More Christmas photos

I ended the last installment saying that Rick and I were going to cook Christmas dinner but neglected to post our prep picture.

 Mum had a cookbook by an Italian chef, Pasquale somebody. We have always cooked "Pasquales turkey" recipe. A little unusual in that it is cooked on a very high heat for a short time, covered in bacon strips. Then the bacon is removed, heat turned down, rubbed with garlic and it is steamed in gin and white wine. It always ends up nice and moist. Mike called for the recipe for their Christmas dinner. We had it with brussel sprouts, stuffing (yes Rick bought stove top but I added fried onions and celery), potatoes and cranberry sauce. He took some leftovers and there was enough for Chris and Jason the next day.

When they got here Cigi had a nap and then we exchanged gifts. Chris and Jason gave me a cat doorstop.

Rasta was hilarious. He must have thought it a threat as his hackles were up and his tail was puffed out.

Then he sneaked up on it from behind.

Rather than a Gingerbread House, Chris wanted to make a "Charcuterie Cabin". We covered the table with crackers, cheese, pretzels, salami, vegetables, bread sticks, cream cheese mortar..... and proceeded to build.

Cigi and my "cabin". It became home to some "gummie unicorns". I loved that I found pretzel pine trees.

Chris declared hers more of a "Hunt camp" (didn't meet code) and ate it before we could tease her too much about it.

Rick bought Cigi a battery operated Unicorn that walked and made odd, vaguely horse like, noises. Chris and Jason were not impressed but Cigi was. Still trying to use all that Advent wool I crocheted Cigi a hat and the Unicorn, a coat.

Chocolate Log is another Joynes Christmas tradition....chocolate swiss roll and chocolate icing. Cigi was in charge of the icing sugar snow.

 They were only here for 2 days and it felt like it was a lot of cooking, gifting and eating!