We spent Christmas Eve in Hayward with BeBe and Mike and their wee pups, Molly, Poshie and Frickle (note the scary eyes! -- [foreground, L-R: Honey, Frickle, Molly; background: Poshie]):
Mike manned the grill (in his very manly way), searing oysters and scallops to perfection (and grilling his right palm in the process).
We finished our feast with yummy cioppino and a pear tart made by yours truly. We ate to bursting (the tart was OK, BTW, but needs some work on the dough -- a bit overworked and wetter than I'd have liked -- but sweet and tasty nonetheless).Honey curled up under the tree in her Santa suit, and my heart fluttered:
On Xmas Day, we ventured over to St. Mary's Park for a delicious duck dinner at the historic Silva home -- Gabrielle, RJ, and Anthony were full of holiday cheer. And yeah -- the home is historic. Anthony is growing up in his great-grandfather's home. How cool is that?
The Silvas put out a spiffy spread as usual. RJ set an amazing table -- he's got some mad Martha Stewart skillz (it even passed inspection when Anthony [L] and Vince [R] marched around the table to check on napkin-folding and place-card penmanship!).
Gabrielle baked herself into a tizzy and served up her first Bûche de Noël. It was sinful-licous -- well-worth the toil and tears (and pounds of chocolate)!
We ate till we thought we'd pass out, opened presents with extended family and friends, drank Champagne, and simply had a gay ol' time. And it was extra special when the kids (and their double-dads) gathered together before dinner ([L-R] BeBe, Vince, Alec, Gabrielle, RJ):
Late in the evening, Honey enjoyed curling up on my lap with her "Squeaky Squirrel":
What a lovely holiday. Much love to all -- and thanks so much for the sweet memories.
