I don’t know about you, but with all of the stuff happening with the election and with the business of life, Christmas came and went FAST this year.
Nevertheless, I was able to pause for a minute and enjoy being around family. This year was the first year where I was the only sibling in attendance. This may not seem like much to the only child folks; but, as the middle child, this was a whole new experience . I was given the opportunity to be the only child for one holiday and it was fantastic! Don’t get me wrong- my sibling are amazing and I can’t imagine life without them- but for a holiday I was able to talk as much as I wanted, I could learn new cooking techniques without distraction, and I got SO MANY AWESOME PRESENTS!
This year we kept it pretty low-key. On Christmas eve we met my Aunt for a candlelight service at her church, followed by a lovely dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. On Christmas, we opened presents and Facetimed my out-of-state siblings. The featured image shows the service, which reminded me to let my light shine (left) and, at my mom’s request, I took a photo of our awesomely decorated Christmas tree at home (right).
What’s a holiday at my parent’s house without a good meal? Why, it’s no holiday at all! Boy I tell ya, they really showed up and showed out for dinner. As the entree, we stuffed ourselves on a rosemary and garlic infused beef roast topped with a homemade wine/mushroom/butter sauce…
![Rosemary and garlc roast.](https://i0.wp.com/www.frolicandcourage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RoastandChickens.jpg?resize=665%2C445&ssl=1)
![Carven roast topped with mushroom-wine sauce.](https://i0.wp.com/www.frolicandcourage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CarvedMeat.jpg?resize=665%2C445&ssl=1)
…followed by sides of roasted brussel, mashed potatoes with gravy, and roasted potatoes…
…and let’s not forget a German chocolate cake to sweeten the deal. I know what’s you’re thinking about the meal, “this would be perfect except brussel sprouts are disgusting!” Heck, I’ve said it a million times and so did my aunt, but my dad really changed our minds with his version of the roasted dish.
![Pre-roasted brussel sprouts topped with bacon and a multi-layer German chocolate cake.](https://i0.wp.com/www.frolicandcourage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/BrusselsCake.jpg?resize=665%2C445&ssl=1)
All in all, spending time with my family as the only child was magical and dinner was something to remember. To sweeten the deal even more, just before Christmas I was surprised by a gift from someone who is turning out to be pretty special ;o)
![Christmas Card](https://i0.wp.com/www.frolicandcourage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Card.jpg?resize=665%2C445&ssl=1)
Have a Merry Christmas!!
– F&C