CHRISTMAS EVE

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 It’s here at last. Can’t believe I’ve managed to blog my way through it. Todays post is like the last door on the advent calendar no more to open for a bit at least. Thanks to everyone who has been following my ramblings  you can take a rest from it now……….

Today was the big day for preparations. Ham in slow cooker covered in apple juice and cider with cloves and cinnamon sticks. Didn’t take long for it to fill the air with a delicious aroma. 

Before I could really get started I had to do a Sainsbury's run for a neighbour who is shielding. I didn’t mind as I had an hour sitting with Oliver while Carrie and Matthew went for PCR tests. They’re headed for Dubai on Boxing Day. Thankfully test came back negative. So from there headed to Sainsburys. Not too busy so got everything on the list to be delivered to neighbour. 

Soon the kitchen was filling up with pots and bowls and Robin was in utility room doing the veg. I prepared pigs in blankets and put them on spears of rosemary. Stuffing was made bread sauce started and trifles made . Once all we could do today was done it was packed away. With careful planning everything had a place to go.

This is before everything found a place to go. Cool box gets brought out for drinks freeing up space in the fridge. 

This was the first time that I’d cooked a ham in the slow cooker and it seemed to work very well. Think it will be the way to go for the future. 

It’s actually for Boxing Day but who want to have extra cooking to do on Christmas Day.?


These are the clementine trifles for kids. Non alcohol 😂  same cannot be said for the traditional sherry trifles. 

Finally managed to make a start on the table. Still have finishing touches but made a good start  also laid out serving dishes, gravy boat, sauce dishes and all the other bits and pieces. No last minute rushing around  tomorrow. Feeling happy with what’s been achieved.


 

Only one thing left to do now. 


So wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and. Happy and Healthy 2022 🥂🍾
I hope it’s a better one than the last two have been.











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