Weekend Wrapup
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 08:38amWhew! What a busy weekend. Very fun, although I could really use a nap. A trip to Delaware, babysitting, gingerbread houses, shopping in the rain, cupcakes, a tea party…details after the jump.
On Friday, Janet and I drove to Winterthur to take their Yuletide house tour. It was gorgeous, and they had all the rooms decked out in Christmas finery.
The trees in particular were lovely, especially this one, which is decorated with dried flowers that are all from the various gardens on the property.
We heard that there was also “an esteemed collection of soup tureens,” which was just so silly and random that we decided to visit that, too. I didn’t take any photos. You’re welcome. After accidentally detouring through Philly on the way home, we ended up spending the rest of the evening at Casa FreakGeek, sipping some wine and hanging out while I finished up wrapping our Christmas gifts.
On Saturday, the geekboy and I babysat for my friend’s two kids while she and her husband went to a wedding. The kids were very well-behaved, and we did all the things a good auntie and uncle are supposed to - had a pizza party in the family room, watched the same DVD three times in a row, ate popcorn, ran around in circles, and built a gingerbread house. The kids were beyond thrilled with the idea of building a gingerbread house. My friend had left the kit for me, “if you feel like it,” she said. She has no idea; her children lauded us as King & Queen for bringing that thing out. The three-year-old gasped, “Aunt Debbie, I really APPRECIATE this,” her eyes wide. So sweet.
Soon after this photo was snapped, the house collapsed. No worries; we were able to repair it.
Yesterday, Lisa and I ventured out into the driving rain and cold to do some last-minute Christmas shopping and stop by our friend Sara’s holiday ladies tea. After freezing our asses off, it was nice to have some warm tea, some sweet and savory treats, and meet new people. Sara’s house is lovely and she’s a great hostess. And I made these:
Last night, the geekboy and I ordered Chinese food (I was so proud of myself for ordering off the diet menu and then I ate fifty pounds of crab rangoon anyway, HA!) and watched Survivor. I have more errands to run today and I expect the rest of the week to be a blur. How about you?
And, as always, more photos here.
Lauren on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 8:53 am
We got snowed in this weekend! My puppy got fixed Friday so we laid low that night, watched a movie (Bourne Identity) for the first time since we got the dog. Saturday my dad stopped by to fix my broken dryer. Then my sister and niece stopped by to say hello to the puppy and make sure he was feeling alright. Then it snowed like crazy Saturday night into Sunday. Yesterday I made chocolate chip cookies, and Oatmeal cookie dough that I haven’t baked yet. But I couldn’t find raisins in the grocery store so I bought raisinettes instead. And last night after shoveling we watched Bourne Supremacy.
freakgirl on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 9:04 am
A Very Bourne Weekend!
We got no snow here; just sleet, slush and rain. Today, though, the sun is finally out.
Susie on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 9:56 am
I went to the Grand Central Holiday Fair with my sister on Saturday morning. We go every year, and I always buy an ornament for each of my kids, my niece and nephews, and Al. It was definitely different this year for us, though, as we were looking at all the booths with a different eye — it was interesting to note what people were charging for their wares and how they organized their displays.
Sunday afternoon was a drag (I was so bummed to miss Sara’s tea.
), but the morning was quite fun. We decorated the tree, and I listened to the annual “White Lights vs. Colored Lights” debate between Al & the kids. Then, while Oliver chatted on about how he loves this time of year, he told us that he was really looking forward to 2008 because we could have the first woman president. Then he paused for a minute and said something that made my whole week. “Actually, the best part is that George Bush won’t be in charge any more. That’s really the good part, don’t you think?” I love that kid.
freakgirl on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:08 am
I love that kid, too.
And where does Ollie sit on the “White Lights vs Colored Lights” debate? I’m a fan of white lights, but there’s something very retro fun about colored bulbs, too.
Susie on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:13 am
The kids both want colored lights, but Al is a staunch white-light kind of guy. (I know, big surprise.) It’s actually kind of funny, because it’s not like our tree is so elegant — it’s got a ton of handmade ornaments, more than one superhero ornament, and we always have Fez Man as our topper. But Al has a No Colored Lights policy for the tree, and as the only non-Jew in the apartment, he gets final say, much to the kids’ chagrin.
sandra on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:14 am
It was my birthday on Friday so after being the social butterfly at our staff Christmas party that I organized (and at which they surprised me with a birthday cake) Jay and some friends took me out for a seafood dinner and back to the house afterwards for coffee and cake. I was so talked out by the end of the night! Saturday Jay and I decided to bite the bullet and braved the mall and just walked around before heading over to Ikea to buy our very first real Christmas tree! Sat night we were supposed to go out to our friends house for a festive gathering but hunkered down because the storm had begun. Sunday … what a mess! I haven’t seen that much snow come down in one day in … I don’t know when. That didn’t stop Jay and I from walking over to our local Canadian Tire and buying a slew of Christmas tree ornaments and lights! I felt like I was on an Arctic expedition! It was pretty fun, actually. Then that night we made a hearty stew with leftover chicken and canned veggies just as if we were in some sort of real emergency situation! I felt the need to boil water for 7 minutes, but instead just long enough to brew some nice hot tea to enjoy with some TV on DVD.
C’est tout.
freakgirl on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:19 am
Oooh, Sandra, I forgot to do your birthday greeting! I even have it on my calendar, but it still slipped past. Happy happy!
sandra on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:29 am
Oh that’s ok! You had a super busy and fun weekend yourself! I’m just happy it was very low-key and not the usual 25+ people fighting over who didn’t put in enough to pay the dinner bill. And I was VERY happy that despite the yearly tradition of a storm hitting us the day of my birthday (every freaking year), it decided to wait a day or two this time.
marta on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:46 am
those trees are unreal!
ali on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:08 pm
after an extremely long happy hour on friday and a very long week, i crashed and slept in. i worked at home all day saturday and saturday night, treated myself to a big mexican dinner and “i am legend”. sunday, i went in search of a dunkin donuts and a hobby shop (for my boyfriend’s dad’s late h-day gift) and settled into the couch for a nap. all in all - it was extremely lazy and i loved it!!!
i want a chinese room in my house…i need that couch too!
Maggie on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 6:54 pm
That gingerbread house is dear. What sweeties, those kids!
freakgirl on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 6:58 pm
They are!
Soosan on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 10:04 am
We had the popular ugly christmas sweater holiday party, and gift exchange (ala Yankee Swap). It was so much fun! I ended up with the game “dirty minds”. The hot ticket items were a camera, a telescope, and THE MAGIC BULLET (holla!).
The rest of the weekend I hibernated in my apartment… as we had a huge snow storm, and every time I looked out the window I just shook my head. I only left my apartment to visit the laundry room and garbage shute. Thrilling I know.