For the tenth consecutive time, a December Saturday has seen several paths of car lights heading to Weed Road, turning up the Lane and past the decorated trees (ten years larger) to scale the driveway, arriving at the Karneses’ for another worthy chapter of the DP8 Christmas Saga that started in 2003.
          Thank you, Chay and Deb, for hosting one of our most special events of the year. Your efforts, hospitality, and generosity are much appreciated. 

Appetizers:
==> veggie tray, and accompanying dip, with layers and rows forming a Christmas tree
==> almond-encrusted cream-cheese-Mexican-shredded-cheese-Dijon-mustard ball
==> plate of shrimp with cocktail sauce
==> pan of artichoke-spinach and roasted-pepper-cheese fillo tartlets

Interlude
==> fresh home-made Lime Sorbet
(another Deb K concoction, with a lime-tree scent, tangy, mouth-puckering essence that surpasses any restaurant offering)

Main Course
==> braised brisket, cooked with root vegetables which were set aside as a separate savory dish of carrots, turnips, onions
==> roasted Brussels sprouts hash, flavored strongly with bacon and onions
==> Marion’s Roadside Potato Casserole
==> Cranberry-Orange Relish
==> Fresh rolls

The food is the stated excuse for our gathering but, in reality, the friendship and sharing is the core. And it shows in a number of ways:
==> the group-gathering around center island, or even the splintering into smaller huddles
==> trying to step out of Deb’s way, especially the scalding pans and pots
==> one conversation’s topic blending into the next
==> Deb’s stuffed party favors
==> laughter interspersing dozens of times
==> the festive green table cloth
==> pinpoints of outside tree lights through the dining room’s array of windows
==> Christmasy plates, dishes, bowls, glasse
==> the orange foyer absorbing the tall Christmas tree, bedecked with old style lights
==> piles of gifts expectantly awaiting our shredding
==> back yard garden festooned with winter-dazzling lights
==> Kalli’s second Christmas with dp8
==> a toast to good hosts, good health, celebration with friends

Topics included: Ken’s very impending retirement; the Monteverds’ waiting for a grandchild; Deb K’s job, stress, and new office worker; lack of snow this year, so far; recommendations for furnace repair, plumbers, etc.; Michael’s somewhat lengthy opinion of and experience with dermatologists; heart ailments; watching a house while on vacation; trips to DC and grandkids; school (sorry, Chay); how awful retirement has been for Kriss (not); C-D building decisions; Nathan’s addition and Deb’s efforts, and more that has flitted beyond my remembering.