If you missed the beginning of the story of the year I decided not to celebrate Christmas, go HERE. The rest of the story won’t make much sense unless you read and view the first segment prior to returning here to see the end of the story. This was the Christmas I said I wasn’t going to celebrate. No decorations. No entertaining. No plans, short of dinner in a restaurant on Xmas day with Blue and friends. But, life has a way of happening when you don’t over-plan it, and these are photos taken during the wonderful few days leading up to and including Xmas Eve that happened on their own. Click on the first photo to see enlarged photos and captions. 

Warm talk that makes you feel good

Funny friends who are both at and on your side

Pirogies for your insides

and touches of the Xmas you were going to turn your back on this year.

The beautiful tree of your friends Harriet and Paul

Harriet’s centerpiece of Santa in a fishing boat that occasioned much conversation and a half dozen shopping trips and final success

Their stately Xmas surroundings

That night, an impromptu visit by a family whose son is about the age his papa was when I first met him. I was glad I’d made a big pot of chili that morning and had ice cream in the freezer and cookies ready for the plate.

Luis the second. Handsome lad

What better way to celebrate Xmas than with madonna and child?

Two days later, the table is set for Xmas Eve guests

So, plenty of time for an early morning walk on the lakeside

with pelicans, cormorants

ducks

and more pelicans

Grateful for the old dock house they didn’t tear down.

A round of applause for ladies in hats at Open Circle

After lunch with friend on the plaza and lots of good talk about writing and books, Later that night, I am grateful for good friends like handsome Dave, who did my last minute Xmas grocery shopping for me at Walmart. No greater love hath any friend. So glad that he and Brad decided to join us for Christmas Eve dinner.

I cooked turkey and the fixings, the Postre was provided by Yolanda after a turkey meal

Happy Oscar

Happy Juan Pablo and Pablo Jr., both named after their dad.

Yoli, very content with her presents.

The remains of the Xmas meal I forgot to take a photo of.

And, company gone, the kittens get to inspect the tree for the first time.

A wondrous new thing in the house

covered by many wondrous smaller things.

Is it a new cat toy?

Is it safe?

Does it smell right?

What does it do?

It would probably bounce and roll,

But perhaps I’ll just enjoy it where it is.

Empty wrappings. What was inside?

a necklace from Yolanda and unique earrings by sister Patti.

Draining my glass after Brad and Dave had gone.

Ejoying the flowers they brought–my favorites.

inspecting this year’s tree ornament addition, still intact after admiration by the cats

The turkey plate licked clean by the cats. I’ll wash it well!

Guests gone, kitties rule again.

Devouring juicy pieces picked off the turkey bones as I preparied to boil them for stock,

Who knew turkeys had such nice big juicy tails?

The prompt today was cherish.