Christmas 2009

A Quiet Christmas Eve

This year is different from previous ones. The extended family kept to themselves in single family units to remember the birth of Christ. Somehow things were happening too fast a pace and the extended family did not seem to get together. Even Kong Kong and Por Por celebrated on their own with local church friends.

So we celebrated the eve on a quiet note with no prom.

Dad woke up this morning inspired by Astro's Travel Channel ; thanks to chef Jamie and so he stayed home to see to the evening meal. He's a great cook and can emulate Jamie's way of cooking very efficiently.

He marinated the turkey in Jamie's manner ( spreading butter under the skin ) and baked for about 3 hours.

The turkey turned out to be brown and crispy and yummy too and this year he stuffed it.

He wasted not the gravy from baking the turkey and added flour and ingredients to turn it into the perfect sauce for dipping.

Next after boiling the carrots and potatoes, he seasoned it with herbs and vegetable fat and baked them in the oven.

The baked vegetables turned out well and consuming them with the gravy was delicious.

To everyone's delight, Sara chipped in with an apple pie which everyone enjoyed.

Grace prepared some greens as salad and onion soup to accompany the meal. Esther escaped from every task because it was a working day ; plain fortunate.

So, with everyone in the kitchen , ahem... my only task was to lay the table. It's good to have the grown up girls together with the creative daddy taking care of the evening's meal.
But it was a lovely meal as we partook of it after dad's prayer...that we are to have Christmas in our hearts throughout the year and a grateful thanks to the Lord for His provision.

With great excitement, Kong Kong informed that about 30 carollers called at their unit in Muar and sang them the season's greetings. He was pleased to be visted by them. They seemed to have more guests and merriment than us. Was glad they knew how to fill the celebration with meaning and joy.