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An Unexpected Christmas Eve

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, turned out completely unexpected, as I’d expected it to just be me. I started baking the turkey breast yesterday morning.

Then I walked over to Ron and Pat’s to see if they had a meat thermometer. Why do I always forget to order a meat thermometer?

They didn’t have one.

In on Christmas Day 2023, this is a photo of one side of my dining room.

Lisa didn’t have a meat thermometer either. But I didn’t really expect her to, as she doesn’t really cook.

I figured she was going to be with her family yesterday, but she said she was going to be with them today. So I asked her if she wanted to have turkey with me.

I didn’t know then whether the meal would end up being lunch or supper. Because I have to cook meals in stages here due to the lack of wattage in the kitchen.

If I cook something in the oven, then I can’t cook anything in the tabletop convection often, for instance.

Because if I do, the fuse in the kitchen blows, and fixing it is not just a matter of flipping it. Maintenance has to do something more involved in order to get things working again.

Unexpected Guests:

I put Lisa to work putting together the corn casserole and the sweet potato casserole while I read her the amount of ingredients and instructions.

It was so much easier that way as she can stand longer on her feet than I can.

Then, John walked through the patio door to get Boomer a treat. My apartment is one of Boomer’s treat stops and he runs over to the patio door wanting to be let in.

I asked John if he’d like to eat with us. He didn’t have plans till a little later, so he said he’d join us for the meal.

I told him that I could not cook the corn casserole while the sweet potato casserole was cooking or it would flip the breakers. He doesn’t have this problem in his apartment. Ron and Pat do though.

So John took the corn casserole to his apartment to cook.

Everything ended up being done about the same time because John stepped in to help. And the turkey was still kind of warm.

I didn’t expect to have John eating with us. But there was plenty to eat with leftovers.

My dining room table with my quilts as a back drop.

Boomer sat under the table next to John with his eyes nearly bugging out of his head waiting for John to drop a bit of food. The whole time his tail wagged.

Boomer is just the sweetest dog.

Ivy smelled the corn bread in the corn casserole and started stirring about in the kitchen.

Lisa, John, & Me For The Christmas Eve Meal:

So it was Lisa, John, and me for Christmas Eve. And because Lisa helped me, I was able to cook everything on the same day, which was really nice.

Normally I only cook one thing each day because I have to elevate my foot every little bit. Of course it wasn’t always like this. Just since the past few years.

If you haven’t had Paula Deen’s Corn casserole, try it one of these days.

This is the recipe I used for the Southern Sweet Potato Casserole. I used pecans instead of marshmallows.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas Day.

And that those who don’t have a home at least get to have a meal.

I can’t forget all the homeless pets out there just waiting for a home. Please consider adopting. That is the greatest gift.

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I'm Brenda, creator of Cozy Little House. I live with my cat, Ivy, who keeps me laughing. I graduated from journalism school with a degree in professional writing and won awards for feature writing. I practice gratitude and enjoy my solitude. The glass is always half-full.

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24 Comments

  1. What a wonderful impromptu Christmas Eve! You have the nicest neighbor-friends.

    We had my mom, aunt and uncle over for Christmas Eve lunch. I made a spiral ham and a small charcuterie board. Mom made potato salad and my aunt made Greek pasta salad. We also had homemade Christmas cookies for dessert. Sat around after lunch in the living room, fireplace going, Clementine curled up on a chair, just all talking and enjoying each other’s company. Lovely day.

  2. Well, that was a wonderful day!! Everyone helping and eating and enjoying each others company.

  3. I’m glad you had a good Christmas and wish you the best of New Years.

  5. Merry Christmas Brenda! Glad you had a great day. We have not been able to celebrate as covid has hit hubby and I. We were able to exchange gifts w the grands thru the porch windows. No hugs and no dinner

  7. Brenda, I have followed you for years and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. Have you considered another medical opinion on your foot? Your problem, the surgery and the healing have gone on for a very long time. I hope you will consider going to another orthopedic foot specialist for another opinion – even if your daughter has to drive you out of state to a specialist. It can’t hurt. I want you to be pain-free so much.

  8. Sounds like a great meal and a wonderful day.l So happy you had friends join you. Merry Christmas.

  9. Nice to hear everyone got together for a nice meal. You all are family! Have a good week.

  10. A wonderful outcome for your holiday meal and a special impromptu get-together. I hope to adopt a dog in 2024 – maybe a senior or a pup w a disability. Merry Christmas!

  11. Merry Christmas Brenda,
    what a lovely outcome for your Christmas Eve! Since your move to this aptmt. complex; you have been so much happier and I love to read your blog even more. Wishing you health and happiness in the New Year and to everyone who shares here! Peace and Blessings…

  12. Merry Christmas, Brenda! What a fun surprise your Christmas Eve turned out to be! So nice that you have such great neighbors and friends. Clearly they think of you that way too. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2024!

  14. 🎄Merry Christmas Brenda!🎄
    I hope your Christmas Day is as fantastic as your Christmas Eve was! I made three crème de menthe bundt cakes and six dozen snickerdoodle cookies last night. Now I’m making my choc fudge and orange salad. I already had a surprise my grandsons have already been over for hugs and wish me a Merry Christmas in person!

    1. My three granddaughters will be here too today and my grandsons are coming back over. So it’s a good thing I planned on putting a ham in my crockpot! lol
      I think I’ll be baking some pb blossoms too before they all come over and one other kind.
      Every time I comment it disappears and I have to start all over again! So frustrating! lol
      🎄Merry Christmas!🎄

  16. Merry Christmas. I am happy to hear your neighbors were with you for Christmas Eve.

  18. Merry Christmas, Brenda your Christmas Eve dinner sounds wonderful you have the best neighbors. It’s a cold, crisp clear day here in the SF Bay Area…..
    and Happy New Year

  20. Have a very Merry Christmas, Brenda! Your Christmas Eve sounded wonderful! Sometimes the impromptu get-togethers are the most memorable!

  21. Merry Christmas!
    How is Ivy with Boomer in her house?
    Not sure my Bella & Buddy’sChristmas spirit would extend to a dog sharing their space! A Dog! of all things😻

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