It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (at least in terms of presents)...

I wrapped various presents this afternoon and had a nice time doing that!

I slept better thank God... and thank you everyone who wrote encouraging words about 

my loss of sleep... I wish it was just that I was recovering from doing the St Nicholas lunch!

But actually, that is something that was fun and the dishes were dish-washerable and everything 

was totally put away yesterday other than a few things that needed washing

and those were washed today (a big pan and slow cooker insert).

It is a lot of work doing a meal for 9 people, with place setting for up to 12.

It's true. But I had budgeted the time and knew what to do and I 

choose a meal that was easy to put together, including

breaded fish that is from a box! 

***

I am already dreaming of doing Christmas dinners...

one we do every year (save one year) and last year we did two...

I am dreaming of having 3 this year...

I have been looking back at my blog (when I was looking at my 

Fia Sauce recipe... my old life in Ottawa, pre-Mr Husband, seems often 

so distant to me, it's hard to remember it all... 

but was so neat to see it again, in pictures,

and how I had various friends over for meals...  

that was really fun... 

and I was so glad to be able to do it again this week...

and hope to be able to do it more.....

part of it is figuring out ways to have meals that I can make

with easy and have ability to do clean-up afterwards...

***

Did you see the delft in the pictures above??

I was able to find the double switch plate to replace our broken one

(which I am going to try to fix and keep for later) 

and Mr Husband and I choose some delft things to add to our home

and he is giving these to me as a Christmas present! :) 

I have them wrapped already!

They won't go under the tree until later as they are breakable and

well, Cleo loves to be under that tree... so... it is! :) 

***

The beautiful musical church 'box' as it were is for my goddaughter... :) 

Here's a short video of it:

Well, that is it for now!

Well, other than this,

I remember this meal!! 2011 in Ottawa, Feast of the Annunciation! 

Funny, now I can manage to do a meal for 8 or 9 by myself, 

though it takes me more time to prepare for it.

I am really hoping that I can have more meals and people over

in the new year, 

I find it so encouraging to have friends over.

It warms the house and lessens the struggles 

because they are shared.