45°f/7.2f, foggy in the morning, light clouds.
Goodies boxed up and ready for tomorrow. And crackers! We have never done these before.
Are you ready? Because here it comes, ready or not! I have pies baking today, potato salad and a cheese ball to make, veggies to prepare for the crudites tray, and just washed up all the pretty serving dishes. And I think that's about it. The ham and turkey are thawing, supplies are laid in for my homemade eggnog and the punch we like that combines cider, orange juice and ginger ale.
We will have a smallish gathering this year. Derek, his daughters Haley and Hannah, their partners, and Hannah's 2 children plus her boyfriend's 3. I had a bit of a scramble when I found out yesterday that those last three would be here, because no child will be left without a gift at my house on Christmas! But we had to go out later yesterday to pick up our milk and butter, so I was able to take care of that.
I made Granny Marigold's fudge yesterday, both the chocolate and the peanut butter. Both came out well. I had to laugh when I realized that the peanut butter one was the very same as one I made back in the 70s! I also made kahlua brownies, which we sampled last night. Yummy!
Leaving you today with Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon, with whom I had the privilege to share a stage some years ago. His late sister-in-law Tersi was also a good friend of mine. This song is close to my heart, as two of my great-uncles, James and Sidney Wilson, were in the British forces and were very likely present at that famous Christmas truce in 1914. We found that the truce was mentioned in reports from their units which were stationed in that area, so feel fairly sure they were there. My favorite version of this song was sung by Robbie O'Connell on the album All on a Christmas Morning. O'Connell is a well-loved Irish singer and musician with whom I have stayed in touch since I took a week-long class with him at Augusta back in 2010. There is also the movie Joyeux Noel, which I have mentioned before, which is based on the Christmas Truce of 1914. Well worth watching.
Merry Christmas, friends!
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