Keep Calm and Carry On

Just a couple of days and it will be Christmas. I hope everyone is feeling prepared now and looking forward to it. Things are very difficult for everyone this year so it’s probably more important then ever to appreciate the small details that contribute to the bigger picture.

My own preparations are going quite well but I have had an easy time this year because I haven’t had our usual family celebration to cater for. This will be true for so many of us. Just a few jobs to do before the big day.

I start celebrating early to stir up that Christmas spirit. The mince pies and sherry are already on the go.

The wood has been gathered in for the log fire. It will be lovely and dry and give a good blaze. We have lots of twigs and dry flower stems to form a base beneath the logs so once the paper is lit it will flare up and burn quickly.

On Christmas Eve during the day I have some last minute jobs to do.

I will be cooking a tiny ham. Don’t need a big one for just the two of us this year. I usually roast it but because it’s small I intend to cook it in my thermal cooker. I shall simmer it for about 15 minutes on the hob then pop the pan into the thermal container and let it cook slowly for an hour or two. I might put a glaze on and let it set for a few minutes in a hot oven. It all depends on energy levels by that time.

I have some little sponge cakes in the freezer. I shall thaw some and ice them so they are a bit more special and tasty.

I make my mince pies with plain shortcrust pastry so a nice dusting of icing sugar peps them up and gives a sweet kick.

Then one final task is to go down the garden to gather my vegs for the festive flan I make on Christmas Day. Leeks, Carrots, Parsnips and Parsley. Usually Sprouts as well but as I said in a previous post I haven’t succeeded in growing them this year. So disappointed but that’s gardening for you! You win some, you lose some, every year.

I wash and trim these and keep them in the fridge so my Christmas morning is a pleasant time in the kitchen, listening to my music and sipping sherry, with the minimum of work.

I must remember to thaw my cranberry sauce. Essential for us. Christmas dinner wouldn’t be the same without it. Richly glowing and full of fruity flavour.

My Christmas jumpers are ready. One daft one for Christmas Eve and a more tasteful one for Christmas Day.

Looking forward to plenty of chocolate and wine.

The good thing about all this frantic work towards Christmas is that it concentrates our minds so that we’re not dreading the winter months. We’re far too busy. Plus it takes our minds off ourselves, as we search for pleasing gifts for loved ones.

When it’s all over I love that sense of renewal. A fresh start, a new year, good intentions. And new life around us in the garden and countryside as the Snowdrops, Hellebores and early Daffodils begin to show. My camera will be busy.

I hope you all have enjoyed the preparations for Christmas and you have a peaceful and happy time. I sincerely hope that the restrictions we are all experiencing will not be a burden and some happiness will come your way.

Here is my Christmas card to you all. I painted it many years ago. It is terribly sentimental and unrealistic but it’s a family favourite of ours and I hope you will like it too. Have a lovely Christmas and I’ll be back in the new year.

Love and best wishes for 2021. xxx