Let the festivities begin

I nipped into MK very early (9am) to print a couple of photos and to get a frame for S and C, one of each of the children. I spent the morning driving round the county picking up various provisions, the enormous turkey, some artisan bread and sausage rolls, some meat for meals later in the week. I must say I greatly enjoyed being out and about enjoying the beautiful blue sky and sunshine and relatively quiet roads. I saw a jay and a green woodpecker! What a lovely early Christmas present.

When I got home, the Aussies went for a walk and I pottered in the kitchen putting some bits together for afternoon tea, including some cute holly leaf and berry sprinkles on the cake (Asda specials), and started the mulled wine. Yum, yum.

The various parts of the family started arriving from about 2.30pm. In the end we were sixteen, including the two bubs. Quite a squash in the sitting room but wonderfully cosy especially with the Kings College Carol Service playing in the background.

C was looking so much better after her recent illnesses (she said it was the first time she'd been out in four days). I gave her the double picture frame of the children, which she appreciated and I also gave each of my siblings another framed set of two photos of B to help remember her by. She was always there on family occasions and at the heart of the giggles and laughter so we needed to mark her absence in some way.

The cousins all rubbed along well playing Connect 4, hair plaiting, and playing with the streamers from the party poppers. The adult kids started a paper ball fight with the discarded wrappings! Tilly got passed round everyone for cuddles and snoozing. N spent a good hour cuddling Tilly. It was too adorable. Teddy also shared the love amongst everyone and entertained as usual. He looked very dapper in a smart checked shirt and knitted Christmas tank top, while Tilly was sporting a lovely pink cardy I got her :)

Rather sadly, I realise that I am now very much the oldest of the clan at such gatherings these days. Quite a responsibility and quite a privilege...I must embrace the role once I've got over it!

Everyone left about 6pm, then I prepared the cranberry and herb butter and squished it between the turkey skin and breast (in true Jamie style) put the bacon on top and made it oven ready. I've just calculated that I need to be up and putting the oven on to heat at 5am because of our early lunchtime tomorrow. Eek! I've written out my timings for tomorrow so I have fighting chance of making it over to Chacombe with the turkey all ready carved by 1pm! I remember B doing the same when we were kids.

I found out that A not only had a problem with me but with all of us last Sunday and while I just ignored her, my brother and sister in law persevered and got to the bottom of it. It's all about flowers at the funeral, her mother' ashes, the timing of the scattering and some other recent bereavements. Goodness. I'm afraid I haven't got time for all that. Luckily I don't need to. She has her own siblings, husband and children to support her.

It'll be a quiet evening in front of telly and then an earlyish night bearing in mind the early start! I'm told Father Christmas may even visit me tonight!