Bah Humbug - It's December again! 14 days to go!

Sunday 11th December.

The second Sunday in Advent. Shouldn't I have stirred the Christmas pudding by now?

For an insight into Christmas Pudding, here's something I wrote earlier.

Incidentally, I have not seen any Christmas puddings in the supermarket this year. Maybe no-one wants to eat pudding. Luckily, I know somewhere that will sell them. But, I am not venturing there on a Sunday.

Unlike many European cities and the UK, Singapore is a thriving centre of commerce on a Sunday. It is the day when everyone practises the national sport - window shopping. Not window-shopping in a purposeful manner. Not window-shopping at a pace that allows me to either overtake or, at least, remain at a safe distance.

No, this is window shopping where I trip over everyone around me, in my attempt to conclude my actual shopping.

Sadly for me, this Sunday necessitated a venture into the super expensive expat shopping mall to purchase some printer toner. It was convenient. I was on the way home from tutoring, and the expensive mall was sitting there, beckoning me in all its consumeristic glitz.

Only hiccup - the shop didn't have the toner in stock. Silly me, I should have resorted to ordering online - free next day delivery.

While I was there, I made an attempt to avoid the fairy lights that require a second mortgage to purchase, I avoided the French bakery that even a Parisian would baulk at. I pretty much avoided everything that involved spending money.

But then, I became distracted. I tried to walk past the pop up Christmas shop. But like the kids that followed the Pied Piper of Hamelin, I was lured, lured into a cavernous area of Christmas tut. Tut that King Tut would have no doubt rejected, looking at the price tags. Really?

And for those of you, unfamiliar with the Pied Piper of Hamelin, by Robert Browning ...

I know we have an obligation to pay more, so that workers making these pagan baubles earn a decent wage. But, I have to ask myself, how much of this really goes to them, and how much is lining the pockets of purveyors of this artificial finery?

Goodness, day 11 of December and I am developing extreme Bah Humbugedness.

Now, where are the Christmas puddings?

Bah Humbug! It's December, again - 5 more days to go

Only 5 days to go? And the last Sunday of Advent ...

Bah and double Bah Humbug. Now we are down to the last five days. I need a Christmas pudding to feed more than one person and will have to plan what I am to do about vegetables. Do I buy them now and risk them going floppy, or do I risk not finding them in the market or supermarket when I go shopping the day before?

Whatever, this whole Christmas lunch thingummy-whatsit, is turning my brain into a vegetable.

As the last Sunday before Christmas, the question on many consumers' minds will be - church, shopping or having a quiet afternoon in. Living in Singapore, the shops always seem to be open, and weekends are especially painful as everyone goes shopping, or shopping to look around.

Will the shops be open in the UK? most probably, since not everyone panicked yesterday on Panic Saturday.

So, now we have adopted Black Friday - which really always makes me think of something evil - which it is, because it is a demonstration of sheer greed and consumerism. We have Panic Saturday - the first time I have heard that term - BBC where do you find these things?

And, today, is the last Sunday before Christmas, the fourth Sunday in Advent. Which, for those celebrating Christmas in the true spirit of it's Christian (rather than pagan) intentions, it is time to light the fourth Advent candle. The one for St John the Baptist.

The fifth and final candle, located in the middle of the Advent crown, is lit on Christmas Day, to represent Jesus. Although, if you live in Germany, you'll be lighting that one on Christmas Eve.

Advent is a month of reflection, leading up to Christmas Day and was first followed in Spain around 380AD. Advent then moved to France as a pre-Christmas fast and by the end of 6th Century is was widespread throughout Europe. Another man-made celebration of faith.

But, whatever your religion or faith, whatever your belief, Christmas is the culmination of the year past. It is a time of reflection, giving and being kind to others.

Bah Humbug.

DOWN THE CHIMNEY ©

Mum shook her head, ‘With Santa stuck,

A huge lunch would surely suck,

‘I thought we’d have a healthy day,

Without the tooth decay.’

‘But, Mum,’ I gave a heartfelt sob,

‘Some fruit will never do the job.

‘Besides I asked for a new robot,

He can’t have just forgot?’

Bah Humbug! It's December, again - 7 more days to go

One week to go ...

