Saturday 26 December 2009

Great Christmas Day

Best Christmas in ages.

Julian and Dorothy arrived and we started with a pandoro breakfast, as planned. Julian prepared the chicken, garlic, potatoes and onions and put them in the cooker - cooked with fresh rosemary, olive oil and masses of garlic.

We then relaxed with a drink and Julian prepared some snacky things: jamon, thinly sliced sausage, special goat's cheese with kind of quince, and two kinds of olives including my favourite Catalan arbequinas.

Later came the usual ceremony of opening presents - I did rather well with a painted Chinese stool/storage canister from Liberty's, a white pashmina and gorgeous scent from Romy, an Oldie Annual and some great DVDs from Madeleine, etc.etc. Dorothy had some fun with the fake drumsticks, which will prove huge irritation value. He was delighted with some specialty balsamic vinegars by Carluccio from Madeleine and Julian was very excited with everything. She had a very beautiful silk scarf from Madeleine, some Victorian silver bits from me, and a lovely Liberty's purse and some trendy Vivienne Westwood slipper things and other accessories.

We then settled down to dinner, followed by cake and tea. We were quite unChristmassy, in that we didn't have a conventional lunch, the pudding didn't get a look-in, and our drinking was very restrained. I felt somewhat OK today as a result, but the place is full of remaining food and drink. Hurrah for the freezer.

Dorothy and Julian will set off for the sales today, and Julian and I will take a trip to Gray's for a jewel hunt in the near future. Gordon Brown should be proud of us.

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