Wishing you a belated Happy New Year!

Christmas was a time long time in the preparation but a very short time going! Tim and Bex’s spent Christmas with her family in Leicester and then came on the 27th and Lucy was working. So we went to my mum, sister and brother in law for a very lovely lunch (first time I haven’t cooked in about 30 years)! Boxing Day was spent cooking in preparation for the ‘Brown fest’ on the 28th when 20 plus members of the Brown family descended on us, 5 of them being under 6 with another on the way. It was a great day with lots of noise, food, wrapping paper and party games.

You know how each year there is always one present that really hits the mark (and several that miss it by about 5 miles) – well Tim had it bang on this year with his godson. What more could a four year old boy want than a mouth organ AND a whoopee cushion (self inflating). Things started to go downhill rapidly after Noah had unwrapped them and any form of control I had over pass the parcel went out the window!

Becky invited me to go to Wiveliscombe to try on some wedding dresses at Isle Altar Hymn – all very beautiful and once again I was so pleased that it wasn’t me making the decision! On to Mole Valley Farmers for a bit of retail therapy plus a pork bap and then to Hemyock to visit mum and Julie – all in all a lovely few days!

Last year, the arrival of the New Year was heralded by snow and ice but this year it was wind and rain. Our spirits weren’t dampened however and we celebrated in style by helping to organise the Wootton Courtenay New Years Eve village party in the hall. Based on last years success, all the tickets were sold within 3 days with some people queuing to get them the day they went on sale! Panic ensued as we realised that the ‘committee’ hadn’t bought theirs but with a quick press of the printer all was fine!

We had a great time with groups of friends and neighbours bringing their own food and drink ranging from 8 courses plus champagne and port to a packet of bread sticks accompanying a thousand island cream dip! There was live music, mulled wine, raffle with money going to air Ambulance, a quiz plus lots of dancing. The hall looked beautiful in the evening and decorated with greenery and candles. The next day things were not quite so pretty but by mid morning and with the help of about 30 people, all was cleared and back to normal.

Now with the start of 2012 it’s back to work. But on second thoughts, looking out the window at the sun on Dunkery Beacon I feel it would be far more beneficial to go for a long walk with the dogs! I have been looking back at some of the photos Derek took over the past year and have decided to put some summer ones on the blog just to remind you of the sun and warmth to come.
P.S. primroses are out at Selworthy – unbelievable!