The home straight as some might say. But we are not in a race. Or are we? Surely, not? I feel like I am under starter's orders. 

And, they're off. 

It's the turkey in the middle, closely followed by the roast potatoes with rosemary, and the little sausages making a dash for it.

Fast coming up on the left flank are the carrots and are those turnips or parsnips? hard to tell, they're moving so fast. 

Oh, my gosh, but look, the turkey is stumbling over the gravy boat. Oh my goodness, the turkey is stuck, it's wallowing in the bread sauce.

Is it all over?

The mince pies are going to pieces over a glass of milk.

It looks like it's all over.

And, what's that? Just look at those peas, rolling around in the mint. Well, have you every seen anything like it?

The Brussels sprouts seem to be stinking everyone out, which means the Christmas lunch is all but stuffed. 

Definitely, all over.

But, no. Wait.

No, it's a rank outsider, the Christmas pudding and brandy sauce is coming fast into view and there we have it. Christmas pudding, ridden by brandy sauce is the clear winner for the day.

Whatever didn't run, will be for dinner tonight.


Last day of school for the year - which is a relief as it means I might just get another 30 minutes in bed in the morning, before the cats decide to wake me.

So, for teachers and pupils everywhere, I dedicate this little poster of Christmas nouns that I have used this month to bring a Christmas theme to learning grammar.

(© Christmas Nouns, Sarah Froggatt 2015)

If you would like a properly scanned in copy in pdf, then you will need to contact me ...

And, as I cannot be bothered to write anything else today, as I have too much reading to do ...  here's the next installment of down the chimney ...

DOWN THE CHIMNEY ©

 My brother went to fetch a stool,

To reach the poor old fool,

While mother clapped her hands with glee

And went to make some tea.

Dad tugged and tugged at Santa’s cape,

To help old Nick escape,

But the cloth just ripped off in his hand,

Not really quite as planned.

Oh, goodness, Bah Humbug and double Bah Humbug.

BAH HUMBUG - It's December again! And today is Christmas Day!

Six Forty 2014

Get up! It’s time and Santa’s been,

Bounced boys with voices oh so keen.

Just look at that beneath the tree,

I wonder if they’re all for me?

I slipped downstairs to cook the lunch,

They might get hungry was my hunch.

Buried under paper mountains,

Sting and ribbons flew like fountains.

How did you know I wanted that?

Lego, books, and toys for the cat.

This day’s completely crammed with fun,

I sigh as it’s only just begun.

The veg are prepped and oven’s on,

We’re eating turkey not roast swan,

There’s pudding, cake and mince pies too,

I think that’s quite a lot to chew.

And when at last we’ve eaten all,

On to the sofa we’ll all sprawl.

Before we start our exercise,

I might just close my tired eyes.

Sarah Froggatt © 2014

Even the cat decided that he should be sitting at the table:

BAH HUMBUG! It's December again - only 3 more days to go!

Bah Humbug. It's 22nd December and there are only 3 more days before I have to get up early and cook a massive lunch that will send everyone to sleep.

Vegetables to peel, vegetables to roast, a bird to roast, stuffing to make, gravy, and then the Christmas pudding and mince pies that don't have meat in them.

Precision organisation is required. What a bore!


So, in the true spirit of Bah Humbug, I have decided to outsource the cooking and pre-preparation - not necessarily the healthiest of options as I cannot control what goes into what, but nevertheless an easier option and cheaper than going to a restaurant.

Funny how most restaurants tend to get the Uber disease at this time of the year. Rather like those $99.99 cherries in the supermarket.

Frozen roast potatoes and sweet potatoes.  Who cares if they taste like cardboard?


Fresh parsnips that my helper calls white carrots, will need peeling and preparing. So be it.

Broccoli and carrots - these have to be fresh - frozen stuff is just mushy.

Stuffing - thank you Jamie Oliver.

Cranberry sauce - thank you Wilkin & Sons.

Turkey - no legs and wings, because no one eats then and I think the cats are quite fat enough this year. Roasted by the supermarket - thank you Cold Storage. All that will be needed is a whizz in the oven to warm it up on the day.

