Catherine Nicolai

The popcorn was disappearing just like I knew it would, and everyone wanted to know what its secret ingredient was. but I was stubborn about sharing. It's special to my house. You'll have to come here when you crave it, I finally said, and set down a few board game boxes and decks of cards on the table. As we debated what we'd play tonight,

The popcorn was disappearing just like I knew it would, and everyone wanted to know what its secret ingredient was. but I was stubborn about sharing. It's special to my house. You'll have to come here when you crave it, I finally said, and set down a few board game boxes and decks of cards on the table. As we debated what we'd play tonight,

Last game night, I had taught them a card game that my family had played when I was young, and once everyone had caught on to its breakneck pace. We couldn't quit till nearly midnight. We'd called it Nutsy, or sometimes Peanuts. But I'd heard it go by a dozen funny names, including The Racing Canfield, Peanuts Pounce, Scramble, Squeal, and Scrooge. We all agreed.

Last game night, I had taught them a card game that my family had played when I was young, and once everyone had caught on to its breakneck pace. We couldn't quit till nearly midnight. We'd called it Nutsy, or sometimes Peanuts. But I'd heard it go by a dozen funny names, including The Racing Canfield, Peanuts Pounce, Scramble, Squeal, and Scrooge. We all agreed.

Last game night, I had taught them a card game that my family had played when I was young, and once everyone had caught on to its breakneck pace. We couldn't quit till nearly midnight. We'd called it Nutsy, or sometimes Peanuts. But I'd heard it go by a dozen funny names, including The Racing Canfield, Peanuts Pounce, Scramble, Squeal, and Scrooge. We all agreed.

After last time, we had a few scores to settle and decided to make it another night of cards. We cleared away the game boxes and passed around decks of cards and all started to shuffle. Card games had been a big deal in my family. I knew how to shuffle cards like a blackjack dealer by the time I was seven years old.

After last time, we had a few scores to settle and decided to make it another night of cards. We cleared away the game boxes and passed around decks of cards and all started to shuffle. Card games had been a big deal in my family. I knew how to shuffle cards like a blackjack dealer by the time I was seven years old.

After last time, we had a few scores to settle and decided to make it another night of cards. We cleared away the game boxes and passed around decks of cards and all started to shuffle. Card games had been a big deal in my family. I knew how to shuffle cards like a blackjack dealer by the time I was seven years old.

And as I watched my friends mix and count out the first thirteen of each deck, pass them over to the person on their left, I had a strong memory of being the littlest one at the table with all my aunts and uncles, my feet not yet touching the ground as we set up our hands and waited with excitement for someone to shout, go.

And as I watched my friends mix and count out the first thirteen of each deck, pass them over to the person on their left, I had a strong memory of being the littlest one at the table with all my aunts and uncles, my feet not yet touching the ground as we set up our hands and waited with excitement for someone to shout, go.

And as I watched my friends mix and count out the first thirteen of each deck, pass them over to the person on their left, I had a strong memory of being the littlest one at the table with all my aunts and uncles, my feet not yet touching the ground as we set up our hands and waited with excitement for someone to shout, go.

Then, the sounds of flipping cards, cards slapped onto the table, and grown-ups elbowing each other out of the way to get that seven of spades onto the six. Now, to be in my own home, my own family of friends, the smell of popcorn and soup in the air, and all of us grinning around the table at each other, drumming our fingers and waiting to turn that first card.

Then, the sounds of flipping cards, cards slapped onto the table, and grown-ups elbowing each other out of the way to get that seven of spades onto the six. Now, to be in my own home, my own family of friends, the smell of popcorn and soup in the air, and all of us grinning around the table at each other, drumming our fingers and waiting to turn that first card.

Then, the sounds of flipping cards, cards slapped onto the table, and grown-ups elbowing each other out of the way to get that seven of spades onto the six. Now, to be in my own home, my own family of friends, the smell of popcorn and soup in the air, and all of us grinning around the table at each other, drumming our fingers and waiting to turn that first card.

I guessed we'd probably forget to count down at midnight, too busy laughing and playing, And then, at some point, run out into the snow to retrieve the champagne. We'd raise our glasses and make a resolution. This year, more fun. Sweet dreams.

I guessed we'd probably forget to count down at midnight, too busy laughing and playing, And then, at some point, run out into the snow to retrieve the champagne. We'd raise our glasses and make a resolution. This year, more fun. Sweet dreams.

I guessed we'd probably forget to count down at midnight, too busy laughing and playing, And then, at some point, run out into the snow to retrieve the champagne. We'd raise our glasses and make a resolution. This year, more fun. Sweet dreams.