It’s the day after Christmas. Boxing Day in the Commonwealth. Annandag Jul in Sweden. It’s a holiday here, too, though lots of stores are open. We had a lovely Christmas. The kids were both home for Christmas Eve. We watched Kalle Anke (which is obligatory in Sweden) at 3 pm with glögg and cookies, then opened one present from under the tree. Then we had julbord, which Anders fixed most of. All the trimmings: 3 kinds of herring, cold smoked and warmed smoked salmon, homemade hovmästarsås, romsås, brunkål, rödkål, and creamed kale (from our garden!), smoked sausage, liver paté with cumberland sauce, cornichons, plus a little storebought Janssens, boiled potatoes, meatballs, and prinskorv. The only thing we didn’t include was the traditional ris a la malta dessert since none of us really care for it.
Karin and I (though mostly I) made cookies the day before Christmas Eve, using the sugar substitute I was recommended. I tried to find cookie recipes that don’t require additional sugar, like icing or sprinkles or chocolate, and landed on snickerdoodles. Debbie had told me that the Use Like Sugar was sweeter than regular sugar and that she usually uses less than the recipe calls for, even though it’s a 1:1 substitute. I did that, but actually thought the cookies turned out a little too bready and not at all sweet. We rolled them in cinnamon sugar, but we overdid the cinnamon. So not a real succcess, but they were edible. Then I went ahead and made chocolate chip cookies as well. They call for brown sugar, which N!KS doesn’t make, but brown sugar is basically granulated sugar mixed with molasses, and N!KS does make a baking syrup, so I mixed their Use Like Sugar with the syrup, and the cookies turned out great.
Pic of the tree with (GASP) white lights. They got changed back to color immediately. 😀
Christmas morning dawned bright and early and since apparently none of us slept very well, we were all up early. I got up just before 8 and showered, and both Karin and Anders were up when I was done. Karin got Martin moving, and we opened stocking stuffers, which are always fun. Martin had a total mushroom theme going on, and he’s now declared mushrooms off limits for gifts, haha! Karin got a lot of make-up and skincare products that she had wished for, and Anders had filled my stocking with lots of fun little items and things I wanted. I think he was happy with his mini-rum, MG socks, and tube clamps (for squeezing out the last bit of Kalles Kaviar of course!).
Everyone showered, dressed, and ate a quick breakfast, and then we gathered around the tree once more to open all the presents under it. Every year I ask for wishlists, because it’s too hard to keep track of hearing about things people want, and I don’t want to waste money buying things that end up unused or returned. Karin and Anders were a team in finding presents for me (with a wishlist as well) and they outdid themselves. The one thing I really wished for was a new watch, or rather old one, because I wanted one with a marcasite band, and they found an antique one, ordered from Germany. It’s BEAUTIFUL, and just what I wanted. It’s so old it doesn’t even have batteries; you have to wind it! The watch face is super tiny, but it’s perfect. I also got a peacock puzzle, a Bäst i Test game, a gorgeous HUGE Lego wreath (from the kids), and various other fun things. My mother made me a beautiful ceramic vase, covered with multi-colored flowers, which I teared up over. It’s lovely.
Martin got several big things: a new iPhone 13, Doc Marten boots, and a huge canterelle-shaped flower pot. Karin got pants, shoes, sunglasses, and a gorgeous sweater she had admired recently. Anders got a new fleece, calvedos, and 2 tickets to see John Cleese in April! Martin and I also gave each of them a copy of our crossword puzzle compilation book, which I put together and had printed. I sent the book to mom, Sarah, John, and Danely, as well, and gave them to Debbie and Camilla, too.
Karin and Martin patently NOT ruining Christmas!
We spent the afternoon cooking, relaxing, and putting together the Lego wreath. Anders made pie crust and I whisked together the filling, and we made a perfect pumpkin pie. He handled the turkey, stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes, and I made the green bean casserole and deviled eggs. The kids and I also put together a fun appetizer: Brie Christmas trees! (Sarah and Danely sent me the recipe!)
Maria and Mikael and Dante arrived at 5:30 for dinner and we had a very pleasant evening together. Their kids already had plans, unfortunately, but it was nice to spend the time with them.
I was able to talk to John and family early in the day, and because Maria and Mikael very kindly drove the kids to Lund (Karin was going out with friends and Martin home for the night) I was able to call and talk to Sarah and mom as well. A perfect, perfectly lovely, family Christmas with all of us together for 2 days.
John’s whole family has caught unicorn fever from Kaya, apparently
Today has been quiet and relaxing. I slept in after managing to fall back asleep after my third bathroom visit. Then got up and found Anders had already emptied and run the dishwasher again, and handwashed part of the dish pile. I took out the recycleables, filled the bird feeders, ran two loads of laundry, and handwashed the glasses. He spent part of the day tinkering with the MG, and I went to get Karin in the afternoon. Otherwise, reading and playing iPad games, adding music to my Spotify playlist, and chilling with my daughter has been the order of the day. She also made me get out and go for a walk around the neighborhood, which was much needed. And of course, eating yummy leftovers for both lunch and dinner.
I made a mellandargarna to-do list, because of course I did. Not a very long one, and nothing strenuous, and plenty of empty vacation days ahead to do them in, as well as continuing the relaxing and recharging theme. Nothing planned, really, apart from one day of work and one dinner with Camilla, until January 8th. Divine.
Mood: relaxed
Music Willie J Healey—Sure Feels Good