The JOY of Christmas!

Pictures paint a thousand words! Yet another joyous and memorable time with family and friends!

I love presents. (I know, it sounds commercial, but there is still a little girl in me). An iPad from hubby and a set of very good kitchen knifes from son

Dad got a poker chip set from son and some goodies in his X'mas socks

This was the first time Grandma got an "Aung Pau" (an envelope with cash) from grandson. They were both so proud. (To give an aung pau [ong pow] to an elder is almost the Chinese version of a bar mitzvah.) She also got a Singer sewing machine from "Santa" and a new basket to keep all her sewing knick knacks organized.

Stitch showing off his Christmas card from Krystle. He also got a new coffee machine that will make fine coffee, expressos, lattes, etc. "to keep his heart pumping" (as he says)! Mum bought him an electric warming pad that uses the latest in gadegetry to deliver controlled heat for relieving joint and muscle pain (for his bad back). He was very pleased saying that both gifts would be well used through the year.

Ruby was watching us opening gifts and felt left out, my poor baby!

A cute pair of carved wooden baker figures made in Switzerland that Stitch gave me. They actually have an interior space to set incense with the result looking like steam coming from the baked goods each figure holds up.

Nicholas, very happy, on receiving his dream gift, a Sony Playstation that he has wished for at least for the last 10 years! His Dad finally relented saying now that Nick is so busy working with his band and in his new job he can be confident that he won't be playing the games 24 hours a day.

More gifts from Stitch!

Our Christmas brunch! Stollen, scrambled eggs and pork/duck terrine made by Stitch

Later in the day, guests had arrived for our traditional dinner. My brother and my Auntie enjoying the Christmas fare. We went very traditional with dinner which included a perfectly roasted turkey, imported smoked ham, and all the trimmings. We are not going to discuss my pecan pies but I must say that a last minute salvage job involving making a slice in the pie and, while holding it nearly vertical between Stitch's big hands, draining the excess liquid. LOL. Next time four eggs for sure!

Stitch preparing dessert for the Boxing day (day after Christmas) dinner for our dear friends, Fernand and Rina.

The boxing day dinner - For starters: baked chestnut-cranberry pudding, pork and duck terrine with cranberry marmalade, and my pico de gallo crostini. For the main course: Fettucine Chicken Parisienne, with caramelized pumpkin, and for dessert, a vanilla-sour cream tarte with blueberry sauce. (Stitch will give us the dessert recipe in a separate blog entry. (OMG! It is so creamy and smooth).

Our dear friends, Fernand, his lovely wife, Rina and his son, Francois (Papu).

Wonderful time with good friends

Papu loved his Christmas gift from us, a pair of new wave t-shirts

Good friends forever

Stitch showing off the Christmas gift from Fernand and Rina. Side story: A Parisienne at heart, Fernand once toyed in the perfume industry and invented a scent that saw commercial success in the Philipines, as it was adopted by a well known, local film star owned, couture house. He commented that this is the very best after shave "Pour Homme" in the market today. Stitch, a mixologist at heart, has always made his own "Bay rum", ignoring the perfumy bent that top brand after shaves seemed to have become over the years. After a whiff, he agreed with Fernand that finally an after shave balm with a masculine scent was on the market. He noted (ruefully) that it took the house of Coco Chanel to accomplish this. He thinks Paco & Ralph should watch their back. We all had a laugh over this.

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