The Day After
In retrospect, i received two fabulous gifts for this year. I received more than that, but two stand out as being particularly fabulous.
One is my Hermoine Granger wand.
Yup, a wand.
And in response to the question my brothers asked, no, it doesn’t really work. (Though I did threaten to poke them in the eye if they didn’t stop teasing me over the gift.)
The wand isn’t about whether or not it is useful. The wand is about someone understanding me enough to know that this is a gift I’d love, but would never ever buy for myself or even ask for it. My sister-in-law drew my name and she’s the one who knows me best, so she would have bought me something I loved no matter what she bought. But I had the chance to chat with my nephew (her son) recently and I must have mentioned the wand. I don’t remember mentioning it, but I must have, because he told his mom and she bought it and well, I was pleased as punch. It’s going to have a place of honor on a shelf in my office.
As my brothers and husband made fun of my gift, my SIL turned to them and said, “She’s the one who bought me my Ken as Captain Kirk and Barbie as Yoeman Janice Rand dolls. She gets it.” And I do. I love you, Joy! The wand is fabulous, but the fact that she knew I’d love it is priceless.
My second favorite gift also involved my sister in law. Every year, Joy and I get together to make flan for Christmas Eve, which is known as Noche Buena around these parts (it’s a Cuban-American tradition. My family is primarily Italian, but my now deceased paternal grandmother and my aunt shared Cuban roots, so we celebrate Cuban style on Christmas Eve and Italian style on Christmas day). Anyway, after my grandmother passed away, Joy and I took the recipe and have been trying to recreate it. This year, we finally did it. Took us five years to make two perfect flans…to figure out the secret of what my grandmother knew intrinsically. We also drink while we cook and that might be part of the problem. Usually, we make them at night, too, when we’re tired. This year, our busy schedules kept us from baking until the morning of Christmas Eve. We chose pomegranate mimosas as our drink of choice and they weren’t even strong enough to give us a buzz. So, well rested and sober, we made two perfect flans. Who knew?
This year, we also decided that we needed to learn how to make the deviled crab recipe that my aunt is famous for. She’s in her late seventies and makes about 125 of these delicious spicy treats all on her own for all of us (we have forty-five people on Christmas Eve) to enjoy. She has no daughters and her daughter-in-law doesn’t live in town and I’m not even sure she cooks. It was up to us to learn. So we went over on the day before Christmas Eve and cooked while my aunt supervised. We prepared the sauce, cleaned the crab meat (the hardest part, IMO), rolled those suckers and breaded them. We did everything but the frying. On the way home, we both were aching. How did this woman do this every year? The same way my grandmother stirred the sugar over a hot stove until it carmelized (which takes about twenty minutes of non-stop stirring) for the flan. With love.
We needed Advil.
But all in all, spending time with family and learning traditions and sharing time with my aunt were priceless gifts that I’ll treasure always.
So…did you get anything you really loved this year?
Dear Julie,
I’m glad that you really enjoy some of your Christmas presents. I got some I really like but there aren’t any that are extremely priceless. Of course I got some that are special to me but not because it’s something extraordinary but because the person who gave it to me is special to me. I don’t know but for the present itself doesn’t mean so much (even if it sounds strange) but more the fact that those people thought about me and what I would like and care about me. And I’m really glad I didn’t get any I was extremely disappointed of because normally there is at least one present I don’t know what to do with. And it gets even more difficult when the person who gave it to you wants to see it everytime he visits you because I can never remember where I put the “useless” presents. I can tell you: That’s kind of embarrassing!
Now enjoy the day after everybody and stay safe.
See you
Vero
PS: Julie, I’d have loved the wand, too. I think that is an extraordinary present with lots of thoughts behind. Have fun with it. And if your brothers tease you once more simply use it
Comment by Vero — December 26, 2007 @ 6:46 am
Wow, what a wonderful gift Julie. I’m glad you got something you’ll treasure.
