Photoessay #1902 - Christmas denial

I will tell you with a completely straight face that we really don't do much at xmas. I've killed most of it. Nope, we're not doing all that crazy stuff. Very simple, the very minimum.

I say this every year and then a few days before, it occurs to me that it's really a lie. It has to do, like much of my life, wirh my cast of thousands. I wouldn't trade all this extended kin for anything except now.

I have long overwhelmed the rest of my family demographically. My sister has her daughter about to turn 18, My brother has my sister and me and now three cats.

I have a husband, four adults kids, their (currently three) significant others, 1 granddaughter and her whole family (the Cambodian side of my family), Dennis' adoptive family (not much around any more), his birthfamily (which is around A LOT) which involves his mother, 2 brothers, one sister in law, niece (with boyfriend), plus 4 aunts and uncles that are always getting together. Our dog, Danny's dog (a yorkie poo who is the boss of everything) and 2 cats.

The din that has captured most of my last 30 years has not abated.

So, it occurs to me

Ilana and Matt come on the plane tomorrow from Michigan/North Carolina
The xmas eve, we have my granddaughter Melina; we have not been able to get together this whole month and we never finished her birthday last month (including an item from the Burke Museum gift shop) plus I have a $50 gift card from the University Book store to get a UW sweatshirt. Plus a cupcake and maybe one for her mom who has a birthday. How will it be hanging around those popular places on Christmas Eve. We'll find out.

Then we usually go out xmas eve to the local chinese restaurant. But Danny and Susanna have to work and Susanna lives in Tacoma and Danny won't have a car so we have to arrange that because Jessica is making a quick trip to California. Susanna will likely sleep on the couch.

Then we have a big xmas breakfast (likely all my kids plus Matt). Again somebody will have to go get Danny. Bought most of the fixings today.

Now my sister in law is having a xmas afternoon affair (a late add) down south so that will involve several pot luck items. I bought some cake and loaf plus I will make a fruit salad.

Then Matt and Ilana have to go do something with Matt's family.

But we don't do anything, right. In denial as usual.

Meanwhile Naomi decides to make candy cane bark. Much drama as we try to figure out how to crush candy canes. Much pounding and false starts. Then I drag out my food processor from WAY back there that we only use for potatoes for latkes. That is, if anybody makes them. Then she need to melt things in a double boiler. I kind of think she could use the microwave but .... now in what decade was the last time I used the double boiler part. Much scouring way back in the cupboard and, I am not lying, we find it.

So the kitchen is totalled up there.

The picture of the crushed candy canes and Naomi melting whice chocolate in an actual double boiler.

Update: Here is very important information: If you buy white chocolate chips to use in your peppermint bark, you can melt it very easily in a double boiler. BUT if you end up melting it at the wrong time and you let it cool, you cannot remelt it, It stays the consistency of play dough no matter what you do. Ask us why we know. I don't know what that stuff is chemically but it's not real food.