Making Memories 2021 (Part 2)

Christmas Day 2021 was as adventurous as Christmas Eve had been.

On December 24th Hubby Tony and I watched the TV weather before heading for bed. The meteorologist pointed out that the overnight temperatures would be very similar to those on Memorial Day at the end of May. I thought that was nothing but an interesting fact until I tried to fall asleep on December's flannel sheets! It was way too hot and I tossed and turned for quite some time before drifting off. 

Christmas breakfast was grapefruit, Fruit Bread (banana bread with walnuts, chocolate chips and maraschino cherries), and yogurt. I normally drink my coffee black, but discovered that egg nog makes a great flavored creamer. Tony and I opened presents, then had a FaceTime call with Son Brian and family to watch their boys open the presents we had sent them.

Back when our Christmas plans were still in flux, Tony and I had decided that lunch would be out. Not much is open on Christmas Day, but the cafeteria area of our favorite Asian market was. After breakfast Tony wondered out loud that since it was so nice out if it would be possible to bike to the store. We decided that yes, it would. In order to stay off of the major roads we took a circuitous route, which included riding through a subdivision and zigzagging through strip mall parking lots. 

The cafeteria was busy, but there were more people getting food to go than eating in. I ordered pho with sliced beef. Tony decided on vegetable fried rice. The food came quickly. After we finished lunch we looked through the store and bought a couple of things, including a 'Santa Claus' melon (appropriate, don't you think?) to add to dessert.

On the way home traffic looked light, and we decided to cycle a more direct way down Manchester Road This was the first time I had ever ridden on the major street, but I found out that there was a pretty decent shoulder most of the way. Eventually we cut over to a less busy street and made it back home.

After changing my clothes I started thinking about putting dinner together. The smoked turkey breast required no preparation, but everything else needed to be cooked. Twenty minutes later greens were cooking in the Instant Pot, and another fifteen minutes after that root vegetables were roasting in the oven. When the vegetables were cooked I replaced the cookie sheet with a pan of tomatoes and loaves of take and bake bread. Tony prepared the melon, and took the box of gingerbread cookies out of the freezer.

Tony and I packed a meal to bring to Son Donald, who was quarantining at home. I put the rest of the food into a low oven to stay warm At Donald's house Tony put the food on his porch, then we retreated to the sidewalk while Donald came out to get the box. After chatting across the front yard for a couple of minutes we headed back home.

I decided that even though there were just two of us we were going to go all out and use china plates and silver utensils.While I was setting the table Tony made a small pot of decaf coffee to go with dessert. We filled our plates and sat down to eat.

The label on the box of cookies said they were "Darn Good". I'm sure they would have been on their own, but we added a layer of canned vanilla frosting to make sure they were. The melon was a nice accompaniment.