That’s what it feels like anyway. I am running out of time. Running after time. Where has this elusive piece of time gone? Time is not even a thing – how can I run out of it.
This is why I hate the Christmas Day part of the holidays. This holiday is just so NEEDY.
Last night the manure spreader ran through the night. (Trying to beat the rain). Behind that machine comes the tractor and tiller to tickle the chicken shit into the soil. All lights and noise and me grumbling in my bed.
I have asked the tractor driver to save me a wheelbarrow full of stinky chicken shit so I can spread it around the farmers house on Christmas Day at three in the morning. We all laughed. Then he stopped laughing and looked at me carefully in case I meant it.
At least it is not windy.
Actually it is not too stinky because it is composted. But organic growing means compost.
This is my first Christmas for a while here in Illinois. But it is John’s family’s turn to have me do Christmas.
I am shopping for this today so writing it all down is helpful.
Saturday: Old Fashioned NZ Family Style cocktail party At The Matriarch’s house for all and sundry. Finger food: Lots of baguettes (hot from the oven), sliced ham, cheeses. Champagne cocktails. Lettuce. Greens from glasshouse. Tiny bowls of special potato salad. Deviled eggs. Club sandwiches. (Anything else?). (They don’t sell chipolatas here😞).
Christmas Day: Leek and Potato Pie, Roast Chicken, roast potatoes, green salad. Trifle (maybe). Wine. (Definitely). It will be a smaller group and here at the farm. (So much easier to host a lunch in one’s own home).
So: I will make the shopping list and away. Our John is going to stagger into town and mind his mother this morning. So I can shop.
How about you? What’s on your menu?
Oh – here are a few of my presents wrapped in my signature hand decorated wrapping paper. The kids will collect this wrapping paper from everyone and use them for colouring in on the day.
Then the brown paper is torn up (the kids love this step too) and composted.
Have a lovely day.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
31 responses to “Running Out of Time”
All I need is arrival times and I’ll be there. Seriously, the party and the lunch both sound amazing. I’m spoiled this year, getting excused from a lot of Christmas meal prep because of my knee surgery. (Shhh, don’t tell anyone I’m doing really well. I’m enjoying this excuse to rest.)
I’m having goose, but after feeding the 45 on Tuesday, it feels like I’ve done Christmas already!
Yes! I think you have brought Christmas cheer to many already!
I’ve just been to a 5 person fiesta tonight and tomorrow there’s talk of Borough Market followed by Pie and Mash!
Oh – pie and mash! With peas? Oh yes/
Pie, mash and liquor: https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/londons-best-pie-and-mash-shops
This year we have for us a house full, dinner for ten! We’ll really 9.3 as the new baby won’t be eating much turkey! Turkey and ham plus lots of veggies. My fav will be roasted Brussels with apples, pecans and pomegranates. So yummy. Then the next day another dinner but just six of us and doing all appetizers and left over turkey and ham bits. Merry Christmas to everyone in the farm community. Blessing for you Celi for all you do and the connections you bring to us all. Del
Roasted Brussel sprouts with apples and pecans and pomegranates!! I am going to remember that! Sounds divine!
This year there will just be the two of us, although I will make a trifle and take it to the inlaws in the afternoon. They have ordered a traditional English Christmas dinner in as they aren’t very mobile this year. I have to keep reminding myself not to make too much food. Although we do love the leftovers. I just made the menu and grocery list. I have some nice veggie dishes lined up for me and a turkey breast for Paul. (and the pups of course) Not too much pressure this year which seems a bit odd. Your celebration sounds perfect.
Not too much pressure sounds just lovely.
Our full circus cocktail party might be a bit ambitious but I hope it works!!
“Brown paper packages wrapped up in string, these are a few of my favorite things”.
They are so friendly looking and not over the top with so much decoration that one feels bad “de-decorating it” to get to the actual present.
Oh yes!! I had forgotten the line. Perfect!
LOL! I would kill for a picture of John’s face regarding the wheelbarrow load, however I will use my imagination and say good on you C for making him pause to reflect…
I will talk with both girls/families in Colorado at some point and then have dinner with son and DIL on Christmas afternoon so no responsibilities at all. We are a mixed bag at Christmas anyway. One of the three doesn’t recognize the holiday at all, one still has youngish children who seek gifts, and son/DIL are trying to maintain some traditions as her father is ill and has numbered holiday celebrations left. For years I worked on the holiday so I prefer simple and quiet actually.
I think a few of the animals are expecting some lovely wrapped gifts as well- they seem to be trying to be noticed for their polite looks hoping a box comes their way!
John has nothing to do with the farmers though. This imaginary wheelbarrow full will be for the tenant, who I get along really well with.
