Christmas Day

What happens first thing on Christmas morning? Do we wake and find lots of presents from Santa? Well, maybe. In my case, shit happens! I go downstairs to find that the bottom step of my staircase is coming away from the wall, and the floor is collapsing, and there appears to have been some long term leak or something that has made the wood underneath rotten. I’m feeling that’s not a good start! At least Santa came down the chimney and not the stairs (otherwise I may have a claim for broken leg)!

As there was not much I could do about the step right on Christmas morning, so I put the oven on instead and thought about cooking the enormous piece of beef we were having for lunch. Later, I will also cook the duck.

I was supposed to put the beef and duck in the shed last night (no room in the fridge) but didn’t and left it out (wrapped) in the kitchen. Hope we don’t get food poisoning! Beef too big to fit in pan, so cut a large piece off the end and put it in the freezer for another time (there are 5 of us eating, not 25!). Having to cook in shifts as can’t get everything in oven at the same time. Beef first 9am – 11am, then cover with foil and leave out to rest (that’s what all the chefs say you should do, but let’s face it what has it been doing that it already needs a rest??). Guests due at 12:30 for lunch. By 12noon, no make-up on, table not laid, starters not done, games not prepared, not vacuumed, no sign of Liddi, aaahhh! Text from Toni – running late, e.t.a. 1pm. Phew! Liddi appears and vacuumes, then helps lay table, and starts preparing bread, cream cheese, smoked salmon. I get myself ready (don’t need any bronzer as looking like a frazzled lobster) and food finished off, take rubbish out to bin, polish candlesticks (should have worn rubber gloves as now my nails are completely black!), search for spanners to tighten wobbly table legs (not found – improvised with adjustable spanner) clear everything away, light the candles…..and relax! Toni, Benji and Mother arrive about 1.15pm. Everything looks prepared and ready (just about).

Soon after they arrived, Mia rang from Canada. It was just before 7am in the morning for her. She got up especially to ring us! Bless. She was off skiing for the day, and then cooking dinner for 16 in the evening. Some people have it easy!!

Try to put on new Christmas CD, but CD player does seem to want to work. Bloody technology. Put the radio on instead.

We took some photos by the Christmas tree to send to distant friends!

Heading towards food time. Get Benji peeling and trimming sprouts and Liddi mixing brandy butter. Kitchen is already looking like morning after a big party, and we haven’t even eaten yet! Duck is out of oven and joins the beef in some resting! Both meats looking and smelling really fabulous. How pleased am I with myself? Get Toni started on making gravy. I have to give her detailed instructions (has she not seen this done a million times??), and we slosh a bit of port in for good measure! Benji now carving the meat – luckily he also watched Jamie Oliver last night on how best to carve a duck!!

Sit down to eat around 3pm: duck, beef, roast potatoes (the best I have ever cooked!), sprouts, broccoli, roast parsnips and carrots, Yorkshire puds, gravy (so delicious you could drink it neat). Pull some crackers, pour more wine, put on our hats, HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

(Later realise that I forgot the red cabbage and mixed veg, but that would probably have been too much anyway). Food is fantastic. Yippee!

Dad called also from California?!. It was morning and sunny and warm. Yorkshire was grey and drizzly! (next year it’s my turn to be away somewhere exciting).

After a long, lazy, delicious lunch, we then watched some TV and later had some mince pies and ice-cream and more wine. Mum got tired and emotional so Benji kindly took her home and we caught up on all the Christmas TV specials.

Isn’t that what Christmas Day is all about?