Unless I get invited somewhere, Christmas food will likely be nearly identical to Thanksgiving food for me. Although I would like to get back into Daddy Vern’s tradition of having roast beef at Christmas.
Wish you could come over. We will likely have several old friends over. Mrs. Gramps has a Turkey breast for the feast. Not exactly my favorite.
I always go for turkey thighs because basically the white meat is always dry to me and everything but the thighs has way too many little bones. Long thin ones for drumsticks, even though they’re dark meat.
The pink penguin is not Christmassy, it doesn’t even have a Santa hat. It is neon pink with orange feet and beak, 2 feet high and shining bright until the early hours. https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-neon-penguin-light-pink/p113395881
That picture is in daylight and doesn’t do it justice! It is a bright neon Barbie pink when lit up in the dark.
The tree (a real one, 7 feet) is up and the Moravian star is glowing. We're not sure what to do about about the rest of the decorations, because the three orphan kittens we are caring for have gone delirious, happy to have been given a new climbing toy for their first Christmas.
You sound very similar to us. Our tree—also real and 7 feet—is also up, but that’s as far as we’ve gone. As it’s also our cat’s first Christmas (at least with us, but he was only 2 months old a year ago), we’re taking it slowly. Just the tree for a day or two, then the lights (and Moravian star) for another day or two, then ornaments, probably avoiding breakable ones until we see how he does. I may also use a little fishing line to anchor the tree.
We’re planning to put a little nook for him under the three—maybe a box with a blanket he can “hide” in.
Have there been any Noos reports yet of Evil Clergy* traumatising crowds of blubbering children by denying the existence of Santa Claus/Father Christmas? It's That Time Of Year...
*They're usually described as 'vicars', whether or not they're C of E.
I live across from our community clubhouse. This year, for the first time, they put up flashing light holiday decor. So all evening, the lights are flashing in front of my living room windows. I do not like this, but I also do not like sitting in a room with the drapes closed. Sigh, only a few weeks of this.
Have you ever raised the issue with the clubhouse? Seems to me it is something that should be addressed. Around here such a display could draw a suit, though I know you would be loath to do that. Nevertheless, a kind word might resolve the issue for you.
I did, and tonight the tree is changing light colors very slowly, and the elves, Christmas bear, and penguins are not flashing at all. Peace.
I live across from our community clubhouse. This year, for the first time, they put up flashing light holiday decor. So all evening, the lights are flashing in front of my living room windows. I do not like this, but I also do not like sitting in a room with the drapes closed. Sigh, only a few weeks of this.
Have you ever raised the issue with the clubhouse? Seems to me it is something that should be addressed. Around here such a display could draw a suit, though I know you would be loath to do that. Nevertheless, a kind word might resolve the issue for you.
I did, and tonight the tree is changing light colors very slowly, and the elves, Christmas bear, and penguins are not flashing at all. Peace.
I live across from our community clubhouse. This year, for the first time, they put up flashing light holiday decor. So all evening, the lights are flashing in front of my living room windows. I do not like this, but I also do not like sitting in a room with the drapes closed. Sigh, only a few weeks of this.
Have you ever raised the issue with the clubhouse? Seems to me it is something that should be addressed. Around here such a display could draw a suit, though I know you would be loath to do that. Nevertheless, a kind word might resolve the issue for you.
I did, and tonight the tree is changing light colors very slowly, and the elves, Christmas bear, and penguins are not flashing at all. Peace.
Very pleased it was resolved amicably. Peace be with you as well.
The tree (a real one, 7 feet) is up and the Moravian star is glowing. We're not sure what to do about about the rest of the decorations, because the three orphan kittens we are caring for have gone delirious, happy to have been given a new climbing toy for their first Christmas.
You sound very similar to us. Our tree—also real and 7 feet—is also up, but that’s as far as we’ve gone. As it’s also our cat’s first Christmas (at least with us, but he was only 2 months old a year ago), we’re taking it slowly. Just the tree for a day or two, then the lights (and Moravian star) for another day or two, then ornaments, probably avoiding breakable ones until we see how he does. I may also use a little fishing line to anchor the tree.
