This is the last day to make your list and check it twice. No fun to sit down at the table and find you forgot to take the turkey out of the freezer.
For our home it means to double check the table to see that everything is as it should be, complete with fresh flowers and candles, Christmas crackers in place at each setting and a small stocking filled with chocolates, candy cane and baby mandarin oranges for our guests to enjoy.
Turkey is brought up (having been thawing for a couple of days), ham on the counter, tourtiere done, potatoes done, turnips done. Peas and corn ready to be cooked tomorrow, along with the cornbread side dish and dressing.
Silky butternut squash soup is done and must be brought up, creme fraiche has been made. Buns will come out of the freezer tomorrow.
Good! Now, dust the furniture, clean the bathrooms until they sparkle, put some fresh flowers on one side of the sink and maybe a small Christmas decoration. Vacuum the house and you are set.
From the time I was 3 years old, my father took the family out for dinner as his gift to us. He did this to showcase the work my Mom would be doing on Christmas day and he was saving her cooking dinner. It was a tradition he carried on almost until his passing and Don has now carried the torch. It is a simple gesture for sure for some, but it is engraved in my heart forever. We always had a ‘special’ coffee, he and I and I always seem to miss him more than ever at this time. The same with my Mom. She made a dressing for the turkey and in 60 plus years of marriage, she never once tasted it and my Pop loved it.
Pop always peeled the potatoes, carrots, turnips and set them aside in water. That was his ‘job’ lovingly done each and every year. He was never asked – he just did it.
My check list is now done except for one thing. Never forget the reason we celebrate this time of year, regardless of your choice of religion; the homeless, those left alone or living in horrific conditions, just say thank you and pray for a better world and on behalf of Don and myself Merry Christmas, and Blessings for a year ahead that sees your dreams and hopes come to fruition.
Christmas Celebration With Friends
Tonight we are hosting a gathering of friends and neighbours to celebrate Christmas. It has been in the planning stage for about a month now. A list of what we want to serve….finding the recipes….buying what we need. If you do this over time, it is not so expensive .
The table has been set for days now….I still just stand back, look at it and then add something. That is how you get what we call ‘tablescapes’. We have a table in the livngroom just for wines and glasses. This really works well. We will offer the first glass of wine and then our guests can help themselves. We also have a special juice drink for a few who do not imbibe alcohol.
This is what will be on the table to help make the evening fun.
- My homemade mini quiche with homemade bacon jam on top
- Pistachio and blue cheese cookies (great to have with wine)
- Don’s antipasto (yummmmmm)
- Warm red pepper dip (easy to make)
- Crackers
- Cherry tomato ‘ornaments’ with brie and basil leaf, topped with tapenade
- Cheese shortbread (again, super great with wine)
- Mushroom palmiers
- Potato Rostis with Lemon cream
- Cheesy mini burgers (sliders with a difference)
- Beef, asparagus and red pepper rolls
- Cucumber rounds
- Assorted truffles (homemade), chocolates, nuts
I promise, we will post pictures of the evening…the table beforehand. the wine/glasses table. We have 11 Christmas trees …should do the trick!
A True Act of Love
Birthdays come and go and everyone celebrates in different ways. This was done for me this year and without going into the reasons why, I have only had very few birthday celebrations in my whole life.
For many weeks now, Don was telling me my sister-in-law was coming here to celebrate with me this year. (Reaching a new decade is cause for something). On Friday we drove up to the airport and I am intently watching everyone arrive and no “little redhead” coming off the plane. The next thing that happened is the face of my daughter popping up in front of me saying “how’s it going sunshine”. I almost fainted and certainly could hardly breathe for a few minutes.
We head for home and the next couple of days were busy. My cousin showed up (she was expected) for a night and then on Monday I was told “not to ask questions” and don’t go outside. The consiracy between my daughter and husband was epic. It was funny, cute and heart warming all at once.
Now the phone calls start, and the timeline of mine is loading up with good wishes, jokes and jibes. The cards from special friends brought a few tears and, believe it or not, Don and Kelly went over and above anything you could imagine.
At about 5 p.m. the doorbell starts ringing and 14 friends show up. Don cooked, put together all the dinner and appetizers; Kelly made some guacamole and salsa, set up the bar, played bartender, set up the deck and the two of them really worked hard, all day long.
This was an act of love. Truly planned, executed with nothing but smiles and hugs and love. You will never know how blessed I feel right now. Don is definitely a ‘keeper’ and I wish we could ‘keep’ Kelly.
To one and all, thank you so much. This was one celebration I will never forget…..ever.
Love? Nothing that money can buy. It is from the heart, given freely and when it falls on the one it is directed to…priceless. And to my two granddaughters and Suzanne…no one could sing it any better. Wendy and Bill? Don ‘t quit your day jobs….tee hee.
Christmas Carolling In The Neighbourhood
A few weeks ago, our good neighbor wanted to get together and sing Carols in the neighborhood, as in days long ago. We agreed and the plan was set in motion.
Due to the fact we had a blizzard happening here on Saturday night, it was called off and we went Sunday night. It was snowing gentle, big, white fluffy flakes and it made it even more “Christmas-like”.
There were eleven of us, complete with song sheets, and off we trod. We tried many houses on the way, but we know they were expecting us the night before and many were not home. Undeterred, we carried on.
Don and I left the group to come home and make sure all was ready for the Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings and cookies. In case you weren’t into cookies, we also had out homemade Nuts and Bolts.
We are so glad we made the “Gathering Room” instead of a rumpus room and last night proved just why we did this. Christmas music playing softly in the background, laughter, warmth and new friends made gives us yet another memory to keep in our hearts about where we now live.
It was agreed, among claims of “next year”, and ” next year we must do this again”. This is how traditions begin and carry on. Yes, we will do it again. It was fun and brought back memories of long ago times, when life was so much simpler.
Lost day….sort of
Yesterday our friend and decorator, Daryl, and his sister, Wanda, were coming for a brief visit as they were heading back to Vancouver. So now, even though the house was clean, I did it over again. I even washed the floors. Can’t show off if there is dust….)
We were hoping that the weather would cooperate, so….three times I set the table and dismantled the settings, brought them in the house only to repeat this before their arrival. . Finally I put the cushions away and we ate inside. DARN!
We poured a glass of wine and gave Wanda the tour of our place and then downstairs to show Daryl the final results of all the planning of the Gathering Room. Like the rest of the home, it was WOW!
Daryl gave us the most awsome gift of 9 different coloured medium-sized balls that rest of water pattern glass trays. Not sure if he was glad our project was finally finished or not….just kidding! Then he proceeded to set it all up. Cool.
While at the table, we discussed the arrangement of the furniture (kitchen and sitting area, along with the beautiful kitchen that Don has) on the deck. We solved that and then it was time, sigh, for them to say good-bye and head home.
Friends, a glass of wine and a little lunch is not a lost day…not by anyone’s imagination. Love these visits.
Now one more day and the two boys come here for a golf weekend with their dear ol’ Dad. Love it!
The Meaning Of True Friends
Yesterday, a group of friends held a dinner for us before we move away. It was truly from the heart.
The bond felt between 8 friends is hard to put into words except we were led on a path where we were meant to be. The laughter, lively conversation, singing impromptu-like and never knowing the words to songs is hilarius and the hugs, tears and well wishes and more hugs is a gift straight from God.
We are truly blessed with these friends and now, they get to come for visits and, of course, bring wine. (Actually we will live in an area of 140+ wineries).
Thanks for the memories as Bob Hope used to say!
Thanks one and all! More tomorrow.