Christmas Eve Dinner
Planning Christmas dinner for the Cole family has always been a pleasure for me, but this Christmas dinner will be a challenge, since my Hal’s father won’t be with us at the table, I must think of something very special for my Hal. His father had been very ill and is, after an operation, still in the Hospital. It will of course be a wonderful get together, if it is up to my Hal and me. We took extra care with our decorations, and they are beautiful. The tree, a tall Noble fir is flocked, has big gold balls and our collection of clear glass balls with a gold star inside, an angel or a tree. A beautiful collection, all from our visits to Germany. Tiny white lights completed this ten-foot noble fir.
My Christmas eve dinner was a turkey with sweet potatoes a gratin, mashed potatoes, French small green beans and broccoli, sauteed in clarified butter, stuffing with pecans, and gravy. I made a nice crisp salad with grated cheese and cheese croutons on top to enjoy, as Hal was cutting the turkey. My Hal opened a wonderful, matured Burgundy to enjoy and digest this, rich in taste, dinner. The dessert I presented was Pumpkin Pie and an egg nogg with cognac tart. Very delicious! Some wonderful Blue Mountain coffee tasted great to end this Christmas eve dinner.
Before we started dinner, I wanted everyone to have something for their heart and mind. I had on top of each charger a little “Table present” to give my Hal’s family a moment of pleasure and happiness.
For my Hal I had a small oil painting: an oil on wood by Dennis Ramsay, a British painter of “Still Life” and one of my Hal’s and my favorite artists.
This little gem was of a golden pear with the green fresh leaves still on the stem and in the front was a twig of Juniper berries. The pear looked good enough to take a bite out of. It was framed in a gold frame. A precious piece of art! We will find a small spot for it or put it on an easel. We already owned two large paintings by Dennis Ramsay. On a black background, it had an antique copper flower vessel with the most beautiful, large purple Irises in it, beautifully framed with velvet and an ornate gold frame. A striking piece!
A second one, again oil on wood, an hourglass in the background, a dusty bottle of Bourdeaux wine, an old candle stick with dripping wax running down the candle stick, a glass of wine by several books, some open. It had a carved, light wooden frame with a golden hue. An awesome painting! This whole painted scene, to me, represented my Hal, so it went home with us. We also had the pleasure of meeting the artist, Dennis Ramsay, who moved with his family to Australia from England and did not bring his beautiful art to the United States any longer. Hal and I were delighted to own three of his paintings.
Having had a wonderful dinner, good wine and great dessert, everyone seemed happy for this moment and remembered Father, who could not be here tonight. But everyone’s thoughts and minds were with father for this evening.
With the tree lights shining, the good smell of the coffee, the tummies full and happy, we now started opening the Christmas presents. Another little moment of happiness stolen away from sadness.
Tomorrow, Christmas Day, we will go to the Hospital with presents, some special goodies if it is allowed and lots of love.
We will visit and honor our father.