We’re planning to put a little nook for him under the three—maybe a box with a blanket he can “hide” in.
Young cats can take over Christmas. Our first cat, Hercules, did it too. We had to come up with names for the kittens in a hurry when they were delivered, so we chose three old farming friends. Then it seemed like a good idea to slightly rework an old (schooldays) parody of a familiar song:
We three cats of Orient are
George on a bicycle, Jim in a car.
David's an actor, poised on a tractor,
Smoking a catnip cigar.
With Mr F no longer driving, we're very reliant on grocery deliveries, so I was checking available slots from the various supermarkets. For Christmas week - forget it (and in the case of W**tr*s* you can forget this week as well). Best I could bag was Sunday 21st. Things I need before then I shall just have to go to actual shops. But as single shoppers walking or busing - and a bit old - there's a limit to what you can carry.
In reality, were all the shops to shut for a fortnight, I could probably survive on what I already have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards. But I think it's that just about every ad - and quite a few programmes - on TV are about gargantuan feasts and must-have seasonal specialties.
We got the decorations up yesterday and I ordered a frozen turkey crown in this morning's online delivery, which is now safely in the freezer.
Despite this I feel woefully behind on everything. I have a birthday this week and always refuse to do anything Christmas-related on my birthday; this means there will be present-wrapping and card-writing today. Every year I vow I'll do things earlier. Every year it fails to happen,
We bought a tree in the week but haven’t had time to put it up yet, probably tomorrow.
Another busy day today as it is my family Christmas lunch (large group in a Harvester an hour away) and carol service this evening.
I thought about taking along a baked courgette timbale with leeks, garlic, cream cheese and some grated Parmesan, to share with hosting friends on Christmas Day but my suggestion was met with a distinct lack of enthusiasm and looks of frank pity. Never mind, I shall take along a bowl of roasted cashews, pecans and almonds. Timbales may be a dish yet to have its moment.
Mary Louise some people don’t appreciate a special treat
Thank you, @Sojourner! It is a light and delicate but luxurious dish in our hot summers here but perhaps sounded too ordinary and Mary-stuck-in-bereavement for a festive occasion. I might see if adding a basil and tomato topping works and gives me greenn white and scarlet for a Christmas table.
We got the decorations up yesterday and I ordered a frozen turkey crown in this morning's online delivery, which is now safely in the freezer.
Despite this I feel woefully behind on everything. I have a birthday this week and always refuse to do anything Christmas-related on my birthday; this means there will be present-wrapping and card-writing today. Every year I vow I'll do things earlier. Every year it fails to happen,
Mary Louise some people don’t appreciate a special treat
Thank you, @Sojourner! It is a light and delicate but luxurious dish in our hot summers here but perhaps sounded too ordinary and Mary-stuck-in-bereavement for a festive occasion. I might see if adding a basil and tomato topping works and gives me greenn white and scarlet for a Christmas table.
If you only add tomato to it, then you will have a …
We got the decorations up yesterday and I ordered a frozen turkey crown in this morning's online delivery, which is now safely in the freezer.
Despite this I feel woefully behind on everything. I have a birthday this week and always refuse to do anything Christmas-related on my birthday; this means there will be present-wrapping and card-writing today. Every year I vow I'll do things earlier. Every year it fails to happen,
What is a turkey crown?
It's where you remove both legs from the carcasse by cutting the spine - you end up with just the breasts on the bone and the wings. Much less bird to deal with and cooks faster too, though a bit of a bugger if you like brown meat best.
I too thought you dish sounded delicious @MaryLouise, oh well, their loss!
Yesterday, after dinner, but before Cheery daughter needed to head out to work, we FINALLY got the Christmas tree up. So tree, garland around the big window, jingly bells hung up and all the boxes packed away into the plastic crates we use to store them the rest of the year.
This morning, up early to the post office for Christmas stamps and to post the Christmas cake to Consultant. I was disappointed that the post office didn't have any packs of suitable cards but I did find some at the local newsagent. And luck of luck I found for my brother in law a 3D puzzle that is a wooden saxophone. As he is both a muso and fond of building things, I don't think I could have done any better had I been trying. That also takes pressure off Cheery husband trying to find something and legging it round the shops when he has bad feet. I'm expecting some packages to arrive over the next few days being the last of the gifts rolling in and then we'll have to start the wrapping.
