Wine Country + Family Christmas in Austin

Saturday, December 21-Sunday, December 22: Wine Country with Friends

Mr. E and I preceded our interstate holiday travel with a quick wine-country trip with friends E&C, heading up to Sonoma Valley on Saturday for a noon appointment at Nickel & Nickel followed by a Bubble Room visit at J Vineyards at 3pm. Great to take advantage of our memberships at each winery for some complementary tastings and experiences!

[NOTE: Our beloved 20+ year old Honda Civic Hybrid does not like hills anymore!!!]

Then back to Santa Rosa to our respective hotels -- the Hyatt for Mr. E and me and the Courtyard across the street for E & C. Instead of going out for dinner, we hung out in the comfy lobby lounge at hour hotel, ordered takeout sushi, and played cards for several hours. Fun! 

On Sunday, I went for a nice long morning walk along the river trail followed by a swim workout in the lovely heated outdoor pool before we met up for brunch and some browsing in the Railroad Square shops. Mr. E and I made a stop at Scandinavian Designs on the way home to check for side chair options and then continued back to Sac to regroup with the kitties and get ready for our trip.

Monday, December 23-Thursday, December 26: Holiday Happenings with Family

As usual, Mr. E and I headed to Austin to spend Christmas with my sister and her family. We arrived on Monday afternoon with plenty of time to unpack and get settled before making a trip to HEB as a first round of stocking up on necessary items for the holiday food plans. Then a casual dinner with family at home and some games.

On Tuesday, J and C went to yoga in the morning, and Mr. E and I headed off to Whole Foods and a different HEB to procure the rest of the provisions. We didn't have any set plans for the day, until J and family left for the Christmas Eve service around 4pm. Mr. E began some food prep prior to that, and then we finished everything up [almost] in time for their return to the house. B and C definitely appreciate the customary "roast beast" as a featured part of the Christmas Eve dinner. Options for the rest of us included swordfish and lots of yummy veggies, including an awesome shaved Brussels sprouts salad. And of course cookies and holiday candy for desert.

The kids weren't up too early on Christmas Day, but they did get to open a few stocking gifts before Mr. E made it downstairs to cook the now-traditional biscuits & gravy holiday breakfast. Then we spent a few hours leisurely opening the rest of the stocking and tree gifts. B's sister K and her spouse A came over around lunchtime for presents and DIY leftovers. Some outdoor play time and splashing in the hot tub rounded out the day, and more leftovers provided sustenance for dinner and family games.

J and B both had to work on the 26th, but we were able to say goodbye when we headed out for our mid-day flight back to Sac. The kitties welcomed us home as we enjoyed the holiday decorations for a few more days.