Christmas 2020

Despite COVID, our subdued 2020 Christmas was one hell of a lot better than our 2019 non-Christmas. We spent all of December 2019 apart, with Ann in Virginia taking care of her critically ill mother (who would ultimately pass in August 2020) and me working and holding down the fort in Oregon.

It was a horrible time in our lives, from the stress of caring for an ailing parent, to our first time of more than a night apart, to not feeling like celebrating Christmas. I admit to being terribly depressed, just sitting in a chair for hours on end, not feeling like even eating dinner. Just as COVID was being noticed in China, Ann spent day after endless day in a hopelessly depressing nursing home. Truly, we hope to forget Christmas 2019 and Christmas 2020 went a long way towards helping us do just that.

By contrast, 2020 almost felt like a normal Christmas with us putting up a tree, giving each other presents, Christmas carols playing, decorating the house, and planning and cooking special meals for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Our Noble Fir Tree

A New Ornament Celebrating Carter's New Career

Wine Cork Tree Garland from Donald

Cookie Elf Making Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Ann's Ricotta Christmas Cookies

Christmas Gift Boxes for Neighbors

Ann Decorated the Bar

Candles on the Table

Throw Pillow Fetish Much?

Ann's Favorite Candle Holder

Christmas Eve saw cold, but decent weather, freezing fog instead of worse weather, and that made the sights along our walk beautiful. Several freezing fog photos below.

By contrast, the new camellia that I bought this summer with the understanding that it was white-petalled and spring-blooming turned out to be neither, bringing a splash of color to the back yard.

Christmas Camellia

We aren't the only ones to plan Christmas meals. But what to serve for just two people? Ann asked me to make French onion soup for Christmas Eve and a savory bread pudding that we could have with a glass of sparkling wine for brunch on Christmas. I was really happy to oblige her.

French Onion Soup for Christmas Eve

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to Accompany the Soup

Shiitake, Leek, and Goat Cheese Bread Pudding for Christmas Brunch

Prosecco to Pair with Bread Pudding

Ann and Chuck

Grace's Turn

In Front of the Tree

In Front of the House