Gravy - easy, a few lightly sautéed shallots and some chicken stock.

No Christmas pudding as no one eats it apart from me, so maybe I shall make a rich chocolate cake tomorrow - not rich in the sense of having lots of money, but rich because it has copious amounts of dark chocolate melted in to it.

A sliver of smoked salmon, a morceau of pate de fois gras de canard, some cheeses and mini pizzas (thank you Waitrose, you allowed me to be lazy) for those who really do not want to eat turkey and vegetables.

Perhaps I may manage a lie in on Christmas Day?

Probably not.

BAH HUMBUG!

Bah Humbug. It's December again - only 6 days to Christmas!

Bah Humbug, it's 19th December.

Last day of the school term and only 6 days until Christmas. How can 19 days have just disappeared like that?

Good job I have been organised and written a check list.

Turkey - ordered - tick ✓

Ridiculous amounts of mince pies, stollen, mini Christmas pudding (as no one ever eats it apart from me!), chocolate biscuits - purchased, in the fridge - tick ✓

Vegetables - list compiled, and it does not include Brussels sprouts! - tick  ✓

Table cloth, napkins and decoration for the table - a semi-sort of tick ✓

Christmas gifts wrapped - tick - apart from the stray ones that suddenly turned up last night ✓

Signs and directions for Santa for leaving gifts - tick ✓

(Although it looks like the penguin is explaining that cook books with roasted birds on the front are not such a great idea)

Ah, last night, now I remember - we had Carol singers complete with Santa hats.

In all the years I have lived in Singapore this is only the third time anyone has visited me and how could we refuse when they were collecting for building a school in Kerala, India.

As my eldest son said as they finished, 'I wish the world was filled with more people like you.'

And they sang the bossy Christmas Carol!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

So, bring us some figgy pudding, So, bring us some figgy pudding

So, bring us some figgy pudding and bring it right here.

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

And we won't go until we've got some, 

And we won't go until we've got some, 

And we won't go until we've got some, so bring some out here.

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Maybe there are other people out there who like Christmas pudding like me?



BAH HUMBUG
Get singing Christmas Carols and make someone's day!

The Eighth Day Before Christmas - Bah Humbug

Bah Humbug, it's 17th December - that means we are a mere 8 days away. Have I done everything I intended to do before it's all too late? Christmas gifts are wrapped and under the tree. Christmas cards, well a few, have been written and posted. Christmas pudding, well I cheated and bought one. Mince pies baked? - whoops, no, not yet. I want to make my own this year. Christmas cake? I think I shall make a chocolate one as my children have not developed my love of fruit cake.

Wow that looks like rather a lot of cakes and pastries. What about the veggies?

That reminds, I really should make a New Year resolution to update my EattheVeggies website.

BAH HUMBUG

When did we start eating vegetables?

The Ninth Day Before Christmas - Bah Humbug

Bah Humbug, it's 16th December, the countdown continues. I have a Christmas pudding now. I suppose I should make a list of what food I need to purchase for making lunch. What a tedious task. Maybe I should just order pizza instead?

Growing up, I remember a tradition, supposedly, it dates back to Medieval times. Households made their Christmas pudding on the 25th Sunday after Trinity. It was made with 13 different ingredients, to represent the 12 Apostles and every member of the family would stir the bowl - it had to be in right to left (East to West) direction to signify the 3 Kings and their journey.

In junior school the cook brought out a huge bowl for all the children to stir in turn.

I never took much notice of all that, it was just nice to stir a Christmas pudding and get a handful of dried fruit to much on.

BAH HUMBUG, for all those Year 7 Science Students at Nexus International School Singapore, who have been looking at the science of food this term, here is Heston Blumenthal's Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding.

Now to make some of my mother's custard-like brandy sauce (forget the butter), while I sing a song about Christmas pudding:

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

So, bring us some figgy pudding, 

So, bring us some figgy pudding

So, bring us some figgy pudding

and bring it right here.

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

And we won't go until we've got some, 

And we won't go until we've got some, 

And we won't go until we've got some,

so bring some out here.

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

Glad tidings we bring for you and your kin,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Always struck me as a bit of a bossy Christmas song / carol. Bah Humbug!