The next day being Sunday, we took her to church in the morning. Everyone fell asleep in the afternoon, later, as we were trying to get ready for the carol service, Mum in Law felt she was holding us up, so she decided not to come. She normally only goes once on a Sunday these days. It was a good service, taken by the Son of a former pastor of the church. He was very good, the church was reasonably full. In the morning service, one of the Mums from our former parent and toddler group was there with her husband and family. It was good to have renewed contact.
When we arrived home, husband found one of Mum in Law's favourite Canadian speakers on iplayer, so she was able to listen to that.
Butterflies on my tree made from feathers, very delicate
I was really ahead of myself with the shopping and gift wrapping, I manged to pop out most days even if it was just to collect the newspaper. On the Monday afternoon we took Mum in Law to our Daughter's home where there were 2 very excited children, Nathaniel being the more excited of the 2. On the afternoon of the 23rd we had to go and collect Nathaniel's Christmas present from where we had ordered it. We had bought him a bicycle with stabilisers. We put it in our spare garage till Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve I popped into Sainsbo's for some last minute stuff, fresh veg salad and cream. It was a lot quieter than it had been.
I was so organised this year that even all the Christmas cards were hung before Christmas day. It took forever to burn down the last day of our advent candles. I was busy in the kitchen sorting things out, and almost forgot the Carols from Kings, which I traditionally listen too whilst making mince pies. This year however I had been asked to do a pavlova, for Christmas day tea. I heard less than half of the carols, but that service for me marks the start of Christmas.
There was a bit of a hitch when Mum in Law started pressing the buttons on my timer, as she objected to it beeping, so I wasn't sure how long the pavlova had cooked. I took it out and later as it had cooled, tried to transfer to to a metal serving tray, only to discover it was still uncooked underneath, so I had to chance putting it back in the oven on the stainless steel tray. It did eventually cook, and when filled with cream and raspberries looked rather good.
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| Burning the last of the advent candle, 4th from left front row |
I was up relatively early on Christmas day. I didn't have any cooking to do, but we opened stockings, husband had put a couple of things in mine, including a very pretty acrylic fawn, which was designed by the lady who had designed the beautiful red glass candle sticks I had bought at Waddesdon. Church was at 10.00 am, a relatively short service, then we went home for a coffee and a biscuit.
We loaded the bike into a very large plastic bag, put it and the other gifts into the car, then the Christmas cake and pavlova, I had found a plastic box to put that in.
We arrived at Daughter's a few minutes before they did, and didn't have a key. Their church service was half an hour later than ours, and their church is about 7 miles away. Eventually we were indoors the presents, except the bike, were piled under the tree, and Nathaniel walked past the bike several times without even noticing the strange shaped package.
We had a lovely dinner, Daughter did well. Then there was nut free Christmas pud, with cream, clotted cream, brandy butter or ice cream, and a lovely chocolate torte. I must confess to having some of both. Lunch over, we retired to the sitting room for coffee, chocolate mints, and present unwrapping. This took ages, as we seemed to do one at a time, and each had to be admired. Lydia loved the new doll's cot and doll, and eventually someone drew attention to the big plastic bag, and got Nathaniel to open it. he seemed very pleased with it, he'd had Buzz Lightyear and Woody from his Mum and Dad, Lydia had a coupe buggy toy from them, and when she wasn't in it Nat was. It had got too dark to take them to the park, so they went out for our usual Christmas Day walk, which involves stomping round pavements, admiring other people's Christmas lights. I stayed in for once and tried to doze.
Mum in law had a large display calculator from us and a text-a-day calendar, chocolates, and her asked for donation to the Barnabas fund from Daughter, and a Photobox calendar from our Son and his wife. We all seemed to get what we wanted, and Daughter's friend was not forgotten.
Later we had a really good tea, with lots of nibbles, salads, pavlova, cake etc and everyone was feeling quite full. We skyped our Son and his wife,and saw Ethan waving around the contents of his stocking. He opened up the Duplo train later.
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| My fawn sits amongst the candles |
My tree
I forgot my camera on Christmas Day, so don't have many pictures, just one or two on my phone. The children were taken to be got ready for bed, it was late, so we said our goodbyes and came home. Boxing day was much quieter, I nipped out for the paper,and couldn't believe how many people were in Sainsbury's. I think shopping must be the new religion.
We caught up on some things on iplayer, but generally had a lazy time. Boxing Day meal was cold cuts, and wedges and veg. I opened a Christmas pud I had bought which actually had a chocolate sauce. At teatime I opened a tin of salmon for a change, there was salad, cheeses left over meat,etc On the Saturday we stocked up on fresh veg, on the Sunday church in the morning, then back to our Daughter's after lunch, (roast lamb), and another hearty tea, to finish off some of the mountains of food our Daughter had brought.
Mum in law doesn't seem to like to stay away too long these days, so husband took her back home on the Monday. At one time would have gone with him and stayed, but I hadn't been sleeping too well, and I wouldn't have slept there. Husband came back the same day. It's amazing how quickly Christmas passes.
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