Stealing the show

Had a lovely Christmas day full of friendship and relaxation.

I was invited to L & M's for Christmas dinner and volunteered to be cic of the turkey. Terry the turkey had been defrosted over the past couple of days and was duly stuffed with a rather nice stuffing* by mid morning before being set to roast.

Up at L & M's a dozen people shared a glorious Christmas dinner which combined traditional with Antipodean whilst sitting out in the scrummy sunshine. Wine was drunk, games were played, presents were shared and love and laughter was shared by all.

On my way home I dropped in to wish Merry Christmas to M & J and they too had a house full of visitors including 2 of J's sisters from Christchurch who were very pleased to be out of the rumble zone! Nellie here has also come from Chch - I wonder how much people's pets have been affected by all the earthquakes?? Nellie is adorable and even sat for a while on my knee!

On the downside, J has a broken foot after trying to avoid tripping over on eof the dogs and stubbing her foot into the doorway. 3 broken metatarsals and 6 weeks in plaster - that's no way to enjoy th esummer holiday :(

Home late in the evening then into the family phone calls back to the UK. Bed finally some time after 3.00am!

And that was Christmas for another year!!

(Btw - check out this wee girls' eyelashes . . . to die for!!!)

* 2 c breadcrumbs
1 c chopped onion
1 cl garlic, crushed (or to taste)
½ c chopped celery
1 c chopped walnuts (100g)
1 c chopped apple
1 c chopped parsley
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 des sp sugar
Juice of half a lemon
120g butter, melted

Mix all except butter well. Mix in butter.