2022 Christmas Eve/Day

Christmas Eve

Jay, Laura and Anton invited Claude, Peter and me to a fondue supper.  After the usual pre-meal noshes of shrimp with sauce, chips with dip and salsa we sat down around the fondue pot and dipped cubed ham, assorted vegetables and bread chunks into a traditional cheese fondue.  It was light, nutritious and enjoyable, topped off with an assortment of Laura's Christmas cookies.

Christmas Day

St. Rita's Church was quite full at 10:00 a.m. for the 10:30 am Christmas mass.  We enjoyed the beautiful singing of a tiny soprano that must weigh 80 pounds, if that much.  She sings like a bird with no effort.  A little girl brought in the Baby Jesus and laid him in a manger.  

Father Tim Kitzke gave an inspiring homily and ended by referring to his Polish heritage, finishing by singing Lulajze Jezuniu.  I sat in the second row and sang along.

Peter and I were invited to the Dorns' for 3:00 p.m. followed by Jay, Laura, Anton and Annika, then Claude. 

Prominently displayed was the stable that was made many years ago by a relative of my fraternal grandmother.

Again the cocktail table was laden with delicious appetizers provided by Laura.

I made my usual table favors filled with trail mix and gummy bears

After saying Grace we broke Oplatek with each other with wishes for a Merry Christmas, as Anton and Annika are doing.

Janice served perfect pierogi along with a barbeque flavored muffin, a quinoa dish and a fruit salad.

And what could finish off this wonderful dinner better than with the various assortment of Laura's cookies and Janice's gingerbread men?

Peter and I drove back to SRS on an unusually cold for Christmas (11 degrees) evening talking about nothing but the wonderful day we shared with family.