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Happy Advent
To days gone by….
I am almost at the end of a long and stressfull week; bookings galore, staff shortages and other issues, equipment breakdowns, supplier let-downs and a stinking cold to boot have taken their toll. December is a month in which I put everything on hold and concentrate on getting through the hell that is Christmas in the hotel and catering industry.
January is my month, a time to relax, take time out and recharge before it starts all over again. In between the busy shifts I think about what I am going to do, who I am going to see and that keeps me going.
In recent years I must confess to a certain malaise over Christmas, the significance had become lost on me and I was glad to see the back of it. Yesterday I contemplated putting decorations up for the first time in a couple of years, spurned on by my brothers Christmas card for which he spared no expense (and I mean no expense!) I recalled sunday mornings firstly in the Collins family household and years later in my own when each advent sunday was celebrated with a small gift. My brother and I would leave our slippers outside our bedroom doors barely containing our excitement for what might be in them when we woke the next morning.
Advent and Christmas wasn’t about the latest Play Station or mobile phone, it was about gifts which sparked the imagination and led to hours of fun and games and, most importantly an appreciation for what we had.
After a late finish last night and a quick check of my e mails before lights out I received an e mail from the good Mrs. C wishing me a happy advent. It was a timely reminder for what really matters and what really doesn’t and I shall think of my family tomorrow lighting an advent candle in my abscence.
So Happy Advent, light a candle, eat something bad for you and enjoy a glass of whatever takes your fancy…oh, and spare a thought for us chefs!
Photograph and display copyright Mrs. Collins
I’ll spare a thought for you as I eat your share of the food, sorry you can’t make it
I don’t think you’re the only one who has lost the significance of Christmas most of the population have.
You have good reason, what excuse do they have ?
Personally, I think it’s a family thing and not for bachelors - let the rest of them get on with it !
I will echo one more thought:
Spare a thought for all those who may want to be with their families at Xmas but cannot because people want the local shops open on xmas day - they want to buy chilled foods on the 27th etc etc
Ho Ho Ho
Rod
December 9, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Miles,
I loved your story about the gifts in slippers - all those happy thoughts will be with you always and that is worth a great deal. Outside my house today there is a street party with an assortment of treasures and rubbish, more the latter I suspect! My friend who sells groceries and flowers greeted me with hot punch as I perused the trees lined up outside her shop. Although the day started with electrical problems and leaky roof, it will end with mince pies and a roaring fire. How kind of your brother to send you a card….. was it recycled from last year
What you need my friend, is a bit of glitter and strangely enough that is exactly what is on it’s way to you….
Cid
December 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Cid,
With regard to my brothers card it really is a case of the thought rather than the expense!!
Look out for something to serve your snipe with but getting to see and deliver it to one of the tuesday philosophers is proving a little difficult. Better late than never as they say!
Your day sounds wonderful. Tonight is my only night off in two weeks and I can guarantee there wont be a mince pie in sight!!
Miles
December 9, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
Rod,
It is all too easy to equate single people’s attitude with Christmas to humbug without looking at the bigger picture I suppose. What I do believe is certain is that Christmas has lost a lot of meaning through outright commercialism, sometimes it borders on the tasteless.
Miles
December 9, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Rod,
Your story was one more reminder of how special your mum is. I hope you and Miles never forget that!!! Once in a while, give her a chance to put her feet up and to be pampered by the siognificant men in her life. Now that’s a good boy!!
Happy Christmas from sunny but cool California!!!
December 9, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
Chef,
You’re spot on the money. Just because single people don’t go crazy with festive glee doesn’t mean they don’t see the point - it’s just not applicable to them.
To some it’s ‘just another day’ and there are those that condescendingly look down on you telling you it’s sad and miserable and you should do this and that.
Personally, I think it’s sad to articficially celebrate xmas !
It’s lost all meaning as you point out.
£31 billion !!!!! will be spent in the UK over xmas with £7 billion going onto credit cards and turning into long-term debt.
If that’s what people want to do then knock yourselves out - just count me out
Cheers
DC
December 9, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Annie,
That’s told the Collins boys!
When Mr Collins wakes up I’ll phone him and tell him to pamper her for us!
Welcome back and greetings to all in California (especially the girls who play beach volleyball on cable!!) from a cold and wet England.
Best wishes
Miles
December 9, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Derfel,
I cannot argue with that. Figures do indeed speak for themselves and how long does it all last? How long before little Jordan/Chardonnay or Joshua get bored of the £500 you’ve just blown in Toys R Us?-about two weeks!
Think of the Canon EF lens you could get instead!!
Thanks for the comment
Miles
December 9, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
Miles,
I am flying the flag for you and all your helpers. Keep up the good spirit and have something indulgent yourself.
Christine
December 9, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Miles,
Like the decor and Advent story.
Cid, looks like action is needed soon. Transport arrangements will have to be made, uniforms to be pressed and knifes to be sharpened. Stand by..
Elsie
December 9, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Elsie,
Ah but therein trouble may lurk…. thing is I see Miles as sophistication personified, super cool and unflapable. What if he gets us in that kitchen and turns into the hulk
…. just to be on the safe side we’ll slip a little herbal calmative into his tea, then we can take charge…
About the uniform thing… at short notice all I can muster are a couple of black leotards and some bunny ears (let’s save the Easter chick outfits for spring eh?
). I’ve been practising my pizza dough twirling, if all else fails we’ve got to entertain the crowd who might turn ugly when they find out Miles is on a gap year…
Cid
December 10, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Cid,
I think the leotards will be just the thing for the french chefs. Perhaps I could borrow some Lederhosen from the german chefs? We will need their assistance. My mince pies seem to be going down a treat, so o.k. there. There may be snipe in the grounds and the rest will be sorted with the gluehwein. Miles will be dumbstruck.
December 10, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
Elsie,
That’s sorted then, a combination of leotards and lederhosen over the top to keep out the winter chills. Of course we could go as Calamity Janes to maintain law an’ order …. I’ll just cut a couple of holes out of these here stetsons for the bunny ears….. what ever happens we’re going to look fabulous
Cid
p.s. did I mention the tinsel?
December 11, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Cid,
We mustn’t forget the mistletoe over the tinsel
December 11, 2007 @ 1:55 pm