Ah, Christmas! It was very satisfactory. The worst thing is the roast was overcooked. I was playing cards and Molli was out running (in the rain). Amelia doesn't eat meat, of course, so didn't worry about that. Molli checked it with the thermometer before she left and I didn't take it out for another hour or so. A delicious roast, just not pink anywhere.

I was up a couple hours before anyone else, which I had counted on. I was wrapping away and tucking things in stockings. Amelia got up pretty early and helped me some, but she mostly wanted to sleep some more, curled up on the couch. My Dad came a little after eight and then Ray got up, followed eventually by Molli and Adrian. We had to wake Elisa. The stockings were maybe a little slim, mostly not very exciting and quickly opened. Not so many sweets, as we are generally trying to be healthier. (just realized I forgot to wrap a bottle of capers for my Dad)

We had a lovely authentic stollen from Aldi, full of raisins and candied fruit. We had scrambled eggs, as is traditional, although Amelia went for leftover quiche instead. I realized I had no more eggs to make the pies and Yorkshire pudding. Sometimes we make pies the day before, but I was cooking the Christmas eve food and only managed to get the mince done.

The gift opening proceeded after Amelia took a quick shower. It was quite satisfactory. I used to make lists of my loot: I got a big heavy box of Fiesta ware from Amelia. I don't know whether it came from one store or was collected over the year--dark blue and yellow. No clothes at all--no socks or underwear. Three cookbooks--a German one from Elisa, a lovely chicken and egg cookbook (from Polly, I think), and a digital one that I have not been able to redeem yet from Molli and Adrian. It is from Kobo and they keep telling me my password is no good and I keep resetting it. I have emailed them and am sure it will work out. It is Mark Bittman's! Elisa also gave a book of Sudoku to Ray and me, very thoughtful, and a novel that looks good. Bonney sent a necklace that I like a lot. And there is a new game to try, probably from Polly. Maybe it will be good for two or three players! Other people were enjoying the things I gave them--a jackknife for my Dad, a watch for Ray, some warmup pants Elisa had admired--so it was fun all around, although soon over and time to get cooking.

Amelia and my Dad drove out to buy eggs. I was surprised any place was open on Christmas day, but not everyone celebrates it. Pecan and mince pies were baked. The girls and Adrian went to Kevin's for a while. We ate leftovers. The roast went in the oven. Molli cut up the squash--a ton of it--and peeled the potatoes. Amelia prepared the sweet potatoes and the Yorkshire puddings and the green beans. We started a game of Oh Hell and Molli was winning, except she stopped to go for a run. Elisa took her place and won by a lot, but we discovered near the end of the game she did not know you had to follow suit. Perhaps the secret to her success! Anyway, this is when I took the roast out, the sweet potatoes went in. We cleared the game and set the table with the historic tablecloth, embroidered with family signatures. Come to think of it, I guess I should add Adrian and Kevin's names. The little silver balls are no longer silvered and most of them are gone, but the embroidered names in red and green are still fun to read. I made the gravy, but didn't pour off the fat.

Of course, I miss my mother most of all on occasions like this, but her presence is strongly felt. She would have enjoyed it all and given advice even if she couldn't do the work herself. I know she would not have let me overcook the roast beef! And she would have given me socks and underwear.

My Dad left after a piece of pie (and the end of the Oh Hell game). We watched Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol and another old Star Trek episode (Charlie X), thanks to Netflix. I stayed up after 10 and woke early, excited for a day of relaxation and fun.