A Christmas Weekend

This weekend was taken up with Saturday preparation for our Christmas Day which took place on Sunday.  It had been a lovely weekend until we received a telephone call from my Aunt to inform us that her daughter, my cousin, who is younger than me had died unexpectedly that morning in hospital after having felt unwell the previous evening.  We were all shell-shocked by the sad news and our thoughts are with my aunt and her family at this really sad time.  It feels a bit awkward writing about the weekend now that this has happened.

So as I said Saturday was taken up with preparations for our Christmas Day.  We were having a full-on Christmas Day with Secret Santa, the Present Game, Home Made Crackers, Mulled Wine and the full works for lunch (save for Parsnips and Sprouts because I couldn't get any).  The turkey breast was being marinated overnight before going into a roasting bag.  Bread sauce was made from scratch along with sausagemeat stuffing and pigs in blankets.  All the veggies were prepped - hopefully something for everybody.

The Crew went to Mum's and she took them out to St Georgio's for lunch.  We were going out in the evening with Lakis and Argy who sadly return to the UK on Monday.  They wanted to take us out for John's birthday and as a thank-you for things we have done and will do for them.  We always have a lovely evening with them.  We never tire of things to talk about and Finikas in Polis is such a lovely place to go and eat.

For once there is a nice photo of us - thanks to Lakis for snapping this one.  Both John and I ventured away from the meals we normally order.  I did have the salmon tartare but for my main I had sea bream in a curry sauce which was lovely and light, John had tzatziki to start which was served beautifully and tasted wonderful and for his main course he had pork belly.  It was delightful and the whole evening was just lovely so thank you Lakis and Argy we do really appreciate it.

So Sunday was our Christmas Day.  We started with Mulled Wine out in the Garden and a chance to sit and chat before dinner was served.  I had borrowed Mum's hot tray which made it easier for me to get the veg cooked and kept warm.

We had secret santa before lunch - I think all recipients were happy with their secret gift which was not to have cost more than £5.  It is amazing what you can get if you take time and look around.

We then had a very successful lunch if I do say so myself with everything just about timed right.  If I was to be a bit critical I would say that the Turkey was a little dry in places where it was thinner but some gravy, cranberry and/or bread sauce did the trick.

After lunch we had my version of the present game which involves six pebbles and a selection of gifts which were probably about €2 each thanks to Jumbos last Christmas.

We had Christmas Pud, Mince Pies and or Mincemeat Tart with coffee/tea and liqueurs to finish where we paid a silent tribute to absent friends and family.

I will leave you with a selection of photographs...  I am officially knackered.