Merry Christmas!

Where can one go after Christmas Eve at King's College? I mean, how much better can it get? Alot! Tired and content after Cambridge, we slept in for once back at our friends, Michael and Todd's flat. Although we were told that Christmas would be quiet and that they didn't do much for the season (to which we said, "Fine!"), the flat was decked out for the holiday. Now it is hard to out-do the already gorgeous Georgian interior at their place but everything was warm, cozy, and festive.

The centerpiece of Christmas day was the feast that Michael worked hard to make perfect! The table was laid out and ready for the onslaught of food that was to come!

While in Paris in November, I stumbled on a small wine shop that sold a specialty champagne which I thought would be nice as a start to the meal. It was really delicious! If only we could get some here but they have such a limited production there is just no way.

Once the food started coming out, it just kept coming. We had brie and cranberries in phyllo pastry parcels. There was a seafood terrine with a french mayonnaise and toasts. The main course is shown in this picture! There were two (!) whole beef en croute from Fortnum and Mason, roasties, brussell sprouts, carrots, and french green beans. I made a gravy which was yummy as well. Though we postponed eating them until Boxing Day, I should tell you there was also a whole game pie and a ham to go along with this! Then came Michael's Christmas pudding, flaming with brandy, and served with a brandy sauce.

At this point, we were all stuffed! To keep from passing out, Jim, Todd, and I took a walk around the neighborhood as the sun was going down. We wandered to Primrose Hill, which Jim had never been to, and we joined the throngs of others from the neighborhood who had the same idea. From Primrose Hill, we had a grand view of the whole of London and watched the lights come on across the city as the sun went down behind us.

When we got back, though we hardly needed it, we ate again. I had Jim bring over the last quart of last year's mincemeat and made my mince tarts for everyone. They have heard about this mincemeat for years and they finally got to taste it. There were also delightful cheeses and a delicious port to wash it all down with. Ah Christmas....

This was among the most amazing Christmas holidays coming at the end of four of the most unusual and marvelous months of my life at Harlaxton. We left England to head for home the day after Boxing Day. It all seemed (and still does to some extent) surreal to be back in the United States. I loved my time in England. It wasn't always easy and things at Harlaxton weren't always pleasant. But it was four months in Lincolnshire...wandering the Burghley Horse Trials, climbing the steep hill of Lincoln, walking across the countryside, hanging out with members of the Belvoir Hunt, finding food at the Grantham Saturday Market, going to Orkney, France, Italy...eating at Harry's Place in Great Gonerby, Chequers in Woolsthrope, the Market in Camden...so many experiences...so much to remember. I hope you have enjoyed following my adventures here. I have enjoyed sharing my memories with you.

With warm regard,

WAM