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| Merry Christmas |
A joyful Christmas to all my blog friends.
My daughter and I had a relaxed day, today. It was sunny and the afternoon high was in the mid 60s. Very pleasant weather. We weren't going anywhere or doing anything special, but, we spent a lovely day.
My friend S surprised me with lunch:
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| Christmas Lunch from Friend S |
She brought us yellow rice, a meat curry (not quite sure what kind of meat - pork, perhaps, or maybe mutton), cashew curry, two fish cutlets (the round balls - mashed fish mixed with potato and spices, breaded, and deep fried), eggplant curry (with the green chili on top), and Sri Lankan mixed pickles (with carrots, shallots, dates, and green papaya). There were pappadums as well (fried lentil wafers). Daughter and I enjoyed our lunch. We had the leftovers for dinner!
Later in the afternoon, one of daughter's friends dropped off Christmas gifts as well as a big box of "imperfect produce" that another friend had shared - there were three spaghetti squashes, three zucchini, a cauliflower, several green bell peppers, two Napa cabbages, three eggplants, a 2 lb. package of green split peas, and a small package of pinto beans! The fridge is full, because I had picked up groceries on Saturday and had bought a bunch of produce, then, too! The imperfect produce seemed mostly perfect to me. One zucchini had a soft spot, so I cut that part off, grated the rest of the zucchini and froze it to make zucchini bread, later. The cauliflower needed to have some spots cut off and cooked right away. I sauteed it with curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric, and salt. I would have added a green chili or two, as well, but, my friend's food was spicy enough and I thought the cauliflower would be fine without chilies (and it was!)
I will deal with the rest of the produce, tomorrow!
I called a few family members and friends to wish them for Christmas and wrapped a few more gifts. One of my cousins shared a video of her grandsons opening the gifts we sent them; they were so excited and happy! That is what giving gifts is all about, isn't it?
Today, I am grateful for:
- Spending Christmas at home with my daughter
- Friends bringing Christmas lunch (and dinner)
- Friends sharing their slightly "imperfect" produce
- Phone calls with family and friends
- My cousin sharing the video of her grandsons' opening their gifts from us
Today's joyful activity was celebrating Christmas!
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.
We had a lovely family day - glad you did too
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. :)
DeleteThat was kind of your friend to bring lunch for you, it looks delicious. More gifts of produce that was a nice thought too.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Christmas is about the joy of giving, so nice for you to see children opening their gifts.
Today, Boxing Day would have been my mother's birthday so a day of remembrance for me.
Happy Christmas wishes from me to you and your daughter xx
Wasn't is kind of friend S to bring us lunch? The gift of produce was much appreciated, too.
DeleteIt was lovely to see the children opening their gifts; they were so excited and happy!
May your memories of your mother bring you joy and comfort on what would have been her birthday, Eileen. Today would have been my mother and step-father's wedding anniversary. :)
Thank you for the Christmas wishes and I wish you, your husband, and Tilly all the best this holiday season and in the new year.
Merry Christmas to you and your daughter too Bless. It sounds like you had a really nice relaxing day. We did as well. I made the traditional dinner (haha) of a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs! We enjoyed it and will have it for a few more days.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of neighbor S to send you and your daughter that wonderful assortment of food - (which looks particularly nice on your colorful Christmas placemat :) Everything looks very good down to that pickle assortment in the middle.
And then to get the gift of those "imperfect" produce items! What a thoughtful thing to bring to you. I would've been thrilled to receive that.
You were smart to deal with the things right away that were showing some age.
Thank you, Debra, and Merry Christmas to you, too. I love spaghetti and meatballs, so, it sounds like a perfect Christmas dinner to me!
DeleteIt was my Sri Lankan friend S who brought the Christmas meal; she makes some of the best Sri Lankan rice and curries. I wasn't expecting her to bring me lunch, especially since she burned her hand and forearm in November (when a pan of hot oil overturned) but, her hand is healing well, she said.
The produce was a wonderful gift, too! My fridge is full, especially since I picked up some groceries on Saturday!
S gives the best gifts with all of the food she brings to you. Sounds like a nice day with your daughter.
ReplyDeleteYes, both my friend S and neighbor S bless me with gifts of delicious food! My daughter and I enjoyed our Christmas meal and spending the day together. :)
DeleteYour mantle looks so lovely with your Christmas village set up. And from the day before's post - your garden looks like it is benefiting for the rain - so lush. Wishing you a peaceful week, post Christmas & all the best in 2024.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary-Lou. I always enjoy setting up the Christmas village. The garden is thriving after the rain (lots of weeds popping up, too!) I wish you and Mr. Man a very happy and healthy new year.
DeleteI'm glad you had a lovely day with your daughter. It always amazes me how much your family and friends always seem to be there for you with food and treats. It sounds like you have wonderful people around you - always something to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. It was a very relaxed Christmas and we both enjoyed it. I do have some lovely family and friends who show their caring through gifts of food, don't I? I'm blessed to have them in my life and I hope that I can bless them in return. :)
DeleteThat is a lovely Christmas Village with lots of pretty little buildings! I imagine you must have had it for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks yummy. I like the idea of the video, so that you could enjoy seeing the boys opening your gifts!
We delayed our gift giving until today, because Christmas Day was so busy when the family arrived for a late lunch. Today was more relaxed and we had fun opening gifts and eating too much candy!
Thank you, Bushlady. The Village buildings were collected, a few pieces at a time, during after Christmas sales over the years. None of them cost over $5 (which was as high as I was willing to go) and several of them are from the dollar store! None of them are prewired and lit, so every year, I run a string of lights and carefully insert the bulbs into each building! That part takes longer than setting out the buildings!
DeleteI like the fact that you waited until the day after Christmas Day to exchange gifts; after all, it took the three Kings or Wisemen or Magi twelve full days to reach Bethlehem with their gifts, didn't it? At least, that's what I've learned, and that Christmas lasts for twelve days until Epiphany! But, then, being Buddhist, I might have my facts wrong! :D
Merry Christmas, Bless. It sounds like you enjoyed a lovely, relaxing day.
ReplyDeleteI love your mantel. Your decorations are beautiful. X
Thank you, Jules. :)
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