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Merry Christmas!

I've got 30 people--all family--coming to my house tomorrow...and I'm ready to go! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and I'm not swearing under my breath, wondering whose stupid idea this was.

Something is different this Christmas. The house is spotless, the presents wrapped and the baking waiting to be devoured. My sons have offered to come over early tomorrow to help, but there's nothing for them to do. Wish I could tell you what I've done differently this year, but I haven't got a clue. Please tell me I haven't forgotten something huge!!!


Me, and my younger sisters, Lisa on Santa's lap.

Four of my five sisters, my favourite brother and their families will all be here to help celebrate another Figueroa Family Christmas. The second youngest in the family, Lisa, lives in the Interior of B.C. and will not be joining us. She did, however, send a huge package of her baking for us to share. Don't tell my siblings, but I've already eaten half of it. Man, can my little sister bake!There's shortbread dipped in Callebaut chocolate, white Callebaut chocolate with pumpkin seeds and cranberries, almond rocca, and shortbread balls with pecans and Callebaut chocolate. What is Callebaut chocolate? Lisa tells me it's Belgian chocolate and the absolute finest chocolate you can buy. After seriously sampling everything, I'd have to agree...delish!



Shortbread dipped in Callebaut chocolate!

Monday, Christmas Eve, we'll be heading to my dear friend Linda's for our annual Christmas Eve bash. For more than 20 years the five of us have celebrated Christmas Eve with Linda and Gene, their two sons, and our friends Barb, Steve and their daughter. Linda, Barb and I met in 1975 on the first day of the journalism program at Ryerson. This year marks 40 years since we graduated. So glad I met them. So many blessings.

May your Christmas be nothing but blessings.


My favourite Santa picture of my boys. Taken in 1991 two weeks after Jamie's first brain surgery.

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  1. A Merry Christmas with a story about family, friends and time together!

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