A Quiet Christmas

We're spending the Christmas and Hogmanay holiday at home this year.  On Xmas eve, we visited A&N , who were welcoming a few friends for mulled wine, which was very pleasant.  On Boxing Day, V&A came roud for lunch and to play a couple of games, which was also fun.  Apart from that, we've had a fairly quiet time, which is no bad thing. 

We're doing all the traditional things, including a turkey (which I like), sprouts (which I also like) & christmas pudding (which I love).  I did make an almond and mandarin syrup cake from the Guardian's collection of Ottolenghi recipes, which is decidely non-traditional but rather nice.  My brother gave Mrs Henry-the-Cow an Ottolenghi cookbook as a present, so perhaps we'll see some more of his recipes during the year.

M.received the two computer games he asked for and a collection of annuals, all of which he is happily playing with.  The standout unexpected present is a remote-controlled robot, which walks around, dances and does karate chops!

My siblings, nieces and nephews all decided to exchange compilation CDs this year, rather than hunt for gifts.  This is working out rather well, at least for the ones I've listened to so far.

I hope you're all having a good time too.