Catching up

Christmas was very nice. I really enjoy spending time with my family. My parents host Christmas Eve and we do the traditional Wigilia (Polish/Lithuanian Christmas Eve dinner) . My Dad makes his mushroom soup, pierogies, fish and sauerkraut and peas. Desserts were out of this world--baklava (my uncle from Egypt makes this just for me!), homemade cookies (anise--thanks Mom!) and Red Velvet Cheesecake (also made by Mom). Santa came and spent some time with us, taking a break from his busy night, and handed out presents. Christmas Day was spent with the in laws. Again it was nice to spend time with the family and enjoy being together.
New Years Eve we had yummy seafood with my parents. M and I thought we were going to bed early and got sucked into the Food Network Star. We went to bed just after midnight.
New Years Day my Mom came up for our trip to Philly. We went to visit my best friend and saw the Mummer's Day parade . It was crazy. The Mummers were spectacular!! And these crazy Mummers and fans had been drinking for a very long time. It was like Mardi Gras but colder. I especially liked the string bands. They are called "Stringers" and boy could they jam! We all had a good time.











Me and Christina (she lives one block from Mummers Row--the parade route. How convienent is that?)






A Mummer and his beer.