Of Books and Cooking on Christmas Eve

Today is my favourite day of the holidays. A day I spend in the kitchen, contentedly mixing, stirring, and tasting… until it’s time to serve the Christmas Eve dinner.

When I grew up, this was a very specific meal. A huge cauldron of different kinds of sausage, including one that is only ever available at Christmas and New Year.

Served simply with boiled potatoes and Sauerkraut, plates would be piled high with sausage and nobody was expected to finish their food. Instead, at the end of the meal, each family member took their plate to the kitchen. Lined up on the kitchen counter they would sit, and we’d drift from the living room at intervals to take another bite.

Because the sausages were just as fab when they were cold. And the very best bit was the broth they’d cooked in. Rich and fragrant and fabulous… that would be served, re-heated, for an amazing Christmas Day brunch.

I’ve no pictures of this dish and I’ve not eaten it in 20-odd years. But as I head to the kitchen on Christmas Eve, and turn on the music before I turn on the oven, the memories are with me.

I find cooking deeply relaxing, and – let’s face it – at this time of year, when it’s cold, dark, and often crazy busy, a chance to relax is a good thing. Remember Gareth’s comments in Ghosts?

“Jack, have you seen the state of my desk? I had to fire two people today for gross misconduct, and just as I was leaving Lisa called to tell me that the CPS may want the boys as trial witnesses. The only reason I didn’t collect five speeding tickets on the way home is because I was looking forward to making dinner.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t—”
“Shut up. You were exactly where you needed to be. Frazer had it covered. And I wasn’t fishing for sympathy. Just… don’t ever… tell me not to cook.”

That’s me, especially when I’m getting stressed. So kitchen time, and a bit of channelling Gareth is very welcome. Especially as he and Jack are responsible for a good chunk of the stress.

December is one of the busiest months of my working year, so it makes perfect sense for me to decide to relaunch my Power of Zero series, ie. Jack & Gareth’s story, starting from the middle of December, right? There is, however, some method to my madness. Because the first stage in Jack’s journey, Job Hunt, begins in September, and Ghosts, the sequel, is set between Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

When I thought about re-releasing the books, I liked the idea of catching the vibe of the holiday season, and spending the weeks between Christmas and the end of February talking about Jack. And that made it worth the extra effort, at a time when I’m pretty much flat out already. I’m pleased to say I’m on track, too. Mostly.

Job Hunt is available in epub and mobi format in my store along with a taster for anyone who’d like to see what the Power of Zero is all about before diving in. 🙂 It’s on pre-order on amazon, too, but there you have to wait until January 15th before you can buy it or read it with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

And Ghosts, the sequel to Job Hunt, will make an appearance in my store before the year is out – hopefully before the end of the week – while I work my way through the third book.

Check them out if you feel so inclined. And if you’re rather in the mood for Christmas stories, then why not download a copy of A Box of Wishes, which is available free fom my store!

That said, I’m headed back into the kitchen to construct a Mushroom Wellington and put the final touches to the gravy. And I wish you all a lovely, peaceful Christmas, wherever you’re celebrating.