A Christmas Potpourri

Here we are and it is Christmas time again after a very strange year. Who would have thought last Christmas that the world would be brought to a halt for the best part of the coming year?  My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one, lost a job, been put through financial stress etc and my hope is that life for everyone will improve greatly in 2021.

Since I haven't traveled much I haven't had much to write about so today I thought I would offer a Christmas Potpourri of miscellaneous items.

For many there have been positive gains from being in enforced lockdown.  Maybe, like me, you have worked on projects that have been in the "get round to it" basket or you have explored your own country and appreciated all it has to offer. I have also spent more time on things I enjoy, like reading, gardening, walking, spending more time with my grandchildren and even doing jigsaw puzzles. Life has been at a slower more gentle pace. I haven't missed overseas travel but do feel anxious about when I will get to London to see my son and his family again. Still, I keep in mind how long the two world wars were and what people had to go through then.  In comparison this is nothing.

A SONG FOR OUR TIMES 

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS was written during the second world war when families were separated and dreaming of being together again.  It seems very appropriate for this Christmas too, and it's always good to hear Judy Garland sing.

And here is a quick and easy Christmas recipe. Christmas Day in New Zealand is usually hot and sticky, not really plum pudding weather.  Berries are always popular but the brandy in this recipe makes it festive.

 GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS BERRIES 🍓🍓🍓

500g strawberries or raspberries 

500g of boysenberries (boysenberries are hard to source so could use blueberries or blackberries, just make sure you have two kinds of berries to layer)

SYRUP 

250g boysenberries ( can use frozen for the syrup)

1/4 cup sugar 

3 tablespoons brandy 

1 teaspoon either Tahitian vanilla extract or pure vanilla essence

Make the syrup by putting the 200gms of boysenberries into a saucepan with the sugar.  Warm gently then bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Cool

Then strain through a sieve. Mix in the brandy and vanilla.

Layer the whole (hulled) berries into a bowl, pour the syrup over and serve cold but not chilled with fresh cream or a mix of fresh and sour cream whipped together or  serve over a good quality ice cream

Very festive!🍓🍓🍓

ALONE AT CHRISTMAS

It is very hard to be alone at Christmas but you may find some helpful hints in a previous blog I wrote.  Type into my blog search box: ALONE AT CHRISTMAS? WORRIED  and you will find a page of helpful hints.  Some of them will not be appropriate during this time of lockdown but there will be some that should work for you.

OH HOLY NIGHT This beautiful Christmas Carol was written in 1847 but is also appropriate today. 

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the Angels' voices
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh night divine

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.  Thank you to my readers from all over the world, you may not celebrate Christmas in your country but know that it is a season of goodwill to all.  I'll be back writing more blogs next year and, who knows, might even get to travel overseas again. Most of all keep well!