This Christmas I learnt........

I didn't know that about peanuts chestnut.i might look up that book.There's a few things i can't eat on warfarin though, and sadly cranberries are one of them, as i used to love the cranberry & port sauce in a jar- i use redcurrant sauce now but its not as tasty.

The mince pie recipe sounds great too smudgie

They do say (my late mum said it often) that you learn something new every day?

I learned that setting a budget of £10 a head for presents wasn’t a disaster. I was able to find lovely things for everyone and received beautiful gifts in return. Some things I made or tarted up to make them nicer. One of my favourites was a garland made from dried, home grown flowers by my granddaughter. I love it.
I also learned that the Christmas cake I baked in my slow cooker was excellent so I shall use this energy saving trick in future.

That my sister and I still can still argue over card games like we did as kids and she's still such a sore loser lol. Also that I should have red cabbage and apple a lot more.

Floradora! you have nearly reconciled me to our current catless state!

I spent Christmas trying hard to ignore the cat-shaped hole in our lives.

Years ago, I learned not to feel guilty that neither my dear mother , nor her sister, my dear aunt, were still with us and able to make tactless remarks about the things I had bought instead of making them from scratch.

Mind you, it did help the year I replied, "Yes, I bought it, as I hadn't received any offers of help from anyone."

That this awful virus ruined everything for my family this Xmas. No family get together as DD and DGC were both infected.
Spent Xmas morning looking through window at DGC, then drove home to ham sandwiches for dinner.
Also some people are totally crazy. DS3 is working with people who don't need vaccine as they are taking ground ginger!! and Covid is a hoax. Several people not just 1. My BFF and her family all have it now. They are anti vaxx anti mask and have just realised it's not flu. You really couldn't make this stupidity up.

I learned that I am brave enough to drive solo up the A1 to spend Christmas in a hotel instead of being home alone.

That my dd cooks a better Christmas lunch than I do and I prefer duck to turkey.

That presents don't matter. After a family get together was cancelled everything had to go in the post a lot was taken out of the wrapping and a lot was inappropriate for posting because they were glass. We were all pleased with our presents on facetime and I am not worrying about what was really thought. Maybe a set price Secret Santa will be suggested next year.

That I really hate Ponsettias! They are not attractive to look at and seem to be as temperamental as a two year old child.
Even worse when the giver of the unwanted gift is a neighbour who asks how it’s doing?.

I have never come across any reference about avoiding certain foods for different blood groups. Do you know if there is anything re eggs and blood group B+. ?

This Christmas I learnt that my youngest daughter-in-law and son number three throw the very best Christmas do with lovely traditions which are new to me.

Sago l learnt that one many years ago but unfortunately the poinsettias just keep on coming.

Lizzies that is brave. Well done you.

that this is probably the last time we will drive down south to see our lovely children and GCs in winter. Spent half our holiday on M1/M25 in the rain and mist and it was exhausting.

also learned that M&S make excellent mince pies.

I learned that my daughter is struggling big time with her mental health and is at times displaying signs of paranoia! We learned that her condition is beyond that that we can support, and that the situation is making me ill.

That ‘Christmas’ for me, holed up in an isolated cottage, in a village of 6 houses, with a hot tub in the garden, and an open log fire in the living room is better for me, than spending ‘Christmas’ stressed out, running around after people who don’t appreciate it - and sniff at the gifts you picked for them.

That’s what I did. I scrapped the lot, scrapped the ‘big day’ and all the presents. Don’t know what people had for dinner - and don’t care either ??

Next year I’ll do the same. I’m just home after a week away and can only say how lovely and peaceful it was on the Wales/Shropshire borders.

Daftbag1

I learned that my daughter is struggling big time with her mental health and is at times displaying signs of paranoia! We learned that her condition is beyond that that we can support, and that the situation is making me ill.

Daftbag So sorry about your daughter's condition and the ongoing worry for you.

I learned that it wasn’t wise yesterday to open a carton of double cream and consume it by myself in one day as it was about to go out of date.

I had it in my morning coffee, then again at lunchtime with left over mince pies. Then I went for a hat trick in the evening and had an Irish coffee. The double cream was a little less appealing at that stage so I decreased the usual amount of cream on the Irish coffee and to balance up the ingredients I increased the whiskey content.

This ensured that I had a headache as well as feeling queasy going to bed?

Daftbag1 I just noticed your post about your daughter. I’m so sorry to read that and I hope she can soon receive the help and support she needs. Look after yourself as well ?

I have learned that nobody will starve if you dont constantly run around catering and offering food on boxing day. Lots of reading books, chatting, eating chocolates and cheese and drinking wine. Occasional naps. At the lovely stage where the adult children are glad to relax at home with us, and their partners, no small children who need to be fed properly!

Every year I buy it but just still dislike it, like the dried cranberries though, I thought about making my own. Instead of wasting this year added some apples that had gone soft and found it was ok. Will keep trying.

I discovered that DS is really useful in the kitchen and I don’t need to do everything myself.

The GDs know how to play hangman and enjoyed playing it.

p.s. cranberry sauce goes well with brie on sandwiches.

We don’t worry about certain foods at Christmas, to me Christmas dinner is a roast with a few more trimmings not every one likes Christmas pud so there’s trifle or chocolate cake. (Home made) I enjoy the cold meats this year the beef was used up in the slow cooker with carrotts onion new potatoes.
Have learnt over the years not to get stressed about it.