Our get together on 25/26th Dec

They don't really do Christmas, so I called it get together on 25/26th December. I like it that way, very casual, and no Christmas hassle and stress. For English people, it's the one of the important day of the year and they make effort to be something special. 

Isn't it supposed to be family gathering and time to relax? Not anymore. Coming up to the Christmas, people get stressed about buying presents, where to go and who to invite, getting new decorations, buying lots of foods they can't even finish etc, and more & more people seem like spending huge amount of money on gifts, I heard some parents bought an ipad to a 9 year old kid (I would assume with 3G/4G). Cor, blimey, what does Christmas mean to those people? Money? $$$$????

Just before the Christmas, I got stopped by two Jehovah's witness people, I was in a hurry, I didn't meat to be rude. I stopped. One of them asked me a question; "Tell me something, what does Christmas mean to you?" I said without hesitation; "Nothing, Christmas means nothing to me!" And I walked off. They didn't say anything, I looked back and waved; "It's not my religion!" Oh, the expression they had on their faces. I didn't mean to be rude.... If I had more time, I would explain to them, I always do. I chat when they knock on my door when I'm not busy. They always knock in really bad time. Almost as if they know I am busy and try to piss me off?☹☹☹

By the way, it was an simple question but it would've been loooong & deep answer, would need a pot of tea and good couple hours for this discussion.....

25th Dec

Marilyn preparing sprouts and chestnuts

Uncle Steven curving his chicken

We all contributed to that day. Uncle Steven eats meat, so he brought his chicken (not a turkey, he wasn't fussy either), Marcus made his speciality yummy nut roast (every year, it turns out different), Marilyn did all veggies, and I brought desserts. What an team work! Clearing after wards was also the team work, I don't mind washing up. I'm used to it!

I ate 2 servings. Yes, 1 serving means nothing to me. I eat lots for a little person as everyone tells me. I couldn't eat desserts, we went out a little walk, when we came back, we chilled out in front of fire. and had some chestnuts cooked on the wood burner. 

We also had desserts. I made "Chocolate and chestnut tart (vegan), and mango and coconut pineapple jelly with orange cashew cream (vegan).  They were not  raw though. For the tart, I used tinned unsweetened chestnut puree, for jelly, I needed to boil the liquid to dissolve the veg gel.

I thought my tummy was going to explode after the desserts.

Beautiful roasted potatoes

Porccini mushroom gravy was delish!

Mango and coconut jelly

26th Dec

We stayed over night round Marilyn's. 
More food! Our breakfast, we were good, we had juice and some rye toast.  I don't owe a toaster anymore, so, this rye bread (sometimes pumpernickel) is a real treat for me.

Carrot, apple, beetroot & ginger juice

 After our walks in Covehithe, we had our late lunch/ tea. It was.... "Bubble and Squeeeek".
This is yet another dish, people seem to have different ideas from each other.  Some use mashed potato, some use crushed new potato, I saw it was made with blanched grated potato (like hash brown). All mixed up making into a patties, or spread in a baking tray and bake. Anyhow, it taste good making it from leftover food from previous dinner.

Bubble&sqeeeek with left over nut roast and tofu sausages

It's always lovely to get together ( If you have a nice family and get on well with each other), I always encourage people to do this. I don't see my family often, need to make the most of each other while I can and whenever I can. I know some of my friends have complicated family and very dysfunctional and yes, very hard to get together to have lovely time. I hope these will be solved before too late.