Your Christmas sounds nice and quiet. I hope for the same on the day. 🤭
A typical New Zealand Christmas indeed. Although this year it will be very different. My son and my daughter-in-law from heaven are going to Brisbane to be with their youngest son. We usually go to their house for Christmas instead this year, we had Christmas at my daughters house a week ago and then Christmas at my sons house this week. So I am Christmased out. This year it will be Daisy dog, my son‘s dog and me until my daughter and her youngest son turn up in the afternoon after they’ve done the Christmas lunch at the soup kitchen. Different but nonetheless happy have a happy Christmas Celi and slow down even for a little while.
How lovely to have Christmas morning with Daisy Dog and you. That sounds awfully nice!
It will be without all the usual nonsense of presents and over tired young people
It always feels like a lot during the holidays, yet an enchanted and brilliant time as well, but not to mention if you have a incredible farm with pigs, chickens, peacocks, cats, dogs…did we forget cows?! You are doing incredible and inspiring work, most could not do. We all see it and truly admire you!
Your dinner menu sounds absolutely lovely! Ours is pot roast with carrots and pearl onions, rosemary mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, pomegranate and kale salad and lots of baked goodies for dessert, one being our homemade recipe for seven layer bars. Hoping to pick up the Trisha Yearwood holiday drink mixer which is winter fruit juices and spices.
Cheers!🌟
Wow – that all sounds marvelous! Love the idea of rosemary mashed potatoes-at what stage do you add the rosemary? Plus pomegranate and kale salad! Delish!!
Thank you! We finely mince them and add it before the heavy cream and butter. It’s so the heat from the freshly boiled potatoes soften, ever so slightly steaming the fresh rosemary, otherwise it would taste to strong. Yes, the baby kale salad is one of our favorites, with a slightly sweet lemon sherry dressing. It really is delish, like you said! 🌟🎄❤️
I am going to remember that!
Kale should only ever be the baby leaves. That’s why I grow my own. The big leaves in the supermarket are inedible! Am adding pomegranate to my last minute list!
This is an amazing goose 👏
At least you have your festive season sense of humour… made me smile.
I love your Christmas lists. And I love making my own.
We do retro Christmas Eve… taking it to our friends’ farm this year… Bloody Mary’s, Scotch Eggs, my husband’s contribution is cold Devon & mashed potato rolls!
Our Christmas fare is made ahead so we are free to go to the beach on Christmas morning after we visit my mother-in-law and with leftovers in mind.
Roast chicken & bread & onion stuffing balls, cold ham and lots of salads inc. potato of course, steamed pudding made with fruit-chocolate-red-wine (store bought but our favourite) and homemade custard.
Homemade choc chip & macadamia nut biscuits, cheese biscuits & spiced nuts for visitor nibblies.
Plus of course glasses of cold sparkling and white wine, Rose and beers.
‘Tis the season! Wishing you and yours a happy one.
Scotch eggs!! I forgot about those. Mum used to make them. Thank you for the reminder! Your Christmas lunch sounds just lovely. Cooking as much ahead as possible is such a good idea!
A lot pf work, Celi – hope all goes well . . . I’m playing total Scrooge as usual > disappear from the horizon for a week or so ‘breathlessly’ calling out ‘busy’ to all and sundry and have a totally carefree smiley period quietly catching up on a pile of things . . . actually love my ‘hate’ of the holiday !!!
Good for you – have fun!
I like how you do a rotating holiday. I always hosted until I left Oregon 2 years ago. Now I let my DIL run the show and I add whatever she asks of me. I think she is cooking gifted steaks her mother received so they don’t have to be frozen too long and I have no idea what else there will be. The meal gets served at her dad’s house 3 doors down from her mom’s. Christmas Eve is at their home 3 blocks from me with just casual nibbles. I’m always behind and I know December speeds up the time like no other month. Looking forward to a slow January. 🙂 Have a lovely Christmas holiday. I think spreading Chicken manure would be a lovely gift for your neighbors. 🙂 Hugs.
Happy season – Marlene! My dear, dear, friend!
Can you follow my blog Anita
The Husband’s sister is hosting this year, and to my delight has specified a lunch instead of dinner. So hard to sleep on a bloated stomach… Hot chicken, cold prawns, ham, coleslaw, pumpkin, feta and spinach salad. I am in charge of desserts, as always, vanilla cupcakes, mince pies and apple crumble with thick, creamy custard. We don’t give gifts, the Husband and I, instead donating a decent sum to charity. But I bake spice cookies and everyone gets a little cardboard takeout container filled with them to bring home
I hope you have had a wonderful day, I know you have eaten well. Merry Christmas.