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| A few years back at Chelmsford |
All four home. The usual quibbling amongst them, except of course Tom, who will sit quietly and read through the squabbling of the two girls. Lillie went on strike over buying a cauliflower for Ben's cauliflower cheese he was going to make so there was stand-off till someone eventually went off to buy it. They had chicken with all the trimmings, no one likes turkey. Red cabbage, sprouts, roasted carrots and parsnip and of course the cauliflower cheese made by myself as Ben was out in the morning. Lillie came back with the coffee machine her father had bought her.
She doesn't drink coffee of course, but it is for her friends at Uni. Both girls are baristas (is that the right word I wonder). Matilda working in an Iranian restaurant in London and Lillie filling in time at the cafe in Hebden Bridge.
Presents galore for everyone, my daughter had a 'thrift' present giving, though my books looked brand new. I got the wooden bowl for containing my knitting ball of wool and a light to hang around my neck as I work. A Celtic shawl pin from Matilda and red candles from Lillie. Tom brought me an electric blanket, chosen by himself and not Ellie and Ben bought me some red wine.
Tom is starting a new job soon PR in a publishing firm and Matilda still looking for a job in journalism.
They will get cross with me for writing this but I record the family history. I had meant to give them all napkins (or serviettes maybe) as a matched present, like I had given them all candlesticks last Xmas. But it suddenly occurred to me yesterday that if I get round to sewing the napkins, I could embroider S.I.D. on them - Sometimes I Despair - which recalls their great grandfather at the dinner table, when the arguments got too heated, throwing his napkin over his head and saying S.I.D. several times so that everyone pipped down but I am not good at embroidery.
One memory came back and it was Ben's Sushi kit. Paul always used to make sushi but once a client took us to a very first class Sushi restaurant in London. The Sushi chef sliced the fish at the bar and you eat as he prepared them, I think I must have eaten some but I was not enamoured.
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| Farndale in North Yorkshire |
Why Farndale? it is because the first daffodils appear, and Weaver also remembered it. Blue skies and spring is on its way;)
That sounds like a lovely family Christmas. Sometimes I Despair made me smile. That needs to live on in family history.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I despair. That made me laugh. If you can manage it, they were make a laugh every time that they are brought out. It sounds like a lively family day, and...the idea that you're looking for daffodils in the near future surprised me. It shouldn't have. I saw them along with the primrose and hellebore. I wonder what people thought to see a gray haired foolish looking woman looking through their fences or over the wall at their front yards, marveling at the sight of flowers in February.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas, The top photo looks like something out of a magazine. An open fire always looks so cosy. We used to have a woodburner with glass doors which didn't give such a good view of the flames but kept the heat better. I love your description of your family Christmas. Reality and fond memories versus fantasy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun family Christmas. We had a nice gang here and I served tacos which is a favorite with the grandkids. Lots of laughs and some Christmas concerts when grandkids and my sister played carols on the piano.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good Christmas, Thelma!