Yay! It’s our 8th. Anniversary (or 35th. in ‘old money’).
Today was unique, in that it coincided to the day, with neighbour Trish’s legendary Annual Christmas Dinner get-together. So, for this year, in celebration, we were surrounded by our neighbours (who are also our friends)!
In part, it was just like our wedding all over again! 😀😀 (but we missed David and Rosi who couldn’t make it this year).
To add to the celebration, neighbour Paul and neighbour Julie had recently celebrated milestone birthdays — so it was yet another reason to celebrate tonight (any excuse, but not that we need one!) 😁
As they say: “Let the celebrations begin…” and after picking-up Paul and Karen (who had only returned from America nine-hours earlier) we headed for Trish & John’s for a 7pm kick-off and what promised to be — based on previous years — a delicious and convivial meal!
The ‘one’ from 762!
First-ting’s-first: the obligatory group-selfie! What could be simpler? But as often happens with technology, it all took on a life-of-its-own, where Trish’s selfie-stick, conspired with her iPhone, switched into ‘burst mode’ and as a result, captured over 750 shots in the space of less-than 2 minutes! Still, better to have some than none! 😉
All set!
With the table all set (Trish being the organised sort had it all done by mid-week) and whilst the saucepans rattled, perfecting their veg, we all had the opportunity to catch-up with everyone’s news…
Not only a neighbourly affair, it was good to see Sean and Conor too before the feasting began! 😋
With Turkey taking centre-stage, the vegetable support act starring roasties, parsnips, carrots, red cabbage, brussels and stuffing created the perfect plate!
And it came as no surprise to any of us that it was all delicious and the portions generous! Well done Chef! 👍
No Christmas meal is complete without the obligatory crackers — and we all shared the (ahem!) top quality humour that is uniquely cracker-sourced! Nice gifts too!
And to complete the Christmas experience? Christmas Pudding (of course!) with the option of Brandy Cream of Double Cream (and in many cases — both!!!)
Whilst we gave the cutlery a break, we turned our attention to Trish’s Christmas Quiz. It was an interesting blend of questions, and where I ended up as Quiz-Master. The seating configuration lent itself to two natural teams being formed —Girls v Boys. After working through the questions and inventing some bonus opportunities along the way, it turned out to be a narrow victory for the girls, although the combination of the ‘free-flowing grape’ meant that everyone’s maths skills were put to the test in keeping-up with the score! 🤔
As if we hadn’t eaten enough to feed an army, out came the obligatory (and rather heavy) cheeseboard. Its weight was partly down to Sean’s carpentry skills in making the board itself, but mostly the sheer quantity of cheese! Predictably, it didn’t last very long as we’re all self-confessed cheese-addicts!
Three-and-a-half hours after their name suggested, out came the After-Eights, and we all tucked-in; followed by a surprise finish to the evening by way of a ‘new kid on the block’…
Black Sambuca
…Black Sambuca! (never seen/heard of that before!) If you like Sambuca (or aniseed) AND you like liquorice, then this is the drink for you! – it went down a treat… TWICE! 🥴😵💫
Wow! What a great evening! It doesn’t get much better than tonight. Great food, great friends… great Scott, is that my waistline????
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
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