The night before, Christmas Eve, we had gone out to dinner with some expat friends of ours to a cajun place. Probably the only cajun place in Tokyo, aptly named "Bourbon Street." It was great and authentic. The New Orlean's owner looked like Paul Prudhomme and cooked like him too. We started with champagne, had bottles of great wine, and ended up singing Christmas carols at a karaoke bar in Roppongi.
"Bourbon Street" where we had lots of wine.
The bourbon came later.
I vaguely recall falling on my ass in a surprised heap when we exited the joint. I wasn't even that drunk. Well, not at that point. It must have been the shoes. It's been a while since I wore high heels. Then I'm pretty sure we went across the street and had a whiskey at Bar Mania where we know the owner. That's what did me in. How I made it up and down those treacherous sets of stairs is a mystery.
But the hangover I was nursing Christmas morning was not. Thankfully it wasn't too bad. Only a category three. The champagne I served with the cheddar and ham egg bake I made took care of it. Hair of the dog.
Speaking of the dog, his stocking was adorable. And watching him open it was especially amusing.
Ranger! Look what the EIF (Elf in Charge, aka, me) brought you!
What I like about this video is how Ranger glances at Russell at the end
as if saying, what do you expect me to do now?
After we opened our stockings, Russell opened all the little gifts I had bought him.
Our little fake tree laden with gifts, Christmas morning.
Look how cute it is.
The present is cute too.
Then we moved the coffee table aside, laid down some blankets and pillows and proceeded with our age old tradition of spending the day watching old holiday movies. The movie list is always a dilemma. Of course "It's a Wonderful Life" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" are always part of the playlist. This year we added the original "Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant.
Ranger decided the only place for him to lay was in-between us, so it was a bit of wrestling match between him and Russell most of the afternoon. My money was on Ranger.
Ranger's post stocking coma.
The half chewed penguin lays abandoned nearby.
Usually we would be hosting the entire family for Christmas. But since it was only Russell, and me and we were leaving for Australia the next day, I decided to take a risk and make my very first duck. It's a lot of work but much easier than I thought. I find that's usually the case. I used to be so intimidated by the idea of making a souffle. But after the first one, you realize they're really quite easy. The duck took four hours and had to be turned over every hour. Russell and I took turns. It turned into a couple's project. It turned out amazing! I am definitely going to make duck more often.
My very first duck.
My favorite part of the day was after dinner when Russell agreed to play gin rummy with me. By then we were both pretty jolly with wine. At one point he made a ridiculously stupid move, pretty much handing me the game. When he realized his mistake, he said in his best sportscaster voice, "All right ladies and gentlemen, let's see what he's going to do for his next brilliant move."
It was so out of character and funny we both laughed unconsolably for about ten minutes.
It was a very Merry Christmas.
Mood lighting.
The living room decorated for Christmas
Table arrangement
Ranger and I napping the day after Christmas.
Our flight to Australia wasn't until 8 pm.
It was a fun Christmas eve,, one we will remember,, (we are the 'expat' couple they went out with. I remember stumbling down the stairs,,,, and saying Merry Christmas, and running into the most awkward people on Roppongi,,, one thought he was a true reindeer, (albeit horny) but a true reindeer. Fun time Dawn!!!
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