Pheow. Kitchen Chaos.

Finally done.

Log made, Cake iced (by no 1), pudding cooked, bowls licked clean (by no 3).

Lovely long phonecall from Oz this morning. Lots of good chat that makes the miles disappear. Santa will already have delivered there...hope you guys have a fab day together!

Busy in the kitchen. Lots of thoughts of mum, telling us that 'Christmas really isn't worth all the work' to which we would answer....'What work???'.

Boy ! Do I know now!

She was whispering in my ear to scald the turkey properly, and to pick loads of Thyme from the garden for the stuffing. In the olden days my dad was responsible for grating the stale bread. He always said the knuckle skin added extra taste ! We sat around watching the Christmas Eve movie (usually 'Icestation Zebra'!) mum would stuff the turkey, the phone would ring off the hook from Dublin. Uncle Ray, back from the pub, phoning mum, then all her sisters and other brothers. I'm surprised she got anything done.

Everyone has tales to tell of Christmases gone past. I wonder what my 3 will remember when they have their own family (PG!).

Much love to all our families and friends overseas and those in Edinburgh and up north in the snow (Scott!). Peace and love to you all. xxxx