Well, I have eaten, drank and played endless games of Heads Up as I make my way through Christmas week.
As was to be expected, the day itself was grand: the goose was not overcooked, the desserts divine, the sides sublime.
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| Good Lord, it had a long neck.... |
Walking around the house on boxing day I was met with utter chaos.
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| The remains of the day.... |
It seems I embrace Christmas chaos.
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| the piles of chocolate pushing up against the Amaryllis! |
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| our newest game? Find the top of the sea captain's chest? |
I know there are some, like my lovely friend Jen, who are happy to toss the tree on the day after. I understand that sentiment, But I am not in that camp. I will likely keep mine up till at least next Saturday and Sunday, and perhaps even till the Epiphany.
I like the homeliness of the Christmas mess - the odd piece of wrapping paper jammed under a cushion, the socks left in a jumble (those are mine in the corner above).
Very rarely do I feel so queen-like, lying about in my robe, eating chocolates until my stomach is distended, reading a smashing new book.
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| Gin, John Wayne, and an Indy toy, cheek to jowl with a batman action figure and Mr. Bean. Really, it's like a fantasy, isn't it? |
Of course, now it's the 28th. The in-laws have been visited, we are picking up and cleaning a bit, as the beloved GetFresh arrives tomorrow for our next night of frivolity (God I hope she likes Heads Up!).
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| I've waited over a year for this and it did not disappoint!) |
In one of my favourite Christmas gifts, Novel Interiors, author Lisa Borgnes Giramonti says:
Don't tidy up too quickly. "The table, strewn with napkins and wine-glasses, had a derelict air as they left it." So writes Virginia Woolf in The Years about the scene after a particularly fabulous evening. I whole-heartedly agree. When your guests have finished eating, let the dishes linger. Oftentimes, when you clear the table, you sweep the mood away right along with it.
And thus it is with the jumble of Christmas. January will come soon enough, with its pale newness, its promise of tidiness, its resolve towards all things organized and possible.
In the dying days of 2014, I live in shambles, my own version of Miss Havisham, seeing the old year out in the flotsam and jetsam of the year past!
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| Where's my iPad? I need to play Head's Up! Pip!!!!!! |
Have a wonderful Sunday! xoxo wendy
I totally get the frustration with removing the dishes from the table at the dinner party. I get so disappointed when I am at a dinner party and the host or hostess decide to start packing up the dishes in the dishwasher. It just breaks the mood, sends me this message that it is all over and that it is time to go home. My husband commented on that one time to a friend as they started to wash the dishes and our friend was quite shocked that his actions created a sense of closure to the evening.
ReplyDeleteWe usually linger around the table with drinks and conversation forever and often do not touch the dishes or the table until the next morning. That part I love.
As you know from my post, the tree does not fit into that category for me. But for me, I am now building towards New Years and a fresh start...which I love.
Have a great holiday!! Best wishes for 2015
I can't wait to see all your wonderful projects in 2015!
DeleteThat is a skinny malinky goose, we must have fat lardy geese here! I am in awe that you cooked the neck, ours don't even come with their periscopes still attached, who braved the the neck? Is as tasty as everything else? Goose is hands down my favourite meat.
ReplyDeleteI know and it is all I could find! It was still awesome!
DeleteOh we had a huge mess here too but I cleaned it all up after the guests left...I cannot face chaos first thing in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI think we may have the same rug....messy interiors are rather English Country and if my home were larger I might opt to let go a bit more. It will be fun to read Lisa's book. Please keep us in the loop of any changes you make as a result of her writing.
Hostess I hear you - our home is small and I need to keep an eye on that without becoming an anal-retentive ninny. It's a tough balance! :-)
DeleteReminds me to get that book. Looks like you had a cosy Xmas. I was at the in laws so just ate and got tipsy which I rarely do but it really was the exhaustion from all the events leading. Good to rest but looking forward to 2015!
ReplyDeleteTipsy is good sometimes! I have a delightful bottle of Moët punk champagne waiting for me for tonight!
DeleteWe are still lazing about the house eating chocolates and cookies! The tree will probably make its exit next weekend. Until then, I am just taking it easy. The goose looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteLouise, if anyone deserves a rest, it's you!
DeleteI hope your celebrations were as delightful as they looked! We were low-key this year, after a stream of Thanksgiving visitors that continued well into mid-December, I was grateful to be invited to Christmas dinner at the home of some dear dear friends. I absolutely agree about Premature Clearing Up, the lingering is the nicest part.
ReplyDeleteWith your tiara! I may need one in 2015!
DeleteLove that Virginia Woolf line and sentiment.
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteLooks like your week was a very enjoyable one, Wendy! We had quite the mess on Christmas Day (mainly the boys' gifts), but have managed to contain it a bit now. Our tree and decorations do not come down until after New Year's though, as I do love the Christmas season, and like to make it last as long as I possibly can.
ReplyDeleteI suspect with the age of your boys you have been tripping over Lego!
DeleteMy boys happily to succumb to the after-Christmas rest and happily lounge about surrounded by gifts and pieces of paper and ornaments. I feel anxious and can't wait for my house to return to normal. I think I need a vacation.
ReplyDeleteOr design a new sweater!
DeleteSo glad you had an enjoyable holiday. Ours was ok - mostly just chaotic and exhausting, marred by my awful allergies + sinus infection and hubby's very long work hours. The tree came down last night to make room for new furniture and the decluttering is nearly compete. Enjoy your R & R!!!
ReplyDeleteNew furniture - how fun! January is a big furniture re-arranging month chez wendy!
DeleteSounds (and looks) like a wonderful time! Enjoy the continued festivities. I am a tree tosser but agree with you on the dinner party thing. I always hate it when the cleaning commences while I'm still finishing dessert. A mood killer for sure! That book looks like a good one...
ReplyDeleteJen, I think you will enjoy it, I read Elements of Style by Erin Gates last night and I didn't like it nearly so well.
DeleteI think even Tiny Tim could make short work of that goose and that Miss Havisham will soon have her suitor come back a calling now that she could pass for Renee Zellwegger's niece...
ReplyDelete...I don't think that's the gin John Wayne had in mind
DeleteHa! It was skinny, wasn't it? And sadly all I could find! For New Years we are doing pheasant. And don't worry - lots of the real gin...
DeleteLooked like you had a great time, Wendy! Hope your next party is a success as well
ReplyDeleteI think January will be quiet despite my birthday month. Most of my pals are Boston-bound, but we must stay put and save for NYC in march!
DeleteYay Wendy I am with you! No way am I ready to sweep it all away. I plan on keeping my tree up as long as I can. I too love the little wrappers in the couch, board games, Christmas books and chocolates we are still savoring! Why rush it now that we finally made it here? Enjoy and I wish you a lovely New Year dear Wendy. It's been super finding you and your inspiring blog! xx Kim
ReplyDeleteThe house almost seems naked afterwards, doesn't it? I am so happy I found you as well this year Kim!
DeleteWe've returned from the Great Plains where we Christmased with our youngest who could not get away from her new job; I cooked dinner in a vastly under-equipped kitchen, invited the roomies, and had a ball! I think it may have been the first away from CT and rest of the family.
ReplyDeleteI endorse leaving the table after the merriment and retiring to the fireplace for postprandial champs/brandy/scotch. Forget the dishes. I don't know HeadsUp...
Your bird has very slim calves and lovely ankles!
ReplyDelete