Tuesday 23 December 2008

The night before Christmas

I made the best decision this weekend: I decided to go to Ridge Church's carols night, even though I had no one to go with. It may sound trivial but I blame my Swedish upbringing, it takes a lot for me to get up and go somewhere without anyone accompanying me, in London I could never understand (but I did admire) my housemate Miss Valentine who'd easily go to the movies by herself.

Anyway, as usual I digress! The reason it was a good decision? It wiped away all my 'the EC/credit crunch stole Christmas' bitterness and re-vitalised my usual Christmas spirit. So yesterday I met my uncle at the airport to pick up the Swedish goodies my dad had sent with him. I've also managed to stock up on gas (for the cooker), water, drinks and food for the holiday season, while still trying to get some work done. This evening has been spent brewing mulled wine and baking lussekatter (saffron rolls) and soft gingerbread cake (and of course tasting them too).


Tomorrow morning, we'll start early, rolling meatballs, cooking the ham, etcetera, etcetera. Oh did I forget to mention that in Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve?

And naturally, growing up in a Ghanaian family, I get the best of both worlds, with Julbord- the Swedish Christmas feast on Christmas Eve, then Turkey, stuffing and all the rest on Christmas day.

Best of all, and unexpectedly, the 28 December elections has created the perfect solemn mood for a simple, quiet family celebration, the way I love spending Christmas. Now I'm just hoping the politicians decide to cool it for a bit so that Virgo manages to join us in our first Christmas in our common home (last year's was spent having delicious dinner at Fiesta Royale, really recommend it, although very expensive).

Merry Christmas to you all!!!

P.S. I promise to document our Ghanaian-Swedish julbord...if I remember to take pictures!

4 comments:

posekyere said...

Hi Maya,
Yummy stuff.
Best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

Abena Serwaa said...

Hi Maya, sounds like you have a lot of delicious yummies ready for Christmas. Good for you! I'm definately feeling the "EC stole my Christmas" blues but will still binge on fried food and ice-cream.
Anyway,Merry Christmas!

Maya Mame said...

Thank you so much Posekyere. Many happy returns! Hope you're having a lovely Christmas in S.A.

Maya Mame said...

Abena, I'm stuffed! I guess it was worth all the hard work. Sorry about the Christmas blues. For me it was simply a matter of hardcore brainwashing:music, smells and tastes. For music, youtube Alexandra Burke's 'Hallelujah' or Sixpence none the richer's 'It came upon a midnight clear', they really set the mood for a dark solemn Christmas.

Then drink/eat anything with a flavour/taste of cloves, ginger & cinnamon and suddenly you'll feel more Christmassy.

But eating lots of ice-cream and fried foods sounds good too!

Merry Christmas!

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