I normally write a fair bit, but since it is Christmas (in Finland at least) I thought I would keep it pretty short and hopefully, more positive than I may have been in recent times. 2022 has been a difficult year on top of a very difficult year in 2021 and a not great 2020, as on top of all of the issues that has affected us all, there have been several personal challenges faced by myself and my family that have made it quite challenging. Having said that, we are all still here and surviving, and that is something to be grateful for heading into 2023.
Sometimes, just surviving is magical.
For Christmas, we will be heading to my sister-in-law's place for a traditional meal with a cut down group, as the two older children now have their respective fiánces and are spending every second year with their other side of the family instead. This is quite nice as it takes some of the pressure off the event and gives the option to not have it at our place. While not a fan of the majority of Christmas food...
I like the ham.
My wife made a very small ham for us this year, which was about 3.5 (8lb) kilos, instead of the normal 7-8 kilo ham we have made for everyone. It was still about nine hours slow-cooking in the oven and then after it cooled a bit, the crumbing was put on and it was baked again to crisp it up. It should be pretty decent, but since we are having dinner away, we will likely midnight snack attack it, or leave it for tomorrow morning.
I don't care that much about all of the traditions, yet it is still nice to have the time to enjoy some out of the ordinary moments with family. I know that many around the world take their traditions far more seriously than I do, so I hope that everyone has a chance to get at least a little of what they want this Christmas or whatever stuff you celebrate around this time. Even if you celebrate nothing, I hope you get something you are wanting.
Anyway, now it is time to go and get somewhat dressed up (thankfully neat-casual is enough) and head over to stuff my face with fish dishes, ham and too much chocolate and then, start looking toward 2023. I really hope that it is going to be better than the last few years, but I am not overly optimistic on that, given the current conditions. But with hope, there is still that internal possibility that it will indeed be better, whether it turns out that way or not.
Who knows, perhaps unicorns are real.
Have a nice weekend.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Real or not real - unicorns are awesome.
Have a jolly Christmas!
I agree and hope you are having a good Chrissy :)
They're real.
My mouth is watering reading about the baked ham.
Enjoy your family
Merry Christmas
It is great!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks
🎉🎉🎉🎉
!ALIVE
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I don’t bother if traditions too, I’m happy with some and disagree about other... Let’s keep that optimism and work toward that :) This ham even if smaller looks incredible, think you just inspired my for next Christmas lol
Enjoy your weekend and family gathering !
The ham is good, but don't remember, it needs a decent mustard too!
I am "planning" to be more positive in 2023, regardless of what happens.
Lol, didn't find that you weren't already !
That's definitely the Plan for all of us :) (and more decent mustard as well)
And to you too, Melinda!
Perhaps there is magic in Christmas with the awesome unicorn. Let us stay optimistic with great hopes. Here in my country, we are now busy preparing dishes and all, hehe. Afterward, we will be heading to the Church to attend the mass. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Sir. Enjoy your day and take care.
Have a great Christmas period and enjoy all the bits you like and, put up with the bits you don't! :D
Happy holidays!
Same to you mate :)
2022 here was also not good not bad butnot the winner of winners in the end. But enough to be great grateful for. Merry christmas to you and your family
Let's hope that 2023 at leads out toward something awesome. I think we could all do with a bit of fantastic. Have a great one!
Enjoy the smaller family get together and Happy Christmas to the family.
Ham looks excellent, giving yourself the day off with preparation done early.
It was a nice evening with the family, though I don't have much pressure there, as I hardly speak at these things, since no one speaks English with me :D
It's the company, speaking not necessary if one is able to settle and enjoy the moment together, families normally reminiscing on past or teasing each other if siblings.
Merry Christmas!
I hammed it up today (24th) as well, only a 4.5kg one with a plum, marmelade and seeded mustard glaze. I hope it's not shite.
Anyway, it was nice video chatting a little earlier, enjoy the afternoon/evening at M's. Please pass on our regards and Merry Christmases.
What temp do you cook it til? We have the meter in until it touches just over 80C - then it is not mushy, but not dry.
Talk in the next few days :)
A couple hours at 160. It's already triple smoked.
Excellent close shot of the little ham that your wide made, it looks bigger and delicious.
