Early Christmas

Well, the family have been and have gone! After a 'will it happen, won't it happen' few days we knew on Thursday evening that we needed to collect the turkey on Friday morning and cook it in the afternoon to be ready for Friday evening. Luckily our good friends who rear turkeys  were quite equal to having our turkey ready for us by 11am and it was in the oven at 1.30pm.
There is nothing more satisfying than buying locally reared birds which you know have lived an outdoor tranquil existence; good flavour and texture guaranteed. Thankfully the cooking did not spoil the bird and all of us were very happy to eat the meal and reminisce about other christmas meals as families do.
Instead of a christmas pudding we had christmas pudding icecream from our local artisan icecream-maker who specialises in italian icecream and we had chocolate fondant puddings, a perfect recipe from 'Good Food' magasine. Not really lighter than traditional plum puddins but definitely something I would do again.
Our 'Boxing Day' has been very relaxing apart from an entertaining visit this morning from very lively four year old twins and their uncle. The twins are still waiting for christmas and are VERY EXCITED, although they do know that Sana prefers well behaved little girls.  They do try to remember that!
 It is quite nice to know that we still have other Christmas visits on Christmas Day.
Now, it is absolutely quiet after everyone has gone and there is only the clearing up to do, once that is done I am making the most of today by doing NOTHING ELSE. Or, at least nothing that needs to be done, just savouring the moment.

Getting started

It is all very well being fired with enthusiasm about writing a journal, the execution concentrates the mind wonderfully.
It is so near to Christmas and after a very slow start my Christmas spirit has finally kicked in. In fact we are celebrating Christmas with my family tomorrow. Circumstances dictate that Christmas Day is not an option so it is turkey and plum pudding time tomorrow and Christmas Day will be for seeing extended family and friends on fleeting visits. The best of all worlds? Time will tell.

All my interests, except cooking are on hold so the next few days will be quite a change from my usual day. A very Happy Christmas to anyone who reads this.