CarolCooks2…Christmas Eve Greetings!

Christmas Eve…While Christmas in the US, Canada, and Europe are generally associated with snowmen, sledging, reindeer, and such, December is summertime in the southern hemisphere…

Christmas Eve when I was young was the day my father came home with turkey or capon, fresh fruit that consisted of apples, oranges and pears…chocolates and sugar mice…

My mother would be making the sausage rolls and mince pies there were no freezers then to make in advance and freeze them they were made fresh on the day…

The best china came out and the fruit and sweets went into the best room a room that was only used on high days and holidays…

When we were very young we would go to bed after we have put out a carrot for the reindeer, a mince pie and a glass of sherry for “Father Christmas” and then hang our stockings(one of my father’s long socks) on the end of the bed…where we were so excited we would giggle and laugh until my mother came and told us that father Christmas wouldn’t be coming if we didn’t go to sleep.

When I was old enough I was allowed to stay up and go to Midnight Mass with my mother…I loved that and still do for me it was the highlight of Christmas…

Here (in Thailand) Christmas isn’t celebrated as most of the country is Buddhist…although I try where I can to cook traditional British Christmas fare it is dependent on what I can obtain here…so wherever you are in the world and however you do or don’t celebrate Christmas have a good holiday…

To those of you who are regular readers and commenters on my blog, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New year…

Christmas to me is special for its Carols I have always loved music and believe everyone should have music in their lives..I will leave you with another version of my favourite Christmas Carol.

Merry Christmas!

 

 

45 thoughts on “CarolCooks2…Christmas Eve Greetings!”

  4. acflory

    Coming from the European tradition, we never had turkey or mince pies or plum pudding. For us, Christmas meant poppy seed and/or walnut Beigli. Mum would drag out the grinder, Dad would attach it to the kitchen table and then he’s grind the poppy seeds into a kind of mush. Mum would add sugar and…something and then the paste would be used as the filling for the pastry. Ditto walnuts.
    I never did learn the secret to Mum’s pastry – fool that I was – so no more Beigli for us, but I remember the taste, and I remember /them/. Thank you for triggering such fond memories. -hugs-

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      You are welcome and I still have one of those mincers that you attach to a table or worktop it belonged to my grandmother and has travelled the world with me. I have a recipe for Hungarian Beigli but have to admit to not making it yet,,,Hugs xx

      Liked by 1 person

      1. acflory

        Hah! Kindred Spirit indeed. 😀 If you get round to making it, could you send me the recipe? I have the grinder just don’t have a nice sturdy kitchen table. That could always be remedied though. 🙂

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    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Thank you, Dear Dolly your good wishes are much appreciated…I hope you and your family enjoy your holiday and have a blessed New Year full of love and laughter 🙂 x

      Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Merry Christmas to you too, Colleen may you have a fabulous day and make lots of new memories every year we add more to our store of memories that I think is so lovely….xx

      Liked by 1 person

      2. CarolCooks2 Post author

        Quiet but nice Jamie cooked the turkey I was his sous chef…smile…and Boxing Day was another day we went to watch Avatar and agreed that here with the sunshine that the Christmas atmosphere is lacking…Happy New Year ❤ xx

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

    I have similar memories Carol. My father began cooking the Christmas lunch when I was very young as we used to visit her best friend in the village in the morning and sometimes the turkey burnt!! so he would drop us off and take care of things, especially as there was sherry involved on our visit lol.. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks for all the lovely posts throughout the year. ♥

    Liked by 2 people

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Haha…I remember when my family from America came over and Charles and my father got together when there was sherry involved or my father’s homemade brew…Sally, there were certainly shenanigans afoot….Memories ehhh, Sally…I hope you had a lovely Christmas day and have a happy and healthy New Year…Hugs xx

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Clive

    Merry Christmas Carol. I hope you have a wonderful time even if yours is the only family celebrating there! Rod did your Carol proud, didn’t he: goosebumps time 😊

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Carol, I have no doubt that whatever you cook will be delicious.
    I’m actually taking a cue from that “A Christmas Story” movie with Ralphie — and having Chinese food. LOL. I’m looking forward to the meal. Hugs and Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Darlene

    Rod does a great job of that song, my favourite as well. Enjoy your warm Christmas. I can tell you, I don’t miss the cold and the snow at all. it was perfect today, 22C, had a lovely walk on the beach with the dogs. Just started the trifle. Life is good. xo

    Liked by 2 people

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Neither do I Darlene…trifle haven’t had one for a while I have just finished the mince pies and sausage rolls the Pate I made earlier…Jamie is cooking dinner tomorrow I’m just doing the little bits and bobs like the table and bread sauce and yes life is good…Happy Christmas, Darlene xx

      Liked by 1 person

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