Ain't she fun

Although I will probably get grief for this post, I'm hoping I do this out of order, and she won't see it.

Yes, that's my mother. No she was not on too much vicodin - just filled with the Holiday spirit. No, this was not her usual response to having a basket on her head, I think she was surprised that I had my camera so handy. Thank you, Sony.

Thanksgiving

That time of year again to kick of the holiday season - which means Thanksgiving.

I think we have the holiday down to a science now, where we have it at my sister's house, and then head over to Patrick's sister's later in the night. Besides the usual stuff, I did make this simple pureed broccoli dish with mint leaves (had to do something to get rid of them). Other than that it was a pretty mellow day . . . thankfully.

Maggiano's with the Family

Well, since it had been awhile since the entire family (Mom, Dad, sister, brothers, their spouses) had been out to dinner - we decided to do the Maggiano's thing - family style. Nice little Italian place that's been replicated across the country.

Although it did take a spreadsheet and an algorithm that I later patented to figure out the optimum day to have everyone go - we did have a lot of fun.

Oh Man, I missed it!

I missed it.

Apparently Kelly's beau from summer braved the elements, air travel on a US domestic airline, and that indescribable specialness that we refer to as "My Mother" for a long visit to Indianapolis (he's from Maine).

He's still smiling, and his eyes haven't glazed over yet, so I'm thinking it was a successful visit.

Xmas Eve at Chez Cobb/Smith

Tradition continued with us hosting Christmas Eve. This year Julie did Thanksgiving, and Mom does Christmas Day - so we get to do the Clam Chowder (OK, Julie makes it).

Did a BBQ brisket and a braised brisket, which I think came out well complements of the New Best Recipe Cookbook. We also had fun playing with a remote controlled helicopter from Brookstone. I thought the puppy was going to bust in the first 5 minutes, but it's still going strong.

Skating Party: Cheryl and Judy

Obviously Cheryl has been avoiding me these last couple of months, due to the fact that she's afraid that I'll kick her ass again in Euchre. So it was really good to see her and Judy at the Skating party again this year.

I'm telling you, it's like the Skating Party is just a one stop, try to catch up with everyone kind of place.

T Skating Party: Andrea and Julie

As always, Julie and Andrea are looking fabulous at the Skating Party. Andrea and Tim brought Tim's parents to hang out for a bit. And Julie was there to see the gang.

I still miss Julie at work :(

T Skating Party: Tim and Family

See it's a family thing.

Tim and Andrea Whittaker, since they're off to Geneva for several months in the next couple of days has their family in town and Xmas hosting responsibilities.

However, next year the expectation is that both Tim and Andrea will skate. Although that might require Tim buying a $500 pair of skates, since I can't see him wearing the rinks rentals.

Skating Party: Cookies

I really need to calculate one of these days how many total calories are on the cookie table for the skating party each year. Between Mom, Julie, Sherry, and Cheryl - there is just a ridiculous amount of them. And this year they were pretty much gone.

Also need to do a Xmas Cookie Cookbook one of these years.

Mom's Birthday

Aren't I a good son?

Realizing that my mother is still in her mimimalist phase, and doesn't want more stuff. I went with the standard birthday gift of flowers from D&Z gifts - awesome place on 49th and Illinois. The pink roses looked a bit pathetic when I first picked them up, but they soaked up some water and ended up stunning.

Need to remind myself to use that place more often.

New Family Member

Say hello to the latest member of the family - O'Beraun.

He was a stray that the Humane Society picked up back in October 2006. And after going crazy in the shelter for several months, they sent him to a private kennel, where he sat around and watched the Animal Planet all day long. Unfortunately, not too many people trekked down the road to see him, so his adoption took even longer - actually, I think they were just waiting for us to come along.

Winston and "Obie" are getting along famously - although Winston is definitely the top dog. Well, Patrick and I are the top dogs, so Winston is more like a "gamma" dog - with Obie bringing up the rear with "omega".

We waited 30 days to have Winston settle back down into the house, but we were planning on getting another dog for some time - really, since Samantha passed away two years ago. I had seen him weeks before, and Patrick decided on him within a matter of minutes after seeing him.

It's all fate.

Winston is back home

Well, we were only home for a week or so, but then we went to pick up Winston, our little beast. For those of you who weren't following, we had Patrick's cousin, Samantha, take care of Winston while we were in France - and she did an awesome job.

We weren't too sure how Winston would do with a cat in the house, but he came through with flying colors. He's adjusting well to his original house, keep your fingers crossed.