For now, I am savouring the moment. The house is starting to stir and Gareth and Hayley, Matt, Steve, Caroline and Dale will be leaving us to join their partner's families for their Christmas celebration.
I know how special these times of all being together are. We chatted last night about our previous themed Christmas Eve parties, going back many years and the people who have come and gone (some more permanently than others). My mom is amazing and manages to stay strong at these times. She had a cousin who passed away yesterday and a very close friend who she heard was in ICU.
It was Matthew's idea to get away for Christmas and what a great one it was. For him to split himself at home between his family and to try and spend quality time with everybody would have been impossible. Here we have all been able to share ourselves, whether playing fuseball, walking on the beach or standing stirring sauces at the stove. Awesome times and lasting memories.
Clyde Amy and Kim
Test kitchen
Hayley and Amy
Fuseball
Sundowners and Eggnog on the balcony
Three Stooges
Mom and her grandchildren
Dalene Haylz and I
All the ladies (Kim had gone home yesterday)
Moved the furniture around a bit
Me and my Muskateers
This Nigella Lemon Curd Pavlova from our test kitchen needed a picture
The Vans
Mom and the Sisters
Dale, Steve and Caroline
The fuseball contest
Looking forward
Quiet times
Cocktails on tap
And of course Alfie
Let me go now. Time to share a last cup of tea on the stoep and load up the cars. We are here until tomorrow.
Happy Christmas to you all.
I could not resist this one.
