Amanda the Great by Amanda El-Dweek for December 17, 2023

oh the bucket thing is only on Thanksgiving? It’s daily here

Our tradition: neither the tree nor the decorations went up until Mom’s birthday, on December 23rd. Always a big family dinner in honour of our Matriarch, then another big dinner on Dec 25th. Man, I miss those days…

We always put the turkey net over the dog, then take his picture. (Don’t worry – he gets most of the dark meat as compensation.)

Was that four years ago already? Well, in any case, it sounds like you should party with the Beckers!

And a good time was had by all!

Cats are always a big help with the tree.

Did the cats supply “hairball ornaments”? d;o)

The holidays this year are proving to be disappointing, but the memories still remain of all the great ones from the past with family and friends. Hopefully that will carry me through to better ones to come. Still, it doesn’t stop me from celebrating with all my favorite readers here with Amanda the Great!!

Ric’s malfeasance? But NO…untrueness. He is adding glamor, spirit and adventure, adorning the Christmas decor…with just a hint of possible mayhem. Oh and ice cream bucket, malfeasance extraordinaire. what fine family memories.

I think Toonces’ behavior is more like nonnegotiable demands. “Give it up, Humie.”

Cute couple. Your dad’s a good sport :))

No mention of Dan? I’m getting suspicious of what mischief he got into that’s so unmentionable! ☺️

Thanksgiving either at our house or Aunt and Uncle’s. Great Aunts would arrive together. All adults would drink to excess, kids would adjourn to a quiet spot to beat each other up playing paper-rock-scissors. As aunts were leaving, no matter which house we were at, the menfolk would stand in the driveway waving goodbye. Aunts would back into the mailbox and knock it over. While men were still smiling and waving they would tell us kids to go out and get the aunt’s car out of the ditch and set the mailbox back up. I miss my great aunts!