It's Christmas Eve...........so far so good :-)

The clock has just crept past twelve which means its Christmas Eve. Every day I tell myself I’m going to sit at the kitchen table for a couple of hours and get on with some painting, So far it hasn’t happened, the run up to Christmas happened instead.  I started this one a couple of weeks ago in the Thursday afternoon art class, and its not been touched since then.

 I’ve also got a couple of pet portraits to do. Once I’ve finished all of that; I have a unique portrait to paint. I plan to paint a portrait of a lovely lady who sadly passed away; the portrait will be a special surprise for her husband. This one I have to get right which is why I can’t have any distractions and every thing else must be finished first.Anyway…………..so much for good intentions, as I said, I’ve spent no time painting recently, Christmas preparations took over for a while. But, as I sit here in the early hours of Christmas eve, mentally running through my check list, I can safely say, that’s it, I’ve finished for another year. 
Cards printed and posted, presents bought and wrapped, the house is looking suitable festive and the cooking is finished.
I’m not actually cooking Christmas dinner this year, Tomorrow, well later today actually,  my daughter is cooking a huge Christmas dinner for her sisters and their families and of course me. We are all eating together on Christmas Eve and then doing our own thing on Christmas day. 

My allocated contribution to the Christmas Eve meal was the sweet course. I’ve made strawberry ice cream with the last of the garden strawberries from the freezer, a big sticky chocolate cake and some macaroons with lemon curd filling. I’m quite proud of my macaroons, I’ve never attempted macaroons before and although not perfect, they turned out OK. 

I even made the lemon curd filling myself which was another first. I’ve just finished the last of the home made lemon curd on some toast, and I have to say, it was delicious. Thought I should make some basics to counteract all the rich food of Christmas so I also made a large pan of veggie soup and a nice seeded loaf to go with it. Think this will be my staple diet for the times when I’m home alone.

On Christmas day I’m eating at the a little Italian restaurant with a friend who would other wise be on her own. I’m quite looking forward to Christmas day, I’ll get up at my leisure, open my presents, meet my friend for our meal and then come back to a peaceful afternoon and Christmas movies on the TV.

And on Boxing Day, the painting really does start in earnest. I’ll have at least three days of uninterrupted painting before the grandchildren arrive to stay for the week.  

So that’s me, ready and waiting, let the festivities begin. I hope Santa is good to all of you, may you all eat drink, be merry and celebrate the season. I feel optimism; I find it strangely reassuring to know the shortest day has passed and we are already on our way to shorter nights and a sun that rises higher in the sky.