I'll probably think about food and do a shop early next week, unless there is something particularly urgent.
Had a lovely Christmas catch up with our hospital friends yesterday, it's always good to spend time with them and to hear how their kids are doing. We ate a bit too much and talked lots and laughed. It was fun.
We got the decorations up yesterday and I ordered a frozen turkey crown in this morning's online delivery, which is now safely in the freezer.
Despite this I feel woefully behind on everything. I have a birthday this week and always refuse to do anything Christmas-related on my birthday; this means there will be present-wrapping and card-writing today. Every year I vow I'll do things earlier. Every year it fails to happen,
We went to see a great-niece dance in The Nutcracker yesterday. It was a well-done production, one the dance studio where she dances has done every year for a long time. They have a live orchestra (complete with a trombonist who needed to work on his tuning in a few spots) rather than relying on recordings. We saw it last year, too. Great-niece is getting older so has more prominent parts every year.
It was enjoyable, especially as it meant seeing much of my brother’s family. And, of course, Tchaikovsky is always worth the trip. But I think I’ve talked before on the Ship about just how weird I find the story—at least, what there is of a story. It seems a bit like at some point they just sort of go with “you know, let’s just not worry about a story.”
And Herr Drosselmeyer is just plain creepy.
I’m afraid the beauty of ballet is totally wasted on me.
Well, that's the Christmas and New Year meat laid in: mince, saussies, stewing lamb, lamb joint, pork steaks, and a pheasant. No idea what I'll do with that last.
Other than the two cards I will make today, I have done all the Christmas I plan to do. I have my small tree up, gifts wrapped, and simple door decor. I have no energy for outside lights, baking, or anything else. It is what it is, cozy and simple. On Christmas Eve, I will watch the service from the National Cathedral.
I finished my Christmas cards today, unless I get any from someone I don't expect. I started wrapping presents, finished my brother's. I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music on Pandora on my phone wondering if I should bestir myself to wrap any more presents today.
I am currently bathed in a Virtuous Glow, having delivered all but one Christmas present and cards to recipients, or for onward transmission (via Church). There remain only the CHOCOLATE and Card for the Arkland Office staff, which I will take in tomorrow.
In return, I have received some cards from Church, and also the customary BEER, Cheese Oatcakes (Nairn's) and Shortbread from Madam Sacristan. Predictability is good...and she has received the customary GIN from me...
Festive illuminations continue to pop up here and there in Arkland, but nothing to beat Neighbour F's HO-HO-HO...augmented now by a sort of Christmas Tree arrangement of lights on the foremast of his Ark.
And luck of luck I found for my brother in law a 3D puzzle that is a wooden saxophone. As he is both a muso and fond of building things, I don't think I could have done any better had I been trying.
Youngest son is a saxophone player. Has at least three different types of them. When he learned saxophone he had an instructor that collected all ranges of saxes.
A great idea! Will keep it in mind for son's birthday. Christmas gift already given.
Glad that might be a suggestion that's useful for you @Gramps49.
Having the acquired the cards and stamps, I've now written and addressed and posted the Christmas cards for the year. I no longer have an address for one person, but do have their email address, so the family annual report was sent to them along with a personal note.
Had the good news this morning, that Cheery husband's workplace closes from the day after tomorrow, which gives us a few days at home to do a few jobs, contemplate whether to deliver or post family gifts and finish getting organised. Cheery daughter also only has to work two days next week, but gets paid for the whole week, so she's quite pleased about that.
I love it when we are all home together. Being summer here, I think the exodus from our city to holiday rentals and campsites may have already begun. That's one of my favourite things being at home when many people have gone away on holidays and to family. It's just a much more relaxed vibe and I am here for it!!
Still basking in yesterday's Virtuous Glow, I've now written the Cards for my Neighbours (I don't always see them every day, at least to speak to), and have decorated the saloon of the Ark by pinning up those Cards I've already received. They are immediately visible as I enter the saloon from the deck, and make it look nicely festive.
