Merry Christmas - Great Expectations

The air is crisp and the sun is blazing: the perfect day for Christmas. Carm is even suffering through more Christmas carols. I have my favorites streaming from my phone onto the stereo... lots of choirs sing to the heavens.

We are enjoying a quiet morning and will head to my parents early this afternoon.

Last night Trudie & Leo came over for a 'cheat' turkey dinner. I had one of those butterball rolled turkey breasts and threw it into the instant pot along with onions, celery, mushrooms and rosemary to make a gravy. It cooked in 1/2 the time it would have needed in the oven and was moist and tender from the steamy cook. More mushrooms and onions simmered in the other instant pot for a savory soup. Trudie brought a mushroom risotto so woodland delishiousness was heavy on the menu.

We each supplied a bottle of Chateau neuf de Pape to wash everything down so it was a real celebration.

I haven't decided yet if Spike will come to Grandma's house this afternoon. He loves to go, but also insists on going home not long after supper. If I mention that we are going he will cry and carry on until we get into the car. Then he looks out the window until we turn onto her street... then there is no quieting him!

Christmas is a funny time filled with so much  expectation that sometimes doesn't get fulfilled. In years past we'd go to my parents early in the morning and there would be piles of presents which we'd open one at a time. It was a crazy display of commercialism but so much fun. After presents we'd gather around the table for Christmas Morning Wife Saver, a concoction of bread, milk, cheese and ham. So delicious and special.

After that Carm and I would dash away to his family's lunch. A pile of people would gather around the table for Carm's mom's canalonni smothered in rich tomato sauce. Several tables would be placed end to end to fit everyone.

Then we'd go home and collapse on the sofa... after feeding feathered friends and furry beasts. Some years it was a trip out to the barn to see the ponies - I miss those years.

It was hard for me to adapt to new traditions. Many years I'd feel depressed and out of sorts. Things weren't the same and I wasn't happy about that. This year I feel okay. We don't do stockings or presents, and I'm okay with that. We have instead spent a quiet morning and made a big breakfast together. My expectations have finally adapted.

Happy Christmas everyone. I hope you are all healthy and happy and spending the day with those you love.

tis the season

I almost flew across the room at him when he called us elders... I mean, what the heck!!!! He was a young guy, but not so young as he had 17 year old twins... but elders... wow. I can see thinking Carm might be - he has a head full of white hair, but me? Sure I have a bit of grey, but gosh...

Nick (I think) was here installing a soft-start switch onto the heat pump, the final step in making our house generator ready. With the switch in place the transition from powerline to generator should be smooth. We still can't run the hot water heater, dryer, and stove, but the fridge, freezer and water pump will all work well. And if the propane tank is full the furnace should run as well. A beauty solution.

I've hunkered down for much of the last few days, weathering the grey and rejoicing when the sun makes an appearance. I've been having lots of anxiety which I attribute to our up coming trip, but I happened to go back to last years mood log for these dates and noticed the same trend. So maybe it has more to do with the season - dark, dreary, and depressing.

Yesterday we did go to Inga & Shane's (just around the corner) for a small gathering of their family and friends. We both had a lovely time. In the past I'd have trouble with these sorts of events, where I don't know anybody, but luckily I had no trouble. Their family members are interesting so it was a true pleasure to meet them.

Carm has been subjected to countless Christmas programs and movies: 'Santa Clause is coming to town', 'Rudolf the red nosed reindeer', 'Holiday Inn', 'White Christmas', and finally last night 'Disney's A Christmas Carol'. He's been a good sport and is getting lots of reading done... although I do see him watching out of the corner of my eye ;-)

The snow is lightly falling. Christmas lights are on and some others over the sparkling table set for 4. All the cutting and prepping has been done and it will soon be time to start cooking. We have a quiet evening planned with Trudie and Leo and since it is Christmas Eve we've eached unearthed a treasured bottle of wine that has been aging in the cellar.

The elders will gather around the table and cheer the festive season.

Tomorrow we'll spend the afternoon at my parents and feast again, this time with dear family.

I (don't) swear

No swear words joined the triumph of the skies this afternoon.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Peace on earth prevailed, or at least peace in the kitchen. Hark! The shortbread was perfectly tender and just on the verge of turning brown. This has not happened in recent history; for the last few years they've either been burned or raw, but this year! success! The new stove is proving it's worth everytime it is used. I wonder how the yorkshire pudding will turn out this New Years?

I had every light on in the kitchen for this endeavour: two bulbs above the sink, 4 in the middle of the room, and 10 over the island... thank goodness for LED! The kitchen would have been 100F if they had been incandescent - I wouldn't have needed the stove :-0

'Why every light' you might ask? Because there is a thick layer of cloud between me and the blessed sun and I needed to fight the gloom for a little while. It was bright and cheery with carols on the stereo, my little tree twinkling, and the lovely smell of suger and butter cooking. Oh yeah. Sugar and butter. So long waistline. So long cruise wardrobe.

It always amazes me what you can make with some flour, butter, and milk: cookies, yorkshire pudding, biscuits, pancakes, a few extra ingredients and you have bread. None of it good for you, but oh, my, so good. It's a miracle in carbs.