As regular readers will know, I love my table. It’s almost as old as the Deckhand and is a pine table with hand painted tiles inlaid. Nothing overly fancy, nor particularly expensive however I like it. On this Ship, most meals are consumed at the Captain’s table and although I have my laptop on it, and always a bowl of fruit, there’s plenty of room for dining too. Christmas morning the table was graced with pastries from the oven and an espresso pot. Later, a full roast dinner of rib roasted beef, various roasted and steamed vegetables, and of course Yorkshire puddings. Money may not be in great abundance here; however, I always ensure we have what we need and always make an extra effort for Christmas dinner.
Christmas Eve I’d written a list of what needed doing when, such as oven times and temperature, when to put certain items in the oven, and so on. A plan of attack if you will. Christmas morning it was my turn to walk the Ship’s Dog and we stood and admired the beautiful tree in the bay window of a nearby house. Not in any covetous way, simply admiring how beautifully it has been decorated. We exchanged cards, and he’d bought me a card from the dog. What a sense of humour he has!
Later, the beloved table was graced with a nice cloth, my son laid out cutlery, glasses and condiments, and on the day, everything was timed perfectly, and with my son’s help, we had a very nice dinner. He’s a good young man. After clearing up we had a slice of Panettone and finished off the prosecco. I know some people sneer at prosecco drinkers, but it’s affordable and I like the taste, especially when joined with a splash of crème de cassis. Lovely!
I’ve put beef and gravy in a tray for the freezer so that’s a further meal for us, and the rib bone has also been frozen which will for the base of a casserole for another meal. Leftover beef will be sliced thinly, coated in barbecue sauce, and will be used today, Boxing Day, to go on pizzas. Any further meat left over will be joyfully consumed in a sandwich with horseradish sauce, dill pickles, and watercress. In case you haven’t already guessed, I’m a bit of a foodie lol.
My Mother always cooked 99% of our meals from scratch, with very little money, and I endeavour to do the same. As kids we never went hungry, and I do know she never had much of a social life. Like her Mother before her, she always said that family came first, and if you had a roof over your head, and food in your belly, then everything else was just gravy. I think it means everything else is an enjoyable, optional extra. Good words to live by, and a far cry from the me me me, and I want it all and I want it now, generation. I do sometimes feel bad that I can’t give my son more, however he’s growing up with a healthy respect for the value of money and savings, and has far more money saved that I did at his age. Both of us are acutely aware that if neither of us has a job once he finishes university, then we’ll have to move again, to somewhere even cheaper. That’s life, and you take what it throws at you, though just now and again, I’d like it to throw something really good my way ;) All in all, life is pretty good and there are people far worse off so I mustn’t grumble. Nobody listens anyway lol. I did have a nice surprise Christmas morning, my ex-landlord/friend (sort of) sent me a Christmas text so that was unexpected.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are enjoying this holiday season.
Yes, family comes first, and Charity begins at home was a thing my mother otten said.
Happy New Year.
My son came on his own with the children and I was so impressed by his parenthood. Considering the children came already grown (6 and 7 years old), he's become a really good dad. Fair and affectionate, yet firm if necessary. He kept these two excitable children under control. I didn't interfere because he was doing such a good job. I told him how proud I was of him, and he said that he was only raising them as I'd raised him and his sister! What a gorgeous thing to say.
John - I often wish our government had the same thought. Happy New Year to you too.
Jenny - It sounds like you had a lovely time. Your son sounds great, and what a lovely thing for him to say. Hope you all have a Happy New Year Jenny.
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