Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Boxing Day!

Boxing Day has always had mixed emotions for me.  It is still a holiday here - no stores will open around here until December 27th.  We continue to fight off the burning desire to lose this most beloved of holidays, which in the Maritimes is when you go see "the family". 

For us this year, this means going to see my husband's family.  This has gotten easier over the years.  Early on in our marriage it was less than enjoyable, but MIL has mellowed somewhat with age and I can now take my dose, so long as it is not more than 3 or 4 hours at a time!

However for me, Boxing Day makes me think of my mother's side of the family and Boxing Days in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.  Throughout the years growing up we would travel to my aunt and uncle's farm.  I would not describe these visits as terrible - my aunt and uncle had a massive farmhouse that was a joy to explore - but would describe them as being only one or two steps above total anarchy.  In-laws and old family members would drink way too much, there was loud singing and talking, typically a fight or two, often between my mother and her sister, and the house would be visited by an assortment of "characters", themselves already drunk, who would add their own special brand of magic to the festivities.  One of the cousins once brought a horse through the house. 

It was one of those events where you would have a 5 minute conversation with about 50 different people and then drive home in the blackness for 2 hours around midnight, feeling you had not had a real conversation with anyone.  The Chieftan's seminal Christmas album, The Bells of Dublin, absolutely captures the spirit, if not the actual events of my family boxing days, in their collaboration with Elvis Costello in the wonderful song "The St. Stephen's Day Murders".  I am quite certain that Elvis and I would have a lot to talk about if ever we should meet!  Download the CD and then read the lyrics -truest Christmas song ever in my estimation and a classic Chez WMM!

But... never no mind... how was YOUR Christmas!  Ours has been divine.  Dinner was awesome, everyone woke up in good cheer and loved their presents.  One could not ask for more!

Today's highlight: my new Cinzia Rocca dress coat:


I am feeling all Tabitha in this coat.  I think I could wear this over some dramatic dress to go to the ballet in Scotland, whatdoyathink???


Me sitting on my couch with my new blue plaid scarf, a gift from Miss GF that makes me look all healthy!  Is that Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots?  Yup!  Big hit gift for my Biggest Boy!

One of the lovelier gifts was a picture of me and my dad that Barry had enlarged and framed:



1985 was NOT the kindest year for dresses... sigh..  But lovely picture!

Hoping you all had a grand day and that this Boxing Day (or St. Stephen's Day!) finds you well and not too stuffed!

Tralalala:

On the 2nd Day of Christmas WMM gave to me,

A noble dog with a scarf like Grace Kelly....



YOU tell me that this dog of mine doesn't look noble AND chic..

And doesn't this picture remind you of another famous cover photo?


Stay Safe out there!




20 comments:

  1. I am howling at the last two pics, they do look alike! It must have been a bit of a tearjerker for you to open the framed photograph, what a lovely thoughtful gift.
    Boxing Day here has always meant staying in jammies most of the day, sprawling on the sofa and eating and drinking from dusk till dawn. I have never ever gone in to town to the Boxing Day sales - too scary.

    Oh that robot thingie looks excellent, I'd be having a shot of that.

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    1. HI Tabs - I keep having my Robot's poor head knocked off by my daughter! Honestly, what kind of family puts a lovely scarf around the face of their dog and then takes a picture? Ours I guess. We were shocked at how noble he looked! And now of course, he is too full of himself!

      Here's to Boxing Days on the couch! WHich I was not driving for a couple of hours each way to see in the in-laws! I am good and tired!

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    2. Tabs, can we please pop round to NB so I can challenge you to Rock 'Em 'bots? That looks like a hoot.

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  2. My poor dog had to wear fleece and a bomber hat, ah well. I love the framed picture, that was a thoughtful gift. Your new coat is absolutely beautiful and I love the GF scarf too. Our Christmas was wonderful, I'm sad it's over. Probably no shopping for me, stores will be crazy for the next week or two here. Enjoy your boxing day!

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    1. Thanks Cate! I am quite shopped out too! One return and that is it and I will probably wait till later this week to do it!

      Glad your holiday was grand!

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  3. Boy those family Christmas parties sound crazy! We went to a Boxing Day party for my mother's side when I was growing up too but they were very tame. Very boring actually!

