Top Ten 2012

Over a bowl of lobster bisque, a hunk of crusty bread, and honeymoon style Champagne a la Tattinger, we just prayed for happiness and health in the year to come and toasted to an excellent year gone by. 

We're having a quiet (read pregnant) New Year's Eve. There are no ferry boat rides to all-night island parties, there is no neon setting my living room a glow, there are no Laxers, Ellisians, or Schooners around to make sure I don't fall asleep before the ball drops. It's simply a private party for three tonight. And there is ample time to reminisce about an amazing year.  

As I've done in the past, I've compiled a little top ten list - the best of the best of 2012. Drum roll ... here are our favorite moments, memories, and meanderings.

10. Island Time

Running the entire length and height of Tortola, snorkeling, CDM, the Blue Marlin, cooking for 14, and relaxing in paradise with an amazing group of friends.

9. Brewing and brunching

Just spending Saturdays and Sundays living the dream.
 
8. Wedding weekends

Celebrating the marriages of some amazing couples: Dav and Molly, Kassen and Chris, Holly and Ryan, Theresa and Mike, Shawn and Moe. 

7. Cheering for Old Notre Dame

Cheering the #1 team in the nation onto victory in South Bend, Chicago and the man cave.

6. Family Reunions in Quincy, Illinois and Livingston, Montana

 

5. Another Marathon down (with a personal best time)

Fantastic three hours and forty two minutes of my life. Enough said.

4. Bubba

Holding my first nephew. 

3. Celebrating One Year in the City of Steel

2. The White House

Making a big purchase, a big move, some major renovations, and a new home, sweet home for Peter and I. 

1. Mary

Getting a plus sign, telling Peter, confirming the news with the doctor, seeing our little girl for the first time on the big screen, feeling her kick, squirm and dance in my belly everyday, and watching life as we know it change for the best.

Wishing you a wonderful 2013 ... it's going to be an excellent year!

Lo.

Bubba Bye

It's hard to say, 'Goodbye.' 
It's hard hearing your Mom sing, 'the party's over' as you watch the Cumpstons pack their car and head back home.
It's hard watching Lyla give Uncle Peter a big squeeze - one that has to last until April.
It's hard telling your brother and sister that it all went too fast.
And it's hard giving your Mom and Dad one last hug; driving up the street; watching your house fade into the distance; and swallowing the tears, wishing there was some way you could always be in two places at once.
No matter what, it will always be hard. There is no way to avoid it.

But if you are lucky, you'll have someone there to make the goodbyes a little easier. Like Peter, who selflessly let me listen to the entire soundtrack of Les Miserables as we headed West; who stocked the car with Diet Sprite and Fiji waters; and who drove the entire way.

And if you are even luckier, you will have something absolutely amazing waiting for you seven hours in the distance. Like Bubba. Well, Joseph Brian that is, Claire and Trent's brand new baby boy. And let me tell you, there is nothing like the miracle of new life and all the excitement and joy waiting ahead to help you move from one party to the next. 

Three French Hens? I'll raise you four fantastic generations. Now that's a third day of Christmas.

Lo. 

Tradition

Two years ago, with the help my siblings, I put together a special present for my parents. It was a collection of twelve essays that spoke to our favorite holiday traditions - rituals that have been engrained within our understanding of the celebration of Christmas over the years. 

It was a fun exercise for my brother, sister and I, stirring memories as we chronicled a seasonal methodology that we each held very dear. From cookie baking, to carol singing; from trimming the tree to fish mongering at Wholey's; from registering the rare capacity crowd at Sacred Heart, to reveling in gift after gift from Santa, we each wrote about the special things that made Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day unique in our household.

As I was writing my portion of essays though, and as I was reading them aloud to the family on Christmas morning, I wondered how the structured order of events and activities would change in the upcoming years. Between trade-offs from one side of the family to the other and new additions on the way, there were bound to be variations in our theme. 


This year, Peter and I traveled back to Pittsburgh for Christmas. And as I had expected, there were certainly some new wrinkles to our documented festivities.

We didn't fill a pew at Sacred Heart's 6:00 Mass; instead we ventured into the North Hills with the all the other Northern Suburbanites, and embraced a peanut gallery, standing room only view. I took the barefoot and pregnant cliche to heart and slipped off my patent leather Mary Janes as I nestled into my cozy place along the wall.

There was no candle light procession, but I was able to light a couple candles: one for Double G, and one for his great granddaughter, right under her namesake.

There were two new Christmas Eve chefs and a new dining table room table to gather around.

Stuffed fish was swapped out for succulent stuff beef, which along with potato and celery root gratin, green beans, and homemade bread made for a fantastic feast.  

There was a plate of cookies, but there was also a beautiful Buche de Noel.

There was a new chimney for Santa to slide down, and at the bottom would be some love from Lyla.

Back at my parent's house on Christmas morning, we found out that Santa apparently had bought and learned how to use a label maker. 

But many of the toys that he brought, were a little more old school.

The essay elocution was exchanged for more child friendly literature.

 Egg McMuffins were added to the tree.

And a new queen of fashion reigned while Mimi Maternity took a break.

  

My addition to the Christmas feasting was served at brunch. 

While the entertainment on Christmas Day did not disappoint. 

   

Why thank you ... thank you.

Some people graduated to the turkey-dressed adult table earlier than expected. 

 

  

Pigs flew.

And while our patriarch watched from heaven, he and Peter helped fill our glasses at the end of the night as the family toasted to the Dad and Grandpa that we miss so much.

While some of the formulas and prescriptions varied this year, the overarching theme of a successful Christmas celebration remained intact. That is, family; being surrounded by it; feeling a never-ending amount of warmth, generosity, and joy in their presence. And I'm willing to bet, that of all the things that Lyla will remember next year, it'll be the pure happiness that came from all the hugs, kisses and love that were shared on Christmas Day. 

Lo.

Christmas Strata Recipe 

Ingredients :
2 cups cubed stale Italian or French bread 
9 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup cream
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt, pepper
Polish pork sausage, casings removed
2 bags of spinach
1 package of crimini mushrooms, sliced
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese.
9 slices of tomato


Directions:
Wilt spinach in a saute pan. Let cool, drain of water, and chop loosely.

Saute mushrooms until just tender in a little butter. Remove and set aside.

Brown pork sausage for about 7 minutes and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper. (I use about 1/2 teaspoon of salt.)

Butter the bottom and sides of a medium casserole dish. Spread bread cubes on the bottom of the dish. Evenly layer pork on top. Then mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top. Then carefully, add the egg mixture across the whole casserole. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least four hours, or overnight (which is preferred.)

Remove when ready and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.