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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.

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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.

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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!'” 😀

Lol, 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.

fish

There was a little last minute prezzy wrapping.

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And, as usual, Morgan did her best to help.

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Then, then all the wrapping was done…

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…Morgan took up station in the kitchen to keep an eye on supper.

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The evening came and we sat down to our Czech Christmas supper.

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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.

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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.

me

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.

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All the prezzies went under the tree…

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…and off we went eager to wake up for our traditional British Christmas morning.

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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.

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Comments: 13

  • December 25, 2014
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    Lovely post; happy holidays; dishy looking lady in those photos; loved that the cat got the bread!

  • December 25, 2014
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    Sounds lovely, looks lovely, you are lovely and that kitty … is too sweet! Merry Christmas!

  • December 25, 2014
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    You look lovely! (Here is a secret…my grandfather would give us the pig bladder, when they butchered pigs we loved blowing them up to make great big bouncy balls!)

    Even in America we can all celebrate like they do around the world!

    Merry Christmas Day!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

  • December 25, 2014
    reply

    exactly so… a very merry x-mastime to you all. you look stunning! and i smiled at the carp tradition, i’ve just read a cartoon about a certain marzi, polish girl, and they have something similar for new year! oh, and would you know, you and i have the exact same home phone? how extraordinary… n?

  • Marlene Stephenson

    December 25, 2014
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    Thank you for all the thoughts and posts you have shared,Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

  • Patty/NS

    December 25, 2014
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    Sounds like a fun Christmas Eve and I hope your British Christmas day was wonderful too. Such a beautiful tree. Wishing you health and happiness in the New Year.

  • December 26, 2014
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    ‘Carp’ a diem…and you did!
    p.s. u are stunning!
    p.s.s. – another fabulous movie “The 100 Foot Journey”
    p.s.s.s – hope u got my email xx

  • December 26, 2014
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    Thank you, what a lovely day, with your words I see everything! The scales incluido! Its early evening here now on Boxing Day in Welsh Wales! Expected snow didn’t materialise, thankfully! Take care amiga, mx

  • daryledelstein

    December 26, 2014
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    delightful post .. such a good time .. i love You’ve Got Mail .. its charming and it was shot right here in my neighborhood! xo

  • December 29, 2014
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    I wish you a wonderful time with your mother. Grate that she will be there.

  • December 29, 2014
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    Such a lovely post, funny too! We watched ,”You’ve Got Mail” too!, it is one of my favourites. I LOVE the soundtrack! I watch the movie at least once a year. I have always wanted a Little Shop Around the Corner!

    Your house always looks so warm and inviting! You look beautiful!

    Renee
    Merry Christmas to you and a happy new year full of good health and happiness, love and art to you!

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