Holidays with the chosen family.

This year I spent a wonderful holiday season in the ever balmy and infinitely sunny state of Florida. Don't be fooled by the location, this wasn't a typical Florida visit filled with beaches, tanning lotion and over endulgance.. well maybe a little on that last bit. This vacation was full throttle, balls to the wall, wallet bleeding madness.

I arrived on the 24th of December to an already overly roudy house. Knocking on the door I heard little Lola's familiar bark and what sounded like a thousand voices. Tyler's family had already arrived and their sticky fingers took no rest in finding the liquor reserves. The door was opened slowly at first as Tyler tried to see who was knocking at his door but once realizing it was me I was greeted with the same warmth I have come accustomed to from my 'nother mother brother.

Estefania's parents were, unfortunately, delayed in arriving from Texas. I felt very sorry for them - by the time they arrived we all had already become rosaceated jolly fat man impersonators. Even though I had just finished my third, very strong rum and coke, I was still aware of the funny vision we must have been to their sober party. But they were not intimidated in the least, within minutes they were so far involved in the talks and festivities it was as if they had been there the whole time.

We dove deeper into the night as the booze became dangerously shallow. There was dancing, singing, hugging and silly anticts that would have stayed forgotten had we not had the sense to snap a few photos.

Christmas Eve was only the start. The next few days we chased Krampus from our door steps and tried to tie down that damn yule. In bloody-eyed retrospect I would say we were a raving success at discouraging that perverted demon, capturing the ever elusive yule, and keeping the hangover gremlin from hanging around for too long.

We went walking in the quaint downtown of Wintergarden, went dancing with Flamencos at a ecclesiastical tapas bar named Ceviche, we laughed, shed a couple tears and all around had a really really really good time.

New Years eve eve I made dinner for Tyler, Stef and her Family. It was a three course meal that would make the trough divers at Golden Corral salivate with jealousy. Not trying to toot my own horn, but this steamy concoction I am quite proud of.

Starters included:
Homemade Dressed Herring (Inspired by Anastasia)
Pickles and Vodka (Also Inspired by Anastasia)
Homemade Ehtiopian Injera Bread with Yam Dip

Main Course:
Bison Burgers on whole wheat buns
Grilled Garlic Asparragus side

Dessert:
Home made Strawberry Tarts

The herring had to be the most challenging dish. It is surprisingly complicated to make and catching herring is something only the Slavic people have mastered.

Come New Years eve everyone was rested and ready to celebrate with a bang. We drove over to one of Estefania's friends apartment. Taking this trip granted us a perfect view of the New Years firework show. Estefania's Mom made for each of us 'Las doce uvas de la suerte' or 'The Twelve Grapes of Luck'. Tradition goes you eat a grape at each bell strike at Midnight on December 31st, however Estefania's family said to eat 11 grapes at your own pace but save the final grape for the exact moment of New Year - along with each grape you are supposed to make a wish. A fun and delicious tradition if anyone is curious.

New years festivities were great. Everyone had a great time and even though I was sick and couldn't imbibe I still left feeling satisfied that I rang in the new year right.

A couple days later Stef's family had to go back to Texas and return to normal life. The house seemed very empty that day.

A few days later Tyler and Stef had another visitor, a friend from Brazil. The four of us spent the next few days exploring the local areas, visiting Downtown Disney and pretending that our credit cards don't have a limit.

Then came one of my favorite moments of this visit - Busch Gardens! The day may have been cold and gloomy, I may have lost a pair of 200 dollar sunglasses, I may have had to buy a shitty sweater to prevent my nipples from succumbing to frost bite but it was all worth it. Adrenaline can sometimes make you forget about your problems and instead help you live in the moment. The day rushed by us at 100 mph as we looped, turned and screamed our ways into euphoric exhaustion. Before we had time to come back down we were on the road driving back to Orlando. Highway speeds lose all their excitement after a day on the rails. Forcing ourselves to talk so Tyler didn't fall asleep at the wheel was a necessity, luckily we made it safely.

Stef's friend left a day later and again the house felt empty. So, I spent the next couple days trying to sort out my life for the inevitable return to the working world.

One last adventure included seeing an old friend, J.T, this time we were a bit more reserved with our plans and just spent the evening at dinner and his place.

Overall, one of the best winter holidays I have ever had. Thank you, my friends for being so great and I look forward to visiting again soon.

And finally a very poorly edited video. Enjoy!