HO HO HO. IS IT REALLY OVER?

Ahhhh...I am finally taking a break!  Well, just a short one before I head to the grocery store for some REAL food!  I think I have been surviving on Christmas cookies for the last five days,  I hope Santa was good to all of you and that you found wonder and joy being surrounded by family and friends on this special day.  We had three different celebrations with different sides of the family in the days leading up to Christmas, but I'm starting with Christmas morning here at my home.  The Husband, Abby and I were up early to put the finishing touches on everything; presents stacked, a fire going and cinnamon rolls in the oven.

Pause here to look at a few things I decorated with that I never shared.  I wish you could see the sparkle on this wreath that I found at West Elm.

And a matching garland to hang over my kitchen window.

I jazzed up the island with more sparkle.  I LOVE sparkle!

So, on to Christmas morning and brunch.  Lots of sweets and mimosa's courtesy of soon to be SIL, Mike.  Then Emily and I made eggs and bacon and toast.

Emily and DIL, Mary Clare compare necklaces...

Abby and Mary Clare

And a little of the mingling going on after the gifts were unwrapped.

The Husband was feeling quite well and didn't miss any of the festivities!

Now we move on to the celebration with the O'Hara side of the family the night before Christmas Eve (we had dinner with The Husband's family on Christmas Eve).  Son Jeff, Megan and The Husband.

Abby loving it all!

All the kids exchanged gifts, as did the adults.

Mike holding up (yet again another) White Sox jersey.

I hope you didn't mind skimming through some of my pictures.  We all had a ball and I think I was able to catch a lot of it with my camera. 

After Christmas Day brunch, I spent the afternoon making a festive dinner.  I didn't want any help since this was the first dinner I have made in ages, as we usually celebrate where someone else is doing the cooking. :)  I had ordered a huge prime rib roast from the butcher.  He trimmed the fat and saved it for me as I was trying a new recipe.  Fresh herbs were patted on the roast and then strips of fat went over that.  It keeps the roast moist.  While that was in the oven I made mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and asparagus with homemade Hollandaise sauce.  I had a recipe for Cheddar biscuits but forgot to get buttermilk so that was scratched.  I was a bit flustered that I took on so many first time ideas and also that Abby had to work at 7:00 (who goes to a bar on Christmas night?) and Jeff had plans as well (in fact he showed up at the pub Abby works at, so we now know who goes to bars on Christmas night!).  So...dinner was served on time at 6:00, everyone was happy and enjoyed it and of course, I forgot to take pictures of the table!  Needless to say, I was snuggled up in bed with a book by 9:00, just so happy and content and sort of relieved all the fussing this month was over!! 

I didn't get to rest long.  We were up bright and early and downtown the next day for The Husband's post op exam.  His doctor is the sweetest lady.  She was as happy as we were that he is doing so well!  His next appointment is in mid January and they will talk about when he can go back to work.  He is just now starting to work out of our home office.  

Well, that's all I have for now.  After this trip to the store and then heating up leftovers, I think I am going to put my PJ's on and stay that way for a few days! 

Warm wishes to all of you!