In the quiet of the day at Christmas

For the last four mornings I've been getting up early. So many things to think about before 7am but here's my thinking place in the kitchen.

 

 

 

 I sit here with a cup of coffee and the three dogs…Boo, Eric and Winnie ( who has come to stay for Christmas while my elder son spends Christmas in Australia.)

 

 

I love the early morning quietness before the rest of the house wakes up. The last few days have been very busy... my last day of work, carol singing around our village , followed by mulled wine , sausage rolls and mince pies , a get together and carols on Christmas Eve at the golf club, that last trip to the farm shop for the vegetables .

 

 

Even though its before dawn , I've been cooking or preparing food at this time. On Christmas Eve, I'd made a banana cake , today there's a huge gammon bubbling away in coca cola , in readiness for a big meal tonight.

 

My darling daughter and her hairy husband are on their way up from Southsea as I write this...their car is packed with presents, and their dog Rudi. It's going to be a full house for a few days ..seven adults , four dogs  - just as I love it.  Mama ((my mum) is here, two of my children,  and tonight we shall just celebrate being together, and thinking of those who can't be with us.

 There will be lots of laughter and  bottles of prosecco , and lots of stories to tell around the candle lit table.

 Mama will have us in hysterics just like she did last night at our Christmas dinner. Mama said she was looking forward to watching Downtown Abbey on telly, the last ever episode. "I shall miss it so much" she said "I've really got the hots for Hugh Bonney what's his name"

 

 

 

 

Mama is 86 next week. I want to be like her when I grow up.

 

In the meantime, there's time for another cup of coffee in the quietness before the others stir...

 

 

 

I hope you've all had  a Happy Christmas like we have, and Happy Boxing Day!