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I never thought that hearing Pittsburghese for the first time in three months could sound so good! However after a long day of traveling, arriving home for the holidays was welcome reprive from studying in London.
After one relaxing day at home, an Erie-bound journey was underway. In an attempt to beat out the looming threat of bad weather, the trip had to be condensed. Despite being a hectic day of attempting to see friendly faces, the successful visit included: stopping in the new Tim Hortons, a turn around Baldwin, Zurn and Old Main, jamming with the Ramblin' Potatoes, a harrowing dining experience at Panera, drinks with some good friends, and having the pleasure of climbing aboard a colorful giant duck!
On the 23rd of December an eager group of hooligans descended upon the house for the long standing tradition of Caroling with Carolyn. (I believe this year will be its 8th year running!). Following the neighborhood serenade, we enjoyed warm food and a heated white elephant gift eschange. Most wanted items: model brain, second city shot glass, and Welsh fudge. Least wanted item: Zumba magazine.
Other pre-Christmas festivities included a jaunt in Sewickly, the arrival of a football-sized Guatemalan avacado (and my aunt and uncle from Florida...), composing music on a piano tie, and a groundhog day-like experience playing violin for multiple holiday masses at two different churches.
Christmas Day was spent at my aunt and unlce's house in Pleasant Hills. While there was delicious food, the highlight of the holiday was making intricately folded and stapled paper snowflakes, a task which took seven members of the family. Once the Christmas tree was barely visible underneath too many snowflakes to count, we relaxed in the living room. While my mom sat in an arm chair knitting, my cousin discovered a label identifying one skein of yarn as scented. This had the whole family rubbing the 'scratch and sniff' yarn. All in all just another typical family holiday.
In the subsequent days my aunt and uncle arrived from Buffalo, NY and we were able to have a full family celebration. This consisted of a sibling wrestle on the turd, organizing Grandma's extensive Si-Fy collection, more crafting (this time with dried flowers), and the kids falling asleep with cigar boxes under their arms.
Another visit to my aunt's house in Cranberry allowed for the opportunity to see town under the Christmas tree full of derelicts as well as my cousin's beautiful little girl!
Snow provided for a lovely white Christmas with both indoor and outdoor activity. Inside activity ranged from rubber band battles to loafing in front of the hearth. For once, on my mom's birthday, my brother found himself only special as an after thought...after homemade pretzels and my mom! Outside of the house activities included sledding and hiking in North Park as well as a morning trip to Coffee Buddha.
One of my mom's Birhday presents, an emergency yodel button was promptly placed in the bathroom above the toilet paper dispenser....may be the best location for emergency yodels.
The final days of my stay home were marked by homemade Polish galumpkis and Mrs. T's pierogies. As there is not a large Polish population in many areas of London, one of the best parts of being home was having a labeled pierogi section in the grocery store!
Being home for the holidays and visiting with family and friends in three dimensions was my ultimate gift. I am so blessed to have been able to embrace the joy of the season surrounded by the love of others.
Missing you all already!
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