One thing about heavy snowfall is that it does keep car traffic to a minimum letting us sleep peacefully through the night and into the following day. Without the incumberance of small children, dogs or imminent visits from relations we have had a very relaxed Christmas day.
Avoiding copious amounts of food, we spread the Christmas fare throughout the day having the starter at two, dinner at six and our desserts at eight. There was time enough for a walk in the sun and snow around the snowfield where I found myself completely alone, not even a sheep. Beautiful silence apart from the tread of my red snow boots walking impervious to the wet and cold beneath my feet.
Boxing day unwound at its own pace with Robin accompanying me on the snowfield trek. Anything with an incline has been unscaleable in the snow and ice and we set out to trudge through the wetter snow whilst the sun made an appearance. Robin, intrepid as ever, selected a pathway across the hardened field only to note the sound beneath our feet had changed to one of walking across ice. Late afternoon we had tea with our "in laws", Ivan's girlfriend's family, across the bridge; not far but we did drive to save slipping.
It was surprising to see that our children all spent time on Christmas day at the computer "speaking" to friends. I have to lament that the use of computers for work only is a thing of the past and their company is as vital as inviting any loved member of the family in for Christmas.
Pilgrimage to the real in laws was made easier this year by Matt driving us to Epworth in his new car. Such luxury to be escorted there and back in comfort and joy and quite provident as I struggled to maintain my integrity and flopped into flu-like symptoms refusing to join in the parlour games instead feigning sleep upon the sofa after soaking up a bottle of wine.
Back home to my fire and well lit living room I too catch up on my online reading and writing correspondence and wish you all well as the long winter nights continue.
Monday 28 December 2009
Thursday 24 December 2009
There is always enough
Of Christmas Eve my endeavour is to savour the hope of the day to come with generous portions of rest and God tickling scumptiousness. There was a moment of piercing joy yesterday when I went out again with Matt to the Car phone Warehouse in Chesterfield to buy Ivan a new phone and for a moment I experienced the intensity of giving as if in that moment I would have died for him; the love was so overwhelming. I can only believe that this love is how God feels about me all the time and I just get glimpses of it to motivate me into generousity of living and giving.
We now have a well stocked larder and fridge, an abundance of gifts to give and presents amassing under the tree. Whilst checking the vegetable requirements for tommorrow I discover a need for carrots and parsnips. A visit to our local shop revealed that there had been an early morning rush on both carrots and sprouts and there were going to be families in Grindleford that would be going without this Christmas. Our vegetable offering will consist of three carrots, some aged sprouts, a swede and some green peas. I do have potatoes to roast and a butternut squash will add orange colour where the carrots are lacking. It will all be very splendid on the day.
Sophie is dashing through the snow in her little Panda with the two rat boys in tow on the back seat and should be here for an extravagant curry with authentic samosas from Blackburn. All is turning to slush outside and the weather could be grey and uninviting for the obligitory Christmas walk. But we have the fireside and each other's company for entertainment plus the revels of Christmas day itself.
There is always enough of everything to go round and who misses what they do not have?
We now have a well stocked larder and fridge, an abundance of gifts to give and presents amassing under the tree. Whilst checking the vegetable requirements for tommorrow I discover a need for carrots and parsnips. A visit to our local shop revealed that there had been an early morning rush on both carrots and sprouts and there were going to be families in Grindleford that would be going without this Christmas. Our vegetable offering will consist of three carrots, some aged sprouts, a swede and some green peas. I do have potatoes to roast and a butternut squash will add orange colour where the carrots are lacking. It will all be very splendid on the day.
Sophie is dashing through the snow in her little Panda with the two rat boys in tow on the back seat and should be here for an extravagant curry with authentic samosas from Blackburn. All is turning to slush outside and the weather could be grey and uninviting for the obligitory Christmas walk. But we have the fireside and each other's company for entertainment plus the revels of Christmas day itself.
There is always enough of everything to go round and who misses what they do not have?
