Merry Christmas

I am fortunate to have my family all in the same city this year.

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas and my brother Victor's 19th Birthday at my parent's house.

My Dad and I went to find a tree in the afternoon, and were lucky enough to snag 2 for free at a closed down Christmas tree lot. We also stopped at a friend's winery in Rio Rancho, and my generous Dad let me pick out a $20 bottle of wine for myself. I'm savin

g that one for something special!

We returned home and put up the tree, and Victor, my Dad and I decorated it with familiar ornaments and lights. Steve and Nadine, family friends stopped by with gifts and shared the joyous news that after 20 years of dreaming, they are making a trip to France. Soon Charlie and Janae and Victor's girlfriend Alyssa came over. They cam

e bearing gifts. We snacked on goat cheese, cheddar and crackers, and I sipped wine. My mom prepared dinner, and we right before we ate, we all dived into our stockings. This year all 7 of us contributed something in the stockers, where as before, my mother did everything. My dad did a good job this year finding candy, and cute things to fill the stockings. I hand sewed a stuffed animal for everyone as a stocking stuffer.

My mother made a delicious feast for Victor's birthday. Chicken Catchatori (sp?), Eggplant Parmesan, a big salad, homemade bread, and for dessert a homemade Apple spice cake with Vanilla ice cream. All the food was delicious, only I ate so much candy out of my stocking before that I wasn't able to fully enjoy the food as much as I liked. Silly me!

After dinner we opened presents. I got everything I asked for!

My favorites include: a nice teakettle, a nice teapot, cool houseplants, a motorcycle cover, and 5 bottles of red wine!

It was wonderful to see how generous my father and brother were to their partners. My mother received so many gifts from my father, and Victor showered Alyssa with presents, too. I hope one day I have a partner who does the same for me. I did feel a little lonely last night, being single, and not having that special someone to go home with. I have Nina, though, and she is an excellent companion.

Today is the 25th, and in a couple of hours I will drive over to Nonna's (my grandmothers) and celebrate with my extended family over delicious Italian cuisine.

Merry Christmas to all! Buon Natale! Feliz Navidad!

Love, Amanda