Joyeux Gnoel

I don't collect garden gnomes. I have never collected garden gnomes. I now own more garden gnomes than any one person should own! If any of my wonderful blog readers choose to send me garden gnomes, they will be returned COD and I will alert all blog readers that you collect Lillian Vernon sweatshirts, Thomas Kincaid pictures, or miniature doll house furniture. Just remember, revenge is better than Christmas!

I sure hope Santa was good to each and every one of you, quite frankly I hope a few of you actually made it off the "Naughty" list in time to get something nice from Santa Bear...grrrrrr!

As for the Lewis / Harris-Bishop household (or as we like to call it, the WalRus household), Santa brought us many wonderful things this Christmas, including a house full of guests, much warmth and dare I say it, yes, even a little love.  Christmas Eve, we attended services at the UU church as Rusty was singing.  This service is full on Christmas, with carols, poinsettias, children reenacting the birth of Jesus in the manger, and candlelight to cap it all off.

Santa left nifty gifts for everyone on Christmas morning - including two "quality" garden gnomes...by the way, Santa Rusty now collects snowglobes...anything with music in the base will do fine, or snowglobes with local landmarks from obscure towns are perfect.

 Di, rusty and I started Christmas day with brunch consisting of gluten free pancakes (actually pretty good after a few weeks of really bad gluten free bakery products) and carmelized pears.  Tensions were high as we set up for the Christmas Dinner scheduled at 2 PM.  Brunch items included a few cocktails while setting up the outdoor bar.  Di and Rusty ganged up and forced a few drinks on me before guests arrived to "settle" my nerves.

By the by, Hendrick's Gin in a dirty Martini?  Nothing says Holiday Spirit better. Unfortunately, I indulged in the Holiday spirits liberally before guests arrived.  So, as to the fantastic dinner menu, the menu was duck with a raspberry sauce, pork loin with blackberry sauce, quinoa pilaf, sweet potatoes, green beans w/ oranges, and banana pudding and homemade ice cream with chocolate truffles for dessert.

Santa Seph saved the day during the cooking of the meal as it appears my holiday spirits kicked in and made it very difficult for me to finish cooking.  My apologies to Seph for dropping the ball and my eternal thanks to him for saving Christmas, or at least the Holiday dinner. My thanks also to Dominic for assisting with dish duty as well.  If Di and Rusty's goal was to get me to relax enough to accept kitchen assistance, mission accomplished.  I accepted this assistance without yelling at anyone or becoming violent...I guess California (and the Gin) has mellowed me out.

Santa Seph is partnered with minister Denis, who certainly doesn't mind taking a fashion risk....We all know Di had a few choice words regarding this outfit.

Seph and Denis are crafty as well, bringing lots of different homemade soaps to clean up the dirty minds at the party.  Denis works with our UU church as a community minister in a program ministering to the homeless in the Tenderloin of SF.  http://www.faithfulfools.org/ Feel free to check it out and to donate to the program if you so choose.

Monique and Lance, enjoying their "prizes" and hats procured from the Christmas Crackers.

Dominique and Oscar reading corny jokes from their own Christmas Crackers.

Counting our good fortune with a truly decadent meal.

Final approval from Mrs. Clause?  I'm sensing a small bit of sarcasm possibly sent my way, possibly directed at anyone in the crowd.

Eventually the food was gone, the martini glasses were empty and the guests fled for their own warmth and joy.  We spent a few hours cleaning up before passing out while visions of olives and lemon twists danced in our heads...What an absolutely perfect day, I wish I could remember more of it.  Note to self: no more drinks before guests arrive.  Thanks to our wonderful friends sharing the day.

Following are a few random pictures I wanted to fit in before the year ends.

While Di visited, we went to a few local spots, this photo is the top of the California Academy of Sciences Living Roof.  We also went to the Disney Family Museum...wow, what an awesome museum, well done!  We enjoyed the SFMOMA, and several shopping opportunities.  Another highlight was a foggy lunch in Tiburon, we missed the city view normally experienced from Sam's restaurant on the water.

I never had the opportunity to post Octoberfest photos.  This was not only in honor of Octoberfest but also a goodbye dinner for Richard on his way to DC for a six month detail.  Sarvy and her roommate were also there as well as our favorite friends, Monique and Lance.

Please notice the steins and the German sausage soaked for hours in Dunkle Beer.  Just in case anyone doubts my heritage.

2009 - wow, lots of great things going on but overall a difficult year.  I am developing a few resolutions for 2010, mainly centering around family and friends and self improvement.  2010 will include Lenette and Carol celebrating 25 years, Rusty and I celebrating 20 years together and the potential for a Mordecai is a Drag party.  It's going to be a good year!