Christmas at The Lint Mill
We had hoped our kitchen and scullery would be complete for the festivities but the work had taken longer than expected, not helped by the deep snow and temperatures of minus 17 degrees in early December. It’s been a challenge getting tradespeople down our farm track, despite Colin’s heroic gritting efforts. The final job of painting and decorating everywhere will now have to wait until the new year. It’s been a good lesson in dealing with my unhelpful perfectionism and having the opportunity to practice non-attachment! Nonetheless, the lovely Everhot cooker was put through its paces ensuring the Christmas tradition of a roast organic Norfolk Black turkey with ‘all the trimmings’, was observed in full!
As we approached the Winter Solstice (which for those of us in the northern hemisphere is the shortest day and the longest night of the year), we realise that it is little wonder we have so many festivals of light around the world, across many cultures and across many religions at this time of year. The festive season brings with it many personal rituals and it’s fascinating to notice how there are special ways to do things in every family at Christmastime. Colin and I have been married for nearly 28 years and we have evolved some of our own family rituals too. Our move to The Lint Mill 13 years ago means we also have some traditions that involve special seasonal treats for the animals we share our lives with.
My sister stays with us at Christmas and has done for as long as we can remember but this year was extra special because my Mum and Frank travelled north to spend Christmas with us too. A prescient reminder that precious time spent together is the best tradition of all.
So for those interested in rituals and traditions, Christmas at The Lint Mill looks like this: on the solstice on 21st December we celebrate Yuletide by decorating a large log with festive greenery and simple labels bearing our hopes and wishes for the year to come. We put the log on the wood burning stove before bed and hope it burns ’til morning, bringing us good fortune (and warmth).
On 24 December we visit Atkinson-Pryce, our local independent bookshop to celebrate our own version of the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (which roughly translates as Yule Book Flood) where you give your loved ones books to read on Christmas Eve. The lovely, patient and knowledgable staff, who know both us and our taste in books quite well, help us choose a surprise gift for each other. In the evening, we visit the beautiful Holy Family Chapel in a nearby village for a carol service, then home for Christmas Eve supper, a warming casserole made with our own organic lamb. There are usually mince pies on offer too. We love a glass of Glühkriek, a warm Belgian beer flavoured with cherries. Before bed we are allowed to open one gift – our annual pyjamas – they were extra cosy organic brushed cotton this year!
Christmas Day begins with feeding, watering and turning out all the animals. The goats get extra rations of sprout peelings, carrots and herbal treats. We follow this with our gift opening (with Kir Royale champagne cocktails to drink made with Colin’s home-made Crème de cassis) and omlette Arnold Bennett for brunch. We hope for at least a dry, preferably frosty and sunny day to go for a big walk with the dogs (it was rather wet and dreich this year) to build our appetites for the meal to come. The table is set with candles and Christmas crackers and we try to make sustainable choices wherever we can (recycled paper hats must be worn throughout!). Dinner is served in the evening and our organic turkey is the main event (with 18th century chestnut stuffing, bread sauce, pigs in blankets, cranberry and orange relish, sprouts, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips roasted in maple syrup). It’s followed by the traditional flaming Christmas pud! If we have any energy left at all, we may play a family game of charades – which Colin likes almost as much as playing Monopoly 😉
Rituals and traditions are such an important aspect of all community life and they can provide much needed connection in fractured times. This year, as we negotiate workers’ strikes, uncertain economic times and an energy crisis, the strings of lights that adorn trees, windows and doorways everywhere are twinkling as brightly as ever reminding us that there is always hope in the darkness.
Wherever you are and whatever your family traditions, we wish you a very happy festive season.
