Monday, December 12, 2011

Not So Silent Night

The 100 Word Challenge from Julia's Place (click to see the other entries) is getting into the Christmas spirit this week with a re-wording of a popular carol on the theme of Christmas Dinner. We all love it and have fond memories of stuffing our faces till we're fit to burst. All the traditional foods, the minions of family and other guests around the table, the excitement of the first carve of the turkey, the brandy alight on the Christmas pudding, the mince pies with coffee afterwards. And, yes a wee drop of Baileys in the coffee, thank you, I only do this on Christmas you know... But how did this fine feast appear on the table? Maybe we should take a moment to remember the cook? The woman, usually, who didn't have such a Silent Night....


Last night, long night
Stuffed the turkey tying it tight
Peeled potatoes setting them right
Round the turkey as squashed as I might
Put in the oven at first light
No wonder I'm looking a fright.

Last night, eternal night
Brussel sprouts taste like shite
But they're still a Christmas rite
I made the pudding to set alight
I was up cooking past midnight
No wonder I'm looking a fright.

Last night, all night
Baked mince pies for carollers' bite
Sausage rolls that always delight
Kitchen cleaned and shining bright
A Bottle of Baileys eased my plight
No wonder I'm looking a fright.

*The picures are from Google Images under Exhausted Woman

32 comments:

  1. F-a-bu-lous!Love it.It is such a great reminder of history. I think there are still kitchens like that even now. The pictures really made it too. Thank you so much for taking up this very silly challenge!

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  2. Not silly at all Julia - loved the challenge. Thanks for commenting.

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  3. Livi - especially the bottle of Baileys eh? ;)

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  4. Another amazing example. Nicely done!!

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  5. Brilliant :) can identify with this one

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  6. Thankd Tao and Gill - gender is starting to show in the comments ;)

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  7. Very clever! Thank goodness my husband takes care of all that, (although I wouldn't mind shouldering the burden of the Baileys!)

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  8. Great piece. Love the pics too, really added to it.
    Thank Goodness for Baileys hey!

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  9. Inspired. And accurate. Although, what would I know :P

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  10. DancingInTheRain:

    Very nicely put - the words used, the rhymes , and the realistic images they evoked. Felt it was me! The pics are a great added touch.

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  11. Well, I always used to cook Christmas dinner, but never went as far as making mince pies for carol-singers!

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  12. Thanks for the lovely comments everyone, I think this week has been the most enjoyable so far. And, Colin, I don't think anyone since Mrs Bridges has gone that far. :)

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  13. Great one, what a lovely idea to do it from the point of view of the person having to do all that cooking, rather than just concentrating on the food. Polly

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  14. Very clever and I'm sure you don't look a fright!

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  15. i *love* this rachel... you are a talented lady !

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  16. Oh, this is fantastic. I can really feel your stress edged with humor. Great one for the challenge.

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  17. Oh well done! This is hilarious, and the pictures are wonderful! You deserve the Baileys! LOL

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  18. GSussex
    An honest response that conveys so much. It works so well!

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  19. What a fantastic piece, perfect writing as always and a great insight into the history. Love it. x

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  20. Fantastic! Great line about the bottle of baileys easing the plight! So very true. It fits very well with the hymn too :O) x @Chaoskay (Sorry, I'm not anonymous, it just wouldn't recognise my OpenID for some reason)

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  21. In fact, I would go as far to say, this is the best piece I've read, but then, it does have that wry, dry wit I love. More! :D

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  22. Sounds about right mi dear - and the Bailey's is such a modern touch (but will be here to stay)

    Loved the pictures

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  23. Thanks everyone - I couldn't have done it without the Baileys :)

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  24. ha ha! Good one - and I love the photos you have to go with it. :-D

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  25. Thanks GoofyJ, just in cas anyone was in any doubt how it feels I had to add the pictures. And it gave it that old fashioned element which I like.

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  26. brilliant - love the photos alongside the lyrics!

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  27. Haha! Brilliant. The Brussels sprout comment made me laugh out loud.

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  28. North - Thanks, though I actually like them it seems to be fashionable to bash the sprout.

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  29. Brilliant! This realy made me laugh!

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  30. Thanks S-J, love it that comments are still coming in on Monday!

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