I am all prepared for Christmas now. Presents are wrapped, done while listening to my favourite Christmas music sung by the Rat Pack, and cards are all written. Advent calendars are on display, and the ingredients have been bought for a pre-Christmas Eve morning tea.
Christmas is going to be simpler this year as I suffered from 2 strokes over a month ago. I have recovered fully now, thank goodness, but it has left me even more tired. We aren't putting up the Christmas tree this year as it is too much for me to manage. But I have decorated the house with my collection of old Christmas cards which look lovely.
My sister-in-law did most of my Christmas present shopping for me, which was so kind and thoughtful of her. And I have been having all the groceries delivered to the house. I have simplified our Christmas meals so there will be no cooking, which also suits the very hot weather that we've been having this year.
On Monday I am doing a pre-Christmas Eve morning tea instead of our large Christmas Eve lunch. I will be serving blinis with smoked salmon and dill, a variety of 4 cheeses (double cream brie, havarti, gouda and a New Zealand blue cheese) with quince paste and dried fruit crackers. Followed by pfeffernusse, cinnamon star biscuits, marzipan potatoes (candy), chocolate dominoes, panettone and stollen. Served with Twining's English breakfast tea and coffee.
Then on Christmas Eve it will be just mum, dad and I for lunch. Dad is going to help by making shrimp cocktail, potato salad and a green salad. With this we will be having cold smoked salmon and hot smoked salmon, plus any cheeses left over from the pre-Christmas Eve morning tea. Followed by sweet treats left over from the morning tea.
As always, my sister will be making the Christmas Dinner for the whole family. I am really looking forward to it. She will be making roast stuffed turkey and a roast ham this year. I usually make the entree, but this year my sister will be making it herself with money we gave to help towards the meal. Needs must. There will be a limoncello and berry trifle, brought by my sister's friends, and I think my brother and sister-in-law will be bringing a pavlova.
Lots to look forward to. We will be sharing Christmas presents after the Christmas dinner while we eat sweet treats including Christmas mince pies which my sister bakes.
I hope that your holiday preparations are going well and that you have plenty of time and good health to enjoy this wonderful time of year.
Looking forward to hearing all about your celebrations. Have a lovely time!
Lots of hugs, from Rose xxx