The nativity play is most definitely over, only it wasn’t so much of a play as a sing-along-a-Christmas. There were lots and lots of wise men and kings and shepherds at the inn and my MS played an irascible traveller – smiling his way throughout – and my youngest one a sheep.
He was so loathe to do it, I am amazed he got up on stage but he did. He stood there, wiping snot on his woolen outfit and staring in to space while everyone else sang. Then he tripped going off the stage and fell over and burst in to howls of tears which made everyone else look concerned and horrified bar my MS who thought it was hysterical.
‘Who IS that little boy?’ asked the Woman next to me. I was not sure if she meant as in ‘because gosh he’s a real character’ or ‘who on earth has brought a child up to behave as badly as that?’ I remained quiet anyway and, when she wasn’t looking, waggled a bad tempered finger at MS. This made him laugh even more.
‘Tee hee hee,’ he went, rolling his eyes to the heavens and giggling.
Then the whole school sang Mary Had A Baby (Yes My Lord) and all MS did was shout ‘Mary Had A Baby, OH MY GOD’ which made everyone in the audience virtually fall off their chairs with mirth.
On the way home down the hill – freezing cold, torch shining out, dog running along with plumes of smoke coming from her nostrils – I told MS he’d been very naughty.
‘But everyone liked it!’ he said and it was true, everybody did.
On a different note – the weight is still going down in small itty bitty bits but I have recently had an attack of mince pie craving. All I can think of is a nice warm mince pie smothered in cream with a blob of brandy butter on the top. I crave a coffee or a mulled wine. I dream of goose-fat roasted potatoes. Today I even gave in to a morsel of mince pie and cream that the baby rejected and now I think I should run up the hill 80 times to get rid of the fat count.
Unfortunately this means one thing and one thing only – there is a high risk I will put all this weight back on for the same reason it piled on in the first place. I am a glutton. I just find it almost impossible to reject food. If something is delicious, I want to eat loads of it. I see thin people pick away at nuts as if they are not the most delicious things on earth. For me nuts are made by angels. They are the most delicious things I have ever tasted, especially when accompanied by a cold Coca Cola.
My family pile our plates high at Christmas. We scoff and scoff and drink and drink. I just cannot see myself not behaving in this way.
Nothing has changed for me re food. Is it an issue? I don’t think so. I just think it’s normal…
This post was written by Lucy Cavendish, a journalist and author of Samantha Smythe's Modern Family Journal. Her new book, Lost and Found, is due out in March. She lives in the Thames Valley with her husband Michael and their four children. You can keep up with Lucy at Samantha Smythe's Modern Family Blog.
Photo credit: Alecea
We're still suffering from PNSP(post nativity play syndrome) ourselves!
Posted by: Susanna (A Modern Mother) | 17 December 2008 at 10:34
Hi Lucy
I’m also a big fan of roast potatoes!
One thought though – have you considered replacing the goose fat with hemp seed oil, such as Good Oil: http://www.goodwebsite.co.uk
Not only does it have a slightly fresher taste (in my opinion), but it’s also a good healthy alternative to goose fat, dramatically reducing the calorie count in the dish, while not compromising on taste.
I should disclose that GOOD OIL is a client of mine, so feel free to get in touch for more information, I can also send out a sample for you to try if you like.
Warmest Regards & Seasons Greetings
Chris
Posted by: Chris | 22 December 2008 at 10:52