last night was my grandfather's 81st birthday. he and my grandmother (who celebrated her 81st a month ago) are in town for the holidays. so my family and my uncle's family got together to celebrate the only proper way: with a crapload of food and a bouche de noel sent straight from the devil:

hello, i'm the bouche de noel elf of death, and i'm going to ride this candle like a rocket straight into your face.

the bouche was so tasty, as much as the elf scared me. you can see a set of photos of it here.

today involves some last-minute shopping (i thought so smugly i was set, but i should have known better), maybe some viewing of the redskins game, and then another big ass meal. merry christmas to you and yours!