There may yet be a few more to put up - one of tomorrow's tasks is to visit the Office, and to empty my post-box.
I’m going to listen to the LeeVees’ Hanukkah Rocks! album while grading papers. Also got ingredients for kugel (which is the subject of one of the songs on the album in fact).
We have a great stall on our market every Friday, so I'll be down there tomorrow to pick up the veg I want for Christmas. I think I've got the food more or less sorted, just need a mooch round town to pick up a few more presents
I shall have to do some shopping tomorrow, or on Monday (at this time of year Our Town centre is best avoided at weekends), as I'm getting low on bread and ready-meals...
T would have gone out today, but for the dreadful weather (wind and rain), but I always have a stock of biscuits, tins, packet soup etc. in case of necessity!
I have written and posted cards and wrapped and posted presents to our son and his husband as we won't be seeing them over Christmas. I think I have pretty much done the shopping but as I haven't wrapped any of the family things yet I may find I have a large pile for one person and virtually nothing for another. Having said that, there are not that many of us and my husband and I have never done stockings for each other. He is also pretty good at buying things for himself for me to wrap and last year there was a present of his left under the tree which he told me to keep for this year. Neither of us can remember what's in it! As he has also recently bought himself a very expensive car-related thing he won't be getting anything else.
I also purchased a Christmas pudding today (from Aldi; I've been told they are the best ever) and a small oblong-shaped iced Christmas cake. I am the only one in the house who eats it so it's never worth making one.
We won't be seeing our son and his husband this year, and won't be seeing our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter until Boxing Day, so it's going to be a bit of an odd one. Our son has lived quite a long way away for some years and they go to us one year and to his in-laws the next. Our daughter has always lived relatively nearby and it's the first year since she was born that we won't see her on Christmas Day. I'm working hard to be ok about that.
Thank you @Nenya for reminding me to buy a small slab of Christmas CAKE - I need to get to the Co-Op tomorrow, once the Storm abates, and their version is quite tasty. It goes well with CHEESE...
Comments
Thank you and hugs! 🥰
Ah. I see your point...
We’re planning to put a little nook for him under the three—maybe a box with a blanket he can “hide” in.
*They're usually described as 'vicars', whether or not they're C of E.
I did, and tonight the tree is changing light colors very slowly, and the elves, Christmas bear, and penguins are not flashing at all. Peace.
Alleluia. ❤️
Very pleased it was resolved amicably. Peace be with you as well.
Young cats can take over Christmas. Our first cat, Hercules, did it too. We had to come up with names for the kittens in a hurry when they were delivered, so we chose three old farming friends. Then it seemed like a good idea to slightly rework an old (schooldays) parody of a familiar song:
We three cats of Orient are
George on a bicycle, Jim in a car.
David's an actor, poised on a tractor,
Smoking a catnip cigar.
Oh... Star of wonder...
In reality, were all the shops to shut for a fortnight, I could probably survive on what I already have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards. But I think it's that just about every ad - and quite a few programmes - on TV are about gargantuan feasts and must-have seasonal specialties.
Do. Not. Panic.
Despite this I feel woefully behind on everything. I have a birthday this week and always refuse to do anything Christmas-related on my birthday; this means there will be present-wrapping and card-writing today. Every year I vow I'll do things earlier. Every year it fails to happen,
Another busy day today as it is my family Christmas lunch (large group in a Harvester an hour away) and carol service this evening.
I'm sitting planning Christmas party games as Enkelin (who is now six!) will be able to join in and enjoy them.
Thank you, @Sojourner! It is a light and delicate but luxurious dish in our hot summers here but perhaps sounded too ordinary and Mary-stuck-in-bereavement for a festive occasion. I might see if adding a basil and tomato topping works and gives me greenn white and scarlet for a Christmas table.
What is a turkey crown?
If you only add tomato to it, then you will have a …
…“little red courgette”… 🎶
😛
It's where you remove both legs from the carcasse by cutting the spine - you end up with just the breasts on the bone and the wings. Much less bird to deal with and cooks faster too, though a bit of a bugger if you like brown meat best.
