Monthly Archives: December 2011
Christmas Eve in Texas . . .
We woke up this morning to more heavy rain, a continuation of the previous day’s downpour. I know they need the rain around here, but it’s really getting soggy here at the park.
Jan and I left the rig about 11:45 heading to Brandi’s to meet up for our trip up to Katy, TX for lunch at Smashburger, and then the 3pm Christmas Eve service at Brandi and Lowell’s church, Crosspoint Community Church.
It was pouring down all the way, but we made good time to the Smashburger on Eldridge. This was our first time there, although Brandi and Lowell have eaten there several times
We all pretty much agreed that we like Smashburger better than Five Guys, especially the Smashfries. The burgers are hand-formed and generous-sized. Even Jan’s well-done burger was moist and juicy, and the fries were something else.
Although they have regular plain fries, their Smashfries are really different. After frying, they’re lightly tossed in a rosemary, garlic, olive oil mixture. And they are delicious!
I also tried an order of their Veggie Frites. These are whole green beans and carrot strips, flash-fried for about 15 seconds and then seasoned and served with ranch dressing dip. Really, really good!
We got to the Crosspoint Church a little before 3pm and found seats in the very crowded chapel where we met up with Brandi’s BFF, Shawna’s family. Crosspoint is a Lutheran church, heavily steeped in music, both old and new.
The service opened with Silver Bells from Trans-Siberian Orchestra, then through Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and many more, ending up with Silent Night and Jingle Bell Rock. Quite a repertoire.
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One of the soloist was Brandi’s BFF, Shawna shown at the mic in this photo.
After a really good Christmas service, we headed back to Clear Lake to meet up with Chris and Piper at King Food. Unfortunately, Chris’ wife Linda had to work, so she couldn’t be with us.
King Food on Christmas Eve has been White (now White/Morrison) family tradition for almost 30 years. In 2004 we even watched it become a white Christmas that night as it started snowing while we were there, giving us a couple of inches of white stuff.
After our usual great meal, we all headed over to Lowell and Brandi’s to open presents.
You should have seen Landon’s eyes light up when he saw his new horsey. He immediately jumped on it and quickly learned to squeeze the horse’s ears that make him gallop and whinnie.
Miss Piper’s eyes also lit up when she saw her new HP laptop. She’ll be going off to college soon and she needs something better for her classwork.
Finally about 8pm we headed home after a long, but fun, day. Tomorrow it’s time for another family tradition. Every year for a long time we’ve always had either Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner at Brady’s Landing up on the Houston Ship Channel.
So we’re looking forward to another really good meal.
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Thought for the Day:
The penalty for not participating in politics is you will probably be governed by your inferiors.
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They grow Big Chickens here in Texas . . . .
Jan was up early this morning making her renowned Sausage Balls to hand out to friends and family. Then we had coffee and sat back and just enjoyed the view out the front of the coach.
About 1pm we headed out for an afternoon of errands and cookie visits. Our first two stops were actually here in the park before we headed up to Brandi’s. Along the way we detoured by the storeroom to pick up Landon’s Rocking Horse so we won’t have to do it tomorrow.
We bought this for him several months ago when we were up in Elkhart, IN. It’s not just a plain rocking horse, because if you squeeze his ears, he makes galloping noises and then neighs and whinnies. Landon’ll love it.
Stopping at Brandi’s I picked up my new Garmin nuvi 1490LMT GPS. Of course I had to unbox it and turn it on right there. I got to play with it while we drove around the rest of the afternoon, and so far, I’m impressed.
Leaving Brandi’s, we dropped off a plate of cookies at Bob & Beth Young’s before heading over to Lowe’s to return some Christmas lights and pick up a Surfoam plane.
After that it was several quick client visits to check on things and wish them a Merry Christmas.
On the way home we stopped at Kelly’s Country Kitchen in League City for supper. Jan wanted Turkey and Dressing a few days early, and also one of their giant biscuits to have for breakfast tomorrow morning.
But as it turns out, they don’t have Turkey and Dressing on Friday, and they only have the giant biscuits for breakfast. Bummer for Jan.
So Jan ended up with the largest Country Fried Chicken Breast I’ve ever seen. Jan ate all she could, and still had enough for 2 or 3 more meals. They grow’em big here in Texas.
Getting home Jan started wrapping presents for tomorrow night’s get-together.
Our normal Christmas Eve family tradition is to have a family dinner at King Food and then go to someone’s house to open presents. This year we’re going to add going to church with Brandi, Lowell, and Landon at Crosspoint Community Church up in Katy, along with lunch with Brandi’s BFF Shawna and her family.
A busy day.
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Thought for the Day:
Recycling should not apply to politicians.
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