From our house to yours, Merry Christmas

There's so much excitement round here. Do you all feel like that Christmas eve?Christmas eve is the traditional Czech Christmas celebration, and, as my mother is coming to celebrate with us, I'm making a traditional Czech feast which includes a carp.And here is the beast!Robert thinks carp is a big joke. I explained that one must eat the carp to have the right to put the carp scales into their wallet, to insure that one won't run out of money for the whole of the next year.And he said, "Let me get this straight. At some point millions of years ago, some Czech officials said, 'How are we going to get our good people to eat this horrible, bony, but prolific fish?' 'I know, let's make up a superstition!'" :DLol, it might be true! It's as big a pain to prepare as it is to eat. See that scale in my hair? That one chose me!This particular fish came completely intact, which meant I had to gut it! (Brave girl me!) I have to tell you something. Inside carp is a sort of hourglass shaped sac which is its swim bladder. It looks like a balloon, and, as children, my cousins and I were given these "balloons" to play with while our grandmother prepared the fish. (there were usually three or four carp swimming in the tub over night) I told R this story and he laughed and said that next jousting day, I better not say anything about the little British children marching around holding fake severed heads if I played with fish organs as a child. I guess he has a point.There was a little last minute prezzy wrapping.And, as usual, Morgan did her best to help.Then, then all the wrapping was done......Morgan took up station in the kitchen to keep an eye on supper.The evening came and we sat down to our Czech Christmas supper.And Morgan took up residence in the dining room.Yes, she was given hand-outs under the table. Spoiled cat. Milo was under a blanket in the TV room and so he missed out on the carp.We had a bit of wine and exchanged prezzies with my mom. She gave me the most beautiful and huge amethyst geode. It's just so glorious that it now has pride of place in the middle of the mantle. I'll take a photo soon and show you.Then we kicked off our shoes and went into the family room to watch a movie. R picked You've Got Mail. I've never seen it and it was lovely.All the prezzies went under the tree......and off we went eager to wake up for our traditional British Christmas morning.Just as we were in bed, there was a soft thump from the kitchen. That scrubby little Morgan climbed up on the counter and dragged a whole loaf of bread out of the bread basket and onto the floor!!!But now all is still and all is calm. I wish you all a wonderfully merry Christmas day with loads of love and warmth to sustain you for the whole year. I thank you for your loving support and friendship. It means to world to me and you're all in my heart.May you be loved.