We spent Christmas Eve in our usual pursuits - first to the South Church Christmas pageant. In what may become a new tradition, South Church celebrated at 4 pm, which meant that we entered the church in daylight, and then watched the stained glass windows move from bright to rosy purple, and then to dark during the hour - it was lovely. The pageant featured Bob Englehart playing a grandfather answering his grandkids request for "the Christmas story."
The biggest laugh of the night came when Bob started: "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...." till the kids said "No, not that Christmas story! The other one!" I don't want to spoil it for you if you don't know how it turns out, but there were animals, twinkling stars and even some audience participation, when we were called upon to play the townspeople returning to Bethlehem. Our line was "Taxes, taxes, taxes!"
The biggest laugh of the night came when Bob started: "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...." till the kids said "No, not that Christmas story! The other one!" I don't want to spoil it for you if you don't know how it turns out, but there were animals, twinkling stars and even some audience participation, when we were called upon to play the townspeople returning to Bethlehem. Our line was "Taxes, taxes, taxes!"
Our next stop was the annual Christmas Eve fondue party at our neighbors, with a separate pot of cheese for the growing gluten-free contingent - and my friend Melissa showed off her favorite Christmas gift so far - a friend knitted her these "texting gloves" - which I never heard of, but she wasn't the only one in the room sporting a pair.
Maybe the Eye needs to revive the idea of a fashion column, so I can stay up to date!
Maybe the Eye needs to revive the idea of a fashion column, so I can stay up to date!
Finally, we put bedtime off a little longer and hit the dessert party at Clover Nook, a charming house in town which lives up to its name. The party traditionally runs late into the night, with an endearingly stable group of old friends (many with their now grown children and their friends in tow). It's a collection of musicians, teachers, writers, theater people and other creative folks who've called Middletown home since at least the mid-'80's, and it's always interesting to hear what they've been instigating. More than a few promised they were coming to Middnight on Main - and that was nice to hear!
As usual, the table at the party was packed with chocolate cakes, pumpkin muffins, cookies and other goodies. We always bring the pecan pie that my brother faithfully sends us every year from Houston - it tastes at least as sweet as it looks, but my favorite part is the box it comes in, which proclaims "You might give some serious thought to thanking your lucky stars you're in Texas!"
'Course, we can thank our lucky stars here in Middletown too ! Whatever holidays you celebrate - at whatever time of year - I hope yours are wonderful. Joy to the world! (all the boys and girls!)
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