You know you're old when your best Christmas gift is sleeping late! We sure didn't do this when we were children.

We just had a regular breakfast—I'd forgotten completely that I bought some clotted cream for toast or something else special—to the Yule Log that was running on one of the channels. We opened our gifts to the music. I'd gotten James a nice stack of books, all to do with the Navy or Naval aviation, an airplane decoration for his wall, and a shepherd's crook bookmark. I had the new Rick Steves' shows and one about the Holy Land, plus a travel pouch and sewing kit, an adjustable light to use for cross-stitching, Christmas robin coasters, and a "Make Way for Ducklings" pin. We also had cookies from Emma, a Bahrain-made box with an audio copy of Code Name Verity on it from Jen, a Bing Crosby and space DVDs from Rodney, and copies of autographed Remember WENN scripts from Mike.

We had light lunches—mine was just broth and crackers—to keep room for the Butlers' repast, and suddenly had to hurry to get ready to go over the house. We drove through a nearly silent world, all the stores being closed. Today it was finally a beautiful day, bright blue sky and even brighter sun. We arrived at the Butlers to find things in full swing and almost everyone there. I put out the cheese and crackers I'd brought, and we put aside the corn casserole and rice, heated and swathed in insulated bags and towels, to keep until supper. And then it was on to talking until suppertime, which was Cajun turkey, ham, beef tenderloin and pot roast, with sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, the rice, and the corn. Dessert was pies: Dutch apple, turtle pumpkin, pumpkin, blueberry and cherry. What a feast! What friends! The gift exchange just topped off a wonderful afternoon and early evening.

We arrived home after nine; the Doctor Who Christmas special was on, but I put it on hold because I was feeling a bit under the weather. Instead I put on NBC's Christmas reruns and we spent the evening quietly.