Christmas With All The Fixin's

Let's rewind about two weeks before Christmas. My dad revealed his gift for us saying if we could find it then he would treat us to it. After hours of searching, and many emails written, I found the "Robin Hood!" Robin Hood is a little British Pub that was featuring a three course Christmas dinner with all the fixings!

Oh boy, Oh boy, OH BOY! After getting confirmation our seats were reserved I began drooling, I'm telling you nothing beats a good ol' traditional Turkey dinner on Christmas (unless your a vegetarian of course!). And what better way to begin a 9 hour trek up to Laos with a toddler suffering from turkey coma. Rylee slept through the whole night in a cramped and bumpy van! Tip to all families traveling with children: forget doping your kids on gravol just feed them turkey!

Ok back to the food...

We had two options for the first course: Spiced Pumpkin & Bacon Soup or Maine Lobster, Scallop & Leek Terrine. Sevio chose the soup, so I choose the mystery terrine thing. The soup...SO GOOD! They could have just served me soup the whole time and I would have been happy. The terrine thing was like a giant piece of sushi stuffed with seafood and wrapped with leek, it was good and had great presentation but I just wanted more of that soup!

For the main course we had three options: A Traditional Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, or, a Duo of Goose & Turkey plus the trimmings, or, Poached Salmon with Mussel Chowder and Salad. Obviously without question we both picked the first option! Everything was pretty good, the turkey was so moist and tender, veggies were cooked and buttered to perfection, and although a little on the lukewarm side the mashed potatoes (smothered in gravy) were my favourite. 

Dessert options consisted of: Bailey's & Vanilla Creme Brulee with a Pistachio Biscotti, or, Christmas pudding with Cognac Custard, or, Mixed Berries & Banana with Whipped Cream! Sevio chose the creme brulee while I opted for the berries and whipped cream. Although I've never been a fan of creme brulee, I had one teensie tiny bite, apart from the texture (that I don't like) it was pretty decent. My mixed berries were a little too sweet but meh the whipped cream made it all better...that is when I could get past Rylee who was stealing it by the finger full.

So there you have it, Christmas dinner in Thailand, who knew we would have such a treat!

Thanks Dad!!!! 

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Twenty Four Sleeps!

It's December 1st! The countdown is on, 24 more sleeps until Christmas!

This year we as a family are going to have a totally different experience when it comes to Christmas. Being overseas away from close friends and family during this time is hard and homesickness is definitely kicking in.

Sevio and I were talking the other day and both couldn't believe December was almost here, we feel like we're in a bit of a seasonal culture shock. We're still experiencing Summer while you've all gone through Fall and are beginning to see the signs of Winter! We miss the feeling of cold.

Apart from the desire to see the first snowfall, drink eggnog, see the cities twinkle with Christmas lights, and most of all spend time with family, there have been moments where Thailand surprises us! Like when we're walking through a mall and come across a ginormous Christmas tree and through all the hustle and bustle you can hear carols playing, there in that moment my heart swells three sizes! Or when we're going about our regular business grocery shopping and SURPRISE! Right in front of us are candy canes and chocolate advent calendars! 

This year we're not going to have a tree, stockings, or much form of presents. We won't have turkey and all the fixings. No ugly christmas sweater parties. And lets just forget the idea of waking up to a white Christmas! Christmas day will be like no other we've had together and most likely spent in a van on our way to Laos for another visa run. 

This Christmas will be stripped of all form of tradition, but that's ok! We can still make it special with the little things we find, like the candy canes and advents, and get excited when we see a Christmas tree or find the classic Rudolph movie on Youtube! It's ok because I think we have a unique opportunity to teach our daughter (and remind ourselves) to value Christmas more than a day about Santa and presents. That this magical day, 24 sleeps from now, is a day to remember and celebrate the first Christmas some 2000 years ago!