Christmas Round Up

We had a nice, quiet, relaxed Christmas. Christmas Eve was mainly spent in the kitchen, Mr G made his lovely cake and the boy made his sausage rolls. I made scotch eggs for our Christmas Eve tea. 

Please note the irony of him wearing his Slimming World apron whilst baking this. But fair play to him, just look at that sponge. Absolutely perfect, and I'd say his best yet. 

We had these with the gammon I'd cooked and sliced and fresh rolls. And washed down with a very welcome...

Christmas Day was probably the most relaxed I've ever experienced (as a parent). Totally different to the wake up call at 6 (that's Mr G, not the kids *eyeroll*), everything over and opened by half seven and then chaos to get an early dinner on the table. Mr G and I were the first up just before 8 am, the children drifted down by around 9 am. We had Bucks Fizz with croissants and pain au chocolat for breakfast as we opened our gifts. 

It was a slightly barer year gift wise than usual, not only because of Covid, but also because as your kids get older, the less junk you tend to buy them, especially the cheap plastic tat. Quality over quantity from now on, no stuff that gets shoved in drawers or under beds never to be opened. I am making a concerted effort not to buy crap any more. I can honestly say that we called this year perfectly, and everything that we bought them was something that we knew they wanted, needed or had asked for, with a few surprises that they loved.

As a bonus, I was able to reclaim my living room back quite quickly this year, which is just as well as it doubles as our dining room! That said, they all loved everything they received, and my lot are so appreciative of everything that they get. 

Mr G and I had already prepped all our vegetables on Christmas Eve, and with us having had a late breakfast and our dinner being pushed back, I was able to potter around in the kitchen and polish off a nice bottle of red while the children set up their new electronics and went for baths and showers. It was a unanimous decision that we would wear our new pyjamas as opposed to getting dressed up. As such, there won't be any pictures of us around the table this Christmas.

Mr G always sets up the table ready while I do the cooking. The beautiful table centrepiece made as usual by my good friend Helen in return for homemade Christmas puddings. We did the exchange with me in the doorway and her halfway down the path. We realised that we hadn't seen each other for precisely a year. We always say that we will catch up and we usually do - the following Christmas Eve. Obviously with Covid, it hasn't been possible this year. But once things go back to some semblance of normal, I'm sure that we will all make a bit more of an effort with family and friends.

I was so hungry by the time we came to eat, I'd started polishing off my dinner before I remembered to take a picture of it! It was so good, I do make a fantastic Christmas dinner, if I say so myself. The turkey was one of the best we have ever had - and it surprised me. After seeing pictures of so many Christmas dinners ruined by turkeys that had gone off, reading the comments online, I find that other people had the same opinion as I had. We bought a turkey crown, a large one, frozen, from Lidl months back when I was worrying about potential lockdowns, shortages and panic buying and decided to hedge my bets. Other people said they had done the same, either Lidl or Aldi, and they were the best they'd ever tasted. There was a huge amount of meat on it, and no wastage. I'd definitely get one of those again. 

Mr G and I were too stuffed for dessert, but the children still had room - where do they put it? So, they had their Oreo Chocolate Trifle. This went down a treat, and was actually really simple to make.

I had some lovely gifts. I had six new tarot and oracle decks from Mr G, along with a beautiful tarot journal and a wall hanging tapestry, and two new pairs of hippy harem pants (which are on their way from Thailand - but we knew they'd be late). I had the new Pinch of Nom book from my best friend, along with some lovely handmade goodies, including a new cushion which now has pride of place on the new bed. She is super talented (search Kitty Cat Krafts on Amazon Handmade). I had a signed copy of Dan Toombs' Curry Guy book from my eldest, some lovely candles, sweets and a lovely Mindfulness calendar from my daughter. I had another oracle deck from my brother. All in all I was really spoiled. Mr G had a new Kindle Fire and aftershaves. And we both now have a 50% stake in the most comfortable bed in the world ever. 

Mr G is off work, with the exception of one caretaking shift tonight. He is now off on New Year's Eve, which he was supposed to be working, so that will be nice. Not that we will do anything, and it's likely we will be in bed before midnight. Maybe crack open a bottle of prosecco and have a cuddle on the sofa before we raise a glass middle finger to 2020. 

I hope you all had a nice Christmas, and that you stayed safe and healthy. I don't have any plans for the next few days other than watching the darts, having a tinker with my new oracle and tarot decks, possibly some cleaning and polishing off the rest of the Christmas alcohol before I slink back to Slimming World with my tail between my legs. There may not be another post in 2020, so, if there isn't, thank you for following my family's escapades for yet another year, I wish you all a Happy New Year, and let's hope that 2021 isn't the monumental shitstorm that 2020 was. Can't possibly be any worse than 2020, can it?

2021: Hold my beer...