From the safety and peace of my couch, I am now already looking back on two fabulous Christmas dinners. Going through the pictures now, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of it all. The chats, the laughter, the loud children’s voices, the merrymaking, the food (oh, blissful food) the decoration, the presents (not by the tree but by the amaryllis bouquet, second best option), the lights everywhere, and the wonderful smell coming from expensive scented candles, baked cookies, glühwein, roasted turkeys, tinsel, tree trimmings, wreaths, fireplaces… Part of me wishes this season would never pass… But, shat do they say…?

Don’t cry that it’s over, but smile, because it was.

 

See you again next year, beloved Holiday time. Until then, farewell. I’ll enjoy the lights and cookies and the shiny baubles while they last.

Here you see a few glimpses into my family’s dinner that we hosted yesterday night. We tried to make it simple (we were a crowd of 13, after all) but then we didn’t succeed in that matter. The choice fell on turkey (because my nephew is technically and for real an American, so he demanded that we roast a turkey for him. But of course! we said). I must say, I like how we didn’t have much to prep during the day. But then again, once everyone was in the warmth of our house (all at the exact same time, of course), the turkey had to be basted, the potatoes to be crispified in the oven and caramelized, the salads were turned, champagne was poured, candles were lit, music was put on (Frank Sinatra, my all time favorite)… In other words: ten things had to be done at the same time. I think it wasn’t maybe the most relaxing Christmas menu - but then again, everyone loved the roast and the sides. So, who am I to complain?

 

Here’s the Family Christmas Eve Dinner menu, for the record (and btw. the unintentional “theme” of the evening might have been “Winter Fruit”):

Raw Butternut Squash Slaw
w/ dried Cranberries and Pecans

Raw Celeriac Salad
w/ Parsley, Mint and Barberries

Roasted Turkey with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze
Crispy Caramelized Potatoes & Prunes
Blaukraut with Quinces
Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate
Cranberry Sauce
Delicious Gravy

Vacherin Ice Cream Cake from Sprüngli
Two Variations of “Schokoküsse” (Chocolate Meringues) - w/ Mint & w/ Strawberry
Chocolate Coconut Star Cookies
Schokoschäumchen (Mini Chocolate Meringues)

All the best to you and your families. May your last couple of days in this year be filled with peace, light and laughter. And may there be home made cookies, to spare, too.

xo
Scarlett