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Supermarket Trolley Eventing
The epic journey into town dwindled into visiting both Tesco and Sainsburys within a three hour time period. Matt had received a better offer to shop with a friend from Huddersfield and no longer required my company, especially as his friend is female. Teri arrived on the 8.30am train for a brief encounter with Matt for Christmas shopping somewhere more exiting than Huddersfield, so I left them to it.
Myself was active early in the day and ready for the onslaught of the supermarket at 9am. Having not used the car for so long, the ice had layered itself firmly onto the windscreen. One hour later the defrosting was complete and I journeyed into the edge of town. The roads were fairly traffic free and I parked easily in the Tesco parking. Once inside I was informed that it had been 'Hell' earlier with those, much more committed than I, having risen at dawn to shop unimpeded only to discover that half the city would be joining them.
Maintaining my grace and dignity I shopped diligently thinking of what delights could fill my capacious fridge for the Christmas event of eating together. I made my selections for others believing that I shall be avoiding all likes of pastries and pies, scotch eggs, ice cream, pastas and pizzas instead including salad and exotic fruit to my small trolley. The queues to pay were all occupied and I selected one that was far away from a male that appeared to be infecting everyone with flu, sneezing and coughing over all the produce. Once settled in I planned my next foray over to Sainsburys for items unavailable in this place.
The drive out of Tesco was rather more alarming as the traffic had picked up with manic drivers incensed that they had not come earlier. Wearing fur lined hats and thick coats they emerged from their vehicles like Attila the Hun on some kind of hunting expedition accompanied by ill-clad females slipping on the ice in their heels. Suddenly it was all too late for everyone. All cars were now converging upon Sainsburys from every side and I orchestrated my own attack by parking in Aldi and crossing over by foot into the competitor's store where I retrieved my puff pastry and cocoa and then left winging my way home out of the city limits and back into my beloved countryside now dappled with sunlight on the snow.
The afternoon activities will include the finding and wrapping of presents put away earlier for neatness around the home I fear that they may be lost. There was one year when we discovered unopened gifts backed-up in a wardrobe in February; Christmas gained a second wind that year. More baking to do, as we have run out of mince pies. I do believe that Ivan's 'wife' has arrived as I spotted two pairs of shoes in the kitchen but, to my surprise, they have gone out somewhere in daylight...I shall cook dinner in anticipation of their return.
The Barrel seems a distance away in its majestic heights of Bretton. Falling night temperatures leave the roads icy and remote. I wonder if they have had any custom? I may give them a call later to see if the road is clear and Matt can drive Robin up there for a pint. After all we are their best customers.
Myself was active early in the day and ready for the onslaught of the supermarket at 9am. Having not used the car for so long, the ice had layered itself firmly onto the windscreen. One hour later the defrosting was complete and I journeyed into the edge of town. The roads were fairly traffic free and I parked easily in the Tesco parking. Once inside I was informed that it had been 'Hell' earlier with those, much more committed than I, having risen at dawn to shop unimpeded only to discover that half the city would be joining them.
Maintaining my grace and dignity I shopped diligently thinking of what delights could fill my capacious fridge for the Christmas event of eating together. I made my selections for others believing that I shall be avoiding all likes of pastries and pies, scotch eggs, ice cream, pastas and pizzas instead including salad and exotic fruit to my small trolley. The queues to pay were all occupied and I selected one that was far away from a male that appeared to be infecting everyone with flu, sneezing and coughing over all the produce. Once settled in I planned my next foray over to Sainsburys for items unavailable in this place.
The drive out of Tesco was rather more alarming as the traffic had picked up with manic drivers incensed that they had not come earlier. Wearing fur lined hats and thick coats they emerged from their vehicles like Attila the Hun on some kind of hunting expedition accompanied by ill-clad females slipping on the ice in their heels. Suddenly it was all too late for everyone. All cars were now converging upon Sainsburys from every side and I orchestrated my own attack by parking in Aldi and crossing over by foot into the competitor's store where I retrieved my puff pastry and cocoa and then left winging my way home out of the city limits and back into my beloved countryside now dappled with sunlight on the snow.
