So we survived the Mall, which wasn't too busy on the whole. There was a fair bit of waiting around though, so we entertained ourselves by drinking hot chocolate from the opticians' machine and trying on bright orange glasses (me, couldn't resist).
After a while we repaired to the book shop which was really busy. I felt sorry for the shop assistants, it was such a squeeze that people kept knocking the books off of the tables with their bags. We left as soon as we could, which was after what seemed like two hours.
Yesterday I took the boys down to the allotment to pick the Christmas sprouts. Do other countries have sprouts for lunch on Christmas Day or is it just a British thing? I love them, it wouldn't be a proper lunch without them.
Next year I'd like parsnips from the plot for Christmas lunch as well, but this year it will just be sprouts. Everyone has said they'll eat at least one! Although if they don't I shan't mind. But I think there's a mysterious allure in growing your own, the children are more likely to eat a home grown thing than a shop one.
A couple of unforeseen trips has put the cleaning and baking list a bit behind. There's a lot still to do, and it must be done by lunchtime as we're off for a walk this afternoon, then we have people coming for food later. I shall be like a mad woman for a few hours, people will need to give me a wide berth. So it's time for me to sign off now, and wish you and yours a very happy Christmas. I hope it all goes swimmingly, and I'll see you on the other side. CJ xx
I'm hoping to dig up a parsnip from the garden today, I am beyond excited about it. Sprouts.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a truly wonderful Christmas time, I hope you find a little time for yourself in amongst all the madness xxxx
Parsnip from Dads allotment for us. They are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your walk and seeing friends.
Have fun. X
Happy Christmas! xx
ReplyDeleteI eat sprouts but I don't grow them, enjoy yours. Have yourselves a good Christmas, and I hope that you get to relax at some point! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteHipe that you all enjoy your sprouts. Just remember if it doesn't get done - so what?
ReplyDeleteI prefer sprout tops myself but will do a few token sprouts tomorrow too. Have a lovely Christmas and what doesn't get done will have to wait and in the greater scheme of things won't matter too much anyway!
ReplyDeleteSprouts? The best vegetable EVER. Fact. Yours are beauties. We bought a sprout 'tree' from a local farm and it's been biding its time in the garden ever since. It's actually the one veg I break all the rules for; I overcook them until they taste slightly nutty and there are barely any nutrients left. Well, it is Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful festive break. xx
Just have a good time CJ. Relax and enjoy the walk.
ReplyDeleteYou're a brave woman shopping at this time of year :o) The homegrown sprouts look great- homegrown always tastes better. Have a lovely day tomorrow x
ReplyDeleteCJ, great sprouts...I am not a fan, but tradition dictates I eat them with my Christmas lunch and I don't class bubble and squeak without them the 'real deal' .... odd I am!! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year xx
ReplyDeleteHome grown sprouts - how fantastic. We tried growing them a few years ago but the cabbage white caterpillars ate the lot! We love a good sprout - except for L who calls them the 'grapes of the devil'! She will eat them if they are shredded and stir fried though - I think it makes them sweeter. Good luck with the last minute cleaning and baking and have a very merry one. x
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas. Enjoy your sprouts, they look wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your sprouts.. have never grown them myself.. definitely want to grow parsnips next year.. the only thing we'll have out the garden tomorrow is some carrots, they've done really well this year. Hope you and yours have a lovely Christmas :o) xx
ReplyDeleteHome grown parsnips can be very tasty and really sweet but not very pretty to look at.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas
Christmas dinner wouldn't be Christmas dinner without sprouts, yum yum. None from our allotment this year though. Mick dug up our entire crop of parsnips today, the grand total of four. At least we've got some to have with dinner tomorrow. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAh, the devil's grapes as my son calls them! I love them and as it's Christmas I have them cooked with bacon and chestnuts. Can't wait. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas xx
ReplyDeleteHere in Oregon if you say you're having "sprouts" - it's alfalfa sprouts on your salad or sandwich. I've never once bought Brussels sprouts to cook.. lol.. I guess I should try it! Have a great day tomorrow!
ReplyDelete❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
Have a wonderful Christmas. Don't worry too much about the cleaning and enjoy those sprouts!
ReplyDeleteSarah xx
We wish you a Merry Christmas! !
ReplyDeleteI pray a lot of "happiness".
And for the children of the world. . . .
Ryoma
Merry Christmas and wishing you all the best things in 2015!
ReplyDeleteWhile those sprouts look beautiful I am not touching them, not even one!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful holiday with your family.
Meredith
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! I love that you were able to go to your garden plot and harvest your Christmas Brussels sprouts! It's traditional here in Canada to have Brussels sprouts in some form with Christmas dinner. Our family all love them, and we have even converted my daughter-in-law into a sprouts lover!
ReplyDeleteIf everybody could eat home grown sprouts there wouldn't be any of this nonsense about people not liking them - they just don't compare to shop-bought ones at all! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and everybody loved your sprouts! xx
ReplyDeleteSprouts should be compulsory Christmas Day eating!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you all had a brilliant Christmas and that the skates were a hit :)
I live in Nova Scotia, having moved from the UK two years ago, and yes, we eat sprouts here, they are available in all the supermarkets. This year we even had a bit of 'bubble' from the leftovers. I am enjoying your Blog, it reminds me of all that's good about the UK Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour trip to the mall sounds like mine to Waitrose! I thought I was all organised but discovered a need for a few last bits on Christmas Eve - :( I didn't grow sprouts this year but have so enjoyed eating them throughout late November and December that I've put a small packet of sprouts seeds on my garden wish list for 2015 ... and maybe a few parsnips as well. Looks like a trip to the allotment made a good outing for the boys - I remember hating sprouts when younger, too bitter! Now I love them but serve them with herb butter and crispy bacon pieces, yum!
ReplyDeleteHope you're now enjoying the rest of your Xmas break - wishing you and your family all the VERY best for now and 2015. Caro xx
Happy Christmas lovely lady. It's been a joy to share your joyful home life and allotment goodies. Your Brussels look amazing and you're right - Christmas dinner wouldn't be the same without them! Hope you manage some rest and enjoy the new year. Big hug, J9x
ReplyDeletewow this seems so cool, I love nature and this reminds me several times to countryside:)love!!
ReplyDeletePatchwork à Porter
I love sprouts and yours look amazing! even better as you grew them yourself!! :-) Hope you had fabulous Christmas. Looking forward to more posts in 2015. xx
ReplyDeleteWow yourBrussel Sprouts look great, so green and fresh! Pretty cool to be able to pick your veggies from your garden at Christmastime ( kinda freaky for most of us Canadians). We always have sprouts at Christmas even as a kid. Now I roast them with lots of garlic and herbs. hope your Christmas went well and the young fellows are enjoying their skates!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sprout CJ!!! Sorry I am just getting to your post now....it has been a complete whirlwind over here and one by one all of my beans fell sick...even mr bean. I hope that your Christmas was fantastic and that you have a lovely New Years celebration!!! Nothing going on here but ice cream sundaes for the beans and a glass of wine for us! Here is to all good things for you and your crew in 2015! So glad you survived the mall!!! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteReally interesting to see your allotment. I have one too, and blog about it at http://slowgrowinginscotland.blogspot.co.uk/, tho the blog has taken a back seat this year. Let's see what 2015 brings! We're away spending Christmas and New Year with my Dad and I'm impatient to get back to the plot and harvest some kale - love it!
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