For Kathleen and I, Christmas has long meant a nice and quiet time in our own home. I think the last time we travelled for the holiday was Christmas 2017, the first time I ever visited the East Coast. Since then, between starting new jobs and COVID-19, we quickly found that we prefer having our own little Christmas together.
This morning, after making coffee (me) and tea (Kathleen), feeding the cats, and putting one of those fireplace channels on the television, I got busy in the kitchen to make our special breakfast.
I've made Claire Saffitz's breakfast sandwiches, for the past few years, but, as simple it is to do, this year, I was a little less interested in adapting them into a vegan sort. Also, to extend the trans stereotype, I've developed a bit of a sweet tooth.
So pancakes it was!
Pancakes with maple syrup, mixed berries, and whipped cream. She (the sweet tooth) required tribute, and tribute she got!
It was then time to open our new lego set and get building! One lesson we learned from last year was that a 1,500-piece set is a bit too large for us. As much as we love our main street set, it took us three hours to build. At some point, it was less relaxing and more "when is this going to finish?"
Today's set gave us no such problem. The street car we were putting together was about 800 pieces and it took us about 90 minutes! We both agreed that it was the perfect amount of time.
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One thing we always make sure to do after we've finished breakfast and the lego set it to get out for a little walk around the neighbourhood.
Aside from it just being a good thing to get out once a day (we both get a little crabby if we don't), Christmas morning in our neighbourhood is usually wonderfully calm and quiet. Aside from other people out for a walk on a quiet morning, we also see people loading their cars with presents and food to join in with family and friends for a Christmas meal. It all just feels so nice.
During this morning's walk, I made sure to finish a roll of film I began yesterday; making photos of familiar snowy and wintry scenes and just enjoying the morning. If not for the wind, it would not have been so bad out there, but with it, it felt much colder outside!
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Now it's just preparing for tonight's dinner of a vegan wellington (mushroom, chickpea, etc.) with mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, and cranberry sauce!
I don't think I would want to do our Christmas any other way!
December 25, 2025