Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always hectic, and this one was no exception. My son cleaned the grout debris off the floor, and, suddenly, a new, clean, shiny kitchen floor appeared! You all know I was thrilled!

Then the baking began. I started with cakes and banana bread. Meanwhile, my fourth son disappeared, and came back about half an hour later, toting a supermarket bag filled with 10 boxes of cranberry bread mix. "Not to worry, Mother," he said, "I've got this one!" He then proceeded to make 5 loaves of cranberry bread from the mix, using all the bread pans I have, including removing the previously made banana breads from their pans and washing them; when they were done, he devoured one hot from the oven with his brothers.

Christmas Eve dinner was the traditional shrimp with spinach and penne. I spent many years making shrimp scampi every Christmas Eve, but after my dearly beloved began developing a wicked case of the hives every time we had garlic, I had to develop a new game plan.

Fortunately for me, two giant elves who looked suspiciously like my third and fourth sons appeared around 1AM to assist Santa in setting up for Christmas morning.

And Paula's stocking had a place of honor on top of the mantle. Since it's marble, we must use stocking holders, and I don't have a spare one. No matter, it looked grand!Buffet breakfast ready for everyone to get up, awaiting only the arrival of the Christmas punch.
And that arrived when the people did.

Don't you love Dan's hat? He ran a string of battery operated LCD lights around it to be festive. Only he would think of such a stunt.
You know they were annoyed by the demand for a photo before diving into the loot.

Today, I can't even look at baked goods. It was my great good fortune to receive a nice mini skillet from Jeffrey for Christmas, so I made myself some sunny side up eggs for breakfast.
They slid right out of the skillet. And I didn't make any for anyone else.
Tomorrow I'll write about my Christmas dinner. Hope you all had a great time!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow it all looks so great! Love the breakfast buffet and all the stockings! What fun!

imjacobsmom said...

From a Mom of one (who wishes she could have had more) it's fun to see all your kids together. I bet your Holiday was fun! ~ Robyn

Christo Gonzales said...

wow what a great time...but I have to say...those eggs could have used another minute or two to tighten up that white...

You guys stimulate the economy...without a doubt...

pam said...

I love the photo of all of them waiting to dive into the present!

Peter M said...

I'm overwhelmed by the amount of presents in the house!

It's always a party at your place and I wish all of you Happy Holidays and good eats!

The Blonde Duck said...

I have the same mini pan! And I make my eggs in it every morning! We're Twinkies!

Paula said...

Wow! Your family certainly made Santa's good list! What a sleigh full of presents surrounding that tree! The photos are great ... that breakfast buffet looks terrific! Impressive that one of your young men helped with the baking! Love the lighted hat, too. Glad that you got to eat your eggs made in your new pan! Merry Christmas to you all!

Anette said...

I am so impressed that you are the mum of so many great kids (that obviously managed to stay on Santas good list! Looks so nice with all the stockings! And you totally deserved those eggs!

Shelby said...

What a big family! The shrimp dish looks soo good to me!

Breezy Point Mom said...

Just stopping by to say Happy New Year! Have a blessed 2009! from Violin Mom in FLA.

Pam said...

What a beautiful family you have Marjie. Thanks for sharing your Christmas photos with us.

Love you new egg pan.

jesse said...

Such adorable elves you got there! And that penne dish... YUM! Glad you had a wonderful Christmas Marjie!

Anonymous said...

What a picture-perfect day! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and much love and laughter to you guys in the New Year. Kisses for Thor! <3

SissySees said...

Yum! I'm going to have to try the shrimp & penne...

What a lovely table!

test it comm said...

Shrimp pasta...mmm...

That looks like a lot of family fun going on!

Lakeland Jo said...

that is a lot of presents- wow. great pictures. As an only child I find big families fascinating!!

Patricia said...

You have a gorgeous family. All those kids and you still have a great figure too.