Christmas Day 2024

It has been an ace of a day.
Last night’s sleep was fairly fractured although it started off very well with a good three hours that was undisturbed.
Frankie’s bed is very comfy and H loves the bedroom.

She loves it so much that she keeps sneaking up there during the day. I have now taken to closing its door daytime to put an end to her manoeuvres. It’s probably something to do with the fluffy deep-pile carpet.

So – Christmas Day. Others were downstairs ahead of me, and I grabbed the two dogs so they could do a quick early wee. And quick, they were.
The interior of the house is looking absolutely beautiful. Pen has decorated it wonderfully with lights, trees, garlands, fresh flowers etc. It is like a magical grotto.

And there in the vast sitting room were a pile of hessian gift sacks and huge patterned stockings. As well as boxes, all containing gifts. Apart from Alex’s from Dave which are still in Streatley. Santa had popped by.

The stockings were explored and then we bade Evie farewell because she had a long waitressing shift to do from 8.00-5.00.

The day was foggy outside but not cold and it did not take long for the sun to strike through the cloud.

The two Dave’s – head chef and sous chef produced a magnificent brekkie of toast, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Great comfort food.

Dave R then allotted jobs to everyone to help with the main Christmas meal and its preparation and clearing up.

Time to relax for a while, sharing the opening of more gifts. My eyes were already drooping by late morning, so I took a little time out.
Everyone else took time out too, exercising my canine friend and her mate. By now, the fog was reappearing.

I was awake again soon after their departure and I spent the next hour or so peeling veg, chopping them and sticking them in pans ready for cooking. My role for the main meal. Top job done.

Time went on and the rolled Turkey got cooked, as did the veg. And the piggies in their blankets.

The main dinner was absolutely delicious, everyone helped themselves from a kitchen buffet style arrangement which was such a good idea. And plates piled high with Turkey and veg made their way to the dining room. And were soon demolished.

And then, after a little while, and then, clearing up team sprang into action. Great job folks . A clear kitchen arose from the preparation and serving chaos. Well it was not really chaos, just a busy area.

More gifts were unwrapped, more wine drunk by some. I received wonderful presents from everyone . Thank you so much.
Evie had arrived home just as we finished eating so was able to join in the rest of the meal and other main events.

A little while later…

And all the while Fleur was busy uninterruptibly making a Lego vase of flowers!!!

Cheese and biscuits and Christmas cake ended the day.

I took the dogs for their pre – bedtime wee and went to bed. It was about 22.30. Others had more stamina.

It has been a wonderful day. Thank you everyone.

Thought for the Day

I hope Tony was looking down on proceedings. He loved the family social occasions and gatherings. He never found the gift giving bit easy, especially over recent years. But he loved his family and all their pet animals.
2017