Christmas

Christmas dinner for expatriates who were still around at Christmas

We ended up with 25 people which was easy compared to Thanksgiving! I show this picture not because it's pretty but to show you a rarely photographed room of our house - the 'wust a dar' - middle of the house - simply an open hallway that most of the time we have no idea what to do with. But the girls love it and dance/play in here a lot. And it works great for big meals! Everyone voted to have a potluck in stead of a turkey (though of course we would have chosen a ham if that were an option!). So - for the record, I'm pushing 40 and have YET to make a turkey! I have thus far successfully mooched off of my mother, mother-in-law, siblings, and friends and have had to only make sides. This is probably not something I should be proud of. Maybe next year!

Friendship Club candy houses. It will take me a year to recover. Glitter the week before, icing at Christmas, paint this week. Am I crazy? Thankfully faithful Asma is here at that time and helps with the clean-up!

Our precious friend, Abby. It's a long story and if you don't remember it, you can write me and ask. Laurie has established such a good relationship with the orphanage in Meknes over the last 10 years, that they trusted her enough to take Abby out for a day. Suffice to say, it felt like a dream - a miracle - a gift - to see her this Christmas.

Gerald handed in grades December 22. He got sick December 23. This is pretty common for him after he runs himself ragged at the end of the semester. We missed him greatly during our Christmas Eve day together with my brother's family. Thankfully he had revived by Christmas.

These Friesens who have mostly lived in LA or low-land Morocco have rarely seen snow falling. Although there was snow at higher elevations where we went sledding Christmas Eve, we had none on the ground here in Ifrane in spite of my fervent prayers! BUT, on Christmas Day it fell for about half an hour. It was pure delight to see my nieces (and OK, me too) - running and screaming out into the first snowfall of the year. They danced and spun around in glee. What a wonderful Christmas gift!