I always ask for giftcards, and that’s what I got - for books and for the Cheesecake Factory - yum. I’m quite happy with those. I know I’m a hard person to shop for. :santahat:
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 26, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Oh, and I bought myself a new digital camera - I hope to take more pictures in the coming year.
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 26, 2007 @ 7:07 am
On the actual presents side, I received several that I loved. But the best gift, the one that money could never buy, was my son coming over Christmas Eve afternoon and staying until around 3:00 on Christmas Day.
I don’t get to see him very often due to his work schedule. Yes, we talk on the phone (maybe once a week) but to have the time to spend with him…that was priceless and something I treasure.
I love that you got the wand. How cool is that! I keep telling everyone I want the Tickle Me, Elmo, but I think they think I’m just kidding. Not so much. I love that laugh of his.
My CP, found the coolest pens. They’re daggers, five of them, each different. Since a dagger plays an important role in my book, it was very cool and thoughtful. Trust me on this, she had to look long and hard to find them. Daggers items are not as easy as one would think to find.
I love the traditions you have with your family. We always had them too. Now with so many in different states we don’t all get together like that anymore. I miss that one.
Oh, and by the way. It you wanted to bring some of those devil crabs in January…I’m just saying…
Comment by Vicki — December 26, 2007 @ 7:13 am
Aww, Julie, this sounds like a VERY special Christmas! Yeah, Joy!
Comment by Carly — December 26, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Goodmorning
and jungle buddies,
The morning after is such a let down…
Well, the festivities aren’t all over…there is another whole week of that left before we begin the year anew….
Jules, I am glad that your SIL knew you well enough to get you the wand…I must admit, I probably would have teased you too, but only in good fun…
I got a lot of giftcards (to buy more books: the best gift anyone could ever give me) for Christmas and it always feels good to know that someone actually listens to you and knows you well enough to buy the very best gift for you…I don’t ask for anything for Christmas…it is funny, a friend of mine asked me if I was good on Christmas Eve…I was actually surprised because I have never been asked that question 1 and in my adult mind I am thinking what is this woman doing…I was sarcastic with my response as usual…I asked her later why she asked me that question and she said she was just trying to play it up for her son…I thought it was funny then…not hahaha funny, but rather cute funny…
Sorry I went off on a tangent there… now I am back…Jules, it sounds like you had a wonderful time yesterday and I am glad…
Vero, I know what you mean…the gift that you would never be caught wearing or holding…I had a couple of those when I was younger…I never had trouble finding them if the gift giver asked to see them though…I am a complete and utter packrat…so, you got me there…
Carly, I hope that Florida is treating you and yours well…it must be nice…NYC is pretty warm right now too, but I am sure that FL is a lot better…loved the Costas Sister’s stories…happy writing okay…I see that you have made progress…quite a bit too…
Janelle, haven’t really spoken to you for a while, but I hope that yesterday was filled with joy and laughter…
Leslie, what more can I say besides…I am loving your estory…Holly and Zach are such wonderful characters…and her grandparents are so ingenious…I can’t wait for tomorrow’s “episode”…yeah I think of it as a daily tv show now…those of you who haven’t caught up with the story yet, you are missing a wonderful tale of love, mystery and murder…so hop over to eharlequin.com now and get caught up in the web of deception…
Leslie, how was that for a commercial?…I “talk” to you everyday so I can’t think of anything new to say…I do love your Santoris…finished “That’s Amore” and it was wonderful…can’t wait to read Gloria and Tony’s story…
You guys are all AWESOME!!!!
Have a wonderful day today guys…it would be a great day to shop for books and such…ttyas
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Talk to you all later…
Comment by Paula R. — December 26, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Love that you got Hermoine’s wand!!! I will have to buy it for myself at some point(my oldest niece got Harry’s wand).
