner.
The party had a New Orleans theme. Mufalettas were the star of the food buffet while sazerac was the evening’s signature drink. It was a festive gathering. I walked home a little after ten. A dusting of snow had fallen which made the neighborhood look like a scene from a holiday card.
I only had one sazerac Saturday night but I felt a little hung over on Sunday morning. I guess I’m not used to drinking. On Sunday afternoon I stopped by a holiday reception hosted by Mr. & Mrs. N for the neighbors on my street. I stayed for about an hour before I left to meet up with Thierry and Larry to carpool to Cindi’s holiday party. We piled into Thierry’s new S class for the drive up to the canyon. I hadn’t seen Thierry or Larry for many months so it was good to catch up on the drive. It was a much more enjoyable trip with Thierry and Larry.
We arrived at Cindi’s house just after the party started. Within minutes, the house was packed with guests. As expected, the holiday décor was over the top and the buffet was overflowing. Cindi knows how to throw a party and this one set the bar even higher than last year’s party.
After a couple of hours we drove back into the city. Many of the houses in the canyon were lit up with holiday lights making the drive out of the normally dark canyon very festive. Even though we grazed on the buffet it seemed like we missed dinner. We stopped at Pho on 6th for a light dinner and conversation. It was a nice end to a hectic weekend.
I spent Christmas Eve at Aimee and Steve’s house building and decorating gingerbread houses with their two sons. Aimee’s mother, Mary, was also helping with the decoration. Steve made homemade pizzas for dinner. It was a chore getting the kids to bed. When I left a little before ten the kids were still on a sugar high.
I’ve had a leisurely Christmas day so far. Sam invited me over for the Christmas dinner he’s hosting for the all of his friends without family in town. I was tasked with baking cookies so I whipped up a batch of cranberry oatmeal bars with almonds this morning. It should be a fun afternoon.
I’m rising early tomorrow and driving to St. Louis to visit the family for a few days. Luckily, my sister can’t be there. Wonders never cease. I will not miss the drama my sister can create by just walking in the door.
I’ll be back in 2014. Have a safe and happy holiday!
The Corporate Slave 