Christmas Round One is done and in the books for 2023. My mom’s family gathered at a local restaurant on Saturday to have lunch together. In years past, we’ve always made a big, traditional Christmas dinner at her house with everyone bringing a dish, but my mama isn’t able to physically do a lot of extensive cooking like that anymore, as well as the cleanup that comes along with that, so now we opt to go to a restaurant, and it works for everyone.
Christmas Round One
We gathered again this year at Airport Grocery. I ordered the same thing I did last year: the tamales with a side salad. I could only eat three of the tamales. It was very filling!
My Hispanic husband doesn’t consider these “real” tamales, as they are swimming in a lot of juice. However, these are Mississippi Delta tamales and everyone everywhere probably has their spin on what makes the best tamale.
The best part of our gathering was visiting with family, and I always enjoy spending time with my cousin! She and I talk through text daily, but talking in person is even better! She had on THE cutest Christmas shirt that another cousin of ours made, and now I want one for next year!
After eating lunch, we all returned to my mama’s house for dessert and watched the kids open their presents. My mom has a red bird theme in her decor this holiday season, and I love it!
Beep, Beep- Backing Up
But to back up a little, I spent Friday morning at my mama’s house making sure she was ready for company, but she had it all under control. The kid was able to get out of class a little early that day, so I went home and started supper. I just had to try Mari’s Chicken Crockpot Meal that she shared the day before! It looked so easy and sounded so yummy, and guess what? It was both!
I made some rice to serve with it, and hubby loved it!
Mari has never steered me wrong when I try her recipes, so I will review her Cooking Thursday posts to grab some more ideas!
Slow Sunday
Even though I had a nap after Saturday’s festivities, I was still a little beat on Sunday morning, so after I got up, I went downstairs and made some coffee, plugged in the tree, and found an ambient Christmas video for the TV. Hubby had to leave for work earlier, so I got Jake back inside. Jake thinks he has to leave when people leave and come in when someone shows up. I joke that he is my little doorman! Ha! I spent the morning catching up on blog readings, doing a little brain dump writing, and playing my game on my iPad. Jake was happy to assist me! He really does live his best life here.
Small Health Update
I think I mentioned in one of my last posts that my endocrinologist discovered I had a vitamin B12 deficiency at my last appointment and prescribed me B12 by a once-a-month injection. My next-door neighbor is a nurse, so she came over Thursday evening and gave me my shot. Well! I’m now noticing some improvement in how I feel, and I never knew it was because of a lack of B12. For one thing, I’m no longer freezing anymore. Every night, regardless of the weather, I was absolutely freezing! Mainly my feet. That has stopped! I’m also sleeping so much more deeply and feeling more well-rested. I also had some significant new numbness going on that I was chalking up to probably being neuropathy spreading, but even that improved! I’m so thankful my doctor discovered this, and hopefully, these monthly shots will keep me feeling better now.
So, that was our weekend! This week is exam week for the Teen and early dismissal days, so we are excited about that. Our next round of holiday gatherings won’t be until the 24th, so we have a couple of weeks to keep preparing for that. Maybe I can get some holiday baking done. Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend!
Oh, loved that picture of Jake, helping you! Such a cutie!
Thank you for visiting my blog. I very much enjoyed my visit here. I love tamales but rarely have them and I’ve never had the courage to make them myself. Jake is such a sweetie! I have Mari’s crock pot chicken meal on the menu this week as well. I found it the other day. I hope you are having a lovely week.
I hope your chicken turned out as good as ours did! I am also too afraid to attempt making tamales. I have always wanted to try, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be that great at it, haha! Hope you have a great week!
The first time I ever tried tamales was in Clarksdale just a few years ago, and they were really good. I am glad to hear the shots are working for you. I always have cold feet and what a bonus you are sleeping better too.
Yes, with the colder weather, I am so thankful this shots seems to be helping me not freeze anymore. My mom has a friend that made “Delta style” tamales when I was growing up, but hubby still prefers the ones like his family made. I can be down with both, haha!
Sounds like a great time with your family. Do you know, I’ve never had a Tamale? I should try one once.
So glad you liked that crock pot meal. I will have to add rice next time, that’s a good idea!
Jake is a cutie!
Thanks for the recipe, Mari! We did indeed enjoy our meal. Yes, you should definitely try a tamale at least once. There are so many variations of them. I don’t care for “hot tamales” because my sensitive mouth can’t handle the heat, but I do like mild tamales and enjoy trying different ones when we travel or try new restaurants.
Jake is a gorgeous kitty! Nice work partner.
Sounds like a grand time for your family. I had a round one this weekend as well. It is always kind of fun stretching out the festivities!
Your mom’s decorating is lovely!!!
Thank you, Cheryl! I have also enjoyed reading about your adventures with your new kitties as well! They are precious!