Sitting on the couch this week with my broken leg propped, I have been thinking of you and remembering our family Christmas traditions.
Every holiday was defined by the menu and our mutual love of feeding our extended family. Seven layer bean dip was great finger food that we noshed on all Christmas Eve. Tamales with the green sauce that Lisa loves brought the kids to the table and home when they were older. We sat around your table eating, laughing and putting together an Italian feast for Christmas Day. What started out as spinach lasagna morphed into stuffed shells to save time. I can smell your spaghetti sauce bubbling on the stove. Everything was tucked into the refrigerator to be reheated on Christmas Day. It was a simple, elegant meal that we all loved.
Christmas morning was the best. Showing up at your house early to wrap my hands around a mug of coffee and peruse your beautifully decorated table of Christmas breads and homemade cookies. Nuts and dried fruit and your famous bourbon balls were displayed on festive plates. Thank you for all the hours you spent making them. Unfortunately the only pictures are in my head.
We spent many years watching our children grow and eventually showing up with their children. I tear up now thinking of how we didn’t know about the twists and turns life would take, preventing us from experiencing that extraordinary time again. Life is like that, but doesn’t keep me from occasionally wishing I could have held on a little longer. I am supremely grateful for those memories and our relationship. You have been a blessing and the sister I never had, only better.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
Always enjoy your posts. Merry Christmas to y’all and may next year be brighter for all.
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Thank you. There’s so much to be grateful for, today and every day.
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Thanks for this lovely post about your family memories, reminding me of the importance of keeping these types of memories in our hearts right now, and to NOT take chances with the surge (ICK) of Covid.
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Happy holidays Ellen. These are different memories for sure. They help us appreciate the good we have.
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A ‘ghost of Christmas past’ moment. Good times will return.
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From our home to yours, happy holidays. Hugs to Liam.
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Many memories here, also.
I’m doing a different kind of Christmas this year. My former partner gave me, a single woman, a 14-pound turkey. What to do?
I’ve invited people for a “grab-n-go” dinner! Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, cranberries, and brownies will be on my patio with a stack of sturdy paper plates and a roll of aluminum foil. And napkins. Just grab some food and go.
Should make for an odd memory, anyway!
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