I feel like I should get Christmas points for getting a tree exactly tall enough that the top of the the star ends up just an inch under the ceiling. Kavi (who is a few inches taller than me) put the star on top of the tree this year, so she can have some points too.
As we move into final party preparations, I have added some items to my to-do list for today:
• get plenty of sleep (8 hours minimum, 9 preferred — DONE!
• watch something fun while prepping (I watched Loki season 2 yesterday, holiday movies today, I think)
• clean kitchen as you go, Mary Anne; you know when it gets messy, it stresses you out
• don’t get overambitious and consequently harried
• don’t get cranky with the family (it’s not their fault you decide to do these ridiculous things)
• ask for help if starting to feel stressed
• scale back if needed; there is no shame in ordering out an appetizer or three.
• have fun today!
Okay, let’s do this.
*****
Christmas Tea Party checklist – Saturday (countdown to Sunday @ 2):
– beef rolls (FILLED AND ROLLED, need breading and frying)
– chicken patties (DONE)
– mackerel cutlets (DONE except for frying)
– mini Scotch eggs (eggs boiled)
– cocktail samosas (from store, so DONE except for frying)
– vadai & prawn vadai (lentils soaking)
– curried salmon with toasted naan (DONE)
– brinjal moju with toasted naan (DONE)
– curried mushroom with toast points (DONE)
– vegetarian ribbon sandwiches (DONE except for cutting)
– cucumber sandwiches
– beef curry sliders (DONE)
– ham & mango chutney sliders (DONE)
– charcuterie (cheeses, meats, pickled green tomatoes and spicy asparagus, Branston pickle, quince paste, spicy fig and orange jam) (DONE)
– deviled eggs?
– scones (cranberry, rose-pistachio), clotted cream, lemon curd, and jam
– marshmallows: mulled apple cider & honey, ruby-passionfruit, chocolate-dipped peppermint (DONE)
– sugared cranberries (DONE)
– peppermint bark (DONE)
– lemon truffles (DONE)
– mango fluff (DONE)
– pear & berry trifle (DONE)
– Mary Berry’s Christmas cake (BAKED)
– mango fluff 2nd batch?
– cranberry punch
– mulled apple cider
– mulled wine
– some interesting cocktail / mocktail yet to be determined?
– tea!
*****
DECORATING:
INDOOR:
– cloved oranges (DONE)
– hang garlands
– hang ornaments and tinsel on tree
OUTDOOR:
– set up trees in front yard (DONE)
– hang kissing ball (DONE)
– replace burnt out lightbulbs on porch (DONE)
– hang giant ornaments from redbud tree (DONE)
– fill outdoor planters (use boiling water to warm soil if frozen)
*****
SCHEDULE:
Sunday:
– check on paper goods
– grocery store: cool whip, ice, ground beef?
– set out paper goods
– make mango fluff?
– ice and decorate fruitcake
– bake scones
– bread rolls
– bake rolls
– fry short eats
– devil eggs
– finish outdoor decor
– finish decorating tree
– sweep and general cleanup
– make bed in guest room for coats
– assemble cucumber sandwiches
– cut sandwiches
– mull cider and wine
– set out drinks
– put on music
– light candles
– PARTY!