Sunday 3 January 2016

A wee flash back

I make a point of writing a last blog before year's end- but when you read what I have been up to in my kitchen you will understand why I was stuck for time.

But first- how was your Christmas? Did you eat in, out, have guests, a quiet dinner for two or did the day pass by without any specific upheaval?

Christmas is not the same for everyone, I realise that. For me it is being with family and if that isn't possible, then with the closest friends you want to surround yourself with. Providing of course they want to spend that time with you ( wink wink).

Listening to and looking at the various weather reports, not many countries had, what one might call, the traditional weather pattern expected at the time of year. We certainly didn't.

Funnily enough it was too warm- and not into temperatures as in Australia where one of my sons lives but, we generally have something close to a white Christmas- at least nothing much above 5 degrees. We had 14. And that feels weird.

Our guests were dear friends who otherwise would have spent Christmas within their own homes- not a bad thing, but gathered together we had a great time. Nine of us graced our table and I have to say,  " worth repeating!"

Seeing we knew each other pretty well, I was also aware of likes and dislikes. I stayed clear of fish dishes and had plenty of vegetable choices and in various forms prepared. I had a silky parsnip puree, jellied beetroot and carrot juice, shoe string sweet potato fries and an absolutely yum vegetable terrine. These accompaniments to go with the 5 and 1/2 kg turkey. The cranberry compote had a lovely tawny port added which lifted it to another dimension. Sooo delicious.

I prepared a 6 course meal.... with much love and dedication and I have to say " a proud moment" when the reactions and compliments were freely dancing around the room.

Our guests arrived approx 4 pm and we closed the door after the last guest left at 11:30pm. Guess you could say that we had a great evening.

Christmas, a time of sharing, of merriment and a taste of the holiday spirit. For me, I think of families in a special way. It is a birthday we are commemorating. In this time of refugees and unrest, I think about Mary and her being far away from home, being a 'displaced person' as many mothers now also are. But it is also a time of joy. New life, a promise of things to come.

Last year we moved into our new home on Christmas Eve and believe me, I had NO intention ( or energy) to have a Christmas dinner here. This year I reclaimed the festivities and made them my own once again. Wonderful.

Another few days and the tree and all the trimmings will disappear into storage once again and I can look back on a great festive season. I hope you can too!


7 comments:

  1. Hi Anita. Lovely summary of your Christmas. Shoo, moving into your new home on Christmas eve must have been a struggle. We are also in our new home just over a year and last Christmas we pretty much did nothing. This one, it was literally myself, my husband and my one daughter but I too decided to "do" something Christmassy and I set a fancy table which I never do. We used to always have a lot of family around but due to a set of awful circumstances that changed, so I decided we shall start new traditions. At the end of the day, so long as Christ is remembered and thanked in it all, that is all that really matters. I wish you a wonderful blogging journey for 2016.
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. What a coincidence. Both moving at Christmas 2014. Yes, I too love having a room full of people to share this festive event with. Before my father in law died we had dinner for 6. This year I too reclaimed the day with inviting special friends who would otherwise have been alone. It was a great joy. I started the meal too by saying what this feast day meant to me then we went onto grace. They were all bit taken aback - my husband was too hahahahah.
      My prayer for you is for a blessed year, health and happiness and many graces for you and your family.

      I look forward to your blogs again in the coming year.

      Blessings

      Anita

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  2. Hi Anita, I saw your widget! Yay, see it says I visited? It'll get longer with more visitors. I am not sure if you got my email in response to yours, if not, you can email me at teekaytee2@gmail.com
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. PS, it says I visited from Johannesburg, but I'm in Cape town. I think it just defaults to JHB, lol

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    2. Yippeeee it works. Lovely. Started sniffing around and first installed another 'world watcher'. This is awesome. Glad I found it on you page. Thank you dear Tracy!

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  3. Your Christmas sounds grand! I admire your cooking skills.
    We had two guests--my Mom and a neighbor who is alone. It was quiet, but pleasant. After dinner we played Uno, a simple card game that all of us knew.
    Happy New Year!
    Jen

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    1. Oh I LOVE Uno. Lovely you had your neighbour there along with your mum. Treasured moments. My hubby isn't into games- which I love when the evenings stretch before me. Never mind. Thanks for dropping by- see you again soon. Have a blessed writing year Jeanette.

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