Happy Holidays! Feliz Navidad! Merry Solstice! Happy Christmas! Joyeaux Noel! Fröhliche Weihnachten! Buone Feste Natalizie! God Jul! Nadolig Llawen!

"Light is returning, even though this is the darkest hour, no one can hold back the dawn; Let's keep it burning, Let's keep the flame of hope alive, Make safe our journey through the storm; One planet is turning, circle on its path around the sun, Earth Mother is calling Her children home..." ~Traditional Pagan Chant

   NB Valerie is ready for a Great Yule! This morning Les left before daylight to take bags of holiday food gifts to our daughter-in-law Joanne's. He made a double batch of Ozlem's Soup, and I made American Cranberry Relish, and Rum Balls. I also tucked a piece of American Christmas Ribbon Candy in the parcel as well (recipes to follow in a few days). 
   After Les disappeared down the towpath in the dark, I finished my morning coffee, cleaned out the Airhead composting loo, started the engine, washed a load of clothes, moved the boat up and filled it with water, took all the rubbish to the trash bin, moved the boat back, showered and started cooking our Christmas Eve Feast. Step-son Kevin is coming to stay over and we are having a home made Mexican Dinner: Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Salsa, Guacamole, corn chips, Spanish rice, Corona beer with a slice of lime, and Rum balls for dessert! Feliz Navidad!!

Rum balls!

   For Christmas Day we are breaking our fast with a ham and roasted potato Frittata, cantaloupe slices with blackberries dressed in a sugar and brandy sauce (drunken fruit), warm croissants with butter and coffee, tea and juice. 


   For dinner will feast yet again on Roast Beast (beef)and roasted potatoes ala Vic, beef gravy, Yorkshire puddings, American Cranberry Relish, sage and onion stuffing, petit pois peas with mint sauces and glazed carrots with star anise. For dessert I will attempt to make my first ever steamed pudding: a chocolate steamed pud with salted caramel sauce and Ice Cream!!We toast each other with a bottle of Asti Spumante. 
   For Boxing Day we will nibble at leftovers and fill in with pigs in a blanket, melted Brie en Croute, smoked salmon log, Boursin, crackers, and golden ginger cake. Needless to say after all this feasting a juice and vegetable soup fast will follow soon!

American Christmas Ribbon Candy!

   Les and I don't exchange gifts; we have no room or need for anything else. We already have what is important one to another: we have each other. So we cook and clean and make our floating home a lovely winter cocoon in which to indulge in holiday feasting, celebrating the gift of friendship when folks stop in for a cuppa and some Golden Ginger Cake. We put our feet up in the evening and read (Les is currently reading the Alex Kava crime novel series I suggested, and I am reading The Naked Pint: an Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer.)
   We have been retiring early in the darkest, wild, storm tossed, Wind woven nights to cuddle together and listen to the rain on the boat roof. I wake throughout the night and take comfort in the rocking of our floating home. As the high winds buffet the world outside, we lie warm and drowsy inside. The sound of Les' breathing wraps 'round me like a hug. Life is good !  LIFE IS GREAT!! Happy Yule everyone!!! Blessed Be!