christmas come and gone

I had a dream that it snowed.

And when we woke up, we looked out our bedroom window to see everything covered in white, and the pond behind our apartment shining with a sheen of ice.

But in actuality, it's nearly 65 degrees today. No White Christmas for us. No, not even close. It reminds Ben of his childhood Christmases - in the southern hemisphere where Santa (er, Father Christmas) arrives in the dead of summer. Inexpicable to me, where Christmas is premised on sleigh rides...and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Aside from the glaring absence of snow, however - we had a lovely Christmas (so spoiled are we).

For those of you keeping track, it was our first Christmas, in fact. We had a long conversation about family holiday traditions - and enjoyed the freedom to put our own Adlard spin on them. It felt significant - coming up with our small forms of celebration - knowing that we may be setting a precedent for years from now.

This year, we went over to my parents' annual Christmas Eve open house, which has become a tradition of sorts - and every year a round of 'regulars' show up at the house to eat, drink, and be merry. Then, we had our own Christmas around the tree, late at night - with trifle for dessert (especially requested by Ben).

In the morning, we traded stockings - and then went to my parents house for a Major Christmas Morning, during which most of the entertainment was due to our nephew's first Christmas. Between grandparents and yours truly, the nephew received one noisy, beeping, singing toy after another. One of which rang out all afternoon - a song that was first time cute and 12th time irksome. The tune goes something like this: walk along, walk along, walk along and sing a song - repeat - HUNDREDS OF TIMES.

We ended at the Spencer's house - with two card tables crowded around the big dining table - and we feasted on Turducken. Don't know what Turducken is? Well, let me enlighten you. Turducken is a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. As Ben says, "so American" (a little disdainfully, I suspect) - but I think it's an excellent culinary invention and credit to those innovative Americans for finding a way to cram three types of poultry into one delicious dinner. The grand finale to dinner - as always, creme brulee - the bonus being we each get to 'torch' our own brulee before digging in (nothing like Fire to get everyone excited on Christmas Day).

Now, it's back to work for Ben - and off to work for me - because, for Christmas, I got a new job! I'm starting at the aforementioned advertising/PR firm on January 3rd. Nothing like a new job to ring in the new year. This means that Ben and I are both now officially and happily employed.

When my new supervisor mentioned health insurance, I nearly shivered with delight. Health insurance! For me! And then nearly shuddered with horror at what an Adult I've become - thrilled over benefits. Still, it's the best Christmas present I could have received - so thanks to all of you for keeping your fingers crossed - and here's to a New Year of New Jobs and New Adventures.