My family traditionally has Christmas dinner on the 24th, at my house. We started a new tradition last night when my younger brother arrived with his family - but without the long folding table and chairs he was supposed to bring.
So 8 people sat down last night around the coffee table in the living room, most of us (myself included) sitting on the floor). Very cozy, and it seemed that everyone had a wonderful time (including the two moodiest of my teenaged nieces).
My coworkers got me a "I Fart in Your General Direction" t-shirt, which was well-received. I have to give them a thank you when I go back in to the grind tomorrow.
14 at dinner last night.
The menu.
Sauerbraten
Mashed potatoes w/gravy
Gussied up Brussel sprouts
German style red cabbage
Roasted onions with herbs and garlic
Green salad
Fruit salad
Homemade rye bread
Blackberry tort
Pumpkin pie
Wine
More wine
Best gift:
A Bush administration digital countdown clock key fob
"Jesus was a good guy, he didn't need this shit."
-John Prine.
Don't get me started on the pagan origins of Xmas.
The Sun of Man made it and the longest night of the year has passed once again.
Merry Solstice!
Running late -- about to meet my parents for dinner in Chinatown.
Best wishes to all.
"And there you are! Kingdoms rise and fall, wars are waged, politicians wrangle, trade suffers, poor men starve, philosophers exchange insults and agree in nothing exept that times are very evil and mankind rapidly going to the dogs. And yet, when one more soul is born into this highly unsatisfactory world, everybody conspires to be delighted."
--Greek gentleman in the jammed-full courtyard of an inn during a census in a Zeus-forsaken corner of the Roman Empire; in "He That Should Come", by Dorothy L Sayers.
Those who wish may quote the next line, spoken by a Greek-educated Jewish gentleman, an old school chum of the Greek's, encountered here by chance.
"And every time his parents are persuaded that he's going to turn out something wonderful, whereas, if they only knew it, he's destined, as likely as not, to finish up between two thieves on Crucifixion Hill."
The blessings of the season on the proprietors, patrons and patron saint of the GNB: as fine and festive a badass liberal joint as ever I’ve known, which has my heart, even though my ass can’t burnish a barstool here nearly as often as I’d like.
Hugs to all, and asses grabbed to a few 
Careful there, Drifty. Mr. R's probably already got his hand somewhere in the vicinity.
Though this fact will not stop me from grabbing back. I'm friendly that way.
I am really missing Steve today. What a beautiful mind.
Here's a glass to Steve. I miss his 'take no prisoners voice'........... consequences bedamned. And happy enough to have alternate voices heard.
Have a good one mate.
I shed a tear for my brothers' absence this first of many Xmas days to come...
Some anonymous microbes won the Grinch Award yesterday. I woke up nauseated and feared giving an illness to the family, so I spent Christmas alone. So far, I'm doing better--just in time to return to the Ministry of Silly Walks this evening. Bah humbug. 
At least there are no diseases in the next world.
we where millitantly low key thsi cristmas...if any one wanted to see their nephewes/grandkids the ywould be traveling to us (got guilted into hitting three seperate houses last year...never again...you want to see my kids, you know where i live I am not driveign them to you)
I must say this was the best christams ever...no stress, lots of happy kids, a well for one year, one glorious year dad got a gift he liked (my wife tires year after year but useualy missses horrabley, my parents don't even bother trying as they just get my wife two gifts and shove my name on one of them...one year I got a kitchenaid...I am fodo incompitant, wife is a foodie who loves to cook...thanks dad).
this year I got the remote controll hilos that shoot each other....I haven't gotten a christmas present I liked in over 20 years(got an NES when i was 10)....this is a big day folks a big day.
Boxing Day. ManUre trounced Sunderland 4-0 without even trying (I could only watch part of the second half, so missed all of the goals.......... damn).
Steve must be smiling.
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