HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: We hope you are cozy with loved ones
today...happy and merry and surrounded by crumpled-up wrapping paper and
guzzling champagne. Or whatever makes you happy!
I am here in Boston, where it feels more like March than
December. Jonathan and I are unwrapping gifts (though it’s tough to unwrap two
yet-to-be-reupholstered armchairs, but we will imagine), and we'll have a
lovely brunch. BACON! Then I'll work on revisions for a while. And then--we are
going to Star Wars!
How about you? Hallie, in Milton, Massachusetts?
HALLIE EPHRON: Merry Christmas! We’re home with a houseful. Two
daughters, a son-in-law, and an energetic two-year-old who comes tiptoeing into
our bedroom to wake us up so her parents get a morning or two to sleep in.
We’re going make jelly donuts for Christmas breakfast. Filled with seedless
raspberry jam. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Debs? In Texas.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Home, happily. Daughter and son-in-law over for
prezzies and breakfast (Trader Joe's cinnamon rolls, yum.) Later, our
friend Gigi will come over, too, and we are cooking prime rib and Jamie
Oliver's Yorkshire puddings. And it's balmy here--it's feels like Florida! We
may have our Christmas cocoa on the patio. And then I'll see who I can talk
into watching Love Actually:-)
Rhys, in California.
RHYS BOWEN: It's rainy so no going on our usual Christmas hike!
We have everyone descending on us later today, so we'll have 9 for dinner
tonight and then the other 5 arrive tomorrow. So we're putting off our big
Christmas dinner until they all get here on Boxing Day, as we still call it.
Tonight a more sophisticated meal with a variation on coq au vin followed by a
light dessert of berries in liqueur. So only three of us for breakfast
and one is gluten free and lactose intolerant, so eggs and smoked salmon will
have to do.
Wishing everyone a joyous and peaceful day!
Lucy, in Florida.
LUCY BURDETTE: We are at home in Key West, with the kids and
their spouses and one brother visiting. I'm making dinner--stuffed shells in
homemade (low-sodium) sauce, nice bread, a salad, Christmas cookies, and
homemade ice cream I hope! I believe we are having 12 people--yikes!
It's been quite hot here so it doesn't really feel like
Christmas. But it will! Merry Christmas Reds and red readers!
Susan, in Brooklyn— who gave us the scoop last night and will
check in later today!)
SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: Right now it's a Christmas battle with Kiddo. "How about
four?" he asks, meaning waking us up at four a.m. tomorrow morning.
"How about eight?" we counter.
"Five?"
"Six."
"OK, six. My not waking you up until six will be my Christmas
present to you guys."
"And we need coffee first."
"If I let you have coffee first tomorrow, can I open one of
the presents tonight?"
END SCENE
HANK: Okay, dear Susan. I remember it well. Let us know how that
goes… Now to Julia, in Maine:
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: We've seen what Santa's brought and
opened out presents from each other, and now we're bustling around before our
guests arrive. Youngest is clearing away presents and writing out placecards,
The Boy is setting up folding tables and chairs, the Smithie is laying out the
good china and sterling and Ross and I are cooking, cooking, cooking! We're
having a small-for-us gathering this year - only 18 guests. After a dinner of
roast beef and turkey, our more musical friends will break out their
instruments and we'll play and sing.
Yes, Ross and I are, in actuality, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig. Merry
Christmas to you all!
HANK
PHILLIPPI RYAN: So how about you, dear
Reds? Have you checked the past few days blogs for our winners? And just tell
us what you’re up to today—and even simply where you are—and you’ll be entered to
win the Hank book of your choice.
We
love you all madly!
