Christmas just had to be different this year. We couldn't face No Children/Family, No Decorations or Tree, No Snow or cooler temperatures, so we decided to embrace the difference.
Voila! Christmas morning on the Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi proper. Packed a cooler with fruit and Bloody Marys. Scott enjoyed just sitting and looking out at the beautiful turquoise waters, as he decided the water was too cool for a swim.
Christine models her Christmas gift. Scott purchased this sarong in Goa from a beach vendor. Enjoyed half of her morning treat and then went for a little walk along the water's edge. 
Beautifully set Christmas table at The Peter's home, (Chris and Suzanna) note the traditional English "crackers" on the table. Each person pulls the cracker (silver or gold wrapped tubes at each place) and it makes a loud pop sound. Inside are prizes and paper crowns.
Chris with Taavi after dinner. Chris looks stern, actually he was exhausted because he and Scott did the vast majority of the cooking. We had ham, turkey, stuffing (Christine's Mom's recipe), potatoes, brussel spouts, green beans, carrots, rutabaga, parsnips, and a Finnish recipe of carrots and squash. The huge amount of veggies is important and read on to find out why...
Layla (Suzanna's Mother), Taavi, Richard (Chris' boss) and Doug (Chris' Father). We are just about ready to eat - there was sooo much food and it was all wonderful. We know that most people are about has happy as they decide to be, so, we decided to embrace the difference. Chris & Suzanna and their other guests were so gracious about including us in their Christmas Day and Boxing Day plans that we were busy and the time passed quickly and very much was enjoyed. Dinner on Christmas Day was huge affair. Dessert was also impressive. Chris brought back a proper Christmas pudding from London. This dessert is sort of like a really moist fruitcake - really moist because it has been soaking in brandy for the past 6 months. Chris poured more brandy over the cake and lit it on fire. While the cake is lit, Chris is spooning the flaming brandy over the cake. Delicious with a bit over brandy sauce anda glass of port. We rolled ourselves across the street.
Boxing Day (Dec 26th) is huge holiday in UK. We were invited back for Boxing Day celebration of elegant leftovers. The hit of the day is called "Bubbles and Squeak". Essentially all left over veggies and potatoes/stuffing are mashed and then either pan fried or oven roasted. A fried egg is served over the B&S. Scott was thrilled to eat ham two days in a row - remember ham isn't often on the menu! We were made to feel so welcome and a part of our neighbors' Christmas plans, that Christine woke up and it was Dec 27th. She had made it through her first Christmas away from home (and the "boys")
Christine felt inspired to return the hospitality and made Turkey Devonshire (a.k.a. Hot Brown for our Louisville friends) and apple pie for the Peters' family. Later in the week, Scott requested Aunt Jo Herbst's Turkey Tetrazzini. She always made this for her holiday gatherings and Scott has always enjoyed it. Enough with the turkey already is Christine's thought process...
In retrospect, Christmas season was certainly different, but lovely none the less.
Love to all,
Scott and Christine
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