Aren’t traditions grand?

My family has a tradition that started when GES and I were children. Our parents started taking us to see The Nutcracker ballet at the City Company in NYC every Christmas Eve. This was the Balanchine performance, so of  course what we know and love. I’ve seen the Nutcracker in different cities by different choreographers, but you know my favorite by now. 

A few years ago GES thought it was time her girls experienced a treasured memory and started taking them as a family. I’ve gone with them a few times, I haven’t always been able to. Different family members have also joined them and now it seems, Thanksgiving is the holiday or time of year they go. I hope I get to join them for years to come. They love it and a new family holiday tradition was born. 

The other family tradition is with PSM’s family. The women in the family started the tradition a few years ago when his niece MM was a teenager. All the women in town for Thanksgiving go to dinner and a movie together. I was invited last year but couldn’t go, but this year…we went out to dinner and then Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,  good thing I really liked it! 

It was fun to just be with “the girls” away from the entire family, kids, spouses, hanging out, talking about everything and nothing. I appreciate being included. 

So, two family traditions, a really nice day. 

What was your Saturday like?

We started with PSM’s family Chanukah party. It’s always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It started years ago when his generation started spending Thanksgiving with their respective spouse’s families and Chanukah, as you may know, is never the same date each year. They decided that on Saturday they would all be together for the Chanukah party. PSM’s uncle informed me, with a wink, at our first Chanukah party together, that he would be at the Chanukah party each year,  yes sir! 

PSM has been hosting the Chanukah party at his house for years and this year, since he moved it was hosted by one cousin at another cousin’s house. It was great, as always. About 35 people, lots of kids, now including my nieces and PSM’s best friend, K&D N’s kids. They played, laughed, ran around, there is a play about the story of Chanukah that the kids put on and singing, then presents for the kids and the adults donate to a charity. 

We ate, got to catch up, talk, laugh, get to know each other, watch the kids open and enjoy their gifts and enjoy the time we get to spend together.

After the Chanukah party, back to the house,  PSM went to hit golf balls with his brother and the rest of us for ready for our next party. This party would be a surprise party for SHK, he’s a few months older than EJS and she wanted to throw him a surprise party. 

And throw him a surprise party we did! We had steamers, a hand made happy birthday sign, cupcakes, pie and eventually ordered Italian for dinner. We hid when they arrived and yelled surprised and sang happy birthday! It was perfect, he was very surprised.

The kids played, ran around, built a Chanukah house, put on a talent show for the rest of us, sold us tickets, scanned our phones “through security”, even gave us paper so we could get autographs! What a show!

After the show, GES, LaLa and I went to the movies to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I’ll give you a review another day, but all I can say is…go see it!

Back home to try to get a few hours of sleep because I’m taking PSM to the airport at 3am, what?!

So…what was your Saturday like!? Mine was awesome!

When is it quiet when we’re in town?

Well, I should say, when is it quiet when I’m in town, now, PSM is getting a little taste of what it’s like when I come for a visit! He might need a nap!

We got up to a fresh bagel breakfast, yum, he headed out to an appointment while GES and I cooked for another Thanksgiving meal, this time with ACS’ brother and sister-in-law. They do this every year, this was the first time I was here for it. It’s nice, they do Thanksgiving with their respective families on Thanksgiving and then together the next day. 

This was also a chance to celebrate with the neighbors, M&C O’F, who really are more like family. I have to tell you, I’m so glad my sister and brother-in-law found this neighborhood, it reminds me of my neighborhood in Atlanta, more family than friends. 

We had a champagne turkey, the vegan cooked the bird! Who has pictures?! We also cooked the stuffing in bird, this is important to some people, they were quite happy! Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, corn souffle, crescent rolls, salad, cranberry. We don’t mess around here! PSM and MF didn’t realize it was the full enchilada, so to speak! 

Don’t forget dessert! Unfortunately we had to leave before the pumpkin pie, pecan pie, sugar cookies, oh my! but PSM and I had a very special visit to make. 

Uncle K wasn’t able to join us at PSM’s brother’s house for Thanksgiving. He’s PSM’s mother’s brother-in-law, need a chart? I can make one, I’ve learned! He’s older and wasn’t up to the drive or that much excitement, so when the mountain can’t go to Mohammed, you know the rest.

He was so touched that PSM was there, both of us, but more one of his favorite nephews, and let me tell you, he’s got a few…wink wink. He regaled us with stories of his sister-in-law,  PSM’s mother, his own mother-in-law, PSM’s grandmother, his entry into the family, his children and as with many of the older generation, “wash rinse repeat”. It was just like every visit with your older generation relatives, stories, silliness and bad jokes or puns.

It was a great visit, important to Uncle K, his daughter S and most important, PSM. I’m very glad I was able to join them and get some one-on-one time with Uncle Kim, and that PSM wanted me a part of it. I’m honored. 

From there, we went to meet the friends, wow that sounds so ominous, the friends. We met them at a bar/restaurant/bowling alley. It was so awesome to see them! They are so very fond of PSM and I see that when we’re together and they have brought me into their family as if I have been there forever and I appreciate that so much. 

We laughed, drank, ate, laughed, drank, ate, wash-rinse-repeat. How’s Hawaii? How was your trip? We need to plan a weekend away! How about a girls weekend in Iceland?! I think it might happen! I’ll definitely keep you posted!

Then back home, GES was up, we chatted for a minute, PSM was sawing logs on the loveseat, I sawed a few of my own in and out while GES and I watched Hallmark movies. Then it was time for lights out, officially, more family stuff tomorrow! 

Hey, PSM, welcome to my whirlwind! Ya tired yet?