    I was exhausted yesterday but have had a good sleep after the big dinner so I feel much better today. And guess what we did watch Die Hard after dinner! We made the rascals do the clean-up and we retired to the couch to watch Bruce spin off his 80's one-liners, hilarious! Thanks for the tip!
    My mother who I rarely see is coming for lunch today with her husband. Oh wish me luck!
    Travel safely. xo

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    1. Oh I wish you double-luck! I am sure it will go well, but I bet it is stressful and more so in the anticipation.

      I am just hoping for some sane conversation today. They are making awful chicken a la king, which would be good if it was good, if you know what I mean....

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    2. DBP have the best possible lunch (and a relaxed glass of wine after.) WMM hope you only have to take a small helping of Chicken a la Pauper.

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  4. OUTSIDE THE BOX That coat is now part of the Tabitha Collection. Barry's gift sweetest thing (you were a teeny weenie patinie and pater looks so proud.) As for Boxing Day, I paid my fly/ drive time and dues among the battling clans in childhood. Now very grateful to stay "home" and only have a lovely FIL, in another country. In my youth I actually thought boxing meant the dramatic maternal prevention of - albeit stiffly polite, icy - disputes and taut silences, not the distribution of gift boxes. These were punctuated by the occasional pickled uncle's dramatic outbreaks - once even complete with bagpipe music (but no one was doing a jig.) We'll have to have a knees-up and compare comedy notes.

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    1. GF - glad someone else's family was at times fraught with peril! More pics to come! Beautiful day here and i hope to be back in time to catch Les Miserables! That may be my next blog!

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  5. Hi WMM! I absolutely LOVE your new coat! What a wonderful Christmas present, as is that photo of you and your dad. How thoughtful of Barry to have it enlarged and framed for you! I tell you, that man is a keeper for sure! :)

    Oh the memories of your Boxing Days from childhood! You have quite the family, I must say! No Boxing Day here for me. Instead, today will be spent working, doing laundry, and cleaning up from yesterday's celebration. I do have a sugar hangover if that counts for anything though. ;)

    Enjoy your day!

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    1. Hi FFM! I have sugar withdrawal, too!!! Barry is pretty darn good!

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  6. Hi WMM, love your coat, and the wedding photo - that was a very thoughtful gift. I just love your description of family Boxing Days of yore. I looked up the lyrics - too funny!
    We made a lot of phone calls yesterday to family and friends, no rambunctious goings-on for us! It looks like we will spend today just lazing around and reading - perfect!

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    1. Hi Patricia! It is a great song for sure - i am a huge Elvis fan - he is on my bucket list to see in concert for sure! We are en route home - yippee! I hope to report I have seen Les Miz!

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  7. This post was perfect. I know about the 3-4 hour itch with family and the chieftains song- so good WMM!! I love your fair isle legging and ugg boot look because it screams toasty and cozy. I love the 80's, so how could I not love your wedding dress and that you have such a nice photo of your father. The Grace Kelly pic had me guffawing. God bless you WMM and stay strong. Can't wait for the next post. NJ

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    1. Hi NJ - what kind comments and much appreciated! I have just survived Boxing Day 2012 - we are heading to Tim Hortons and the C0 minute drive home - yippee! My dog is now quite insufferable - he thinks he is a movie star!

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  8. Love you coat and memories of Boxing Days. I am like Tabitha, in my pajamas, eating leftovers and recovering after Christmas. Your dog picture is hilarious! My wedding dress was quite similar, just longer, it is from 1988 so it makes sense. Dress aside, it is such a lovely picture of you and your dad.

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    1. Too funny about our dresses - mine was long and i actually had it shortened - probably because my mother's dress in 1959 was shorter I guess - what did I know? I was 22! ;-)

      If i can get tickets i am trying for Les Mis - which means one things: i will be singing for days!!!

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  9. I love your at-home outfit: the sweater, scarf, sweater leggings and uggs. Cozy and perfect.

    I also love your gift from Barry, your dad all handsome and serious and you so delighted and delightful, as you are now.

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  10. Finally my data speed came back so I can leave comments! I tried to leave various comments but it was just too long (my favorite Xmas movie is "Family Man" with Nicolas Cage and Tia Leoni and I love to read The Turn of the screw for some reason at this time of the year, even if a ghost story and not very Xmassy.)
    Boxing Day (Santo Stefano) is a bank holiday in Italy too and it was boooring. We would play bingo and eat all day long at my paternal grandparents but without all the excitment of Xmas. Family members would come and visit
    Dog looks fierce in that picture!

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