Scenes from Christmas 2009
The thing I actually love about Christmas is not so much the day itself, but what happens after it. Of course, Christmas Day is usually a joyous occasion; a rare opportunity to see a collection of friends and relatives all in the one room at the same time.
This year, our family Christmas lunch was surprisingly ‘traditional’ in nature. Usually the table would be heaving with a mixture of cuisines (I think there was even sushi one year) but this time we had good old fashioned roast turkey with stuffing, ham and even lamb with mint sauce (not pictured).
As for what happens post-Christmas, well, there are the inevitable 3 square meals per day comprising of leftovers (I particularly covet the ham scraps), paired with a few days spent blobbing around the house and/or catching up with friends.
As if on cue, I’ve also found myself looking back at the year that was. Memorable moments of 2009? Earlier in the year, I left the security blanket of my beloved old job assisting an amazing Pastry Chef, and started at a new one, meeting many talented and interesting people, and learning a few things about myself in the process.
I had several great dinners including this one and this, sampled some plate-lickingly good desserts here, and fell in love with a few blogs such as this and this, whilst cheering the return of this one.
I also finally realised that I need to constantly remind myself when I’m sweating the small stuff, that life is short. Way too short. Too short to have a job you hate, or to harbour ill-will against anyone. To be trying to do what is expected of you, rather than what is best for you or pretending to be something you’re not. I think I’m vaguely succeeding in this regard partly because it’s hitting me how important it is to remember these things. Honestly, aren’t I at an age now where I shouldn’t have to worry about zits (alas), frenemies and ulterior motives?
So I’m raising my glass to 2010. Here’s to a year of personal improvement, of hopefully more promising things and more new doors of discovery. I could also wish for World Peace, but then I’m going to want the sash and tiara that comes with such efforts. 🙂
Tags: Christmas 2009
Rosa said,
December 28, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
Nice scenes, great food!
Best wishes for 2010!
Cheers,
Rosa
Howard said,
December 28, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
hah frenemies! love it. Speaking of random Xmas dinners, we had roast chicken from Thomas Keller’s book and chilli mud crab with crusty bread. Can’t get more random than that.
Thanh said,
December 28, 2009 @ 6:18 pm
Onwards to 2010, personal improvement and World Peace. Can I get a chefs hat instead of a tiara since they don’t look so good on guys.
Keep up the great blog Y.
Arwen from Hoglet K said,
December 28, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
Happy new year Y! Self-improvement sounds like a very worthy resolution, that I could do with too probably.
Duncan | Syrup&Tang said,
December 28, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Lovely. Obsessive pastry people seem to sweat small things… 🙂 May there be less sweat and lots of joy in 2010!
Big Boys Oven said,
December 28, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
this is such an awesome spread of food, a belated christmas wishes from us, hope you will have a jolly good new year and a great 2010! 🙂
Simon said,
December 29, 2009 @ 12:50 am
Christmas food looks great! Isn’t post Christmas all about the left overs? Wouldn’t feel right without them in my eyes 🙂
Hope that you can make some headway with those things you’ve mentioned for 2010.
Pei-Lin said,
December 29, 2009 @ 4:30 am
That was sure a feast!
Happy New Year to you! May yours is a blast in 2010!
Pei-Lin
Julia @ Mélanger said,
December 29, 2009 @ 8:02 am
I love this time of year too, as it’s always a good time for reflection. Though sometimes the process of reflection can painful for other people to sit through! 😉
You are certainly right about one thing. Life is too short.
I have a good feeling 2010 will be a good year!
Su-yin said,
December 29, 2009 @ 9:28 am
I must admit that although I do use this time of year to reflect on the year gone by, I’m not actually one to make resolutions. I find I never keep to them anyway! 😛
Here’s to a good year ahead. x
YW said,
December 29, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Well done on taking the leap with job change in 2009 🙂
All the best for 2010!
Caitlin said,
December 29, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
I’ll toast to that! Life’s too short to waste your energy on inconsequential things. So glad your holidays have been wonderful, and I hope 2010 has amazing things in store for you 🙂
Lauren said,
December 29, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
Looks like a lot of fun Y! I can see why you loved the ham – it looks amazing!
2010 is going to be an amazing year! I can’t wait to see what it has in store for all of us =D.
cakebrain said,
December 29, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Happy New Year! Indeed, life is too short. “Frenemies” are for teenagers and twenty-somethings. By 40, you’ll find you have too little time for these types in your life! They’re too high maintenance!
Christy said,
December 29, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
Frenemies?!! Lol!!!
On a side note, I need to remind myself not to sweat the little things too—and not to worry so much about everything. So here’s to both of us living our lives to the very fullest next year. And you can borrow my tiara and sash anytime. Just ask.
shaz said,
December 29, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Ha ha Zits – I so hear you on this one ! Sounds like a great Christmas dinner. Raising a glass to you for a fantastic year ahead..who knows, maybe you will get that tiara ;P
the caked crusader said,
December 30, 2009 @ 12:38 am
Happy Christmas and New Year to you too!
I’ve loved reading your blog all year and look forward to 2010!
Sophie said,
December 30, 2009 @ 4:34 am
What a festive feast! MMMMMMMM,…
A happy new year from me!
Krista said,
December 30, 2009 @ 5:51 am
Scrumptious!! “new doors of discovery” – love that!! 🙂
Trissa said,
December 30, 2009 @ 6:42 am
All the best for 2010 Y! I’ve been guilty of sweating the small stuff too. Your post is a great reminder that as you said, life is too short!
Thank you for sharing scenes from Christmas with us – that ham looks delicious – no wonder you kept tweeting about leftovers – I am surprised that there were actually any left!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said,
December 30, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
That ham is incredible Y! Did you make that? I couldn’t stop staring at it 🙂 Here’s to a wonderful 2010! 😀
Jamie said,
December 30, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
Perfect post and I more than agree with you! Life is way too short to worry about the little things – or the big ones for that matter. We need to live our lives as we wish, grabbing onto our dreams and making them happen. And world peace wouldn’t be bad either.
Happy Holidays, congratulations on your new job and I look forward this year to getting to know you better.
cathy x. said,
December 31, 2009 @ 1:45 am
the turkey has a tan line! 😛
erin said,
December 31, 2009 @ 10:44 am
Haha. Yeah, we usually have pretty nontraditional xmas menus, too, especially considering that there are usually a few vegetarians at the table. This year we had a grape leave wreath. (The leaves form a wreath and the filling is stuffed underneath, easier than making a million grapes leaves!)
Ali said,
January 2, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
I am glad 2009 was a positive year for you Y. It is always rewarding to find you have been an inspiration to yourself. Even years are meant to be the best so I am welcoming 2010 with open arms, and I will be excited to see what it brings for you also.
Ali
Cakelaw said,
January 5, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
Happy New Year Y!
Manggy said,
January 8, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Here here! And here’s to many great things to come for all of us this coming year! Happy new year Y! 🙂