Anastasia Drawing & Dreaming

Night before Christmas

Well my boys are tucked in bed and are anxiously waiting for Santa to visit our little house and bring their presents.
Im still busy doing stuff, looks like a late one for me - I might even bump into the jolly man ..I had to go into work this morning so Ive spent most of the afternoon clearing up, baking biscuits, wrapping presents and Ive also got the ham boiling in coca-cola (yep you read right)....its one of my favourite Nigella recipes...from her
'Nigella Bites cookbook in the 'Trashy' section.
1hour to go, then cool and into the fridge and I'll finish it off in the oven tommorow for Christmas lunch at my inlaws.
my mum made a family of snow men this year using empty tin cans and thick wadding....she gave us one - what a cutie, the boys love him!

Its also time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas for my family....the birth of Jesus.
The Virgin Mary is such an important figure in the Greek Orthodox faith.
This beautiful icon has been in my husbands family for over 60 years and I was so honored when my mother in law gave it to me....especially since it has so much meaning to her.
When my in-laws had to flee their house in Northern Cyprus after the Turkish invasion of 1974, she packed a small suitcase of belongings for her and her 3 small children and then quickly grabbed this icon on the way out - she said she wanted the Madonna to protect her and her family on their journey to safety...they never realised they would never be allowed to return to their house even now 34years later so even though my husband's family lost their home, farm, land and material possesions, family heirlooms and photos we have this beautiful icon as a reminder of faith, strength, love and joy .....

Merry Christmas everyone!!!