Christmas Breakfast Tradition

We have a tradition in our family of serving Eggs Benedict for breakfast on Christmas morning. I don't remember our parents doing this, so I guess it's something Malcolm and I started. No matter where we are or what the situation, we make a point to do this. Not only are Eggs Benedict delicious, but they stick to your ribs and see you through until dinner.

Although I had to make my own English Muffins and we couldn't find Canadian Bacon, we managed to have Eggs Benedict here on the boat in St. Lucia.

It didn't quite compare to these that I made back in 2007...

or these that we had in 2008 at the cabin in the snow, but they were pretty good nonetheless.

Another Christmas tradition is gifts, of course. Malcolm must have been a very good boy this year because Santa gave him an expensive gift. It's a $200 bumper that came floating by about 8:00am. (No name, no logo, looks like flotsam to me.) Malcolm says, "Thank you Santa!"

The Night Before Christmas Caribbean Style

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the bay, the charter boats' music was thumping away.
The tradewinds were howling at twenty five knots, and wind generators were pumping out watts.
The barnacles were blooming all over our hull, the top sides were spotted and chalky and dull.
The captain lay sweating on the starboard settee cursing the outrageous mooring ball fee.
The first mate was equally preoccupied, wondering why the bilge pump had just died.

Then up on the deck there came a loud rap, disturbing the liveaboards' well deserved nap.
When a voice said, "Hey Cap'n, Hey Cap'n, Whaz Happnin?"
The desperate crew froze, and hoped he'd leave, I suppose.
But this one was a very persistent sort, he sidled along 'til he came to a port.
They pretended to snore and thought they could hide, but the obnoxious boat boy was peeking inside!

More rapid than needle fish his offers they  flew, Coconuts, starfruit, bananas for you?
A tour, some jewelry, how 'bout some limes?
Don't worry, be happy. We're having good times.
Do you need diesel, sodas, or beer? My friend, I'm the best, I'll bring it right here.

As seafroth that before the wild hurricane flies, the captain's blood pressure started to rise.
So up to the porthole he went with a jump, just in time to hear a very loud thump.
And then in a twinkle we heard down our side, the screeching and scraping when two hulls collide.
On deck we both ran to see what to do, while the boat boy jumped into the fracas too.

Instructions were shouted, the bumpers they flew, and their anchor was lifted for all to view.
We all saw the problem, an old CQR, the draggingest anchor there is by far.
The boat boy's eyes gleamed at the profit he'd reap, and us, we just wanted to get back to sleep.

He spoke not a word; we all know the fee, and the other boat's captain paid twenty EC.
They all drifted off to moor to a ball, we were so happy to be rid of them all.
But I heard him exclaim as if on cue,  "Happy Christmas my friend, I'll be back to see you!"

Christmas In The Caribbean

It's almost Christmas here in the Caribbean and some things are just like back home.

I found this Little Golden Book and just had to buy it. As a very small child I would read it to anyone who would listen. I wasn't really reading it, I had memorized it and was just reciting it and turning the pages at the proper time. The wonderful illustrations in this book still represent my idea of the perfect Christmas.

I also saw these mince pies at the market and would have loved to get some, but store bought is never as good as home made. I made some a few years back and they were positively addictive.

Here's a photo of my mince pies. 

Now, other Christmas things in the Caribbean are totally unique, like this Christmas tree in all kinds of bright tropical colors.

And our Christmas lights. They aren't exactly Christmas lights, more like party lights, but, Hey, I'm doing it Caribbean style this year.

Wherever you are, we want to say, "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Buche de Noel

I made the Yule Log today. I sort of followed Martha Stewart's recipe. The cake is a chocolate sponge cake, the filling is chocolate mousse, and the icing is chocolate ganache.

After assembling it, you decorate it with the meringue mushrooms and some greenery, and sprinkle powdered sugar on it to look like snow.

We are taking it to the brother-in-law's house tonight.

Holiday Baking

I've been doing a little holiday baking lately. These chocolate crackles are a family favorite.

And the captain loves these shortbread cookies.

And last night I made these meringue mushrooms to decorate the Buche de Noel that I'll be making for Christmas Eve.

You start with an Italian meringue, pipe it into these shapes, bake for an hour, then stick them together with melted chocolate.

I love making desserts that require artsy/crafty touches, so making these mushrooms was a lot of fun. I'll show you the cake later.

Almost Christmas

We have managed to get a tree, find the decorations, send out some cards, buy a few presents, and make some cookies. Katie is home from school. We have been invited to dinner on Christmas Eve. And we will have a quiet Christmas Day here at the condo with just the four of us. And maybe go for a boat ride on the weekend.

Happy Christmas everyone!