some Christmas photos.. We had a very nice Christmas Holiday.. I had 10 days off but sure didn't feel like it.. it was hard to get back but in a way, it was nice to get back to my "routine"... For Christmas this year, we did the usual dim sum with the family but instead of dinner at Cheng Goos, we had dinner at my uncle "Chef Liao's" house.. he just bought a house 10 min from us so I wasn't going to complain:-)... After dimsum, the kids, my parents, John/Jessica, et al came over to open gifts at our house.. what total chaos.. Before I could finish handing out the gifts, everyone was already litterally ripping into their presents..haha.. it was a lot of fun.. i got some crate and barrel serving dishes, BR Gift cards, PB gift cards, a sewing machine I bought for myself:-), some candles, my fav of all time "Kill Bill"...both of them... an orchid plant from my mom, and a bunch of others..wow, I did p retty good..hehe.. anyhow, after that we all headed over to Chef Liao's house for dinner, mahjong, etc... there were over 70 people there I think throughout the night.. awesome food.. great to see everyone too..

The tree..

I hate photos..

Present opening frenzy...6 months to prepare, 6 minutes to open:-)

Nothing for me?? Poor Stanley

"Beef on weck"!!. I've never been so impressed by a sandwich.. so impressed I was compelled to write about it.. I've heard of this sandwich from my coworkers but never in the mood to try it.. so finally yesterday I ran out of ideas and took a walk to the Buffalo Deli with my coworker.. Kimmelwick or beef on weck or wick..depending on who you ask is a roast beef sandwich dipped in au just with a horseradish/mayo spread all on a Kimmelwick bun which has toasted caraway seeds and pretzel salt.. sooo good.. can't remember the last time I've said that about a sandwich..haha..

Read more about this sandwich: http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060802/NEWS/60802004/1051

We are 4 gifts away from finishing up our Christmas Shopping!! happy dance.. This weekend I also got a console table that I've been wanting for our upstairs hallway.. its a little bare upstairs so this will be nice.. I love to buy furniture but unfortunately or maybe fortunately this house doesn't really need a lot of furniture.. so heres the console we just picked up from Pottery Barn:-).... need to dress it up a little..

I also placed an order for a sewing machine today.. Yep after 3 years of wanting one I finally made the decision to get one.. It wasn't much and if I hate it I guess I can pass it onto someone else who wants to give it a try..haha.. Now i can sew Stanleys' chewed up toys and hem my own pants .. i hope.. and pillows.. this year its scarfs since I took up knitting and next year everyone is getting pillows! hehe.. My mom promised to come to over and help me thread it.. then we'll see how this goes.. exciting;-).. dont' expect me to make my own clothing or anything close to that anytime soon.. I'm thinking simple - tablecloths, pillows..anything that requires 4 lines of stitching or less in a straight line.. that'll be me :-)

It finally feels like Christmas!! Brian and I went with Aunt Ruby this Sunday and got our trees.. 7 foot fresh noble firs.. they smell so good:-) Nothing like a fresh tree.. We brought it home, had some lunch then went off to get some lights, etc for it.. didn't find the sage green matte balls i've been wanting 2 years in a row. sigh..oh well, so we did the gold tree again. It looks awesome. We also got all of our out of towner's Xmas gifts, wrapped and ready to go. I think this is the first year we've had a tree and gifts ready to go this early -still not done but we're waaaaay ahead of where w'ere usually at:-).. so overall a great weekend, got lots accomplished and I'm excited to just sit back and enjoy this holiday!