After a week of hugs, craziness, and lots of laughter, the dust has settled. Florida has landed back in, you guessed it Florida. She came in to meet her 3 week old grandson, and spend some quality time with her daughter. Basing out of our home, we were able to have impromptu meals and good conversation, and of course soaking up the newest edition to the family.

We watched Nebraska Volley Ball, set lots of 5 minute tables with mismatched dishes. My daughters are not table scape purists! A dish is just a dish. None of the meals were blog worthy but some were quite tasty.

Friday night was cookie making, Costco chicken pot pie, which was delicious, decorate the Christmas tree, and watch Christmas movies. Of course Christmas movies in our house are Die Hard and Lethal Weapon! None of those sappy Hallmark Christmas movies for my girls. We somehow managed to get it all done. Well mostly. I still would like more cookies, and the tree needs some tweaking. During all the chaos, I threw my arms around Florida and thanked her. This was the best gift of Christmas. Just being able to sit back and watch the interaction of all our children under one roof.

Yesterday Florida informed me that H and the baby were coming for breakfast, just as I heard the door knob, and in came the new mom and the bundle.

In Florida’s defense she had told me at 4:30AM but, lacking sleep, I had gone back to bed and forgotten.

I very quickly saw the opportunity to set one descent 5 min table scape while she was cooking bacon, and preparing bagels and fresh fruit. It took me longer to photograph than it did to set!

An antique tea towel for a base, a Scandinavian tree, a couple of figurine, some chalk ware sheep, Spode Christmas Tree plates and a pretty embroidered napkins and it was done.

Last night we were all sitting around chatting and at about 6:45 we decided we were hungry. Florida’s sister had brought over favorite chicken wings for the volley ball game and we had some leftovers. Pizza was considered but at that time of night we didn’t like our delivery options. I had Costco small individual pizza’s in the freezer, we had left over fruit, and wings, along with some brie cheese and crackers. Hmm, okay this will work. Oh I also had leftover chicken pot pie. Then Florida decides we’re going to play poker while eating dinner with the 10 and 11 year old. This turned into a hilarious game where the rules kept changing and the crackers were used as poker chips, with the boys raising 5 crackers and stealing off of each others plates. At one point my daughter had to toss in her wedding ring for collateral. Sorry to say she lost!!! But thru the kindness of everyone at the table she got it back.

Then it was time for teary goodbyes and hugs that will have to last us for the long months to come. We didn’t do an early Christmas. I considered it but, our unit wasn’t complete. Missing sons in law. I just decided to let it be what it was. A magical several days that will go in the memory banks as one of the best in a very long time. My 2 daughters, all 3 of my grandchildren, and a great grand baby. Nothing gets better than that.

I will leave you with this bit of fancy

The rest of the tour will be coming.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley