Phew! New Years, the last of our three big holiday hurdles. Frankly, I’m partied out, and am feeling about as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey.
So tomorrow night, Charlie and me are taking a time out, doing a quiet evening at home. 
I’m gonna broil a couple of steaks, whip up some twice-baked potatoes (with blue cheese and bacon, of course) and make maple-glazed carrots. For dessert, I’ve made one of Charlie’s favorites: cream puffs with chocolate icing. Don’t tell him. It’s a surprise!
For post dinner recreation, we plan on kicking back in our Barcalounger love seat with Scamp between us, watching “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest.” Kind of trips off the tongue, doesn’t it? No doubt the show will be filled with stars we’ve never heard of. And dollars to donuts, one of us will sigh and say how we miss Dick Clark, and then we’ll start reminiscing about American Bandstand. Now that was a fun show! Then, we’ll segue into talking about how we have a pretty good life and how grateful we are to have our health. And we’ll hold hands, and cuddle Scamp, and I’ll rest my head on Charlie’s shoulder.
Anyhoo, Charlie and me are hoping to stay awake until the ball drops. We’re both planning on taking a long nap tomorrow afternoon as a precaution, but that’s no guarantee. Yes, we’re livin’ la vida loca here in Mahoosuc Mills!
On Wednesday, we’re having our annual New Years Day brunch at Celeste and Bud’s. It’s always a low key affair, with the Women Who Run With the Moose and their husbands: Celeste and Bud, Rita and Smitty, Betty and Pat, Dot and Tommy, Shirley and Junior, and me and Charlie. Celeste serves a mean cheese fondue, and all of us pound down Jell-O shots and play Strip Twister. Just kidding!
What usually happens is the guys go downstairs and shoot pool, while us gals sit around commiserating about how much weight we’ve gained over the holidays, and how, starting tomorrow, it’s back to the straight and narrow. All while feasting on ham, egg soufflé, sweet breads and ambrosia salad. Followed by more commiserating, then back for seconds from the dessert buffet. You know, doing our part so there’s not a lot of leftovers. That way we can start the new year off on the right foot. After that, another round of “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.”
And of course, while we’re agonizing about our waistlines, all we’re hearing from downstairs is a lot of hooting and hollering. Where’s the justice? Seriously, it’s great to hang out with old friends and about the best way I know to kick off the New Year.
Here’s wishing you and yours a new year full of love, laughter, and a bucket load of good times.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: The Last Holiday Hurdle
2020
February 29: Makin’ Whoopie!, Franklin Opera House, 7:30pm, Franklin, NH
May 13: Book Reading, Windham Public Library, 6:00pm, Windham, ME
May 14, Book Reading, Wiggin Memorial Library, 6:00pm, Stratham, NH