I had a pretty great Christmas this year. My BIL got me the Kitchen Aid mixer that I have been wanting forever. Then my dad got me a couple of great gifts too. I needed a new vacuum cleaner and wanted one of the oversized skillets so I could just cook sauces and chili in one pan. Not only did he get me the vacuum cleaner I wanted(lifetime hepa filter), but he got me a complete set of new stainless cookware! It is so pretty and I can’t wait to have time to cook a big meal.
Of course one of my best gifts was my grandmother teaching me how to make one of her casseroles that she always makes at Christmas or Thanksgiving. She is even going to teach me the other when I go back next month. My cousin is getting early leave from Iraq and we are all trying to get back home to visit while he is on leave.
Comment by Liza — December 26, 2007 @ 9:28 am
There’s nothing like getting a gift that caters to the inner child in you, is there? Those are always the best kind. :santahat:
And woo hooo on perfecting the flan!
I got the ugliest hat ever this year, and I love it. I put a pic on my blog. :giggle:
Comment by Jaci Burton — December 26, 2007 @ 9:32 am
Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays! Congrats on the flan! Missed having my grandmother’s as she’s in FL. I’ve yet to perfect it.
I got lots of very nice things, but the one present that I went crazy for was the huge gift bag of post-its. All different colors, shapes, etc. I go through them quickly so it was the very cool useful present. Of course, my dad was like maybe we should take back the digital camera and just get more post-its … and I got the enchanted Patrick Dempsey doll. 
Since I’d never buy one for myself. I hope everyone is enjoying time off, and time with family and friends. Now if I could only figure out how to ditch work today and go to borders and that gift card … :snowmanhead:
Comment by Yolanda — December 26, 2007 @ 9:45 am
I’m jealous…I’ll come right out and admit it. My parents are here and like Vicki I got to spend a lot of time with m son, who is now flying to Ohio to see his dad, but other than that it really kind of sucked.
I woke up at 5:50 to the whole bed shaking…after 2 weeks and 2 days hubby was having another seizure…huge sigh. He felt horrible all day so that was bad. My parents gave us money so we can try to build hubby a workshop - he really misses having one since we moved into our new house.
His family gave me a pen, a t-shirt, a cut flowers book and an ugly necklace…I had just asked for money from them too, to apply to the workshop but, as usual, they didn’t listen. My son asked for money too, trying to save up enough for a computer and he got 2 shirts, just like shirts he already has.
I know I sound terribly ungrateful, but I just wish that someone in hubby’s family got us, like Julie’s SIL. That is such a cool thing that she knows you well enough, and embraces your Harry Potter quirkiness that she would get you that gift. Or even like Paula R’s family and listened and got us what we wanted. They don’t ever give what you want, they give what they want you to have.
But I’m sooooo happy for everyone that did get exactly what they wanted and that had a great time with their family!!!
Comment by Jodie — December 26, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Hugs, Jodie! I’m so sorry you’re in a bit of a rough patch right now. I’m glad you were able to spend time with your family and son
Julie, your SIL sounds wonderful! What a blessing you’ve got each other to enjoy the holidays with, and to rediscover special family recipes with!
My favorite present this year was one my four-year-old made for the family–at school, she wrote and illustrated her own little board book, and it’s just brilliant, if we do say so ourselves
Comment by Fedora — December 26, 2007 @ 11:31 am
The best gift I got was from a little elderly lady I helped out at the store.
She came in the day before Christmas and gave me a zip lock bag filled
with home made kettle corn that she had made. It was a gift of hand and
heart and I loved it. I also got books and bookstore gift cards.
Guess my to be read pile will grow this week big time.
Julie I understand your loving the wand.
Hugs to all!
Comment by jeanie & Zoey — December 26, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Hi All!
We had a huge Christmas eve at my in-laws and it was rough. Our nephew on my hubbys side of the family got exactly what my nephew Zane had asked for. And I cried seeing him get it, not that I wasn’t happy for him, but because I miss Zane so much.
I got a purse, and an ornament, and angel earrings ( I do not wear earrings).
