So stuffed, Merry Christmas, 8 pies + 1 cheesecake

What a feast! Our turkey was so beautiful, the wine, dressings, salad, veggies all amazing. Truly, today was a really superb Christmas. The boys were sweet, enthusiastic and grateful 90% of the time; I was quite proud of them overall. Being with dear family friends brought a depth to and tempered old dynamics within our nuclear family. Not that we're a dysfunctional or overly weird family, just that close outsiders often bring equilibrium. You know? I am totally stuffed. Y'all know the apple streusel bread I always rave about? I bought a gorgeous loaf of pull-apart rolls from that bakery and we turned it into garlic bread. And our salad, aah...mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette.

Even after all this -actually, I paced in anticipation- I had four desserts: pumpkin cheesecake, and a slice each of blackberry, lemon and pecan-oatmeal pie. We've got Christmas carols playing, a fire burning, and all feels right.

Happy Holidays all!