Home again. We had an uneventful trip other than sitting on the tarmac at BWI for an hour while the mechanics worked on the cooling system for the avionics. We arrived home to a warming trend, so we missed the cold days.

Now it is full speed ahead for Christmas and all related fun stuff. Colleen and I are going to start decorating tonight, and finish up on Friday which is a day off for her. The tree will wait for a while so it won't dry out by Christmas.

We used to bundle up the four kids, and along with the dog, load up the station wagon to drive to a tree farm to cut a fresh tree. Now Ken and I leave the house and stop at the closest tree lot. If there is nothing to our satisfaction we drive to the next closest, and so on, until we happen on the perfect tree. Then we cash in some of our stocks and bonds to pay for it (I thought we lived in the Evergreen State) and bring it home.

And the really fun stuff this year will be company and an eggnog party. Gary and Carolyn will be here on the 29th and Jeff and Bev Schuler usually arrive around the 27th. So Friday, the 30th will probably be the annual eggnog open house. I must say that my eggnog recipe has been praised by even those who thought they didn't like eggnog. It is from a military officers' wives cookbook from the 60's:

Eggnog Supreme

12 eggs, separated
1 1/2 c sugar (I have been known to use less)
1 quart whiskey (rye for you Canadians)
2 qt milk
1 pint half and half
1 pint heavy cream
Nutmeg

Blend egg yolks with sugar. Add whiskey. Add milk and half & half. Beat egg whites to a soft peak. Whip heavy cream until fluffy. Fold egg whites and whipped cream into yolk mixture. Chill. Serve sprinkled with nutmeg. 40 small servings.

Helen's method:

Blend egg yolks, sugar, milk and half & half and chill. When ready to serve, place half in punch bowl, beat half the egg whites and half the cream and fold in. For drama, take your bottle of rye to the punch bowl which you have now placed on the table or buffet, and pour it in (with flair and all to see). I place a shaker of nutmeg beside the punch bowl. This method keeps the punch bowl looking more attractive, and you have a second batch at the ready for the late arrivals.

And then after the party, we won't care what we do for the next day or two!!

New Year's Eve has been a tradition with the Schulers and us since 1981. We girls go out on the 31st to shop for dinner for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We enjoy a nice dinner, and then attempt to stay awake until midnight to enjoy a kiss and a sip of champagne as we watch the ball drop in Times Square. Then by 12:15 we are in bed!! Gary and Carolyn; take notes!

Ciao