We survived Christmas intact!

While it looked iffy at times, we did in fact survive 4 holiday parties, including one of my own yesterday, plus hosting a house guest, in 3 days. While there is still cleaning to do, there is no more cooking, no more wrapping, no more running amok, or timing of naps, nor dressing up two resistant children. Just blissful rest over a cup of cocoa and leisurely reading my feeds. Ah, Boxing Day, my favourite day of the holiday season.

Despite my obvious fatigue, we did have a ton of fun. The 23rd was spent at my mother in law's. Christmas Eve was split between my husband's aunt's house (and at least 40 of Bill's relatives!) and my mom's, followed by a rather magical Midnight Mass. Bill stayed home with the sleeping children and wrapped the pressies while I was at church with my grandmother. So I was actually able to be in bed by 3am, and slept until nearly 9am! Abbey was up by 10, Liam up by 11, and company here by 1.  

The menu for our brunch changed a bit since we had forgotten a few needed items on our last store jaunt. We ended up having:

• haluski
• kielbasi (made by my gram)
• sweet potatoes (also made by my gram)
• sauteed mushrooms with garlic
• french toast from fresh baked bread (made by Bill)
• chocolate chip pancakes (also made by Bill)
• traditional and chocolate croissants
• fruit salad
• sausage
• clementines
• baguettes
• panetone
• chocolate mascarpone cheesecake with raspberry coulis
• assorted cookies and pumpkin chocolate chip bread
• mulled cider

so as you can see, it was a bit of a hodge podge, but well received.

And now, time to rest, then get caught up on some work. It's funny how work feels restful after all that, lol!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas (or insert your holiday of choice here____.)

Cheers!