Cook's Nips and Plumbing Tips

A very Happy Christmas to everyone! Our day started very leisurely, I had everything under control despite the sciatica, until I heard a tirade of expletives emitting  from my husband, as he'd decided to pop upstairs and do a quick bit of floorboard nailing before present opening. I'd just put the turkey in the oven, and was intending to sit down for half an hour, open the rest of our cards and have myself a sneaky glass of sherry..... but no.... instead my beloved had in his own words, 'ruined Christmas...'

Oh dear, I thought to myself, as I hobbled upstairs to see a recreation of the Little Dutch Boy with his finger in the Dyke before my very eyes.... when you put a nail through a hot water pipe it does spurt rather!
My eldest chewed up chewing gum which we stuck in the hole temporarily until we could find a more lasting solution. The in laws had also just called to say they were nearly with us....
Luckily, because of my current decrepitude, I'd kept Christmas dinner elegant, luxurious but above all... simple! I had all the water I needed already in pans, and all I really needed to do was assemble the Seafood Platter.... so while Matt battled away upstairs... I'm not ashamed to say that I still made time for my sneaky nip of sherry before everyone arrived.

We ate....

Seafood Platter of Smoked Salmon, King Prawns and Lobster (already cooked by the fantastic people at The Fish Society, they have an excellent reputation and an ethical approach to their business.)

This was served with freshly baked bread and Quick Hollandaise Sauce (Prepared ahead of time.)

Organic Turkey Crown from our Lithuanian friends (I did this for my 40th... I know it's a bit of a cheat but so easy, the meat is so moist and you don't have days of left overs.)
Home Made Cranberry Sauce
Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts
Roasted Root Vegetables
Roasted Parsnips with Parmesan
Cauliflower Cheese made with Very Easy Cheese Sauce
Roast Potatoes
Pigs in Blankets
Extra Tasty Gravy
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing
Steamed Asparagus

Mulled Wine Trifle (The highlight of the dinner for me!)
Christmas Pudding with my Grandma's recipe for Cumberland Rum Butter

PS The rubber that was jubilee clipped over the hole has held fast til we get a plumber sorted, and Christmas Dinner in my opinion was perfect! Hope yours was too!