Well, if you’re 76 and you have only four hours sleep on Christmas Eve (for no reason whatsoever) you are not best set up to cook numerous dishes for the assembled (carnivorous and vegetarian) family who are coming to Christmas lunch.
I was stressed. I was especially stressed because I only cook a roast once a year and I knew that Jamie Oliver was helpful last Christmas but I had a conventional oven then, and now I have a fan oven and J.O. does not say what his temperatures refer to, and I obviously chose the wrong option.
Despite all of this, we sat down at the predicted time, said our thanks, pulled our crackers, and tucked in. And everyone was appreciative and thankful, but then, they were all brought up well. (😊).
My daughter was a marvellous helpmeet and organiser, and Dave, as always, did all the washing up. He doesn’t eat with us. He lurks elsewhere and comes out when needed, and has long talks with our grandsons (now young men) who seek him out in the kitchen while he’s clearing away.
It was wonderful to have them all together - my daughter and family, and the family member who declines to be named, and his family. I am not allowed show you their photos, so here is our tree.
And here is Dave, explaining quantum entanglement to me at 5.45 a.m. after I had given up all hopes of sleep.
I slumped on the sofa after lunch while presents were opened, but managed to play a couple of games of subjective Guess Who later, and a couple of rounds of a game called Accentuate, which is hilarious.
I slept for ten hours that night and on Boxing Day I painted. I have been dismayed by the lack of colour in so many of this year’s Christmas cards, so decided to paint my own to have printed for next year. I love the angels on my tree and used them as models. Dave taught me how to do gilding and here it is:
I hope you’re having a lovely seasonal holiday. It’s quiet here. Very nice, but quiet. Maybe now I have caught up on my sleep I could do Christmas Day again?
No comments:
Post a Comment