Christmas Day 2023
Our tradition continues by have friends and family over for Christmas Dinner of fine Chinese Food! After dinner, we relax and watch "A Christmas Story" and this year we are watching "A Christmas Story II".
The pre-arrival activitiesbegins with a walk in the garden! We have seen evidence of rabbits so we are keeping a close eye out to see if they are entering the garden area! If so, we will be having rabbit stew soon! Mrs. Claus did the veggie inspection this fine day!
Mrs Claus visited her garden making sure the Elves were doing their job!
Christmas comes a little earlier on the east coast and we got pictures from Colleen "Wild Bunch" this morning. They are looking good!
Our New Hampshire Family Christmas 2023
The Sundial says 4:00 pm so it is time for folks to begin to arrive.
We called Jan at 3:45 pm and said we were on out way over and she was ready to go! We were so happy to have her join the gang this uear!
Paul picked up Jan at 4:00 pm and she joined us for the evening.
When we returned home, the Z's were just arriving and they were so happy to see Jan!
We all discussed the +'s and -"s of 2023!
Jabber jabber jabber; they had a lot of catching up to do!
Jan was dressed for the season, checkout the earrings!
Leon was looking pretty tasty to Scout.
Scout dropped Leon as soon as he saw Miss Amy!
Scout said, "Where is my friend Apollo?"
Nick enjoyed a sparkling wine! He made sure it sparkled! We missed Kayla but she needed to stay home and take care of her sister today!
We were well stocked with Martinelli's
Did You Know? - Martinelli's is the brand name of S. Martinelli & Company, a non-alcoholic cider and juice company founded in 1868 and located in Watsonville, California. The company is privately held by descendants of the founders. It is best known for its non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider and its apple juice.
Stepheno Martinelli emigrated in the late 1850s from Switzerland to California and moved to his brother Luigi's farm in Watsonville. Stepheno initially was in the soda business and realized he could make money by creating hard ciders from the apples grown on his brother's farm. The company was founded in 1868 in the Pajaro Valley by the two Martinelli brothers.
Stepheno previously had experience making champagne in France. The recipe won a gold medal at the 1890 California State Fair.[4] As of 2021, it is a fifth-generation family operated business.
Martinelli's has also produced a sparkling hard cider. They also have several other brands of juices. There is a street in Watsonville that bears the Martinelli name.
We are not sure
It has something to do with the cork! Ah, he is telling us how long the cork is!
Indeed!
We had just the right amount of seating.
Joe had a little cold so he stayed his distance!
Alex enjoys his Sprite
Charlie is an amazing eater for being sixteen; he will try anything!
The Clauses enjoyed the evening with all our company!
A little bit of this and a little bit of that!
"This looks good!"
Everyone was happy to see Jan join in with the group!
Everybody smile!
Mrs. Claus gives Nick a big hug!
Jan tried a little bit of everything!
If Jan approves, it must be good!
Someone one is having a good time!
Eat up, it's cold outside!
Time for seconds! Leon explained to us "The Dark Ages"
Jan catches up on all the gossip!
Going back for seconds!
Becky called and explained how difficult it was to cook dinner; Paul made a suggestion and sent this image to her via text!
The food is disappearing quickly!
Leon circles the table giving us his impression of a buzzard!
Jim nibbles a bit, he had a long sleigh-ride last night!
Jan and Jim got to meet each other!
We were so happy when Vicky joined us!
Jim is NOT grouchy, just tired from last nights journey! We suggested new shock absorbers on the sleigh might be a good idea!
That's better!
Another Mrs Claus with Santa?
The adventures are relived!
That's what we all say!!
"Hey there, slow down... I want to go see the snow!! What is snow?"
"B-r-r-r-r-r-r I am ready to come back in now?"
What was that?
Bob's Dad was Polish and he had fun with that fact and collected many little items sh shared with family and friends. When he passed, Bob got these to shared with his family and friends. The "Electric Calculator" was so funny!
We all join in sharing stories of yesteryear!
The Polish Electric Calculator!
Jan gets a kick out of the calculator!
Just plug it in and wait!
Jim tried on the ear muffs!
Too much fun!
Bob shares pictures form the last dance
A beautiful lady enjoying herself!
The kids have to depart; Zack is going to their house to make a delivery
"Baby, it's cold outside!"
It's cold inside also!
We are all stuffed!
Donna and Vicky; a pair to draw too!
Victory!!
Did You Know? - The V sign is a hand gesture in which the index and middle fingers are raised and parted to make a V shape while the other fingers are clenched. It has various meanings, depending on the circumstances and how it is presented.
When displayed with the palm inward toward the signer, it can be an offensive gesture in some Commonwealth nations (similar to showing the middle finger), dating back to at least 1900. When given with the palm outward, it is to be read as a victory sign ("V for Victory"); this usage was introduced in January 1941 as part of a campaign by the Allies of World War II, and made more widely known by Winston Churchill. During the Vietnam War, in the 1960s, the "V sign" with palm outward was widely adopted by the counterculture as a symbol of peace and still today in the United States and worldwide as the "peace sign".
Heading for home around 8:00 pm avoiding the traffic.
Mrs. Claus checks to see if any reindeer were left behind!
"Nope, all reindeer accounted for!"
She was hoping for a little venison but maybe next year!
Did You Know? - the word venison derives from the Latin word venor, meaning "to hunt or pursue." Following the invasion and the establishment of the Royal Forests, any hunted animal was called "venison" after it was killed; because more deer were hunted than any other animal, the name stuck.
Venison originally meant the meat of a game animal but now refers primarily to the meat of deer (or antelope in South Africa). Venison can be used to refer to any part of the animal, so long as it is edible, including the internal organs.
A second direct sequel, which takes place 33 years after the events of the original film with most of its original cast returning, titled A Christmas Story Christmas, was released on November 17, 2022.
Our fifteen year old prop has seen better days! His head fell off and his leg was busted so it is time to visit Amazon again!
OK Nick, time for the movie!!
Last minute cleanup before the movie begins!
Nick has his drink and is ready to go!
Movie begins!
Oh no! More food!
Santa turns red!
Mary trades in her lump of coal!
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