We had a mellow day, at home yesterday just me and the kids. Hubby got home from work about 3 PM and then when we went for a walk Santa came.
Since, we have been travelng so much and had all the other broken issues, my SIL did Santa gift and all I can say is how blessed and thank God for the timeliness of his grace.
The kids were spoiled as usual and they got me two gift cards, one to a spa and one to a clothes store……..
The hardest part was this is the second Christmas we spent without seeing my family and each year it gets harder….
I might really start having to reconsider moving to AR, the parents are not getting any younger or healthier.
With Love…..
Comment by debb — December 26, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Uggh Jodie
Hope that helps!
I had a great Christmas, the gifts were thoughtful, the food was great, and there was plenty of
One of my highlights was when I gave my 10 year old nephew his gift (an mp3 player), he literally knocked me down when he dove into my arms with hugs and kisses, he just made my whole day! 
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 26, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
Jodie, I am sorry that things didn’t go as well for you yesterday…I hope that your hubby is feeling better today…I will send up a prayer for him…
I am glad that you got to spend time with your son…that must have been wonderful for you and your hubby…
I hope that today is a peaceful and stress free one for you and your hubby…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 26, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Comment by Liza — December 26, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
It seems everyone had a very nice Christmas yesterday. Ours was great. We got 6 to 7 inches of snow. :-) Our stockings, our hearts and our stomachs were filled. My brother-in-law and his two kids came by yesterday afternoon and stayed through the evening. My mother-in-law and my mom are here until Friday/Saturday when they fly home.
I got a new IPod and a beautiful ring from my husband. :-)) My daughter, Lilly made out like a bandit. All in all it was a great day.
I wish everyone a fabulous 2008. May all your hopes, dreams and wishes come true.
Love, Cher
mastree:
Comment by Cher — December 26, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
I had a really nice Xmas — mainly because it was spent with family. Christmas Eve is spent with my husband’s family, and Christmas day is spent with my family. My hubby got me a GPS system for my car, and that was a great gift considering how lame I am when it comes to directions!
Unfortunately, I’m still sick with a horrible cold/flu. UGH.
Comment by Janelle — December 26, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Oh bummer, Janelle. I remember one year I got the flu for Christmas. I woke up with it and it was horrible. Hope you feel better very, very soon!
Thanks everyone for the hugs and well wishes. Hubby is off today (just happened to be his day off) and he is feeling much better. He’s left messages for the doctor to find out what next and hopefully the next medicine they add to the mix will work.
Debb, I’m sorry you had a tough time as well. It is really hard to be away from family and I’m so glad that I got my mom this year - we joke that every other year I get them and then every other year my step-brothers get custody of them. But its so hard to be spread out all over the country.
Comment by Jodie — December 26, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Julie, sounds like you had a great Christmas. How neat that your SIL knew you would love that wand & bought it for you. I just love that she gets you. To many people don’t listen & think it is to crazy or something. Your Italian/Cuban roots sounds wonderful with all the traditions & family.
Janelle, sorry you are still fighting cold/flu.
Get well soon.
Leslie, I read One Wild Wedding Night! What a great read, can’t wait to hear what others are saying about it. I bragged all over eHarlequin about what a good book it is. The adjectives were running through my brain. To everyone here, if you don’t already have Leslie’s book One Wild Wedding Night get it soon & don’t put it in the TBR pile read it now! You will be glad you did.
Carly, I hope you are enjoying sunshine & relaxation.
Now I have to go catch up with Leslie’s online read. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Comment by Donna M — December 26, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Hugs Jodie - I hope that the new mix helps. And Janelle - I refuse to be sick at Christmas time, and so far (knock on wood) it has worked. Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Julie, how great that you were able to perfect the flan. There were many things that my grandmother used to make that I’ll never be able to duplicate. I asked her, but she would only tell me “a handful of this, a handful of that” and her hands were larger than mine. And my SIL is my best friend - the only one that really gets me. We even finish each other’s sentences.
