Having Ourselves A Very Turkey Christmas

Wow, 400th post, I can't believe how time has passed.

Christmas came and went far too quickly this year. Our preparations started with some beachcombing for some shells and driftwood.

A wonderfully cold and windy day, during which we dropped off some Christmas cards to customers, before bracing ourselves for the beach at Barton-on-Sea.

Another day saw us collecting the stiff stems of dead bracken, as the crib that I'm making needs a better roof.

We had bought a rather large turkey, as the whole family were coming over for Christmas Day. It was a nineteen pounder, and being too large for the oven had to have a couple of 'modifications' made to either end before it would fit.

The tree was up and prepared for the big day.

And at 6am the bird was in the oven. Hobie and Misty were immediately on the scene as usual, but it was to be a while before it was cooked. 

The table was made up, and we were running out of time, as everyone was arriving at 8.30am. We were having tea, coffee and home made stollen before heading to church for the Christmas Day service.

We returned to find Hobie ready and waiting

And seemingly eager to get the bird out of the oven.

Finally, we all sat down to the meal, where there was laughter, good conversation, and groans at the cracker jokes.

Then there was the pudding, the flame not quite being the towering inferno that I had hoped to have the grand kids spellbound with. It was more of an eerie blue glow. That's cheap brandy for you.

Present opening followed, and the floor in the lounge became a sea of wrapping paper, quite a sight to behold. But all good things come to an end, and by the end of the day everyone had to go their serparate ways, leaving tired and 'Christmassed' out.

It had been a really lovely day, and one that I won't forget.

That was three days ago now, and we still had turkey leftover, and so last night we made the remainder into a Delia Smith 'English Colonial Curry'. There was enough for eight more servings, and so we stuffed it into containers for the freezer. No more turkey for now please.

We have a dear friend over tonight. Someone we have known from way on back in our baptist church days. Really looking forward to it as we haven't hooked up for a couple of months, he's a hoot!

It's been interesting catching up with all of your festive frivolities......take care.