Carol's Catch-Up: December 2022

We take a deep breath and head into the festive season

There is no denying it now - Christmas 2022 is charging at us, so I hope you are finding ways to enjoy the hustle and bustle of shopping, menu planning, and catching up with all those friends before Christmas without it getting overwhelming. Dare I ask how the present shopping is going? Have you got any wrapped under the tree yet?
Speaking of Christmas trees, I have made a significant purchase! For as long as I can remember I have had a real Christmas tree, but with rising tree costs this year it was suggested to me that perhaps I consider buying an artificial tree which we could use every second year when we don’t have the family here for Christmas Day (my married children go to their in-laws every second year, and we come together on Boxing Day). So I went online and did some serious research to compare heights and number of tips and materials, and I finally found one that I thought would be suitable for the usual spot in the lounge room.

Last week it arrived and the excitement started to build. My grandson did a lot of the ‘heavy lifting’ to put it together, then Trudi took over for the artistic flair of decorating it, and I helped in both endeavours. It took us two and a half hours to put it up, get the lights, tinsel and decorations on it, balance the star on the top, then clean up all the mess. I had been told by several people that it was far less messy than a real tree but I did not experience that! Hopefully next time we put it up we will be quicker because we know how it all goes together. I must admit, it does look very special as we decorated it this year with a gold theme - you know we always like to have a theme for Christmas, whether it be for the Christmas tree, the table centrepieces, or the menu!

Speaking of which, the theme for our food this year is ‘balls’. Yes, balls. So for the main course we are trying meatballs, fish balls, potato balls, and sausage balls, to go on different salads. Desserts will follow the same theme, with chocolate balls, peppermint balls, and Christmas cake balls, as well as some ‘healthier’ varieties like cashew balls, date balls, and peanut butter balls.
We have over 20 people coming so we are going to need a lot of balls - we might still be rolling balls while we watch the carols on Christmas Eve! One good thing about the balls though is that we can prepare them all ahead of time, and just put them out on plates when it’s time to serve - I like the sound of that.

All this talk of food already has me wanting to go for a walk and do some exercise. We all have to make sure that we try to balance our eating with our exercise, and stave off that Christmas kilo that tries to creep in this time of year. There is a time for enjoying life though, so if you do indulge, make sure you savour it and have no regrets - but maybe add in an extra workout after Boxing Day!

As we wind up 2022, I hope you have a time to reflect and look back at all the things that you have achieved this year, personally, in your family, and in your community. You may have tried something new, reconnected with an old friend, joined a new group, or gone back to do a little travel. I know it may also be a sad time for those of you who will be experiencing your first Christmas without loved ones, so I encourage you to focus on the beautiful memories they have given you, and use those as a source of strength to carry on without them. Whatever your reflection, I hope that as you look forward to 2023 you continue to strive, grow, explore and be brave.

Wishing you all the blessings of Christmas and having a safe and exciting New Year.


Yours in fitness
Carol

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