It's been a while- and I'm not talking about this blog (yes, it has been a while with the posting, as well). It's been a while since I've been home, and even longer for the holidays. So when my sister decided to stage an intervention to get me home, I snapped it up! We worked it out that it's been 5 years since we've had a sisterly Christmas.
Top tip about booking holiday travel- if you fly on Christmas Day, the flights are extraordinarily less expensive. Heathrow was not too busy, and I was hoping for a festive flight, salmon and rice didn't quite live up to expectations and neither did the lack of Christmas movies! The bonus in flying west is that I had 24 hours of awake Christmas time! Exhausting?! You're right.
Welcome to Canada, and the weather is perhaps a bit colder than I was asking for (-15C on average) with a heck of a lot of snow. Good job I brought my winter boots! My Dad must have been reading my inner mind's shopping list knowing full well that I would need a new winter coat, as the first Christmas present I opened at home was a new winter jacket- Sochi Canadian Olympic Team style!
From the airport with my Mom to my Babcia's for a quick visit and spot of Borscht to warm the insides and then off to my Aunt's for dinner with my Dad and his side of the family and what would begin a Turkey marathon. It felt good to be home and celebrating with family, and I forgot how nice it is to be surrounded with Christmas decorations. I have been extremely minimal in my decorating (even non existent this year), getting into the habit of "what's the point?". But it did and does put a smile on my face when I walk into a room with a decorated tree, lights in the windows, and some tinsel and garland trimmings around the room. But then again, I like most things that sparkle.
So what does Christmas look like with my family and friends? Like I said, I spent the first night back with my family on my Dad's side. Turkey, meatballs, Tourtiere, potatoes, asparagus, salad, and raw veggies. It's not a Canadian party if it doesn't have raw broccoli! For dessert, a selection of Company's Coming best Christmas cookies and something that I forgot about- coconut caramel squares! Yum!!! I think I will make that a resolution for the new year- bake more squares! I've done well to bring Nanaimo bars to work a couple of times, and I think the UK is ready for more than Millionaire Shortbread or flapjacks (not pancakes).
On Boxing Day I visited my friends Sharon and Jace for what was meant to be lunch (and turned out to be Turkey Dinner #2). This was what Christmas is all about- visiting friends and family, catching up on old times, new gossip, and how things are generally going while watching the kids play with their new toys. As the afternoon (and dinner) cooked on, I was welcomed into Sharon's family and heeded with the honours of carving the turkey for Christmas Dinner. Turkey Dinner #2 included a ham, potatoes, sprouts, beets, broccoli (steamed), salad, and a festive lasagne (anything goes!). Dessert a la Sharon's husband Anthony was something I'd never had before and will definitely try to re-create: Yam pie! I forgot to take a picture, but I can assure you it was well delish!
Moving on to Turkey #3, it was time to have Christmas with my sisters- about time! This was to be a little bit less of a traditional Turkey Dinner, with escargot, bacon wrapped moose, stuffed peppers, and dolmades; although, I did get a second chance at carving the bird.
However, this wasn't the first time the three of us got together as I finish up by telling you how we organised a typically Canadian gift (or so I have been told) the day before. The story goes that Craig and I bought a reprinted old map of the area we live in, we thought it was cool, so bought it as a gift for friends of ours. We wrapped it up in the frame and brought it over. The first thing our friend said was "Is this a picture of the two of you? Because that's such a Canadian thing to do".
And I thought about it- he is totally right! As a Canadian or someone who knows Canadians, you surely must have at some time received a picture of someone as a gift. School photos, Sears photos, family Christmas Cards- it happens all the time! My point was reinforced when I showed up at my Dad's place to see that he had on display two pictures from his at-work son. My Dad got these as a gift! He can't have two pictures of his rent-a-son up and none of us (love you, really J-Rod)! To the mall we went to get some pictures taken for Christmas gifts- with a lack of standard department store photographers and in true Carriere sisterly fashion, these were never going to be your ordinary pictures.
Merry belated Christmas! Love, Kristyn, Leanna, and Nadia
