There was something very “old fashioned” about our Christmas festivities this year. We watched no football games or Christmas parades on TV. We sang our Christmas carols a cappella instead of listening to CDs. Each room in our house glowed with candlelight.
On Christmas Day, at 9:10 a.m., our power went out. My husband had to drive our stuffed 22-pound turkey to Culver City so his son could roast it in his oven to feed our 15 guests. Our tradition is to have homemade eggnog with mounds of whipped cream and beaten egg whites enhancing its elegance. This year I had to beat all the eggs with a wire whip. I no longer own a hand beater, as my electric Kitchen Aid is such a wonder. Somehow we managed to provide our traditional meal for the family.
One great thing about the candlelight, when we gathered to open our stockings, if someone didn’t like their presents, it was too dark to tell.
The power came back on 12 hours and 10 minutes later, at 9:20 p.m., after everyone had left and my husband and I were already snug in our beds and asleep (sans kerchief and cap). Southern California Edison decided to call us at 10 p.m. to kindly let us know that our power was restored. We wouldn’t have known otherwise? Thus we were rudely awakened from a well-deserved long winter’s nap.
P.S. Isn’t it time to consider underground power lines in Malibu?
Ellen Reich