The afternoon activities will include the finding and wrapping of presents put away earlier for neatness around the home I fear that they may be lost. There was one year when we discovered unopened gifts backed-up in a wardrobe in February; Christmas gained a second wind that year. More baking to do, as we have run out of mince pies. I do believe that Ivan's 'wife' has arrived as I spotted two pairs of shoes in the kitchen but, to my surprise, they have gone out somewhere in daylight...I shall cook dinner in anticipation of their return.
The Barrel seems a distance away in its majestic heights of Bretton. Falling night temperatures leave the roads icy and remote. I wonder if they have had any custom? I may give them a call later to see if the road is clear and Matt can drive Robin up there for a pint. After all we are their best customers.
Tuesday 22 December 2009
Mince Pies in a Pear Tree
Mince pies have become a daily feature of our Christmas event. Elevenses of coffee is accompanied by a warmed pastry to invite the Christmas cheer deep into our hearts. These sweet offerings are best avoided at all other impromptu times whilst out visiting especially as there are no vaccinations against botulism.
Food poisoning aside, I have successfully presented four partridges to the table in a casserole of delightful proportions. First browned then roasted briefly followed by one hour of a vegetable bath in onions, carrots, swede, leeks and parsnip their sweet meat just fell off their tiny carcasses; giving themselves up to the pre-Christmas gathering of Ashmores planning strategy for the event that is Christmas.
The starter was an experimental Camembert that was performed with great dexterity and skill as a whole cheese was melted in a puff pastry container with cranberries and walnuts. Creme brulee, a particular favourite, was the finishing touch to the dining experience. Having got the cheese course out of the way early there was no need to include extra cheese at the end and Robin and his brother, joined by new-commer Matt, began on their whiskey tasting event of 2009.
The following day was snow bound as we rested on our day off. Matt supplied dvd entertainment of Star Trek with full cinema sound from the hi-fi speakers. Our veg and fruit boxes arrived with organic fare and a gift of one satsuma with foliage was given as a gift to a card bearing well wisher braving the snow to deliver cards and cheer.
Tuesday, and the gallery is open for business as usual with customers flocking in very small numbers to collect framing and look for those last minute presents. Matt decided that he would venture into town to collect 'something' from John Lewis. He made this decision at 10am and asked me to accompany him. Had I known the day before we could have planned the shopping event with military precision, however by the time he was showered, fed and coffeed we set off at 11am into traffic that was queing for town from the very top of Ecclesall Road. Ten minutes later we decided that a focussed attack on Wednesday would be vastly more productive that sitting in traffic for an hour and, since I needed the tiolet, we made a u-turn and returned home to coffee and a mince pie.
Food poisoning aside, I have successfully presented four partridges to the table in a casserole of delightful proportions. First browned then roasted briefly followed by one hour of a vegetable bath in onions, carrots, swede, leeks and parsnip their sweet meat just fell off their tiny carcasses; giving themselves up to the pre-Christmas gathering of Ashmores planning strategy for the event that is Christmas.
The starter was an experimental Camembert that was performed with great dexterity and skill as a whole cheese was melted in a puff pastry container with cranberries and walnuts. Creme brulee, a particular favourite, was the finishing touch to the dining experience. Having got the cheese course out of the way early there was no need to include extra cheese at the end and Robin and his brother, joined by new-commer Matt, began on their whiskey tasting event of 2009.
The following day was snow bound as we rested on our day off. Matt supplied dvd entertainment of Star Trek with full cinema sound from the hi-fi speakers. Our veg and fruit boxes arrived with organic fare and a gift of one satsuma with foliage was given as a gift to a card bearing well wisher braving the snow to deliver cards and cheer.
Tuesday, and the gallery is open for business as usual with customers flocking in very small numbers to collect framing and look for those last minute presents. Matt decided that he would venture into town to collect 'something' from John Lewis. He made this decision at 10am and asked me to accompany him. Had I known the day before we could have planned the shopping event with military precision, however by the time he was showered, fed and coffeed we set off at 11am into traffic that was queing for town from the very top of Ecclesall Road. Ten minutes later we decided that a focussed attack on Wednesday would be vastly more productive that sitting in traffic for an hour and, since I needed the tiolet, we made a u-turn and returned home to coffee and a mince pie.
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