Early Christmas Celebration

Since Sara and Nick are going to Georgia for the week of Christmas, we had an early celebration with gift exchange at our house and dinner.

I had been talking about getting a large nutcracker for awhile, and much to my surprise and happiness, Nick and Sara bought me a chef nutcraker.  It's already standing at the fireplace with my other Christmas decorations.  Sara, apparently, saw my ratty "favorite" slippers the other day and decided I needed a new pair of "favorite" slippers.  Close call; I almost bought myself a pair a few weeks ago.  Glad I didn't.

Dave was in receipt of a big thermos so he can take a hot drink with him to Connowingo Dam for bald eagle shooting.  He also got a new weekly calendar for 2013 to keep track of all the comings and goings he has with his parents.  And in order to help him with his photographing, Sara bought him two photography books. 

We had a nice lasagna dinner with garlic bread and salad.  Earlier Dave and I had attended a High Tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel earlier in the day.  It was very nice, pages and pages of teas.  The occasion was hosted by the head of the FDA Group at the law firm where I work.  Needless to say, we did not eat much of the lasagna dinner with Nick and Sara.  I had made an angel food cake, but no one wanted any, and now Dave and I have angel food cake for the rest of the week for our dessert! 

It was a nice evening; I think everyone was happy with their gifts. At least I hope so.

While Sara and Nick are in Georgia, I have been tasked with Horse Sitting, which can be a bit more taxing than Dog Sitting.  I have a list of many things I need to do with Smash, above-mentioned Horse.  Good thing I'm taking off from December 21 through January 1 so I can get out to the barn to ride, check her out to make sure all is well with her.  She has a cut on her leg that has a bandage that needs to be checked and/or changed every other day.