Tuesday, December 24: We have another long-standing tradition of going to my mother-in-law’s house for Christmas Eve. She lives in Vienna, Virginia and on our way to her house, we drive past the most decorated house in Vienna.
My mother-in-law, now 87, is on oxygen and is very frail. Known as Nana to our children, she used to cook a feast of ham loaf and scalloped potatoes and other goodies from her Ohio past, but she’s too frail to cook these days. It makes me sad to see her in such poor health, and so weak, and such a shadow of her former self. She still has a big heart, though, and her poor health won’t put a dent in that.
My sister-in-law, Barbara, does most of the work this year, getting a ham and corn pudding and green beans from Whole Foods. She buys an array of cookies and decorates the tree and the mantel (along with help from my sons). She goes all out on wrapping presents in the most elegant and exotic paper imaginable. This year she’s decorated the tree with bird and animal ornaments.
Here are a few shots of our family gathering on Christmas Eve. Again, it’s been four years since I was home for Christmas, so it’s lovely to be with family again on the holidays.
nomad, interrupted 
Awwwww such a beautiful family…. Happy new year my friend! 🙂
Thanks so much, Ioanna! I hope your year ahead is blessed!
Nana looks a pretty determined character, Cathy 🙂 Not much fun getting old and frail, though. I went to see Mick’s 97 year old auntie in the week. She’s still going strong, but her memory is shot 😦 Conversation is very trying 🙂
Happy times together to treasure, hon. Big hug! 🙂
She does seem to be a determined character. She keeps telling me to enjoy my extra weight because no matter what she does, she keeps losing weight. At least Nana still has her memory and she’s very sharp. It’s really sad when people lose their memories; sorry about your auntie. It’s been too long for me to be away; I need to stay closer to home…. Hugs to you, Jo! xxx
What a lovely family post. Your mom-in-law is the same age as my mom, who is also now very frail. Beautiful Christmas decorations. Well done to Barbara. She did a great job. How wonderful to be with your family for Christmas, Cathy. 🙂
Yes, Sylvia, it was really great to be home for the holidays, after yearning so much for this over the last 3 years. 🙂
Your Christmas Eve looks lovely, Cathy. Happy New Year to you. Wishing you all the best in 2014!
Thanks, Tahira! Wishing you the best in 2014 too! 🙂
what clever boys Cathy, and an exquisite tree … your mother does look determined … I am sure she was thrilled to have you home again this year!
It was really lovely to be back home; although given the situation with Mike’s and my unresolved marriage, I’m not so sure how happy she is to have me back…. That being said, she always been really generous and loving to me. xxx
Looks like a beautiful Christmas Eve, Cathy. 🙂
Yes, Robin, it was really lovely. As was Christmas Day. It was so good to be home. 🙂
Ahh bless you all!
Thanks so much, Gilly. 🙂
I love that house… we used to go see it before we moved. They always so such a good job decorating it with lights… thanks for the memories 🙂
That’s so funny you recognize that house from Vienna. Did you used to live in Vienna? I used to live on Sherwood Drive off Beulah Road, but now i live at the far end of Oakton, almost near Fair Oaks Mall. Thanks for visiting and I’m glad I brought back happy memories for you. 🙂