Christmas 2019, dawn of a new world

This blog is intended for publication for Christmas 2020. To give it context, we are publishing a family compilation of the year leading up to that holiday.

A year ago, we were so unaware ….

Having lived in the shadow of Donald Trump for 3 years, we didn’t think things could get much worse. We were totally blind-sided as to what 2020 would bring. We were still optimistic….

These pictures show the optimism of children at Christmas, newly cut hair (by March, one could not get a haircut), presents that included a trip to a Montana guest ranch (planned for August; it had to be cancelled), and a holiday vocabulary that was unfamiliar with words like COVID, Corona Virus or “Blursday”. It was a wonderful time.

**Christmas 2019** **in Croton-on-Hudson NY**

East coast Christmas

In recent years, Nicole, Austin, and their sons have traveled to our home in Bantam CT for Christmas Eve.

As you would imagine Christmas Eve is special, starting with the meal. In past years we have feasted on goose or duck, but recently we have settled on a rib roast, stuffed potatoes, Jani’s incredible challa, Nicole’s famous kale salad, and a green vegetable. Our appetizer has evolved from oyster soup to shrimp cocktail, and we always leave one shrimp aside on the mantle, just in case Santa gets hungry during his rounds.

Everyone looks forward to the dessert, a huge baked alaska which Grandma Jani wows us with every year. Pulling the ice cream dish out of the oven never seems to lose its magic.