The Night Before the Night Before

We'll officially say goodbye to 2010 tonight, with good friends, over filet mignon & Martha's (Stewart, not Plimpton) mac & cheese.

Last night was our quiet goodbye. A fire burning, glittery paper chains tarting up the joint, the three of us eating spaghetti in front of the tv.

I dunno. I know this year sucked balls. Sucked them so, so hard for so many people. The better part of it sucked for us, too. But really, I kind of loved this year. It was hard and awful but I feel like we should get some kind of medal for getting through it. I think we'll remember 2010 as the year of not giving up. On ourselves, each other, the universe.

Now get in here 2011 and rub our shoulders. We deserve it.

Fin

OK, two last things in re: Christmas 2010.

In addition to the many other wonderful things I got this year, I got this gorgeous girl. I have named her Martha Plimpton, which Josh thinks is just insane. He is wrong. Martha Plimpton is the absolutely perfect name for my little blue beauty. I left her on the stove the first couple of days & would just stroke her lid each time I passed by. I've never had an enameled iron pot and I'm over the moon at the possibilities here. Bread, soups, stews, chilis. Life will finally be perfect. Finally. Here she is making the first of her lifetime of meals. Boeuf bourguignon. It was spectacular. Like you didn't know that already.

Also, here:

Right?

OK, next stop: Harry Potter Birthday insanity. Brace yourselves. It's gonna get nuts.

The Naughty List May be a Myth

Otherwise, how do you explain the MOUNTAIN of stuff Dash got for Christmas this year? (Just kidding, Dash of the future who may be reading this. You were & remain a delight every moment of every day).

Ahem.

Our first order of business on Christmas morning (which came at the unexpectedly civilized hour of 7:30am. We were honestly expecting him to come screeching in at 5am) was to check to make sure that Santa and the reindeer were adequately fed. They were. And the reindeer even left us a dusting of glitter as a thank you for Dash.


Then it was on to the much more serious business of "WHAT DID SANTA BRING ME!?" Indiana Jones whip. Santa is crazy.


Cowboy boots!


The wink makes it extra tough.


The hat brings it all the way over to badass territory.


Guess what gift elicited this beaming face! Go on, guess!


FUCKING BOW & ARROW, BITCHES! Santa is seriously nutso. I hope he also got Mama & Papa a little extra homeowner's insurance to go with it.


Scared? Me, too.


Daddy demonstrates (please to note the position of the arrow in relation to the bow). In all fairness, this was after the first one went straight over the fence into the neighbor's yard.


Made. Of. Awesome.


When your husband likes Star Wars & makes a bangin' pancake, you can expect about 4 of these pancake molds per gift-giving occasion.


I only made one thing for Dash this year. I made about 100 things for other people's children (children who enjoy and appreciate the things I make for them. Unlike some people we know.) but Dash just got this snake. And he freaking LOVES the shit of of it! Win for Mommy!


I have no comment about the level of awesome here.

There were other lovely, appreciated gifts--a pogo stick, marble run, fingerprint picture kit & 3-d drawing pad. Lots of books...you feel me. But mainly, most importantly, there was this:

Hope yours was as magical as ours. Blessings for us all this holiday season and beyond.

The Night Before Christmas

The tree was loaded down with gifts (less those from Santa, natch).

Mama got a ridiculous pedicure.


We had a Jew moment & ate Chinese food for dinner. Josh was particularly hungry.


Presented Dash with his new footie jams.


Opened one gift each (I got the new David Sedaris & Josh got a book of funny anecdotes about biking. Yeah, I know, we're a non-stop party).


And put out the grub for Santa & reindeer.

Next stop: Christmas Crazytown!

Merry Happy

Jenukkah 2010

Jenukkah (our beloved Jen's birthday/Hanukkah dinner mash-up) is quickly becoming my favorite holiday.

Ina Garten says that having people sit elbow to elbow at an almost-too-small table is the best way to throw a dinner party. Ina is, as usual, right.


Each place setting got a little handmade bird. Because if you're going to make ten why not just make twenty? It's not like I had anything else to do.


We did a little gift station so everyone could choose what treats they wanted to take home. I made limoncello; Kahlua (or coffee-flavored hooch, as the labels read); tangerine, rosemary & smoked paprika finishing salts and cayenne & sea salt fudge.


Even though it's Jen's birthday...


...Dash always scores a pretty impressive haul. Star Wars pjs from Aunty & Tio, Captain Rex helmet from Jen & Tom and (not pictured) digital camera from Justine & Mugsy. Nice.


Here are Mugsy & Dash discussing the intricacies of the season.


Awesome.


And then: Rock Band. Because. Just because.

These are the Days

Ham

Glitter

Like mother, like son.

Dear Santa

"Dear Santa, Please bring me a bow and arrow and an Angels uniform. Thank you. Love, Dash"


"Santa Claus, North Pole"


Flag up to alert the mailman.

OK, Santa. Your move.

Andre 2010

Hey! Look who came back this year! It's Andre! Hi Andre!

The Tour

We took our annual tour of the Christmas crazy this year and it did not disappoint.

How awesome would it be to live on this street? You turn onto it after a long day at work and you're just instantly transported.


Until you get your power bill...


It's like Studio 54 in suburbia.


These reindeer signs kill me (a lot of the houses have them, I think one of the neighbors makes them). Their pupils are asterisky-type stars and their tongues are hanging out, so they all look dead.


These snowmen are animated and play music, and Dash never fails to bust a move when they start up. Also, he's wearing a helmet because he was riding his scooter. Just wanted to mention that. In case you thought maybe we were going all-helmet-all-the-time.


Last year this sign was about Tiger Woods. This family is super-engaged in celebrity sex scandals.


I love that it's December 12 & we're dressed like it's July.


Come. On.


Daddy's photobombing Rudolph. Like the poor kid doesn't have enough problems, with that giant freaking red nose.


This thing just kills me. Santa kneeling before Baby Jesus. I mean. I just. I don't even know what to say here. This year the boys decided to openly mock it.


Trespassing to make fun of Santa & Baby Jesus. Yes, yes we did.


And then we got goosed by Santa!


And finally, I leave you with the reason for the season: So that you might install an illuminated snowman taking a piss off your roof.