Saturday, December 25, 2010

Scenes from Christmas


12:30—Guests arrive. Apéro: lots of crunchies and a glass of Lillet


1:00—Lunch starts. Huge chunks of foie gras. Two glasses of Sauternes.


1:30—Smoked salmon. One glass of Sancerre. I’m getting full.


2:00—Main course: magret de canard, sautéed potatoes, and green beans. Two glasses of Pomerol. My head is spinning.


2:30—Salad and cheese. I eat salad but I can’t even look at the cheese. I try to take interest in the table conversation without contributing anything, for fear of laughing hysterically. I try not to nod off.


3:15—My mother-in-law tries to get people to sing. I run to the kitchen and do dishes.


3:50—Dessert: chocolate and chestnut bûche. Champagne. One glass, I think, but I can’t remember.


Sometime after 4:00—Coffee and chocolate. Coffee has no effect. I go back in to the kitchen and dry glasses with my mother-in-law’s friends. Start telling jokes no one wants to hear.


Later—Some guests leave “early.” Others stay and my inlaws put on a DVD. I can’t bear watching yet another movie with Gerard Depardieu. I finish my husband’s Armagnac.


Even later—I’m hiding in my father-in-law’s study. My son is playing Adibou on the computer and I’ve discovered my father-in-law’s massage armchair. If all goes well, no one will notice I’m gone until the movie is over…but then it will be time for dinner…

4 comments:

bruiser and bowie said...

so glad you are writing on your blog again! please don't stop!

Margie Rynn said...

Aw, thanks! It's nice to know someone is reading out there!

Melissa said...

Many of us are reading! So good to see you back - I'm unlurking to give you a friendly New Year's nudge. Your posts are always a delight. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to reading more in the future!

Margie Rynn said...

Thanks Melissa! Hope you had a great holiday yourself.