That Most Wonderful Time of the Year

So the happiest part of the year is upon us. Canes are still playing football, the weather is absurdly gorgeous, and the Ds are both under our roof at the same time. Yesterday we got into the man sized Buick, because Wifey's SUV is out for repairs...don't even get me started...and headed to Key Biscayne. D2's boyfriend Jonathan, his Mom Lizbeth, and sister Elisa were already at the hotel. We gathered and went to our table -- outside and bathed in the refracted sunlight from Biscayne Bay. The staff brought us mimosas and bellinis, and we toasted: D1's 26th birthday, great health, and being together. The array of food at the buffet was something a visitor from another country might think was a made up Hollywood set. A gorgeous fresh turkey, an enormous prime rib just being sliced as we got to the carving table -- tables of seafood and smoked fish and meats, and an entire room filled with gourmet desserts. We all ate ourselves nearly into, as the Ds call it, food comas, as we sat and chatted about our childhoods in Miami, Brooklyn (Wifey), and Caracas. Wifey and Lizbeth shared Lucy Ricardo inspired tales about car mishaps. At this brunch, the two of them really bonded, and D2 and Jonathan seemed to enjoy that. Afterwards we walked to the Bay, and took photos, and then found a gazebo to sit under. That's the thing about the hotel on Key Biscayne -- they have so many different spaces you WANT to hang out. On the way inside, we plopped down on some leather sofas in the bar, and I glanced at the football game. Thanksgiving was thereby complete. The Ds headed out to some parties, of their high school friends returned to the 305 for the holidays. And then Wifey's old college pal Elizabeth came over -- she stays with us during T Day although sees a lot of her sister. She was dead tired from the long drive from Orlando, and headed up for much needed sleep. I fell into a deep sleep, too, as the cool breezes caressed our bedroom. And then I heard the happy sound of a car on our gravel driveway -- the Ds had come home. Today -- more of the same. Dinner with the Ds, and then tomorrow the last Canes tailgate and game. It's the best time of the year, and I savor it greatly.