A Good Time Was Had by All

It began about eight with the garbage disposal not working.  Then the drain closed down, and the water burbled up into the other sink. Next came the gingerbread cake debacle: after Fio had mixed two batches of gingerbread, she discovered she was out of aluminum-foil cake pans and poured the batter into two plastic pans.  Husband stopped her as she was on her way to the oven. Then the cooking schedule didn't quite work out, The turkey cooked way too quickly, and the salmon was tepid by the time she got to the table.  And somewhere along the line, Fio realized her cuff had gotten drenched with gingerbread mix, which made it look like she had reached into an unflushed toilet.

Yes, somehow, everything turned out all right.  And this morning a repairman replaced the garbage disposal, which gave Fio and Husband water in the kitchen again.

Onward!

Christmas Morn

Fiorella did finish off her decorating last night.  She also finished off a handful of Christmas gelt to keep her alert and active after Husband had gone to bed.  Yes, the whole world slept, but Fiorella wrote checks and wrapped presents and contemplated putting just a few more ornaments round and about.

But this morning, there's no time for decorating.  The house must be cleaned up for Christmas guests.  And although Fiorella is never trusted with the main course, she is expected to make boiled potatoes, chocolate pudding, and a gingerbread cake.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  CHRIST IS BORN!

Christmas Frenzy

Fio is on a roll!  She finished off her Christmas sonnet on Wednesday and mocked up her card yesterday evening.  She's also cut out a dozen big snowflakes and taped them on windows around the house.  The stocking are up too.  Still to go are showcasing her many nativity scenes, tying bows on everything tyable, decorating every empty surface with Santas, hanging plastic snowflakes from the little tree outside the door, putting up the wreaths and swags, baking gingerbread cakes for the neighbors and--oh yes--shopping.

Holiday Frenzy

Santa's not the only one who's making a list and checking it twice.  Fiorella makes a new list every day from the remnants of yesterday's list, then checks it hourly.  The cards are out, the one gift that had to be mailed is on its way, the tree is decorated except for the tinsel icicles, the snowflakes went on the windows last week, and most of the gifts are bought.  Today Fiorella plans to hang her collection of  fruit and vegetable ornaments from the dining room greenery, arrange the multiple creches on the buffet, festoon the light over the dining table, and add bows, birds, and butterflies to everything she's already decorated.  She'll also go out at some time to pick up the manicure salon gift card daughter wants, locate tinsel icicles, and check out WalMart for gingerbread mix

Oh, and did she mention that she's been practicing carols on the piano for the past six weeks?  (Not that you could tell.)