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I can't believe another Christmas is just around the corner. I know people in the U.S are preparing for Halloween and Thanksgiving, but i was wondering if anyone is starting their plans for the Christmas dinners and such?
Is there anything different that you are doing this years? Are you cooking something special, or have new additions to the family? Etc
This is our first Christmas in the new house. We are having both my mums side, and dads side. But this is a first. When my grandpa passed away in 2003, i had not actually seen him or my grandpa in maybe 7 or so years (short but sad story) And had not spoken on the phone to them in about a year.
Anyway. I don't think my dads parents and my grandma have seen eachother since my christening 24 years ago. So they will be under the same roof sharing the same Christmas. And yes we all live in the same state.
It's actually scary for me. I love my grandmother to bits, and dads side of the family is well....they share the same blood, but we are nothing alike. I cannot completely be myself at Christmas time due to alot of that side being Catholic & born agains etc. I know there are alot of Christians here and you are all great, so please don't be offended. But mum, grandma and dad know my beliefs. From past experience my aunt and uncle would probably start screaming at me and try to stop me from 'walking with satan' (whos existence i don't believe in but that's another long story) So it will be a challenge..
But i want to bring as much English Christmas as possible, considering that side is small. My father says he is in 'charge' of the plans. He cannot cook to save his life, and i assume he is going to let his mother take over OUR kitchen. Which makes me want to tear my hair out because as much as i love my nana, her cooking is extremely oily (she is Hungarian) and i barely touch her food since going off red meat and changing my diet.
So, one thing i've decided to make is a Summer pudding. For those who don't know, it's really quite simple. Mixed berries, day old white bread, sugar. 3 ingredients!! Combine the sugar and berries in a pan on the stove, cook for 3 mins till berries have softened and sugar dissolved. Lay bread into a bow. Pour in berries. Top with more bread, cover in cling wrap, weigh down with a plate. Refrigerate overnight. The next day turn it upside down onto a plate, cut into wedges and serve with something nice and creamy. The bread turns bright red btw, it's beautiful. Easy!
Oh and today as an experiment (as i've never made scrolls before) i am going to attempt to cook chelsea buns, which are scrolls with spices and dried fruit.
Yes i borrowed an English cooking book from my grandmother months ago and am finally using it lol.
Also even though there was fruit when we moved in, it was near the end of the season. So this Christmas we will have a full crop of plums, pears, apples, nectarines, apricots, grapes, strawberries and not to mention a whole bunch of leafy greens and veges as well.
Anyway, sorry for the long rant.
So, what are you guys doing differently or extra special?
Is there anything different that you are doing this years? Are you cooking something special, or have new additions to the family? Etc
This is our first Christmas in the new house. We are having both my mums side, and dads side. But this is a first. When my grandpa passed away in 2003, i had not actually seen him or my grandpa in maybe 7 or so years (short but sad story) And had not spoken on the phone to them in about a year.
Anyway. I don't think my dads parents and my grandma have seen eachother since my christening 24 years ago. So they will be under the same roof sharing the same Christmas. And yes we all live in the same state.
It's actually scary for me. I love my grandmother to bits, and dads side of the family is well....they share the same blood, but we are nothing alike. I cannot completely be myself at Christmas time due to alot of that side being Catholic & born agains etc. I know there are alot of Christians here and you are all great, so please don't be offended. But mum, grandma and dad know my beliefs. From past experience my aunt and uncle would probably start screaming at me and try to stop me from 'walking with satan' (whos existence i don't believe in but that's another long story) So it will be a challenge..
But i want to bring as much English Christmas as possible, considering that side is small. My father says he is in 'charge' of the plans. He cannot cook to save his life, and i assume he is going to let his mother take over OUR kitchen. Which makes me want to tear my hair out because as much as i love my nana, her cooking is extremely oily (she is Hungarian) and i barely touch her food since going off red meat and changing my diet.
So, one thing i've decided to make is a Summer pudding. For those who don't know, it's really quite simple. Mixed berries, day old white bread, sugar. 3 ingredients!! Combine the sugar and berries in a pan on the stove, cook for 3 mins till berries have softened and sugar dissolved. Lay bread into a bow. Pour in berries. Top with more bread, cover in cling wrap, weigh down with a plate. Refrigerate overnight. The next day turn it upside down onto a plate, cut into wedges and serve with something nice and creamy. The bread turns bright red btw, it's beautiful. Easy!
Oh and today as an experiment (as i've never made scrolls before) i am going to attempt to cook chelsea buns, which are scrolls with spices and dried fruit.
Yes i borrowed an English cooking book from my grandmother months ago and am finally using it lol.
Also even though there was fruit when we moved in, it was near the end of the season. So this Christmas we will have a full crop of plums, pears, apples, nectarines, apricots, grapes, strawberries and not to mention a whole bunch of leafy greens and veges as well.
Anyway, sorry for the long rant.
So, what are you guys doing differently or extra special?
