Photoessay #216 - TWO breakfasts out

In the same day!

What are we, crazy? Especially us who go out for meals so rarely. Why? Too much trouble and paying for six adults each time? There's your answer.

But, in recent years, we have been going out to dinner on Christmas Eve. The last few years to Danny's restaurant (where we get a discount). But this year, he's working his other job at the expensive sushi place. I would like to go there but $27/person plus tax and tip. Do the math. Seems everybody in the restaurant biz has to work two jobs. Dennis suggests the Pancake House where we will go shortly.

But earlier today, we went out with our dear friends, the Garrisons (featured in #185 and #182). Dennis suggested "Why don't we go out to breakfast with Perry and Laura?" Good idea, give them a call and they had been talking about the exact same thing. So we made the date for today when their daughter Monica would be by, visiting from Boston. Went to the local coffee shop, very nice time, always good to see them. We've been friends for a long long time, since Chico days, probably 30 years.

So, two breakfasts out...on the same day!! Earlier, I participated in the Christmas eve, grocery shopping extravaganza. Let's just say that we won't go hungry. Those familiar with me know that I do as little as possible for xmas. Just about nada, no tree, decorations, cookies. The kids want to have a breakfast so I have the ingredients for the big-time meal which Susanna says she will prepare. I'm completely out of the parent present-giving business. Nope, not doing it, that's OVER. We pick names, $30 maximum, that's it. What I realized once I instituted this was that, as mom, I could not purchase *1* extra present, not one. Because once I give one thing to anybody, we are right back where we started. I picked Gowoon and I made her a small photo album of family events since she's been here.

But I have purchased gifts because Naomi's birthday is Dec 16, Susanna's is Dec 28, my mother in law's birthday is sometime soon, Dennis is Jan 12. I bought for my granddaughter and my niece, etc etc. Ilana is making a stocking of presents for Naomi.

So, a few pictures from this morning, maybe I will have some from the second breakfast. First, a nice portrait of my daughters before we left. And one picture from the restaurant featuring Monica, my son, my husband and Perry.