The New Year- The Same Thing, Only Different

2017.

The New Year.

It is the same thing, only different.

It has been the same thing for, I don't know how many years.  We join up with our friends the McCords out at their place in East Texas, west of Palestine (In Texas that is pronounced (pal-ah-STEEN). Palestine, Texas long pre-dated Mel Brooks movie, Young Frankenstein (that is Fran-en-STEEN).  Anyway, all of our kids were young 'uns back when we began this tradition, now some are married and most are no longer coming to ring in the New Year with their parents.  So, we gather in the "bunk house" several days after Christmas and a few days before New Years and cook and drink and eat and talk like we have always done before, only without the kids to manage, so it is the same thing - only different.

Sue and Brenda are stationed around the kitchen island
always a tine to catch up and exchange what is new in all of our lives

Nobody strays far from the kitchen, at least for very long.  Plenty of snacks and conversational tidbits to chew on while one of the guests is preparing the next meal.

Brenda & Sue take on the challenge of a new jigsaw puzzle.
The ladies always have plenty to puzzle over into the night.

Kirby brings a glass of port - it is part of the puzzle-solving tradition

The "kids" (now in their mid-20's) play the latest parlor game
around the dining table

The Rices arrive and we are glad to see them, since they always bring interesting wines and Mark R. is a master of the barbecue.  This dinner time he draws out the long knives and cuts a brisket into sumptuous servings 

A red with a good nose.  Let's eat!

Mark & Kathy both have that "look in the eyes"
as they are about to serve something really fine.

Grab your grub and take a seat.  Let the good tastes roll!

It is New Year's Eve, and that means it is time to light some Chinese imports on fire.  The fireworks display under the oak trees goes on for about an hour before we get to midnight.

Great Gobs of Goodies!
We may be getting low (not) on sweets -
Sarah and Brianna set to baking some more cookies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!