Leontyne, pretty pie

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Do y'all know of Leontyne Price, the famous soprano? Her voice is other-wordly in the most incredible, moving sense. When I hear her sing, specifically a classic like Ave Maria or O Holy Night (her version of the latter is one of my favorite Christmas songs ever), I stop what I'm doing, rendered speechless each and every time I hear her vocals take flight. Wow. leontyne priceI also think she's gorgeous in such an arresting way. That face, that voice! If you can, try to listen to one or both of the songs I mentioned above. Incredible.

Despite my post-party fog, I was a machine today in getting through my catering order. All that's left is to shell shrimp which I just cannot bear to do tonight. In the morning it is! Look at this pretty pie.french silk pie

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!! I'm so excited. We're taking the boys to a fantastic children's theater nearby to see Seussical in the morning, will open family presents in late afternoon and then try to get to sleep despite the wild anticipation of Santa's arrival. Happy, happy, merry, merry to you all!

Ugh

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Friends, I was awakened at 5:50am (after going to bed past midnight) to calls of "I need help wiping. I need help wiping. Mom, Dad, I need help wiping." Oh boy. I had fallen asleep on the couch; Jack had been with me because he woke up around 11:30 and in my jovial state I invited him down for Christmas music and chocolate cake. Apparently, he did not find the couch to be a comfy sleep spot for two so he left sometime after I nodded off and moved back into his cozy bed. Fast forward to Oliver's patient yet plaintive calls for potty assistance, and it was with some vagueness and definite fatigue that I rolled off the couch and mosied up to him. Then it was off to the races! We all had gumbo for breakfast because why not; that and a side of leftover cheese straws and a sliver of cheesecake made for a hell of a breakfast. I am not hungover but I do feel like I'm on Mars. And boy do I have a lot of cooking looming in front of me. Not accepting a large catering order for pick-up on Christmas Eve might be a lesson learned this year. Better hop to it!