successfully host christmas dinner for my family

but that’s cause we were all too busy hosting!

The meal was amazing and I freely admitted that I had not even touched a single pot (except to wash it!) so everyone gave copious praise to the husband – who deserved it.

It was all very chaotic with 9 adults and 2 kids and about 1000 presents – plus Uli getting louder and louder as he got wound up and the poor sick chum, streaming mucous, covering his ears and telling himself that it was OK.

But the house was so clean, and festive looking and we all had a great time. I’m foolishly proud that I found time to iron the tablecloth and runner, to make a centerpiece with the wreath of buns and some rosemary, and that my grandma was so happy we used her china.

And that it was garbage day today so all the trash has gone away already!

Merry Christmas!

• Dust LR
• Vacuum LR
• Clean floors in LR and entry
• Vacuum kitchen
• Vacuum inside of fridge
• Wipe down microwave
• Vacuum laundry room
• Finish decorating LR
• Clean dining room table and benches
• Quick purge of LR shelves

• Vacuum kitchen, LR, bathroom, and library
• Wipe down bathroom
• Declutter chumland
• Kitchen surfaces

• The desk
• Box up chum’s outgrown toys
• The corner by the desk
• Game shelf

Well, I’m not sure how “successful” it was, since one of my worst talents at hosting parties is looking back afterward and having the faintest idea what my guests thought.

But it all went smoothly, the food (mostly cooked by people other than me) was plentiful and tasty, and perhaps most happily, when my uncle, the early-to-bed guy, left at 7pm, everyone else stayed much later, which is unusual – usually with this family, when he leaves, everyone leaves.

As fun as it was, I must admit that I’m happy to have it done, so now I have a week to wrap gifts, bake cookies (yeah, right), and try to relax for the rest of the holidays.

Imperative

Order rolls and buche
Plant Kawshaw’s geranium
Deal with the massive pile of potato vineDecorate outside treeGet out chinaFigure out what we will use for serving, drinks, flatware in advance

Possible
Clean up outside a bit – a dump run would be good
Finish the chum’s toy organization
The chum’s beanbag

Unrealistic
Find and install a toilet paper holder

Keep in mind that I will be cooking next to none of this. I am not the main cook in this house.

Ham

Kawshaw’s potatoes
Bonny’s carrots
Beets
Glazed sweet potatoes

Rolls

Buche de Noel – from Michelle Marie’s
Rice Pudding

Is that it? Who knows.

Things to do before Dec 16th:

• check out tv tray situation
• re-evaluate borrowing big folding table – can we eat in dining room?
• do we even own 10 glasses?
• do we even own a roasting pan?

• clean out fridge
• steam carpet
• clean library/office nook
• tidy upstairs, just in case!
• do something with the dining room curtains
• buy wastebasket for powder room

• finalise menu
• figure out how the hell to roast a turkey :-o
• drinks: wine, beer, spirits, pop, juice

I started posting an intro entry here, but it turned into a big long thing so I posted it on my blog instead.