Christmas at Cowfeathers Photoblog

We have such a lovely place for celebrations, Cowfeathers looks pretty in all weathers. But, Cowfeathers is special at Christmas.

Henri and Fantine, Christmas Eve morning.

Sleeping under the stars. 

Sunday before Christmas, the Children's service. 

Arriving at Cowfeathers after dark.

My parents arrived, and the next morning, Middlest and Dad started their Gingerbread House project. Conceived by email, baked by Middlest in advance, they began assembly.  The cute little house is a hit, and smells divine!

 Chimney assembly and eave gables were the final touches. It features a large "clock" on the back and sparkling gold windows.

Mission Accomplished!

 Christmas has been unusually warm and sunny this year, and the family spent a lot of time reading and working in the sunroom. Willa (parents cocker spaniel) was very accommodating, enjoyed sitting in the sun too, but really would prefer to play ball!

Christmas Eve(ning) began with a lovely candlelight service at church. We are the dressiest of the bunch, for sure, but dressing up is such fun!

Mom and her grandson. FAVORITE (and only) grandson.

The whole family in an inexpertly (by me) taken self-timed iPhone photo. 

After church Christmas Eve cocktails, followed by Swiss Fondue (as good as in Switzerland!) and Shrimp Cocktail. This has become our Christmas Eve tradition over the years. 

Last year we started a Christmas Eve book exchange, like a Secret Santa.  We enjoyed that so much we continued this year. We all received a book to curl up with and read until Santa had come. 

  Christmas morning the sun peeked through the fog to reveal Santa had made it!

The dogs love the stockings the best, and patiently waited all morning on the other side of the gate to receive the toys in their socks. 

"Igotapig, Igotapig, Igotapig...."

 "Mr. and Mrs. Claus" brought with them wonderful gifts for me, including this family heirloom Grandfather Clock.

 Middlest conquered the assignment of gluten-free cinnamon rolls. SO GOOD! We have a good friend that makes a glutenous batch for our Christmas morning too. No one suffered here.

A long day of leisurely present opening, including a few "goose chases"- a Drost family tradition, and indulgent eating brought us to the Christmas Feast of Christmas night.

  A Champagne cocktail to kick it off!

And, a table dressed for Christmas. Huz turned out a delicious meal, as usual, featuring an amazing (I heard, being a vegetarian myself) beef tenderloin.

A nice long winter's nap, and Christmas is done.
Ready for Boxing Day!
Youngest joined the hounds for the Boxing Day Hunt.

 Still unseasonably warm for Ohio, coats were waived, and they started out reasonably clean.

But some hours of dashing about in the mud left them seasonably filthy!

It's good to have friends with whom to run and play on horses. Happy Christmas y'all!