Preparations

[Ferretfancy]

How are we all doing with our Christmas preparations?

My puddings are maturing nicely, two big ones, the second to use next year. The cake gets another dribble of brandy tomorrow, ready for the application of marzipan next weekend ( Home made of course )

We've been given quite a lot of wine this year, which should be fine, I'm not a wine buff. Unfortunately it's always my task to write the cards, I suppose I'd better buckle down to the job.

Jolly atheists like me often enjoy Christmas, we usually listen to Kings, and the Ceremony of Carols goes on while we drink champagne and open presents.

[Madame Suggia]

I'm impressed

Is it too late to make puddings Ferret?

[amateur51]

I hope you've had your sprouts on since the first of the month, Ferret

[cloughie]

I hope you've had your sprouts on since the first of the month, Ferret

You'll be suggesting adding bicarb next, Ammy.

[teamsaint]

I would hate to decry the Ferrets fine efforts, but has he not heard that M and S are open till midnight Xmas eve, thus rendering all effort pointless?

[Anna]

Cannot stand Xmas pud or mince pies .... so they play no part here. Whereas - sprouts - I could eat them 24/7 - raw but best with chestnuts and bacon
Edit: I would be more interested in what people have for their main menu: turkey, goose, duck, beef, pork, nut roast, etc.

[Nick Armstrong]

sprouts with chestnuts and bacon

Oh yes yes, feed me! feed me!

[Anna]

Oh yes yes, feed me! feed me!

Oh, Gerrof, you old Gourmande!!

[Thropplenoggin]

Cake on its third week of feeding, alternating every 3-4 days 'twixt whisky and pirate juice (vintage rum (Ron Zacapa)).

Looking into doing a ham this year and look what the Grauniad should offer up today: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...-christmas-ham

[Nick Armstrong]

Oh, Gerrof, you old Gourmande!!

Gourmand, please!

[Flosshilde]

You'll be suggesting adding bicarb next, Ammy.

No, that happens after you've eaten them. (actually I like sprouts)

Cake's made (two - one to take down to my mother next week. She's not able to see clearly enough to much baking these days). (Question - is it acceptable to cut the cake before Christmas Day?) I've just realised that as I'll be away (at my mother's) Thursday next week to the following Tuesday I'll need to deal with cards sooner than usual. My partner doesn't like Christmas pud.

Christmas Eve his children will be with us for dinner, & we're having a fish stew followed by brown bread & ginger iced creams (home-made, with help from M&S)

Christmas Day - perhaps Goose (was it Parson Woodford who said that goose is a frustrating bird - too much for one, not enough for two?). My partner doesn't like Christmas pud.

Boxing Day - at the children's aunt, so don't know, except that I've been asked to do a Sticky Toffee Pudding.

[french frank]

Whereas - sprouts - I could eat them 24/7 - raw but best with chestnuts and bacon
Edit: I would be more interested in what people have for their main menu: turkey, goose, duck, beef, pork, nut roast, etc.

Ahem. Just in case anyone thinks tastes can't change - who was it used to describe sprouts as 'spawn of the devil' until some really imaginative recipes forthcame? Chestnut & bacon fine at Christmas, but otherwise loadsa garlic and butter will do.

As for the main course, I'll have to get my s-i-l to sign up. A ham is really needed for supper with Somerset cider. And Somerset cheddar.

At my brother's - and cousin's - it tends to be 'meat and 96 vegetables' to make sure there's something everyone likes. Plus a choice of 3 puddings. This slightly offends my simple aesthetics: roast potatoes and sprouts, bacon and stuffing, cranberry and bread sauces. With the turkey w. bacon/sausages.

My domestic arrangements mean I've only once cooked a Christmas 'dinner': a good chicken, potatoes and sprouts - Torrelli and a Christmas CD of Winchester Cath. Choir. So memorable I've forgotten what we drank. I'd swap puddings for a good cheese board. But if you're lucky enough to get cheese they make you eat it after the pudding .

[Thropplenoggin]

No, that happens after you've eaten them. (actually I like sprouts)

Cake's made (two - one to take down to my mother next week. She's not able to see clearly enough to much baking these days). (Question - is it acceptable to cut the cake before Christmas Day?).

One advantage of being old is making your own rules. We'll be starting on our cake next week as a friend's visiting, and won't be icing it. Indeed, it'll probably be eaten to accompany cheese - mature cheddar. There's nothing quite like the thrill of eating English cheese in France.

[french frank]

There's nothing quite like the thrill of eating English cheese in France.

Have they abolished the guillotine?

My personal bugbear about Cheddar is that I don't like it with red wine. Ale or cider it has to be. Is that gastronomy, aesthetics or prejudice? (Stilton and red is fine.)

[umslopogaas]

Preparations for Christmas.

!. Make sure the freezer has enough provisions for two days of more or less commercial inaction.
2. Make sure the drinks cupboard has the same, though to be on the safe side, make it four day's worth, there might be snow.
3. Make sure you have phoned every-one you can tick off with a phone call, and sent cards to all those that you cant, wishing them a Happy Christmas. Whatever that is.
4. Keep your head down, and your glass well filled, until you are sure it is over.
5. Restock freezer. Breathe a sigh of relief, but not so loud that relatives with young children will hear, or they might just decide to visit.
6. Hooray! New Year approaching, time to buy a drink for anyone in the pub with a Scottish accent, that lot really know how to celebrate.
7. January at last. Another Christmas survived. Pour the last of the leftovers, the supermarkets are open again, time to restock. Soon it will be Lent, or Easter, or something. To the hell that doesnt exist with all these outdated beliefs.

Bah! Humbug!!