Only 2 sleeps left

The last couple of days have been busy for us and quite festive, with some pre Christmas shopping and entertaining.

The tree has been up for a couple of weeks

Always a special time for me, so many of our tree ornaments are from close friends and family given to us over many many years

They are carefully packed away every year - just like precious little ornaments should be.

Tuesday night, Gail, Steve, Auntie Beryl and Sue (Ash had to work) came for dinner. The Brig and I really stretched ourselves here, but it was a "pretty okay" meal. Fresh and gorgeous Queensland prawns and peppered smoked salmon pastrami with a couple of sauces, barbequed baked Pork and apple , and a colourful trifle which I had found a photo and recipe of a couple of days ago, easy and rather nice.

Just as they were arriving, the phone rang, and there was number 2 cousin (I am number 5 in age - of 24 first cousins) on the phone, last time I saw Ross was when I think I took him (a country boy) to see the Beatles (live) in Sydney - quite obviously many many moons ago. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce when he was 19 and stayed with them and moved all over the place for most of his married life. We had seen his Mum on many occasions, his Dad (Mum's brother died quite young) - anyway of course arrangements have been made for he and Yvonne to join us for lunch today to celebrate cousin-in-law, Ann's birthday.

*****

Yesterday had a great start, with a phone call from London - K.D., a specifically dear friend of mine from many years ago - chatting to him was as easy as it has always been. Speaking of London, Gilly (my young 2nd cousin) and Matt eventually landed in London, after being stranded in Singapore (because of the snow at Heathrow), and are now touring around London with my God daughter Jo, and on Christmas Eve they will drive to Marlow-on-Thames to a special little Pub to celebrate Christmas for a couple of days, before heading to Paris.

******

Last night was another great evening, with some neighbours popping in for a drink for a couple of hours - Carol and Valley, the wonder dog stayed for an hour or so (dinner out for the girl), and Kumi, Bob, Connie and Dieter stayed on for some lovely chat and snacks.

Between the 6 of us, there were 6 different birth nationalities, starting with Kumi (Japan), Frank (England), Bob (New Zealand) Connie (Portugese Goa) Dieter (Germany) and of course Moi - from Oz.

Ah, the Brig on his knees, and looks like I am definitely spreading out on the coffee table ***** Today, 16 of our family are meeting for lunch at Currumbin to celebrate Ann's birthday (she and cousin Wayne arrived on the Gold Coast last night) ****** AND IT'S RAINING, AND WILL BE - ACCORDING TO THOSE WICKED FORECASTERS - FOR ANOTHER 7 DAYS!!