I was thinking about how, despite being Jewish, there are some very strong Christmas traditions that I, and my friends, have developed.
It starts with Christmas day lunch at Elise's.
This started with an orphans lunch Elise used to host when she lived overseas. Now it tends to be a collection of Jews and atheists with nothing better to so.
The food is always delicious, this year being largely vegan. I made my traditional steamed Christmas pudding - this year with margarine, and whipped brandy "butter". we had lunch, took the dog to the park and then watched a Christmas movie. very relaxing and fun.
Then comes the Boxing Day Test. I've been going to all 5 days (when there are five days) for the last 5 or six years. It's a great opportunity to sit and relax and knit - I'm knitting Kate Davies' dress Gries, so getting a really good start on in helps. 3mm needles. Even with 12 days off between Christmas and New Years, this may take a while.
Them on Boxing Day evening Leo celebrates his birthday. We've been going to the same pub for this for 15 years. People have married, and had children. When this tradition started I was in an "it's complicated" relationship with one of our mutual friends, and he would often drive me home from this, kicking off another round of complications. Now I go with Leon, and we tend to be home by 8.30.
And this year, Chanukkah coincides with Christmas, so each night we light candles and sing.
I'm feeling quite sentimental. It's very grounding to think about the things we have built. The traditions and love that make up this part of the year, and scaffold my life.
As usual on a Wednesday I'm linking up with Kat from As Kat Knits for Unravelled Wednesday, where we muse about what we have been up to in knitting and reading and life.
It starts with Christmas day lunch at Elise's.
This started with an orphans lunch Elise used to host when she lived overseas. Now it tends to be a collection of Jews and atheists with nothing better to so.
The food is always delicious, this year being largely vegan. I made my traditional steamed Christmas pudding - this year with margarine, and whipped brandy "butter". we had lunch, took the dog to the park and then watched a Christmas movie. very relaxing and fun.
Then comes the Boxing Day Test. I've been going to all 5 days (when there are five days) for the last 5 or six years. It's a great opportunity to sit and relax and knit - I'm knitting Kate Davies' dress Gries, so getting a really good start on in helps. 3mm needles. Even with 12 days off between Christmas and New Years, this may take a while.
Them on Boxing Day evening Leo celebrates his birthday. We've been going to the same pub for this for 15 years. People have married, and had children. When this tradition started I was in an "it's complicated" relationship with one of our mutual friends, and he would often drive me home from this, kicking off another round of complications. Now I go with Leon, and we tend to be home by 8.30.
And this year, Chanukkah coincides with Christmas, so each night we light candles and sing.
As usual on a Wednesday I'm linking up with Kat from As Kat Knits for Unravelled Wednesday, where we muse about what we have been up to in knitting and reading and life.
Happy Chanukkah!
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