We went to the 9 p.m. Candlelight service at St. James last night, a wonderful time to reflect on why we celebrate. Yesterday we had our traditional Christmas Eve meal of Norwegian lefse (a potato bread, similar to a tortilla). We also had smoked salmon, potatoes and fruit salad. Yummy! I do have to say that was the best lefse I've ever made, thanks to finding a site that had awesome directions. It had a few tricks and techniques I'd never thought of before. I ended up making 32 of them, took forever to cook, but so worth it to have leftovers!!!
When our meal was over, I called my Grandma Corky (Corrine) and had a nice long talk with her. We used to write to each other a lot, when I was in college and before I had two kids. But I haven't seen her in 3 years, and we haven't really talked or made contact since my last visit there. Boy do I miss my Grandma, she's awesome! It was just so nice to have such a long talk with her and hear her voice. She's usually busy visiting my Great-Grandma Wolford, who will be 94 in March. Yep, that's right, we still have five generations of Norse goddesses living in my family!!! The only down-side of talking with her is that it's really made me home-sick to be near my family and have my kids experience the grandparents and cousins the way I did as a child. But then, I get that way this time of year anyway, when I start looking up stuff about Norwegian information because I'm getting ready to make the yearly batch of lefse.
After a bout of last minute hyperactivity, kids finally were nestled all snug in their beds...while Jerry and I finished wrapping everything. This morning, Nick thought he really needed to wake us up at 5:40 a.m.!!! This, from the kid who usually begs to sleep in and is soooo difficult to get up for school!!! I told him to go away and come back later!!! He waited for an hour and let us sleep a little bit more.
Elisabeth was so delighted with her gifts, I'm enjoying every moment of "Santa" possible, because it won't be many more years that we can enjoy the wonderment of it all with her. Today she told me that Santa did a good job (and Mom and Dad too), and that she thinks she'd like to marry Santa so she can help him, and he's her "sugar cutie"! LOL She got lots of "girlie" stuff, a pretty fairy ballerina doll, a Bella Dancerella ballet mat/video, a ballet outfit for her Cabbage Patch doll, make-up, jewelry, etc. So much fun! We just finished watching the American Girl movie, Samantha.
Nick was happy with his gifts, and his Bionicle set from his Nana and Papa was a good choice too. It took him a couple of hours, but he got them both together, including the one that had 211 pieces!!! I think his favorite gift of all would have to be the guitar that he's been wanting for over a year. Now to get him some learnin'! He also got the latest Tony Hawk video game and a CD, so he's in pre-teen happy world too.
I have to say that the funniest part of the day had to do with Rocky, our lively Basset Hound. (Yes, lively, not droopy!) He attacked the bag of pig ears with a vengeance, and has been tossing around his jumbo rawhide bone this afternoon. If you go near him, he'll growl, wag his tail, and then grab the bone and take off running! Such a trip. So far he hasn't taken off over the back of the sofa today, but that seems to be one of his latest pasttimes. Crazy for a Basset Hound! Silly, silly dog!
Now to fix dinner and just hang out for the rest of the day. Got the spiral cut ham roasting in the oven, and planning to get started on the mashed potatoes, veggies and apple crisp. I think I may even make some Yorkshire Pudding, just to try it once. Later tonight, we'll have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life"!
I hope your day is going well, and you're enjoying celebrating the birth of our Savior also! Merry Christmas!!!
