Christmas 2020

Christmas Eve: We couldn't do our usual festive celebrations so ordered a meal in from our favourite local Chinese restaurant. Packed with vegetables, noodles, rice, spicy beef and lemon chicken this was a delicious way to start the holiday off.

Christmas Morning: My daughter made these iced cinnamon buns which we all enjoyed with fresh fruit. Starting our morning in a sweet relaxing way. 

Opting to skip lunch and have an early dinner; our holiday meal was traditional and simple, oven roasted turkey with roasted vegetables (parsnips, carrots, potatoes and yams) steamed Brussels sprouts and homemade stuffing. All with lashings of gravy! Dessert was the Pepper Cake and or a selection of my baking.

Boxing Day: Not being able to spend Boxing Day how we usually do, I put on a more modest spread for us, homemade herb and garlic tomato soup, roasted vegetable galette, a selection of cheese and crackers, selection of sliced meats, pickles, olives, dried fruit, spiced nuts, corn chips, Glenfiddich mincemeat pies and a selection of my baking. This held us throughout the day and into the early evening. 

... and as usual we did our Fortnum and Mason order. A lovely selection of mustards, honey and jams, chocolate covered oranges, peppermints, tea, coffee, biscuits, crackers, fizzy tea and mulled wine spices, to be enjoyed throughout the coming year. 

Hope everyone had a nice holiday, as possible. Ours was restful and quiet. 

 - JD  

Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve: We did a traditional full on English fry up for dinner. I opted for half of the full on, pictured here. Which was more than enough. I found a few grocery stores here in E-town that carry *British* baked beans and yes there is a difference. They are not as sweet as the ones that are regularly sold here. Also I found a deli which sells Cumbria sausages.   

For dessert we had a slice of date, prune and fig cake from Fortnum and Masons called Ambrosial Alchemy and it most certainly was! It was quite lovely. A cup or two of Classic Earl Grey hit the spot nicely before watching A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim. 

Christmas Day: We started the morning off with a round of Bucks Fizz and a lovely mincemeat pie, dusted with gold on top, from Fortnum and Mason's. The pie was from their Three Kings minced pie collection. I could really not resist having these for breakfast. Especially this one that had the fragrance of rose.   

The midday meal was roasted pheasant with roasted veggies and stuffing. The pheasant was wrapped in slices of bacon to seal in the moisture. A Chateauneuf - Du - Pape was the wine of choice. It was satisfying to have the major meal midday. That way digestion was slow and a walk was gratifying.   

And later on if you were feeling a bit peckish then mixed kale dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette, slices of Lancashire cheese, malted biscuits and a slice of Melton Mowbray / Pork Pie kept the hunger at bay.

It was a great day to relax. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas everyone! - JW  

  

Christmas Eats 2012

On Christmas Eve we enjoyed an English fry up for dinner. Eggs, baked beans, sausages, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, and fried bread. The eggs I mixed up as if I were making scrabbled eggs... added some seasoning and then pour the mixture into buttered muffin tins. A very traditional way to start the holiday. 

On Christmas Day we started with a round of Bucks fizz and then for brunch I made scones. Classic and candied. Jam and sweet butter were on hand. All were enjoyed by everyone!

Christmas dinner was turkey with oven roasted potatoes, carrots and parsnips. A side of kale salad and the rounds of Bucks fizz were still flowing! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas as I did!