Christmas Eve Blues: Wednesday, December 24th!

The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. -George Orwell, writer (1903-1950)  

 

Thanks for your email.  Hope you enjoy a great Christmas! Chloe looks happy in her work and the hampers are well needed for so many.

I had tried to call you when I broke my ankle as I wanted to find out about the scooter that I remembered Corinne had when she had her foot surgery.  Didn't manage to connect and I did not leave a message.  I did manage to get a small wheelchair from Kathie Shoemaker and that has helped a great deal as using crutches has been pretty tiresome. The ankle will get better but it is a long haul and very frustrating.  Colin is bearing up well but it is so challenging in so many ways and really wrecks up the holidays.

Chloe Alexis Dunn Merry Christmas from East Van.....

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  Patrick James Dunn Stunning vista!

Eric is home for Christmas -- rather tedious for him with me so immobile but a Godsend for Colin as he has a bit of company at least. John was home during my ankle surgery at the end of November.  He and Yulin are in Ecuador right now -- Quito then a bus trip to the Amazon.  Sounds very interesting. Keep in touch -- let us know if you are up to coming over for a short visit would love to see you. Nice to see Dawn and her husband in your pictures. Have a great time with your grandsons and Ayn
 

Please send out lots of love and good thoughts for Tip and Jim Placzek--Pat their 34 year old son has leukemia and is in VGH having a bone marrow transplant.  Dan is older brother is the donor.  The hope is that Pat's body will not go into rejection.  This really is a last resort. Anyways please know our warmest wishes and lots of hugs are enclosed. Jo-Anne and Colin

Just In Time For the Christmas or Chanukah Turkey – A Turkey Tip: Cut a lemon in half and place under the skin of the turkey before roasting for a Christmas meal the family will still be talking about next year !

Patrick and Corinne, Thank you for the wonderful party! It was so nice to be invited to your nice home and meet all sorts of new people, (including a Chinese/ Swedish budding librarian!). I had a great time, ate and drank too much but I suppose that’s what makes a good party.

I hate to think of the clean up but you have a house full of burly big men who can help. And, thank you Patrick for the pictures from my party. Have a wonderful Christmas and all good things to come in 2015! A move, maybe? Liisa

Merry Christmas, everyone! Thinking of you all, near and far, from our first Sunshine Coast Christmas. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2015. Love to all. 

Enjoyed Dim Sum at the Pink Pearl and then did a bit of shopping for stocking stuffers at the Gourmet Warehouse. Once back home I suited up and headed out to UBC, via Spanish Banks, as it was a simply glorious day, sun shining blindingly, and I wanted to work up an appetite for Christmas Eve dinner: Clarisse's borscht with sour cream before attending Canadian Memorial. Beth conducted a wonderful service and then we all returned to our place to finish meal: perogies from Alinka's, a cabbage/ground meat casserole by Mme Coriandre and fried mushrooms. All sorts of Christmas baking for dessert so a veritable feast indeed! Clan Sutherland departed around 10:00 pm and rest of us lined up to fill stockings. Once Ayn and Chloë had been Santa's helpers they returned to the loft. Rosita was next and then Cora Lee and I made the rounds before heading to bed to read until just after midnight. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/656773406#.VJzBJO2UUdM.email
  

Dusty didn't join us, (although he very generously paid the bill!), as he refers to the meal as Dumb Sum! In fact, I think he was just as happy to stay at home and paint and have the odd rum and coke! After the more than tasty, delicious, filling meal, we took a few snaps with Bob and Doug Mckenzie, the real-life brothers mimicking the  TV brothers on the stage at the restaurant. At the Open House Brian had given us a number of toques and The Lost Burritos mimed being Canadian to the delight of the other tables in the busy restaurant!