Merry Christmas

Backblipped December 27th

Christmas morning dawned bright and early but none of us surfaced till at least 8.30 or so I thought. When I got downstairs I discovered my 11 year old nephew had been up since 7 and was enjoying quiet time with Phin. Poor Tommy had eaten a bowl of dry Shreddies as he couldn’t find the milk.

Once everyone appeared downstairs we had some breakfast then headed out to Newbattle with Phin. We took both cars and luckily found parking together. It was rather unseasonably warm but a very nice walk nonetheless. Met lots of other people and dogs also enjoying the woods.

Home to open the fizz to accompany the present opening. I’d bought wee giftbags for my brother and sister in law and niece and nephew with a few wee boys and pieces. Sara and Carlota were pleased with the face scrubbies and chocolates whilst Peter and Tommy liked their sticky toys (thrown them on a fist surface and they walk).

I was very spoiled with lovely gifts including a new purse and some Lego red roses which may take me a while to make!

After the wrapping paper was relocated to a black bin bag I got the beef rib out of the fridge and into the oven. The veg and potatoes were prepped on a short assembly line of Mr PHL, Miss PHL and my sister in law Sara.

Far too much food as usual but chicken liver pate (made yesterday), prawn cocktail and caprese salad disappeared pretty quickly for starters. We had hot roast chicken and beef, cold ham, mini sausages, stuffing, parsnips, carrots, broccoli, roast potatoes and mash along with Yorkshire puddings. I was absolutely stuffed when I finally stepped away from the table. The leftovers will be tasty over the coming days!

No room for trifle or the pavlova I’d made but we managed to watch the Gavin and Stacey finale. A very good ending I thought. Everyone else disappeared off to bed but Mr PHL, Peter and I started to watch that seminal Christmas movie - Die Hard. I lasted about halfway.