(This is one of my last couple of "stalling" blog entries awaiting publication, so I'm finishing it up and putting it out there.)
It's really, truly way too bad that it never dawned on me to grab my camera from my purse once I got to Papa's house. We had a good time all together.
On Christmas Eve night every year, it is tradition for my closest of family members to trek over to 35 Magnolia Drive for the customary ham and turkey sandwiches accompanied by that delish! onion dip/chips that go along with some deviled eggs, random other sides, and (if we've been good all year and if we're really, really lucky) a generous serving of Mama's beefy Velveeta cheese dip and corn chips (thanks, Leslie!). While nothing about this meal (other than the ham, although it is usually on a sandwich) belongs in a typical Christmas Eve feast, it is our family's Christmas Eve tradition and we like it just fine.
We gathered in the marquesina again this year like always... again, don't ask me where that word came from, I really don't know... an old family friend, perhaps? Anyway. We ate, talked, caught up with each other, laughed a lot, and then my aunt Leslie passed out named gifts. We all ooooo'd and aaaaah'd over each gift as the paper was ripped and thrown aside. Now please don't get me wrong... I loved all the gifts that I got. Everyone on Christmas Eve was so gracious, and so thoughtful! I got new clothes, "shopping supplies" for our 2010 making-house-into-home projects, soaps and lotions that smell absolutely delicious, and so much more! But what I really enjoyed this year more than anything was watching everyone else open their gifts. I watched Papa start opening before he was supposed to (and get in trouble for it), I saw my aunt open a beautiful kitty quilt, I watched my dad try to pick up and open a hefty new supply of ammunition for one of his prized noisemakers, and I listened in as Tommy scratched off the big-dollar lotto tickets we gave him (which paid for themselves by giving him a bit of cash and some more lotto tickets).
Once all of the "named gifts" were opened, loved on, and set aside for safe keeping, the numbered gifts came out! Numbers 1 thru 10 (I think we had a whole 10 of us there, wow!) were drawn and picked from the pile (or from each others hands!) and the game was loud and fun and mean and sneaky. Who would'a guessed that "As Seen On TV Windshield Cleaner" would be such a hit? Or, an Ove Glove? Hahaha! Of course there were a couple sets of scratch-off lottery tickets that were stolen from the hands of a hopeful-and-greedy family member. Scott was the lucky fellow who won big: an entire manicure/pedicure set complete with soaps, salts, and lotions... and complimented by a handheld back massage gizmo!
After we all finished cleaning up and packing the leftover food and gifts away in car trunks, it was time to say goodnight. Santa was on his way!
My sweet Trisha, marquesina is the word for enclosed carport in Puerto Rico. We had friends that moved there for a short while, and that is where Mama and Papa got the name for it. So yes, your are correct in the fact of where the name came from....A family friend. But it is a true word. And now you know where it came from! I love your blogs.....keep up the good work my dear. I love you so.
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