I was just stripping the turkey, and suddenly had a vivid memory....

I used to give our dog the turkey-roasting tin (or any roasting tin for that matter) with some gravy added - she would do a thoroughly professional pre-dishwasher job - hold it down with one paw and keep at it until barely a molecule remained. Who needs Brillo pads? ?

A lovely memory Witzend. I'm enjoying memories more and more these days. Other, better times and people long gone.

Yes, I always remember our last dog who loved turkey, then would sulk after Christmas when it had all gone.

Mine looks like a coroners inquest now
Oh EV my best giggle of the day! Thank you.
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Mine looks like a coroners inquest now.
Stripped to the bone, even the parson's nose is dissected for the cats.

My sausage rolls and mince pies are exact replicas of the ones my mum used to make, as is my rough iced, snow scene Christmas cake. We've made new traditions over the years and it's lovely to see our boys and their families making new ones too and combining them with some from their childhood and youth.

What a beautiful story - animals make Christmas even better !
My once upon a time dog used to lean against the oven door whilst chicken was cooking , it was only ever when it was chicken !

Witzend, that’s a lovely memory.
Christmas, especially this year, brings reflection and all sorts of things (the food, the decorations, the sounds and the smells) trigger memories.

I remember my mother (who died 43 years ago) every time I make stuffing to her delicious recipe.
My sister have me a white Christmas Tree shaped candle in 2000 and when I put it on the hearth each year, I think of her (she died in 2003).

I think the nostalgia, the memories and the tears are an integral part of Christmas.

Incidentally, I was just stripping the turkey and turned around to see our three cats lined up in a row, waiting for scraps...

Christmas is such a time for memories isn't it? I think of my parents and brother, all now dead and various older friends and relatives from years ago. I often feel like a good cry but try to resist!!

Yes, lovely memories. Strange how they are triggered sometimes.

Good memories eh?