24.12

We started our Christmas Eve whit a bowl of porridge. I was last to wake up. I’m sure that my little brother had woken up early in the morning, even before mom and dad. Last year Antti didn’t have any porridge because he slept too long, he is still a bit sad about that. This year, Asta, my sister was the one whiteout mom’s porridge. That’s because she needs to take care of the cow’s trough Christmas and arrives to Kangasala at 27 th of December. Mom, dad, Antti and I had our porridges whit sugar and cinnamon. We never but almond in the porridge, even thoug that’s one of the Christmas traditions. Who gets the almond is the winner, usually he/she gets a bonus present or can make a wish.

After big bowls of porridge me and my brother started decorating the tree. Me and dad went and got in the day before from our own land, quite near to the house. I also made decoration for the tree. I cut some flags from an old book that I bought from Scotland earlier and attached the flags to a red string. I also clued strings to cones. The final touch was candy canes hanging from the branches. On the top of the tree we made a little heart shape whit two candy canes.

During the after noon we did some emergency shopping including headache medicine from the pharmacy and a new carpet for our new painted sauna corridor. After twelve oclock when they announced Christmas peace from Turku we mainly watched TV, I slept a bit. Mom was in the kitchen making sure that we will have something to eat in the evening. Around five my little brother did put on the beard, switched on his tractor and started going around neighbours making little kids happy. I can’t say no more; this includes a Christmas secret that some now some don’t.

Antti came back home around 7 pm. I started going through my closet trying to find something to wear for evening. I decided to wear my black dress whit grey cardigan, whit three pair of socks, big winter boots and enormous coat. Not forgetting claws and a hat. It’s always butt freezing at the cemetery on Christmas evening. Dad drove as to Tampere, first we went to see my mom’s dads grave, then to another cemetery to see dad’s dad, dad’s best friends and dad’s godfathers grave. Those who are in our thought everyday.

We went to our nice warm car and drove back home. Sauna was warm when we got back home so that was the next thing on the task list. The new carpet looked great, it was pink. Not exactly my dads favourite, but I was proud of my choice. After little re-freshmen it was time for eating. Pork served cold, some people add some mustard on top of it while the cook it in the oven but in my home we add the mustard when the pork is on the plate. Whit pork we had different casseroles made whit potatoes, liver, carrots and nips. My mom’s favourites are different herrings spiced up in sauces, for example made whit vinegar and spices. In our table there where five different ones, I am not a fan of any of them. Luckily we had also smoked salmon as a Christmas fish, which I love.
After big pile of food we started opening the present. Antti was the one handing the present from under the tree, and for somehow Antti was the one that got most of the presents. I am not complaining, I am really happy whit mine. Everybody also liked the present that I gave to them; Antti started playing the whistle instantly, dad liked the book and the boat even thoug it was exactly same kind that he had already and mom did put the bolero on immediately.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!