T'was the night before Christmas - Looking forward to my gravy!

Evening fellow over fifty bloggers.

Well if it's not been bought, made or wrapped by now it's too bad!  I'm too late!

I do hope you're all ready to start your celebrations.  My turkey is already to go into the oven in the early hours so that when I get up my nostrils are filled with the delightful smell of cooked turkey.  The pate is made & chilling in the fridge, red cabbage is ready and waiting to be heated - while the beers and prosecco are already nicely chilled in the cooler, but most importantly the stock has been cooked ready to make the gravy - eek the gravy I can't wait.  Phew I've made it to the finish line!

I'd just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  May I suggest you eat, drink and be merry amongst your family and friends.  I'm really looking forward to seeing all your blog posts in the coming weeks to see how your day went.

I'd like to share this poem with you all, it holds a special place in my heart and reminds me of years gone by when my children were little - I would read this to them on Christmas Eve & it really got us in the Christmas mood - I had many comments from the kids saying "they could see Santa & his Reindeers" - oh the memories are stacking up in my mind. 💗

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

                  By Clement Clarke Moore                       

Sending out peace, joy and happiness to you all my friends - and I'll see you on Thursday. X

Bye for now. X