silent night

A bit of a cheat, that title, describing what this photo suggests more than the actual night itself.

Van came over last night, we had a healthy serving of leftovers from Christmas dinner, then we started to watch Emilia Perez.  When we heard Van gently snoring, we woke him and suggested that he either head up to bed or head home to do the same.  He opted for the latter, and Conrad

and I switched to a handful of episodes of Young Sheldon, a show we long resisted but have been enjoying immensely.

But the idea of a silent night, of the peace of the season is there.  We did get out today and pick up some dried split peas for me to make soup, and then swung by Amara for a weekend breakfast. 

That was my first time leaving the condo building in two days, and heck, I didn't even make it more than five feet past the front door of the condo yesterday.  It's been restful, relaxing.  I'm doing more today than I have the past couple of lazy days, but I'm being willful about not overfilling my days off.  Eight days until I am back on campus, and I am happy not to have too many obligations.  

I confess, I would have loved time in the Vancouver condo if we still had it.  Some greyer, wetter weather.  No snow up there, but it might have been possible.  I should have liked some time to listen to music, watch the weather and the city lights and just be at peace.  Ah well.  Making the most of these quiet days before 2025 kicks into gear.  May you be doing the same.

The tree is up! The tree is up!

Is it only Saturday?  Is it still Saturday?  This long weekend has me confused and confounded - no sense of routine, seemingly non-stop in the kitchen.  But come on, it's worth it.  I mean, look....

Leftovers turned into mashed potato soup (garnished with caviar - Natasha came over, and we like to give her that treat when we can).

Leftovers turned into turkey pot pie.

Giving myself a pat on the back for using up leftovers so well.  And my gosh, is there a lot more in the fridge.  We'll do what we can with it.  Tomorrow, though, I swear that it is microwaving things only.  I have cooked enough this past week.

Enough complaining.  We had a nice evening.  Van showed up wearing his Christmas fox tshirt, and that inspired me to put on a fleecy Christmas bunny sweatshirt. 

The table was set simply but nicely. 

And, best of all, we have a tree. 

Yes, that is a tree, a modernish tree that Van bought for his former place in Rancho Mirage and that we now keep in storage here.  We decided to go with that this year.  I'm happy we did.  Oh, I will love seeing all the ornaments in a future year, but for this year, a much simpler and easier Christmas in terms of decor.

14 more cards done today.  I should do more before bed, but I think I won't.  Yaaawwwwn.  I'm a little fatigued, I confess.  Happy long weekend - I hope you all have trees up by now!