The line explaining a lot of things and could be the post title too. I love the way you capture the photo of unicorn.
It is little in comparison to what is normally needed - we will eat it for a couple days at least :)
Ok great enjoy eating delicious 🍣🥧🧁🍪🍩😋
I hope 2023 will be better.
Best wishes to you and yours 💫 Merry Christmas!
PS: I do think unicorns are real ;)
:)
Have a great weekend and let's lead into a great 2023 - just in case.
I wish you a merry Christmas, I've already told you but it never hurts to repeat, you are a beautiful person and I hope that 2023 will be a great year for you and your family, I wish you with all my heart. U Hug!🤗
Thank you so much. It has been really nice having you comment of late - I am glad you are here. Have a brilliant Christmas meal and see if you can keep the tree up until midsummer... ;D
Eh heh I would keep it but my wife won't let me go beyond Pasqia heh heh! A hug and again Merry Christmas to all of you 🤗
I often think not knowing the hardships of the future is indeed a blessing. That said, I wish 2023 to be a better year for us all.
Yeah. It allows for the hope that it will be better and I think it means that we keep hoping, even through the worst experiences. Have a great end to the year.
I will remember 2022 with constant price rising of all the things, and I don't think that 2023 will be better for my country.
Happy holiday mate!
It is going to get worse I think and then, it is going to collapse the social side too.
Sounds like fun!
Have a good one :)
Enjoy your time with family, 2023 will be better than 2022.
We got hit by a blizzard here, wind is still gusting until tomorrow. I am just going to chill tonight. Merry Christmas and have fun!
There is some pretty wild weather going on around the world at the moment. Stay warm!
Hope you have a great Christmas man! Unicorns are out there :D it doesn't matter they live in the sea! Being in Finland, you're a lot closer to them than I am :D
Santa lives in Finland too - this place called Korvatunturi... not quite the North Pole :D
I'm so used to plain fried potato pancakes for 🕎, that the 🎄 spread at my partner's brother-in-law's parents was a revelation for me.
There was beef prime rib cooked sous vide for 20hrs, some sweet maple smoked ham and a really tasty shmear made of whipped goat cheese + bacon, dates and rosemary. To top off our special day, it was a sweet 27 C in San Diego without a cloud in the sky. It was truly a Christmas miracle while most of the rest of my country is suffering in uncommonly freezing weather.
I too share your hope for a better 2023. It's not going to be easy, but I think we will end up looking back and realizing the huge opportunities this most recent recession will bring. Merry Christmas to you and yours mate. Cheers!
Damn! This sounds awesome!
Slightly different to the -10 here :D
Just hoping that this time I can take advantage of some of them.
Have a good one mate!
Merry Christmas broh, have a fucking awesome one!
Myself have a lamb buttocks or whatever one would call it in proper English... It's only officially Christmas tomorrow so we'd be dining on the morrow!
Stay blessed and have a great year ending
I think "lamb ass" is what the butchers call it. Mint jam with it?
Have a great one too!
The first photo is so beautiful. ❤️
Thanks!
This is yummy 😋 enjoy your Christmas I'm glad you will be spending more time with family as well enjoy your holiday.
Have a great Christmas.
Thank you
Merry Christmas!
To you too mate. Let's hope 2023 is going to be less of what we have, more of what we want.
Honestly,I think a lot of people don't care about traditions. Probably the reason why many people participate in the celebrations is because they are looking for an excuse to meet with their family, so we can see family members we haven't seen for a long time, or we can realize the value of our close family who are with us and show our love for them.🤗
The bread looks great bon apetit.👏👏
meeting with family is the tradition - all that nonsense with church and stuff has been added on top.
Actually, you are right, but unfortunately sometimes we forget to make time for our family. Thanks to these and other traditions, there are many people who take time off work to see their family once a year...😔
Yay! 🤗
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Marry Christmas in advance. 2021 is not good for me. Because my investments is going to zero because of bear market. I also celebrating this Christmas with my family and making amazing dishes and also invited some of my friends at my home enjoy together. This dish looks so yummy. I want to eat this yummy dish. Hopefully 2023 incoming year good for us. Glad to know you are enjoying with your family.
Enjoy 💚
Merry Christmas 🎅