Merry Christmas!

I have been on a bit of a hiatus from everything, and it was exactly what I needed. I have been doing absolutely nothing in the best possible way.

What I have been doing is seeing my friends a lot. I have so many people I love and love to see, I wish I had way longer. Two weeks is a short time to do all of that. I have been having a lovely time vegging at home with my family, lying on the couch and reading and pretending like I still live here (no one tell my mom I don't).

Yesterday we drove out to Manotick for the traditional turkey dinner. My little sister's godfather lives out there and we always spend holidays with his family. All the usual fixings were there - the garlic mashed potatoes (much superior to the non-garlic variety), green beans, brussels sprouts, the famous gravy, and the juiciest, most delicious turkey I have ever had. Seriously. They basically rolled me out of there.

After dinner, my dad broke out his Christmas present, a new traveling banjo, and played a few licks for us. All the usual favourites that I remember my dad playing, even though he doesn't really play very often. He was in a couple bands in his day, in Toronto, and he's pretty great. He's starting to teach lessons at the Ottawa Folklore Centre at the end of January, so if you want to learn from clawhammer banjo (believe me, you do) sign up!

I hope you're all having Merry Christmases, or whatever holiday you celebrate!

PS: I don't know if any of you caught "A King's Christmas" on CBC either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at 9pm, but it was stellar! Congratulations King's choir, it was excellent.