The CBB :: View topic

#1: For Sue Author: CBB Secret Santa,

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:25 pm

It only seemed like an hour since Jo Maynard and her family had climbed into their beds after midnight mass, but cracking open one eye she could see dawn breaking over the mountains. It was Christmas morning, she could hear Cecil and the two F’s giggling away, and the soft padding of their feet as they made their way to the nursery and the younger twins.

Today was Christmas and the first Christmas in her married life that it was just ‘family’, Jo, Jack and their children, all the wards and ‘adoptees’ as she referred to them were at other relations and she had given Anna and Rosli their first Christmas break since their employments had began. While Jo went to the younger children, Jack hauled himself out of bed, banging on the bedroom doors of the elder six children, (Mike was already downstairs examining the contents of his presents under the tree but his father wasn’t to know that.), before going down to light the fire.

The eleven children came downstairs to see the firelight reflecting off the gifts and decorations, the magic still written on the faces of the younger two, uncertainty of whether Santa was real on Cecil’s, mamma and Papa had explained he was really St. Nicholas but he was from olden times so must be dead by now she had reasoned in private.

While the presents were being opened the adults drank a glass of buzz’s fizz each to celebrate, the triplets being 17 now were allowed a small glass each as a special treat. The four presents for each of the children were gratefully received, something they needed (Stephen was thrilled with a razor, signifying his transition towards adulthood and Len was delighted with her make-up box for much the same reason). Something to read, from the newest Elsie Oxenham school story for Felicity who was starting to collect them, to a medical textbook for Margot ready for the following September. Something they wanted, such as a new doll for Phillipa, a train for Geoff. Something to eat always kept them going until Christmas breakfast, ranging from Con’s favourite Kendal Mint Cake to Charles’ marshmallows.

Breakfast was bacon and eggs, slightly more crispy than Anna normally served but still passable. Then Jo re-entered the kitchen to start the Christmas dinner. She remembered a recipe for cooking turkey which involved wine as stock so, after pouring herself a glass of white, she tipped the rest into the roasting pan. A sudden though occurred to her, what if it was meant to be red wine? A second bottle was consumed during the preparations.

The turkey was moist and enjoyable but had an slightly unusal taste, as did the vegetables she had roasted by the side of the bird. The Christmas Pudding nearly set the curtains alight when Jack added a second liberal dose of brandy before using a match on the pudding. The brandy custard was more a case of custard flavoured brandy than vice versa, but well trained in the politeness of finishing their portion the children struggled through each burning mouthful, Mike asked for seconds and thirds however, Phil overcome with a fit of hiccups did fall off her chair and lay giggling on the floor, her paper hat covering one eye as she gazed, glazed eyed at her family.
“Merry Christmas, everyone”

#2: Author: ali, Location: medway, kent

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:30 pm

Very merry! Love the presents.

#3: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:38 pm

Nice to see them having a lovely family Christmas.

#4: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:38 pm

Sounded like a great christmas! Thanks Santa!!! Very Happy

#5: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:42 pm

I love Jo's cookery skills, getting the whole family p*ssed.

#6: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:14 pm

Jo is certainly my kind of cook! I am prone to throw alcohol at everything - after checking it is up to standard of course Wink

#7: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:39 pm

Lovely. Thanks Santa!

#8: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:46 pm

A very very Merry Christmas!

Lovely, thanks Santa.

#9: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:26 pm

Best type of cooking! Laughing

Love the idea of somehitng they need, to read, want and to eat.

#10: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:27 pm

Thanks, Secret Santa. That was lovely for Sue. It was nice they had Christmas by themselves and that the day went well.

#11: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:46 am

Aah, Christmas cookery! When in doubt, add alcohol! Laughing

#12: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:40 pm

*giggles*

Excellent! Well done Santa, and lucky Sue!

#13: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:00 am

Santa, thank you so much, you are spoiling me. This is a lovely drabble.
So glad they had a 'quiet' family Christmas - just my sort of thing.

Has very vivid Christmas memories of long ago, my grandma with a bottle of brandy, matches, a Christmas pudding and nearly setting the house on fire.

#14: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:45 am

Sounds like my kind of Christmas - family, food, presents and 'merriment'!

#15: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:15 am

Hehe. Lovely! Thankyou Santa

#16: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:29 pm

*giggles*

Thanks Santa Very Happy

Liz

#17: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 3:10 pm

What a lovely family Christmas!
Thanks, Santa.

#18: Author: RuthY, Location: Anyone's guess

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:20 pm

ROTFL!!! Lucky Sue

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