Corona Christmas - Christmas Eve Meal

My grandmother used to host Christmas Eve. After she had a stroke, my mother took over matriarch duties. So when she died 14 years ago, I took it over.

Before this year, we have twice not hosted Christmas Eve. One was in 1987, when I was in London, and my mom and dad actually both came over to see me (kind of amazing for divorced parents); we celebrated in London, and then went to Italy. I remember breaking into tears on Christmas Eve in an Italian restaurant in Soho because it just didn't seem right. There were good parts, too, though — my friend/then roommate Karen reminded me tonight that that was her first lefse.

The next time we did not celebrate was in 2006 when my mom died. Instead, Patrick and I spent the night in a  cot in the floor of her hospital room.

So I guess this year marks the 3rd time we did not celebrate, at least in the usual way. Instead, Patrick still made full a meal, and divided them into big pans to deliver.

Beatrix made cookie trays.

This morning we made lefse — Patrick has a whole post on it here.

In another try at tradition, since we could not be together and have our usual Christmas poppers, I ordered a Buche de Noel from Augustines. It arrived looking a little blah. Luckily, I had acquired some marzipan from the BST board and so fixed it up.

We drove around town delivering to family (and shoveling, sigh.) 

We had volunteered with SARPA to help line Summit with luminaria, which normally we can't do because we're hosting. All of a sudden, at dusk, people emerged along every block on Summit with little white bags and candles.

Driving along Summit afterwards was magical, with each block candle-lit. It was like taking part in some kind of big art-installation.

Back at home we ate, had a zoom call with my cousin's family and my aunt and uncle, and opened (very generous - thank you!) presents. Fed the dogs and cats cream, so that they will speak at midnight. We're now exhausted — this distance hosting things is far more exhausting than having people over.

Beatrix was excited about getting a phone from us. But in a reminder that she's still a kid, even if she does not usually seem like it anymore, her favorite gift — the one that made her break out in a huge smile — was a Baby Yoda toy. Here she is showing it to the dog.

May you hear reindeer instead of helicopters overhead tonight, and may your holidays remind you of all whom you love and how hard you work to keep them safe.