Lots of fun and laughter

We had a super time with Derek and Mary and Tim last night. It was so great to see Tim looking so well and out of that horrible back pain he has been suffering.

Jim ordered a coq au vin and I must say it turned out well even if I do say so myself!


Of course, Mary and Jim look ok, but I think my coq au vin is the star of the photo...oh...and did I mention I got a hole in one the year before last in Palm Springs and that Jim has never got a hole in one...



Derek just congratulated me on my hole in one...and the coq au vin.



Tim and Mary admiring my coq au vin and complimenting me on my hole in one...
(P.S. I guess you can tell this was running joke for the evening!)

Now family tradition

My cousin John and Carol usually try to join us for lunch a few days after Christmas while they are relaxing on Saltspring. A family joke now is party hats are mandatory so I saved him one from our Christmas celebration. John brought some crackers but lo and behold no hats! John, I found the hats folded up at the bottom of the box. I've put them away for next year.

Lots of fun as usual and we learned about how they sent photos over the wire in the dark ages. John was a professional photographer so we took advantage of getting him to take a photo of Jim and I. Best one so far this season, of course.





Carol and John.



Jim and I making a big bang.



I think Richard and Carol made the most noise.



John and his party hat.



Oscar making his rounds.



Oscar resting in the sun after all the visiting and excitement.

Christmas at Kate and Jean's

We had a super time at Kate and Jean's for Christmas dinner...thank you so much!

It's become quite a tradition with the two families now and along with Derek and Mary, Jean's sister, Marna, and Derek's mom, Nin, joined us as well as Ian and we three. So ten for dinner and the two dogs made for a lively group.

It is a small world since Ian and Nin realized they were on the Aquitania together. Ian would have only been about 5 years old and Nin was coming out to meet Andy in B.C. She was a war bride just like Jim's mom was. Ian joked that he was the little guy that kicked her in the shins...Nin said she owes him one now!


Nin



Nin singing a Chelsea football song...what fun!



Richard helping with the crackers.



Derek and Ian. Ian got the best sock award for the evening...



It wouldn't be Christmas without the dogs, Holly and Ian.



Mary and Kate.



Jean kept a roaring fire going all evening...a real Yukon girl.



Richard, Kate, and Jim.



Nin, Marna, and Jean enjoying their crackers.



Everyone showing off their finger puppets.

A good time is had by all

Jim decided to give Richard his kilt outfit since it's a bit tight on him and not that comfortable and also his tux which he doesn't wear anymore. The kilt is special because Bill Thomas gave it to him and Susan Carr knit the socks...they will all be in good hands. The tux got bought because of that stint Jim did at Royal Roads Military College and had to go to a few black tie events. The military doesn't let you choose what you wear...

We also gave Richard our old picnic basket and the old red check tablecloth...stains and all. Richard has a lot of fond memories of picnics with this old basket and it took me a while to find it but I did.

The turkey in a box turned out pretty well and Jim and Richard did any work there was to be done. Next year Richard is taking charge of the Christmas Eve turkey dinner or it might be a brined roast chicken. Anything I don't have to do any work for will be great!


He looks like a real Scot don't you think?



My Dad's violin is the perfect prop.







I love seeing men in the kitchen...not a common site around here but Jim is making brunch as I post.







Oscar got very comfy with Richard this morning.



Only Elaine could find such a perfect gift for me...bright colours and cats!



Jim got some real finds for my books this year.

A Merry Christmas to all!

Our latest Christmas ornament from our cat adoring friends, the Curlings...

Richard hits paydirt at Value Village

The Victoria Value Village is renowned for deals. I see Japanese tour buses going there!
Richard really scored today with four jackets...one being a brand new Donegal tweed that fits him like a glove and an Italian sweater. Plus a great pair of new shoes.

Wow!

Turkey dinner in a box

We're invited to the Soles for Christmas but since it won't be turkey, Donna, a server at the Grand Pacific suggested this Butterball product. Just cook from frozen, gravy from an envelope and extra dressing from a box...sounding good to me!

What's old does come round again...

Richard arrived today and we're having lots of fun. Seems "casual Friday" is out and ties are back in so Richard has taken most of Jim's ties. Amazing amount of ties he still had considering all his ties were thrown out mistakenly 28 years ago when we made the move across the street.

Fern's yummy tourtiere and chutney tonight..

Richard will be over today and he will have a special treat with Fern's tourtiere and world famous tomato chutney which Richard adores!

Oscar's Christmas pillow

Oscar seem to like his Christmas pillow from Don and Elaine...

And we even remembered to take a photo...

We had a lot of fun at our place with the Springs and the Poys last night and we remembered to get a photo taken of ourselves. The photos I took of the boys didn't turn out very well but the one Don took of us was great.



Me, Fern, and Carole.

Dinner at the Curlings...

We were spoiled with all sorts of goodies!

Christmas Trees around the world...

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C. , is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.




A token of gratitude for Britain 's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London 's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.




Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris , even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

Guess who is Santa?

Itty Bitty Book Review: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer/Annie Barrows

This was a book club choice and pretty light stuff. I found it rather tiresome and completely predictable.

And the last of the Bears...

This display was very sweet and put on by the Grand Pacific...all recent babies of staff represented.









This was our favourite and also won "best dressed".

More Bears....featuring the St. Margaret's Bear.

The famous St. Margaret's Bear.