Christmas Crackers

I’m not really a fan of crackers (with or without cheese). The kind you pull are fun but the kind you eat leave me a bit uninspired.

Well, last day at work before the Christmas season grinds into full swing. Still more Christmas tunes belting out from the desk opposite mine. I must say that Phil Spector’s Christmas is now wearing thin and the fact that “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” is no longer filling me with delight and, much tho I’d like to “Feed the World” to “Let them know it’s Christmas time again…” I’m afraid these songs are really grating on my now jangled nerves - as is the truly dreadful singing of my colleague opposite. The fun and shine of my festive baubles are really tarnishing rapidly.

Otherwise I’m quite perky about the whole thing and can’t wait to skip free from my work shackles and skip merrily to my family and friends to begin celebrating proper.

This evening I’m catching a train to northern England to spend the ‘season to be jolly’ with my family. I hope it snows a bit. Last time I went home I spent all of Boxing Day (26th December) on a sledge with my brother, niece and nephew, hurtling down hills on a bleak and snowy moorland. It was brilliant!

I have been preparing my body for a week or so of major heart-stopping, artery clogging food bingeing. I think I’m just about there but may have to do some last minute stomach stretching exercises on the train – I have 3 hours worth of journey to increase my eating capacity…
I’ve also done a little to spread some joy elsewhere. I donated some cash to a charity to buy equipment for building wells and buying crops to allow people to grow their own food and become self-sufficient) and to a childrens’ charity in the UK. I feel a little happier that I’ve tried in a really, really small way to make someone’s life a little better.

Merry Christmas to anyone who may be dropping in to my blog. Happy New Year to everyone.

Nuts!

Aren’t nuts weird?! I don’t really consider them to be actually food at all. They just seem to be things that are added to other stuff.
When I was young I hated nuts and would avoid at all costs but, as with many other things, I’ve started to appreciate them as I’ve got older. I am munching on cashews right now and they’re going down tremendously well! I’m also deeply passionate about macadamia nuts and chocolate covered Brazil nuts. Hazelnuts are also worthy of a mention.

Maybe it’s because it’s Christmas time and everyone goes nuts for nuts at this time of year. I can’t be faffed shelling the things tho.
I even cooked with nuts over the weekend. I created a fabulous (even if I do say so myself) Moroccan chicken tagine. It had a ton of fruit and a rattling stack of almonds in it. At first, the ingredients looked more like a dessert than anything else. I was tempted to just put the kettle on, have soup and eat the tagine ingredients with ice cream instead. Common sense prevailed however and 1 hour later a spectacular culinary triumph was born. I’ve had Nigella on the phone for days since, begging for some advice but I’m letting the answer-phone pick up.

The Christmas countdown is now on. I’ve got most of my presents, just 2 more to buy on Thursday. Then I have only the wrapping to go but I quite enjoy that as it makes me feel quite festive.

The weather has turned quite chilly here – finally. It’s been so strange lately, not too cold at all. There are still some trees with leaves on – it’s December for goodness sake! I’m quite pleased the weather has taken a colder turn. It feels more like winter time at last and that Christmas and a new year are on their way.

Note to self…. Must buy a winter coat. And more nuts. Ooh. Maybe mince pies….

Ding Dong Merrily

Now that the festive season is approaching at terrifying speed, I’m pleased to report that my first yuletide Eggnog Latte from Starbucks has been consumed. Despite the reputation of said coffee outlet, I do enjoy their Christmas offerings. When accompanied by a couple (or more) of their mini mince pies an eggnog latte is just the thing for…. for…. well… for anything really!

Today I also threw myself into the seasonal spirit by having a Christmas sandwich. Now ‘Christmas sandwich’ could include a whole host of nasties really, couldn’t it? But fortunately this one was devoid of sprouts, crackers, hairy aunties or ‘eat me’ dates. It was a yummy cranberry bread sandwich with turkey, bacon, stuffing (my fave!), cranberry chutney and various greenery.

Other festive seasonal firsts of late…

The CD player has come out in the office and I’m peppered with the ‘rootie-toot-toots’ and ‘rumtie-tum-tums’ of jolly ditties all day long. It’s only day 3 of the music so I’m still upbeat about it all. Come next Monday I’ll be ready to use festive CD’s as coasters… and don’t even mention Slade…..

The social hurly burly of Christmas has also begun to gear up and we’ve had a few people over for dinner over the last few days as we probably won’t get to see them again until 2007. Party invites and Christmas drinkies with chums are filling up weekdays and weekends are booked solid. Fortunately I seem to have plenty of annual leave left over this year that needs to be used before Dec 31st so I’m only working 3 day weeks until January. Woo-hoo!

I’m now looking forward to my first Christmas buffet of 2006. Always a fan of a buffet, I wait in eager anticipation to see what’s on this year’s party food top ten. Please don’t let there be too much fish or cheese. I’m ok with the odd prawn but I’m more of a lover of lard and stodge than prancey health food on a doily. Give me indigestion inducing pastry, love-handle producing cake and artery hardening dairy products. All washed down with booze. I know. It’s not big and it’s not clever. But it is Christmas, and that’s the season (but not just the reason) to be jolly.