Merry Christmas one and all

Much of the day spent in a grand panic about the dinner, which we are hosting tonight for Mrs. Ottawacker’s family. Decided, given the size of our kitchen, to do the turkey in advance, so we did. While Mrs. Ottawacker cleaned and Ottawacker Jr. wisely stayed out of the way, we got ready roast potatoes (two types – one in bacon fat and one in butter and oil for the quasi-vegetarians), roast carrots, two types of Brussels sprouts, stuffing, red cabbage, cranberry sauce, hummus, salads, etc. etc., put the wine out to warm and in the fridge to cool, set the table, reset the table because Mrs. Ottawacker wasn’t happy with it, wrapped Mrs. Ottawacker’s presents, etc.
 
At 4, the guests arrived. We had Mrs. Ottawacker’s brother and family, her sister, and her niece. Only 9 of us, but we still managed to make a lot of noise, and have a rather pleasant and relaxing dinner. Thankfully everything turned out, so we moved onto the family tradition of a round of carols, then settled into the living room to open presents and play Telestrations.
 
Mrs. Ottawacker organised the clean up, and we crashed into bed around 12. The beauty of celebrating on the 24th is that you get to do it all again the following day.