My best gifts were The Dresden Files first (and only) season on DVD, and gift cards to Borders. But I also got one of those “what were they thinking” gifts. Sheesh.
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 26, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
My best gift was a charcoal sketch my niece did of my father who passed away in May. We took a bottle of Louis Xlll cognac over with us to toast his memory.
My SIL gave me a gift card(agan!) for a clothingstore I don’t shop at. Despite repeated hints from my brother and sisters, she refuses to buy crd for either Barnes and Noble or Borders.
Comment by Mary C. — December 26, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
I got a china hutch. I have wanted one for years.
Comment by Estella — December 26, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
Hi Julie~ I’m glad you had such a nice day! I really love the new digital camera I received! I’m going to try and take more pictures this year. But the most meaningful gift I got was from my mom. She gave me a “writers block.” It’s a block with sayings on it from famous authors. It meant a lot to me that she gave me something like that and it’s sitting prominently on my desk.
Janelle, I hope you feel better soon! Jodie, hugs and well wishes to you and your hubby. Debb, I hope the new year finds you and your family surrounded by peace and happiness.
Leslie, I read One Wild Wedding Night too and like Donna, loved it!!!!
I couldn’t put it down. It’s a must read!
And Bailey, I’m a huge Dresden Files fan! Have you read the books? I’m so, so bummed there aren’t going to be any more TV shows.
Have a great rest of the day everyone!
Comment by Robin — December 26, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Oh cool! I get it too, I’d be overjoyed with one of the wands (I have the Grigots coins) but my thing is mostly Disney ornaments and snowglobes. Unfortunately I didn’t get either (I bought myself two ornaments today though) but I did get $95 worth of Borders gift certificates! I got the Borders exclusive HP 5 2-disc DVD edition with some other thing (I haven’t unwrapped it yet) and of course a few books.
My favorite thing I got this year besides my gift cards of course would have to be my Mp3 player my MIL got me!
Comment by Ladytink_534 — December 26, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Robin - Yes I’ve read the Dresden books - have them in hardback. It’s awful that there won’t be any more of the series. Yes, it’s a bummer.
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 26, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
Jaci- that is a hideous hat. I love it!!
Jodie- i am right there with you. Only one of hubby’s kids really “gets” me and also doesn’t get us a joint gift card that I never get to see, much less use. He adds to my tacky musical stuffed things every year. This time it was a doxie with sun glasses that sings. It drove the kitten nuts and the twins loved it!!
On the other hand, his daughter, who I went out of my way to make sure had a nice Xmas, got upset when I asked her nicely, not to bring out the dishes as I was cleaning the kitchen first. (I don’t have a lot of room.) She got upset, told one of the others I was a bitch and went home. Her father is going to call and speak with her tomorrow. I kill myself doing all the shopping, cleaning, cooking and wrapping and I didn’t even get any thanks, from the majority of them. I tell them what I like and don’t get anything. I work at Border’s why would they get me a B&N card???
On the positive side, hubby did listen and I got a new digital camera and a touch ipod.
And I went out shopping at 7 am and by 10 had hit Target, Home Depot, Walmart, The Christmas Tree Shot and JoAnn Fabrics. My truck was full and daughter and I switched cars so mom could go to the mall and Border’s with us.
I love after Christmas sales, to heck with Black Friday!!!
:elf:
Comment by ev — December 26, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Robin- I got daughter the same book. They also have a creative block that I got her. She loves them.
I am going to finish reading Leslies story tomorrow when I can do it uninterruped and relax and enjoy it!!
:pray:
Comment by ev — December 26, 2007 @ 7:05 pm
Hi all!
We had a great holiday, too. Still trying to get Cassie used to having a new baby sister in the house. Dulcie (aka Dulcinea) is absolutely adorable and we love her to pieces. But, uh, Cassie still needs some convincing.
As usual, Bruce was so sweet and thoughtful, got me lots of little things, both that I needed and that I would never think of buying myself–like Julie’s wand. Those are the best kinds of presents.
