Family Xmas

This year my parents and chrestomancy came to us for Christmas. The result was a relaxing family holiday:

• Christmas Eve - My parents arrived in the morning, whilst chrestomancy didn't appear until after dinner. We exchanged news, took the duo to the little park (which they are fast getting too old for) and ate (I made pizza, fruit salad and chocolate mousse). In the evening we all watched Entrapment which I've seen before and is good fun if you're not expecting too much.
• Christmas Day - Stockings for the duo whilst the rest of us took our time getting up, breakfast, tree presents, wrapping paper clear-up and then Christmas Dinner. This year bateleur and I did it between us and, whilst we were in the kitchen for the last couple of hours, it was pretty relaxed compared to previous years. The food had all cooked to schedule - the turkey which bateleur had prepared was lovely - the champagne which my parents had brought was good and the pudding from the local bakers was great. The afternoon was lazing around with books and, in the duo's case, toys and then the evening was another film - this time Stardust which I saw a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed (although it's somewhat different to the graphic novel).
• Boxing Day - The following day chrestomancy went home whilst we went to Kew and had the usual coffee and cake along with the usual walk. It was beautiful, but very cold and we spent a fair amount of time in the various indoor bits. It also gave me my first bit of exercise in a while. In the evening bateleur made curry and then the film of the night was LA Confidential.
• Saturday - Yesterday my parents departed, taking the duo with them. I was sorry to see them go, but it means we have an extremely quiet house. I've found I desperately missed the Ems again as this used to be her time for coming out and taking over the noise vacancy.

My present hoard:

• Not in the Flesh - Ruth Rendell - I've also read this now. Sadly, I think it's her worst Wexford to date. The second plot line never ties in with the first and, for once, it's obvious to the reader what the twist is as the way that Wexford first sees things just seems so wrong. However, still Rendell and still enjoyable.
• House of Many Ways - Diana Wynne Jones - I've heard brief non-spoilerish reviews of this - that it isn't her best - but I'll soon get to find out for myself.
• Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks - Christopher Brookmyre - I've heard no reviews, so I'm hoping this is up to his usual standard.
• The Lost Crown: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure (PC) - This is by the Darkfall writer (Jonathan Boakes) and, having thoroughly enjoyed the Darkfall games, I have high hopes for this as it scores better reviews.
• Another Code: Two Memories (DS) - This is from the Hotel Dusk team and, again, it's supposed to be a good game (although in a different style).
• Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) - I'm looking forward to this, it's had excellent reviews.
• Jigsaw Map - Of where I live. It doesn't look too difficult and it's been ages since I did a jigsaw (and even longer since I did my own jigsaw).
• A framed picture of the Swinside Stone Circle - This was close to Brockwood Hall for those who went to BadgerCon, but I don't think anyone visited it that week. It was a regular feature of my Xmases as a child and it's lovely to have a framed picture for the lounge.
• Chocolates - Of course, it's Christmas.

All in all, an excellent holiday was had by all.