We’re back in town from Christmas, Part Two. We left the Ville in single-digit weather, drove north to the snow and enjoyed two cozy Christmas celebrations: the first was a white elephant party with the extended family, where the rules of the game were more complicated than some drinking games I’ve played. After careful theft contemplation and manipulation, we walked with a bottle of Irish cream whiskey and a box of funnel cake mix.

Sunday we had a smaller celebration with the nuclear family, enjoying our customary champagne breakfast and a lazy morning of unwrapping, lasting well into the mid-afternoon. Thank you, everyone!

Coming home through our neighborhood this evening, many of the cheerful lights are now gone, and the weather is an unnaturally high 60°. Christmas always seems to come too quickly and end too soon.