Christmas Eve, California, 2013

In my last posting while thinking about Christmas Memories and Realities I mentioned about sunny California well we had another one of those days out here today. I am not sure what the temperature actually got up to but it had to be in the high sixties. A beautiful day. We did a lot of last minute wrapping and putting presents under the tree while all the while munching on all sorts of goodies. I forgot to mention before that history was made at the Bastani household. Bami  purchased three new sets of shelves for the garage. I helped him assemble them and Parisa and I helped unpack many many moving china boxes and transfer the items to plastic storage bins for placement on these new shelve units. In the process we found any number of things that the Bastani family had been searching for since their move from New Jersey. We won't say how long ago. Where does history come in? Simply that they are now completely unpacked. A red letter day.

Late this after noon we went to a Christmas Eve candle light service at the Blue Oak Church which Corey and Nicku attend and which meets in a local high school. It was a lovely service, well attended and a very meaningful message delivered by the Pastor Matt.

Bastani's And Bruce Family Walking Toward The Church Entrance

Bastani's And Bruce Family At The Welcome Center

Pastor Matt VanCleave Deliveries Christmas Eve Message " Seeing Christ In Christmas ".

Corey & Nicku Bruce And Bami Holding Their Candles During Finish Of Service As The 

Congregation Sang Silent Night

Following the Candle Light Service we drove to Corey and Nicku's home for a meal prepared by Corey and Nicku with a carrot cake prepared by Corey's mother. I said meal -  feast would be a better description. They served us prime rib, a Brussels sprout dish, asparagus, potatoes and a salad. The table was set with  Christmas dinner ware that was owned by Grandma Jan Diven. Silver ware and other items  they received as wedding gifts.The table and room was beautifully decorated.

Christmas Tree In Living Room

Family Room With Stockings Hung On The Fire Place Mantle. It Looks Like There May Be Toys
For The Dogs In Them. Those Lucky Pups.

Table Of Delicious Snack Food For Prior To The Meal

Red Rose In Flower Arrangement

White Rose In Flower Arrangement

The Table Is Set

Corey Is Cutting The Prime Rib While Peanut One Of The Three Dogs That Live With Them Sits And 

Waits For Something To Fall To The Floor.

The Group Is Ready To Eat But The Group Photograph Must Come First. Two Of Their Three Dogs
Are Searching For Scraps Under The Table. Louie Is On he Left And Gunner Is On The Right.

Enough Of The Photos. Lets Eat. I Am Not Sure But It Looks Like I Have Already Cut Off A Bite
Of My Prime Rib. Sorry I Just Had To Taste It.

One End Of The Dining Room.

One Of The Dog Members Of The Family. This Is Corey's Dog Gunner

China Storage In Dining Room. Very Clever Idea.

Following the meal we sat around and talked, told stories while Corey demonstrated some neat things electronically he has done. You know he is one of those guys that can do all that whiz bang stuff with the computer. In this case what he was impressing us with a program that he runs on the TV that shows a beautiful fire burning in the fireplace even with the sound of crackling wood. It was so realistic it seemed you could even feel the warmth of the burning wood. Some of us said " I have got to get me one of those. " Thanks Corey for some new ideas. Later Nicku served the carrot cake, coffee, hot tea and milk if you wanted it. That cake was marvelous. Thank you Pam for bringing it. Later Corey and Nicku gave us Christmas gifts. For me they gave me a framed photograph showing  Nicku in her beautiful wedding dress standing with me.  It is lovely and I will cherish it forever. Thank you and thank you for such a lovely evening. Everyone agreed it was time to go home and think about sugar plum dancing in our heads while others finish last minute wrapping and getting ready for preparation of the Christmas Day meals and desserts.

Corey And Nicku-- Their First Christmas As Mr. & Mrs. Bruce

Corey And Nicku-- Their First Christmas As Mr. & Mrs. Bruce

Corey And Nicku-- Their First Christmas As Mr. & Mrs. Bruce

As always remember that God loves you and so do I.

Comment: " Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts, See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ". Psalms 139: Verses 23- 24. NIV.

Grandpa Bill