A Delicious and Furry Visit

Last Sunday, after way too much time, I went to visit my youngest brother, Sam, and family. We had not seen each other since Thanksgiving. For my family, that is a long time. LM could not go as he was settling John in for his long house arrest stay. I picked up Kristi (Sam's number one fan!) Kristi was so happy to be out and about. We stopped at a Kohl's store on the way where she found some gifts for friends. Kristi is so thoughtful and never forgets a birthday, shopping way in advance.
As we left the Cape for the 70+ mile drive, there was no snow on the ground but driving north it kept getting deeper and deeper. The South Shore of MA has received record snowfalls this year and today they got another foot.
When we arrived, Sam was at his beautiful stove caramelizing sugar in my Mum's old cast iron skillet, in preparation for making a delicious apple tart. It really took me back to what seems like every visit ever to my Mum. She would always be in the kitchen working on something divine.
When the sugar was ready, Sam layered sliced apples over the it and then covered it all with puff pastry, tucked in the pastry and popped the pan into the oven for our enjoyment after dinner.
The finished tart. It smelled and tasted heavenly.
Trish served the tart with home made ginger ice cream topped off with a ginger snap. MMMMMMMMM!
It was a very cold day and Bob seemed to be enjoying some hibernation.....he loves this bed to cuddle in and was only willing to pose for a few photos.
"You know, people, I am really trying to have my Sunday afternoon nap"
the eyes about to close.....
Harley has a comfy bed, too.....
Nephew, Nate, who has just turned 16, had his arms full........
Before we headed home, we did a couple of family shots.....
I am so sorry I caught Kristi with her eyes closed as she was so happy to be having her photo taken with Sam!
As we were leaving the sun was beginning to set and in the last light caught the icicles formed on the family room eeves....massive.
Snow, snow everywhere and a pretty sky peaking through.
It was a lovely visit and we shared a delicious dinner of flank steak, a couscous salad filled with crisp veggies, a green salad with strawberries and, of course, the beautiful apple tart.
There was great conversation, catching up on family news and wonderful love shared. LM was missed very much but he is doing a very honorable thing by helping his son.
Kristi and I stopped to shop for a few groceries on the way home and we shared some nice one on one time, too.
Family is so precious, and mine is a caring and loving treasure in my life.

Our Christmas Eve 2010

It's often said that Christmas is so much about the joy of children, and this year that was so in our world. We were invited to dinner at my son and DIL's, also the home of sweet Teddy. When we arrived he was having a nap on his little race car pull-out couch in the family room....so sound asleep that it seemed he might miss Christmas Eve. Never fear, he was soon awake, and, with the arrival of his cousin, Samantha and her parents, we had some great laughs and a delicious family dinner.
As always, Alison sets a beautiful table and we enjoyed a wonderful meal.



As we were finishing up, Teddy was anxious to play with Samantha and they managed to get into the living room which is usually off-limits. Teddy is carefully counting the wooden beads which adorn his antique swan rocker.
Next it was story time with Samantha "reading" "Twas the Night before Christmas".....
Teddy really starting to wake up as we began to unwrap some gifts....

These pink kitten ears were the hit of the day for Samantha and a few others, as well.
As were these panda babies from Nana.
THEN, LM began inciting a riot....he let the little ones use his camera and that set-off some rollicking laughter. Here he shows Teddy how to use it and the little sponge went right to town.
Alison loved this squirrel/heart hand towel.....the family has a thing for squirrels....crazy, we are!
Richie's turn to wear the ears....
Bad picture of Teddy but good of LM as he encourages the picture taker (Alsion says the next morning, he was not interested in gifts - he just wanted to take pictures!)
Another adept student.
...and his turn with the ears...
Sorry, Teddy. Looks like Nana could use some camera lessons.
Such a wonderful family.
Lovely smile....lovely girl.
Mutual admiration society.
That was all such fun. We just could not help laughing throughout the entire evening, and it brought us all together. We are a lucky family. Just a few missing, though!