Mildly apprehensive
When I bought my flat just over two years ago, I was all a-quiver about inviting friends round for meals in a place of my very own. Christmas certainly figured highly on my list, but that year it was denied me as I had to go to my parents', having discovered a bit belatedly that Mother had expected me the previous year. As things turned out, it was for the best as my father died the following October.
Last year, it being our first Christmas without him, there was never any question of us being apart: I was away from Edinburgh for the second year running. This year, I'd invited two otherwise by-and-large unattached friends over for Christmas lunch, but Rob's now off to Italy while Peter's returning to his parents'. Thomas I knew wasn't going to be here anyway, but it leaves me feeling a little concerned about Christmas Day.
I will have the usual quantity of singing to do, true enough, and now I'm working out out my Christmas menu - a parsnip and nut plait with peas and braised red cabbage, I think - but I've still a niggling feeling it could all be a bit lonely.
Last year, it being our first Christmas without him, there was never any question of us being apart: I was away from Edinburgh for the second year running. This year, I'd invited two otherwise by-and-large unattached friends over for Christmas lunch, but Rob's now off to Italy while Peter's returning to his parents'. Thomas I knew wasn't going to be here anyway, but it leaves me feeling a little concerned about Christmas Day.
I will have the usual quantity of singing to do, true enough, and now I'm working out out my Christmas menu - a parsnip and nut plait with peas and braised red cabbage, I think - but I've still a niggling feeling it could all be a bit lonely.
posted by Anthony at
17:12
2 Comments:
I had a horrible Christmas the year I was in -- you guessed it, Switzerland. I thought Christmas in Zurich would be very cool and traditional and beautiful -- and it was!, but I had no one there to share it with. I cooked myself a nice Christmas dinner, but all my neighbors (I was living in a public dormitory) had gone away except for a Sri Lankan guy, who spoke about 1 word of English (Hi) and four words of German. He had a bunch of other Sri Lankans over on Christmas Eve (I think they were celebrating something else, though...) and the women in the party were rather bemused to be sharing the kitchen with a guy. Since there's no such thing as "stuffing" in Switzerland, they were all particularly amused by my shredding of a loaf of Tessinerbrot and ramming it up a turkey's arse. They didn't say anything, but I could tell they thought I was very eccentric indeed. Of course, after about 30 minutes, they began to indicate to me that the smell was very nice. When I finally brought the bird out of the oven I offered them some of the stuffing. Those who were game said it was delicious!
Then I went back to my room and collapsed in tears. I have never missed my family so much, ever.
By
Andy, at 19/12/06 01:46
Thankfully I am to be spared that as Stephen and Eleanor (from the choir) have invited me round to theirs. I shall be contributing some cooking - as there's a nut allergy to contend with, the plait's to be replaced by a mushroom and parsnip crumble sort of thing - and probably the overture to The magic flute as part of a (possibly drunken?) piano duet ...
I'm very glad the Edinbronians are a more welcoming bunch than the Swiss.
By
Anthony, at 22/12/06 13:40
Post a Comment
<< Home