So glad to hear everyone else’s holiday was so nice (for the most part…sorry, Jodie!!!!)
And I’m so glad Donna & Robin got to warm up their winter with One Wild Wedding Night!!! Tell me the truth…were you shocked? lol!
Comment by Leslie — December 26, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
Hmm…well…um Yes I did get some things I loved I got the Pirates of the Caribbean Scene it game!! (YAHOO!!! which I totally kicked my older sisters butt at!
) she also got me the newst Pirates movie! Three little action figures one of CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW! (OH yes is Johnny HOT! :hothot) And one of Will and Elizabeth! OH and she even bought me The Pirates Chapstick! LOL Which I LOVE!!!
Comment by melissa — December 26, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Julie: I totally get that wand thing and I love cooking with my mom (being the only girl in my family I love all of the Christmasy foods I grew up with…my SILs don’t seem to want to cook them). Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts is on my list for New Year’s eve (I was at my MIL for Christmas).
My MIL got me a chocolate fountain….I loved it becuase she only gives practical gifts (dvds and cds are okay for her to give, but that has taken her a LONG time, typically, she loves to give toasters!). Hubby doesn’t understand it. He wants to dip cheese in it. I still haven’t seen my Nintendo DS Lite…hubby didn’t want to give it to me because we have too many video games (I am confused by this because my 7 year old has computer games and two leapsters….some of the leapster games only play on the new system). This would be for me not the boys…..It’s one of those “if I don’t understand it or approve of it, then I am not getting it” gifts. Guess, I am getting it for myself next month (I always buy something decadent in January).
USA suggested that if you get a gift card to a place that you don’t like then A)buy a gift there for someone else B) ebay it. They reccommended the A choice (like for the person who bought it for you!). Then, I would take the money saved and buy myself something!
Comment by katie — December 26, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
katie, you should buy it for yourself! If you want it, get it. The prices are pretty good. My daughter got her DS Lite for Christmas.
I love hearing about all the Christmas joy and that so many of you understand my HP obsession. Melissa, your presents sound fabulous! I love gifts that are totally impractical. Life cannot be so serious all the time!
ev, a pox on your step daughter. She needs to get over herself. I hope your hubby does talk to her and that she gets the message.
Liza, I love new cookware! I can’t wait to get mine…the new kitchen construction (can you believe this has gone on so long???) starts next month.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 27, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Happy Holidays everyone!! I would have to say the best gift I got this year is my nephew… he was born on Nov. 19 ( four weeks early) and was home and healthy for Christmas but I also will always tresure the fact that he has brought me and my sister closer.
Comment by Kate — December 27, 2007 @ 3:00 am
Christmas Gifts!
I love Christmas! I get to spend time with the family, more time with my kids, and a break from the everyday rush! This year was bittersweet for me! My brother came home for the first time in 2 years!
What my favorite gift was: a set of prayer hands made of glass with a sweet poem on it. “My dear precious child…” is how it begins. It was a gift from my Father. I generally hate what I call “dustables!” I usually send them out as soon as they come in! This year this solitary gift from my Father means more to me than anything. He was just diagnosed with non-treatable cancer. He knew I needed to know how much he loved me! It is the only dustable I will keep this year!!!
:giggle:
Comment by Amy Potter — December 28, 2007 @ 4:33 am
Ev - don’t know if you’ll see this or not, it’s so late, but I wanted to say sorry you had such a rough time. As I was reading the post I thought it was going to be from you, just because you’ve posted before about your step-children and their awful ways. I’m really sorry that they treat you that way and I sure hope your hubby puts his foot down with her.
I’m so fortunate to have step-parents that I love as if they were my real parents, but even if I didn’t feel that way, I sure hope I would love and respect my real parent enough to at least be nice to my step-parent. She’s got hers coming to her…karma has a way of coming back around!
Comment by Jodie — December 28, 2007 @ 12:41 pm