Santa arrived on the back of a station wagon and gave lollies to those of us who promised we had been good girls. There is no such thing as a good boy apparently, so the blokes didn't get lollies! That's fair isn't it? Wim and David didn't seem too upset anyway.
Our guests this year are Wim, Akinyi and Akinyi's Mum Nancy. That's Nancy to the left in the photo above.
This is the beautiful Akinyi.
We harvested fifty percent of our finger lime crop, to go with the Wallis Lake oysters for entree. But it turns out Akinyi and Nancy, being Kenyan, do not do oysters. So they had kangaroo shaped bruschetta, done with our home grown herbs.
We ate outside on the deck and the weather was obligingly balmy.
Wim, Sue, Nancy
The table was casually dressed this year. Everything in our lives is getting more casual.
Akinyi looked stunning in her crushed velvet sheath dress. Nancy is rightly proud of her, and of all her four children. Unusually for an African woman, she raised them solo as a very young widow. They are a credit to her.
Of course, we had pavlova for dessert. I've given up on Christmas pudding. It's too hot and rich and not many people like it. Except me and Lian, and she wasn't there! The rest of the menu included marinaded boned leg of lamb done to perfection on the Weber, with lots of roast vegies and a very fine citrussy herb sauce, and a fantastic local smoked leg of ham. Then of course we spent the afternoon drinking champagne and unwrapping presents. Nancy had brought, all the way from Africa, two soapstone sculptures, one for me and one for David. What unique and beautiful and heavy gifts they are! We were overwhelmed and feel privileged to be given such generosity. Wim and Akinyi also spoiled us with such lovely things. Too many to list and heart-felt words on cards. Happy sigh. I have this "I don't deserve it" feeling.
This is the end of the day, with the present wrapping wreckage all over the floor and the late afternoon light coming in the top window.
I'm a bit ashamed of the number of bottles. But no-one had to drive. Or even get up the next day!
Meanwhile back in Canberra at 12.01am on Christmas morning, Mae, Nick and their fluffies tore apart the presents we had left on our previous visit. Then they went to bed and got up later to have Christmas lunch with Mae's Dad and Melissa. We missed her and Nick of course, but completely understand how hard it was for them to travel this far.
This is the cat box they bought their furchildren. Cute, huh?
Lian sent this photo from her Christmas with her in laws Pam and Chris at Leongatha. Matt has just been offered a contract in New York and will be off in early February, so what will happen for Christmas next year? Lindsey phoned from the Sunshine Coast where she's having Christmas with her Mum and stepdad. Julian phoned from his partner Cat's house. Great to hear from them.
Back at Diamond Beach, its Boxing Day. Here's the breakfast table at 11am. No takers. Its good to know our guests relax enough to have a proper sleep in.
Finally, here's some post-Christmas ducks on the dam wall. Look closely. They are also having a sleep in. We have all just relaxed around today, reading, blogging, looking out at the rain, eating leftovers. Wim's been playing his guitar, giving us advice about our electronics, and generally it's been a good, quiet, restful day. Just what you need. Although I would have liked the weather a bit hotter so we could go to the beach. But I no complain.
Thank you to those of you who have been in touch with cards, letters, texts or emails. I do so appreciate your contact and kind words and I will be in touch. Yes, we are hoping for a better year in 2013. But we make the best of things and life's not bad. Not bad at all. May your festive season be an absolute delight and may you be as well cared for as we feel.
No comments:
Post a Comment