Hodge Podge at the Christmas Lodge

I went away for Christmas and spent a large part of it blowing my nose and groaning. And I am still blowing my nose and groaning. I'm also blowing my nose. My forehead is splitting horizontally. I'm watching an old Benecio Del Toro movie so I would like to share various Christmas pictures with minimal thinking required. I hope you're Christmas was a good one!

There's Luke receiving French candy brought back by Blaise, my nephew, who's been living in France with his grandparents, working in his uncle's vineyard and learning to be an equestrian. And all we got was this lousy bag of candy. Actually I stole a few and they were delicious!! (And he also got an iTunes card too, cause that's what every 12 year old on the earth received this Christmas.)


This is Marie, my sister in law. We imported her from France and we

like her even and much more than the French candy.

She does not always have a giant blue pitcher attached to her chest.

Christmas Eve at Mama's. We didn't know it, but it is tradition there that

Cheyanne and Marguerite sit on the piano bench.

Here are Chey and Marg in the rocking chair.

This is Jeanne, another favorite sister in law. Stan's sister. Goat farmer.

Me in Marg's hat for some reason. Sean in giant pipe cleaners, for obvious reasons.


Charles, one of Marie's sons and also attached to a giant blue pitcher.

Out at Jeanne's farm with little Leo, new great grandchild.

Up at Jeanne's barn waiting for a goat to become a mommy,

which she didn't do for us before we left.

Jeanne's goats have minds of their own

and will not be rushed into kidbirth for a few nosy boys.

Oh, there's Sean and Mama putting stuff out for Santa and reindeer, she doesn't have a chimney.
Leo likes the ABC thing we got him.

The kids always sit in the "pit group" at Mama's. It looks like Marie is wearing a Santa hat, but that's hanging on the coat tree behind her. Tee hee.
And Stan always falls asleep there no matter what.

And there's me in the mirror unknowinglyso cleverly including myself in the picture.

Jeanne and her grandchild Leo.


Josh received and enjoyed a box.
Blaise got lower chaps for Christmas Eve and wore them for two days. We thought he kinda looked more German than French there for a minute. I love Blaise, he's such a great kid.

Thomas got an Indiana shirt! There's always one in the bunch.

Mama's traditional required Christmas tree photo.

Sean likes Mama's. There's a constant flow of lemonade and hugs.