A belated Happy Christmas to all. Things are a little hectic at the moment. Am thinking about Kenya and trying not to worry too much.

The parents are safe but wisely staying in. Watch this space...

Normally quite a bit would have been drunk by the time we got round to it.

My mother and father would glance at each other, a twinkle in their eyes, small grin showing a slightly red tongue, tinged with red wine.

Out would come the cards and the cutlery. Space would be made on the table, all the unimportant things pushed to one side or taken to the kitchen. The spoons would be laid out reverently in the middle of the table. The cards would be dealt. All would be calm. And then...

... mayhem. Cards flying to the left, being picked up from the right. Watching, watching, waiting for a slight movement from the other players. Then suddenly everyone dives for the middle of the table, grabbing and grasping. Triumphantly you would brandish your spoon. A winner!

Until, at last, there was only one.

One of the things I remember about Christmas Eve in our house.

Today I am mostly:

• pushing the envelope (literally) as I stuff 300 christmas cards and nurse my paper cuts
• dreaming of Kenya and the lovely weather I've just left behind
• wondering whether I've got enough Christmas presents and whether I should go out and buy more on Saturday
• cursing my generosity - what made me invite 4 people round for Sunday lunch?
• collecting people's addresses so next year I can be one of those organised people I hate and send out a load of Christmas cards - it also makes me feel a tad grown up...
• procrastinating - can you tell?

Miss Cow had a semi-liquid lunch.

As such, am feeling a bit squiffy and so probably won't post until sober once more.

It's raining outside, the heating's finally fixed and for once, I have nothing to do.

A perfect for lying on the sofa, watching bad old films, cup of tea and duvet. I love days like these.