Yesterday, after dinner, but before Cheery daughter needed to head out to work, we FINALLY got the Christmas tree up. So tree, garland around the big window, jingly bells hung up and all the boxes packed away into the plastic crates we use to store them the rest of the year.
This morning, up early to the post office for Christmas stamps and to post the Christmas cake to Consultant. I was disappointed that the post office didn't have any packs of suitable cards but I did find some at the local newsagent. And luck of luck I found for my brother in law a 3D puzzle that is a wooden saxophone. As he is both a muso and fond of building things, I don't think I could have done any better had I been trying. That also takes pressure off Cheery husband trying to find something and legging it round the shops when he has bad feet. I'm expecting some packages to arrive over the next few days being the last of the gifts rolling in and then we'll have to start the wrapping.
I'll probably think about food and do a shop early next week, unless there is something particularly urgent.
Had a lovely Christmas catch up with our hospital friends yesterday, it's always good to spend time with them and to hear how their kids are doing. We ate a bit too much and talked lots and laughed. It was fun.
A turkey crown is a legless turkey. 🙂
It was enjoyable, especially as it meant seeing much of my brother’s family. And, of course, Tchaikovsky is always worth the trip. But I think I’ve talked before on the Ship about just how weird I find the story—at least, what there is of a story. It seems a bit like at some point they just sort of go with “you know, let’s just not worry about a story.”
And Herr Drosselmeyer is just plain creepy.
I’m afraid the beauty of ballet is totally wasted on me.
In return, I have received some cards from Church, and also the customary BEER, Cheese Oatcakes (Nairn's)
Festive illuminations continue to pop up here and there in Arkland, but nothing to beat Neighbour F's HO-HO-HO...augmented now by a sort of Christmas Tree arrangement of lights on the foremast of his Ark.
Youngest son is a saxophone player. Has at least three different types of them. When he learned saxophone he had an instructor that collected all ranges of saxes.
A great idea! Will keep it in mind for son's birthday. Christmas gift already given.
Having the acquired the cards and stamps, I've now written and addressed and posted the Christmas cards for the year. I no longer have an address for one person, but do have their email address, so the family annual report was sent to them along with a personal note.
Had the good news this morning, that Cheery husband's workplace closes from the day after tomorrow, which gives us a few days at home to do a few jobs, contemplate whether to deliver or post family gifts and finish getting organised. Cheery daughter also only has to work two days next week, but gets paid for the whole week, so she's quite pleased about that.
I love it when we are all home together. Being summer here, I think the exodus from our city to holiday rentals and campsites may have already begun. That's one of my favourite things being at home when many people have gone away on holidays and to family. It's just a much more relaxed vibe and I am here for it!!
There may yet be a few more to put up - one of tomorrow's tasks is to visit the Office, and to empty my post-box.
An excellent arrangement!
This year -
A book on bumblebees
A board game
Robin earrings
I act suitably surprised on the day with a cheeky wink to Mr Boogs. If my boys guess they don't let on. 🎄
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh2ThmQEtO9sVgULlwmdtSGI7xg2ALz8W&si=QOZzBlFQAamiQ1eR
In theory, I now have all of the ingredients I will need for Christmas dinner with the exception of the turkey thighs themselves.
I should post on Facebook to see if anybody local is having an open house for Christmas Christmas Day, though.
Do you have a link to a recipe?
I do make the candied citrus peel and the marzipan myself, rather than using store-bought. (And I soak the fruit and nuts in bourbon rather than rum.)
T would have gone out today, but for the dreadful weather (wind and rain), but I always have a stock of biscuits, tins, packet soup etc. in case of necessity!
(Have fun baking!)
I also purchased a Christmas pudding today (from Aldi; I've been told they are the best ever) and a small oblong-shaped iced Christmas cake. I am the only one in the house who eats it so it's never worth making one.
We won't be seeing our son and his husband this year, and won't be seeing our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter until Boxing Day, so it's going to be a bit of an odd one. Our son has lived quite a long way away for some years and they go to us one year and to his in-laws the next. Our daughter has always lived relatively nearby and it's the first year since she was born that we won't see her on Christmas Day. I'm working hard to be ok about that.