Minta - Sounds like you were pretty on top of things! Sorry to hear the baking was crazy for you!
Mrs Soup. - For your first Christmas on the island it sounds like you did pretty good! You'll ease into things I bet and have an easier time next year I hope! I believe that Prime is a yearly charge? You can do a free month trial though?
Christmas 2017 Recap:
- Our season was unfortunately dominated by my illness.
I got sick the Tuesday after Thanksgiving with what I assumed was the stomach flu. After 3 weeks of awfulness I ended up in the hospital the Tuesday before Christmas and was there until Thursday. My blood count dropped dangerously low and I had to have a transfusion. Ultimately a colonoscopy revealed that I have Crohn's Disease which is part of a group of conditions that fall under Irritable Bowel Disorder. Things had just gotten crazy because it drug on so long with the assumption I had the flu. My blood counts are still pretty low but not like they were. Seeing GI dr soon and will try to get things under control and in remission.
- Finishing decorations was difficult once I fell ill but we managed. I was feeling a little better the weekend I got the gifts to ship taken care of and I got Christmas cards out in a reasonable amount of time considering.
- Had to cancel our annual Christmas party, dinner with BIL and girlfriend and our original date to do Christmas with my sister and her boyfriend. We've rescheduled for this coming Saturday.
- Christmas Eve we were visited by BIL and girlfriend briefly, and by our neighbor. We also made a small visit to MIL that morning which was nice.
- Christmas Day we went down to family in neighboring town at about 1PM - had a meal and visited for a bit before coming home at 4PM. Was nice to see them! We normally only go down for Easter and Thanksgiving but it was lovely to add in Christmas this year.
What Worked Well:
- I have to say that my early prep SAVED MY BACON. Gifts were purchased, many wrapped before I fell ill. Gift bags helped with most of the rest.
- Cookie dough was in freezer. Once I realized I was not contagious I did distribute most of it. There is quite a bit left though so will gift some more to my sister and send rest in to work this week. Just have to finish baking the dough!
- We kept Christmas Eve meal simple - marinated turkey breast, Stovetop stuffing, Rhodes frozen rolls, etc. Chilled pears for dessert
- I did make a cheesecake to take down on Christmas Day - and Deviled Eggs - and was glad I could do at least that! For once all the eggs peeled perfectly! I guess the universe tossed me a little break there, lol!
What Didn't Work Well:
- We always take a picture of DS and dogs in front of the tree to include in Christmas Cards. The delay in finishing the tree did cause some stress since I couldn't get cards finished until we got photos back. Not sure of any other way to handle this other than putting tree up earlier than Thanksgiving weekend which I am going to seriously consider.
- The tree lights. UGH. We should have enough LED lights now to do the whole thing and fingers crossed I have a much easier time next year!
- Outside decor was minimal this year due to illness. Will try hard to get lights purchased and up before Thanksgiving weekend - it's just too much to do inside and outside all in those 4 days!
- Cancelling our our plans! Lots of food in the freezer that was meant for the party. Trying to figure out a date for a post Christmas party so I can use it up!
Favorite Moments:
- DS running into our room Christmas morning!
- DS opening his XBox - he was thrilled!
- DS opening his Russian Nesting Doll, lol. He asked Santa for it which cracked me up! I ordered a holiday theme one from Amazon and it is really cute. He's played with it a lot.
- DH opening his new Ninja blender. Ours was on it's last leg and I think it was a hit!
- Brewing a cup of freshly ground Kona coffee and eating a left over piece of Key Lime Pie! I received the coffee and the grinder from a friend and boy was I happy!