Christmas Eve & Day

Chilly Ribblehead

It dawned pretty cold and grey this morning, but it wasn't raining, so we took advantage and decided to head out to Ribblehead for a bracing walk.  It certainly was very very bracing, but the rain held off for just about long enough for us to complete our walk.   Dad and Matt did the whole circuit whilst Mum, me and Tom did the paved bit and returned back the same way - didn't think she would be able to jump across streams etc on the rough bit.

As we got back into the car the rain started and it didn't stop for the rest of the day.  We warmed ourselves up with a thick bowl of soup at Inglesport and then headed home.

Tom and Grandma working well together

The afternoon was spent completing a Great British Bake-off type challenge.  I had made 2 extra gingerbread house kits and had hidden them under tea towels at opposite ends of the dinning table.  Mum, Dad, Tom and Matt had to divide themselves into two teams, follow my instructions and construct a house each.  I did this partly to check that my instructions do work and also because it is fun.

Dad concentrating hard

I must say they did very well.  The two teams were Mum and Tom vs Matt and Dad.  Now I know that neither Matt or Dad have ever made royal icing before, or piped before.  That didn't hold them back - they both read the instructions properly and were on their way - they made perfect icing and were very diligent.  The concentration was outstanding - I enjoyed a quiet hour and a half as they made them - just dipping in where needed (Mum's wrist didn't hold out well with the piping!).  The result were two very good gingerbread houses - one rustic (Mum and Tom), one very professional (Matt and Dad).  We sent photos through to the Branches in Aylesbury for judging.  Amber chose the rustic one - Mum and Tom were overjoyed and Matt demanded a recount.

Anyway they were all good sports, not a cross word spoken, it was a good way to spend a miserable afternoon and it kept the oldies awake!

Matt piping!

Spot the engineer, working hard on a marshmallow roof

The evening was spent at The Old Post Office (by special request) - where we had platters for tea.  Bill was there and was very merry in his Christmas jumper.  We did track Santa on the phone and played Connect 4 as usual. We ordered a selection of platters and dug in - nothing was left.  Think my parents liked the place, as usual for first time visitors, they didn't expect it to be so small.

When we got home, Tom was keen to get to bed as soon as possible, so he could be asleep for when Santa arrived, so he set out a plate with a mince pie, a carrot (the biggest he could find) and a dram of whisky.  Now, normally Tom would go upstairs by himself to get ready for bed, but tonight he was too scared, just in case Santa was already here, so we had to go up with him!

Two nice smiles!

Finished!

He was asleep straight away.  He woke up at 2.00 and came straight into our room to tell us that Santa had been and had left his stocking and a present.  He then came in again at 2.30 (making us both jump) to say he couldn't get back to sleep because he was so excited!  What a chump!!!!!!!  He did finally get back to sleep.

He was up again though at 7.30 and came into our bedroom with his present and stocking.  He seemed happy with what he got: An Eddie Stobart Car Transporter, and in his stocking: 2 more Zoe's Zoo stories, an activity book, a £2, a candle powered boat from Deer Shed, some stickers and an eraser set from Japan and a bag of special Lego pieces.  He went to show Granma and Pop Pop his wares.

The three of us (a rare photo!)

Breakfast was smoked salmon and scrambled egg, Tom didn't want smoked salmon?????!!!!!!  I bought extra specially for him!  It took a while but I finally got to encourage him to eat some.  He seemed a bit spaced out - all that waking up in the night I think!

Whilst everyone got ready I got dinner on the go.  Having beef, it really isn't that much of a faff as it is so quick to cook, even with the mammoth piece we had this year.  Oh - for next year, the deal is:

220 DEGREES FOR 25 MINS
140 DEGREES FOR 1.15 HRS
TAKE OUT OF OVEN 45 MINS BEFORE EATING

Mullen!

I was done by 11, so then we headed into the lounge to open presents.

We were all very spoilt.

Tom did very well, and at last we managed to buy him a present he automatically loved: Mullen the Highland Cow - he opened his mouth wide when he saw him and gave him a huge hug.  Mullen has been by his side ever since and sleeps on him at night.  Phew.

Matt made me cry - his main present to me was a book of the first year of my blog about Tom.  I had no idea that was what he had done, and it is really really lovely.  How thoughtful, it took me completely by surprise but I loved it.  I also got a Steph made apron for Lily Pad Bakery which I love.

Matt seemed quite pleased with his Fitbit watch from me - phew!

I had planned dinner for 3pm, so we had enough time after present opening for a walk around the village to try to stimulate our appetites.  We sat down dead on 3pm, to a huge spread of food, and we put a pretty good dent into it, although the lump of beef still looked pretty big at the end of it all.

We then collapsed on the sofa for the rest of the day.  Everyone remained in good cheer for the day.