A New Year......

has arrived, and already it's the 11th of January?????   How did that happen????

I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a great beginning to the New Year.  Ours was very low key.  My big boys returned from Gladstone a few days before and immediately set about catching up with their friends.  So the quiet home that Jed and I had been enjoying was over-run with teenagers!!! 

We went to my brother's place in Brisbane for Christmas Day.  I even bought a new swimming costume as I had images in my head of lazing by the pool with a glass of wine in hand.  A new sarong as well....perfect for covering up as much as possible - no-one sees these legs if possible!!!  But to our surprise, the weather was overcast and cool....so unlike Brisbane.  The children of course, were frolicking around in the water.  My brother, sister-in-law and I looked at each other, shook our heads and said  "nahhhh".  When is it that we lose that desire to swim unless the conditions are perfect??  So my cute new togs still have their tag on them!!!

But still we had a lovely relaxing day.  A beautiful seafood lunch on the deck....just simple food but so delicious.....prawns, smoked salmon, freshly cooked salt and pepper calamari, grilled turkish bread and salads and a few extras.....followed by a huge bowl of all the beautiful seasonal fruits.  Oh, not to forget the champagne!!!!

My brother and his children had made a piniata (is that how it's spelt?) and it was funny watching the kids whacking this thing with all their might.  Jed, being older and stronger, was very considerate and held back with his whacking to give the little ones a fair go.  He confided in me later that he could have smashed it in the first go lol.

Rather than sorting out who brought what, and who paid for what....my brother and I decided that they would put on lunch, and I'd bring dinner.  It wasn't exactly a traditional dinner I made.  I have a recipe for marinated lamb that is so delicious, but I'd only ever made it once before.  Boned legs of lamb are marinated for up to a week (I marinate it for three or four).  Then it is cooked and the leftover marinade boiled for the sauce.  It's so rich that you only need a simple side to it....so boiled baby potatoes and a salad is perfect.  The meat just melts in your mouth.....everyone was in raptures.  Then for dessert, I'd made one of my famous pavlovas - we all have something we're known for, don't we??  I'll post the recipes soon....I promise!!!

I learnt something from this Christmas.  My brother and his wife are very moderate when it comes to eating.  We didn't graze all day.  We had our lunch, a little bit of afternoon tea, and then our dinner.  And we thoroughly enjoyed BOTH meals!!!!! 

I love going to their place.  Their children are a delight and there is a sense of peace in their home.  Jed and I stayed the night and left the next afternoon.  I felt quite refreshed, having the break from all the work on the homefront.

Speaking of which!!!  It's been a flurry of activity here.....curtains being washed, rooms painted....boxes everywhere.  I've got one week left now, to get the final things done and then the house will be officially on the market.

I can't find the little doover to load my pics from the camera onto the computer.  No doubt, it's been accidently put in a box!!!  When I do, I'll come back to this blog and post them.

Till then, I'll try to get on here regularly.  If the old saying of "no rest for the wicked" is true....then I must be really bad!!!!

Happy New Year....

Leanne xx 

Comments

[sharon]

Hi Leanne,
Great to see you back in BLOG land!! Glad you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year celebrations. Ourswas a great one and we are now almost over January. Can you believe it? I hope you don't forget your promise for the recipes you enjoyed on Christmas Day. They sound delicious!! Has your house hit the market yet??

[Leanne Beasley]

Hope all is going well with the house selling thing, very stressful time, thinking of you. Hope you get a chance to add a few stitching moments here and there!

[suedaleydesigns]

Hi Leanne.
Hope all is well with you. I have just joined the ranks of the bloggers so I will add you to my list.