Day after Christmas in Providence

It's been a relatively quiet holiday season for us here in Providence. It was raining lightly when on Christmas Eve when we drove to T. F. Green airport just south of the city to pick up Susan's mom who was flying in from Michigan. We waited only about 20 minutes or so before her flight landed -- along with all the people coming in from Philly and Chicago as well. (photo: Frank at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)

The hugs and kisses were flying fast and furiously at the arrivals gate -- lots of family and friends coming home for the holidays it would seem -- reminded me of the opening title scene from the movie Love Actually. (photo: Cathy at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)

We drove back to our house where mom unpacked and freshened up. Dick & Dorothy came by a little after 5pm, and we all had a grand time over good food (if I must say so myself), good wine and warm conversation. (photo: Susie at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)

Christmas Day we had a leisurely morning, with homemade blueberry muffins and brilliant sunshine and warm temps. The spring-like weather took its toll on the snow piles and ice patches, reducing them to mere specters of their former lives, hinting at what nuisances and damages they had caused just a few days before. (photo: Mom, founder and creator of the world-famous "Bernice Game," at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)

A little after noon the three of us drove downtown. Susie gave her mom the VIP tour of Gracie's, after which we drove north up into the wilds of Massachusetts to Dick and Dorothy's house in Douglas for Christmas Day family get together. We sat around a warm fire and chatted until Frank, Cathy and Mieke arrived, followed not long after by Mary and her friend Larry. (photo: Dick, Christmas Day)

Before long we all sat around the table and enjoyed another of D & D's spectacular meals: fennell/onion soup and salad courses followed by the specialty of the house, beef burgundy with fresh green beans and mashed potatoes (the beans, from Hannaford, were very good). (photo: Mieke at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)



(photo: Bernice Game contestants at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)

After a relaxing dinner and while D & D cleaned up, some of the group played a quick round of the Bernice game. Now for those unfamiliar with this particular bit of Van Halsema/VandenBerg family tradition, this is very much like "Categories" but with more laughing. Cathy was in rare form keeping everyone on their toes and smiles on all our faces. The game was cut short since Frank and Cathy had to get Mieke to the train station in Providence so she could get back home to NYC at a reasonable hour. (photo: Larry at Dick & Dorothy's on Christmas Day)


Soon afterwards we said our goodbyes and headed off into the clear, cold night back south toward the Ocean State.

Not a bad way to spend Christmas really.

Have a wonderful New Year!