Holiday Greetings 2022

Can it be! Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa will be over six days from now! And, in the blink of an eye, the 2023 celebrations will be on the near horizon. Time goes by so quickly as we get older!

This year’s seasonal celebrations will be a return to normal after two years of Covid restrictions. Once again families will gather to enjoy each others’ company and age-old traditions. Last year I had some suggestions for the holiday season. I think that they are worth repeating.

Suggestions worth repeating 

• Smile and be kind!
• Contribute to a charity of your choice – think of the homeless. Then and only then….
• Buy and, more importantly, drink plenty of Champagne!
• Splurge on better wine – it is such a shame to waste calories on bad wine.
• Don’t just think turkey – think oysters, lobster, crab, shrimps, smoked salmon.
• Think roast beef with foie gras!
• Roast your potatoes in duck fat ….. black or white truffles anyone? or fresh and fragrant rosemary?
• Get fabulous cheese. If you can find it, buy Mascarpone Gorgonzola – very decadent and a treat with homemade fruitcake.
• Read the 2022 Christmas poem Christmas Poem 2022
• Oh! and drink champagne with breakfast! and lunch! and dinner!

And be thankful

• Argentina won the World Cup! When it got to the quarter finals I was still hoping that the Morocco Miracle would continue! But alas …. and I knew I couldn’t stomach Les Bleus – just too much arrogance.
• Canada won tennis’s Davis Cup!   The first time ever after participating for 109 years.  Montréal’s Jarry Park, once the home of Canada’s only baseball team has become a tennis factory. 
• The growth of outdoor dining ! Many restaurant owners have invested heavily in year-round outdoor spaces. Plants, awnings, heaters, artificial grass, LED table lights! Alas, in Montréal, easy snow clearance still takes precedence over the fun of cold- weather outdoor dining.  
• Icelandic tourism commercials – You have to love the sense of humour. My favourite above but just use the link to see more. 

My gift to you! 

I can’t wrap up a post at this time of year without something Scottish. From Robbie Burns as sung by Robyn Stapleton, I send you Ae Fond Kiss!

So Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or whatever holiday you choose to celebrate! Something for the New Year next week. Maybe a Christmas poem!