Christmas Party

Last night, we had a Christmas party at PaceHouse 2.0. It was fun. There was lots of good food, some tasty drinks, and lots of fun conversation. And it showed that Trader Joe's in Morgan Hill is a very good thing.

We experienced the offical drink of South Africa (with a name I've forgotten), which is amarula (marula fruit cream) and creme de menthe. It was a very yummy gold and green shooter.

The attendees were:

• Andrew and Tammi
• Arielle and Catalina
• Erik, Sheryl, and Dylan
• Faith and Pierre
• David and Rebecca
• Pallavi
• JEP, RKCP, SKGP, and EJP

I used the Champagne Sabre on a bottle of Kirkland Champagne. What else could you ask for in a party?

Christmas Fun

"While the bagel's cooking, I'm going to play Baby Jesus."

Yes, the Fisher Price Nativity Set is the getting the most play of any toy in a long time.

Trader Joe's Mania Hits South Valley

Ripped from the headlines:

Gilroy Dispatch, December 9, 2006

Big crowds show support for specialty grocer

Much to the delight of many, Trader Joe's is finally open. After years of longing by residents and eight months of plans and construction, the specialty food chain opened it's doors to loyal South County shoppers Friday morning.

[...]

"Obviously it's very popular," said [RKCP], a Gilroy nutritionist, who added spinach and curry sauces to her cart. "I was amazed to pull into the (117-space) parking lot after 9am and see it was already packed."

[...]

I expect a letter to the editor asking for a correction: She is a dietitian, not a nutritionist. I'm a little worried that I have spinach to look forward to soon.

The Injustice of Youth

"Why did I only get $1 for my tooth? Emily's sister got $20."

Another Tooth

SKGP lost another tooth today. One of her top, front ones.

All together:

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth.
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you "Merry Christmas."

It seems so long since I could say,
"Sister Susie sitting on a thistle."
Gosh, oh gee, how happy I'd be
If I could only whistle.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you "Merry Christmas."

OK, she's only missing one at this point.

Christmas Disaster '06

My family has a couple Christmas traditions. We always watch A Christmas Story at least once. We open stockings as a group in the morning, and all sing "Ri-Co-La" when the cough drops arrive. We also have an annual Christmas disaster.

Once, we put the turkey in the little dorm fridge. The little door to the ice area was open, and so the turkey was found frozen solid on Christmas morning. A scouting party eventually found a turkey at the bowling alley restaurant.

Once, the garbage disposal got clogged up, and the sink filled up.

Once, mom was taken to the emergency room, just in case.

Tonight, our giant tree fell over as we ate dinner. The stand we have might not be able to handle a tree this big. So, I'm off to Target to see if there is a stand that can handle something this big.

I hope that this counts as the Christmas disaster for 2006.

Family, please post comments of the other disasters that I've forgotten....

Christmas Time Is Here

Tis the season!

Christmas Parade, where On Friday, RCP wrapped the staircase banister with lights and put up various holiday thingies. Yesterday, EJP and I put up the exterior lights. Then last night, we saw the Gilroy Christmas Parade; SKGP and RCP marched with the Brownies. We also got to take some pictures with Santa.

Today, we went and picked our Christmas tree. The place where we got the tree last year didn't grow Douglas Firs, which we have decided is our official tree. So we found the Uvas Tree Farm (11370 Watsonville Road, Gilroy, CA 95020. Phone: 408 842-3746). Here's how they describe their operation:

We have unique and individual trees for the unique individual. If you are looking for a tree that looks like it was shaped in a pencil sharpener you will not find it here...we have no two trees a like. What we do have are healthy well cared for trees in a friendly environment and customers that keep coming back, once they have been here. We might not look like much from the outside but it's what's inside that counts.

We found the place, and the guy sent us down to a cow pasture / forest. The cows were gone, but they left mementos of their time. After wandering around for half an hour, we chose a tree. It is very big, and it definitely doesn't look like it was "shaped in a pencil sharpener". It has character.

We made it home, loaded it into the stand. It falls over a little, but that'll just add to its charm when it drops on us during presents opening. With Gramzilla's newly arrived help, we rearranged the furniture a bit and brought it in.

Now we're listening to Christmas music, with a fire in the fireplace. And drinking wine and eating yummy appetizers. And RCP is wrapping lights around the tree.

Merry Christmas, everyone!