Thanks to Susanne at Living to tell the Story for this reminder every week to sit back and think about our 5 favourite things from the week.
Well firstly Happy New Year to everyone. I suspect there might be a few less hangovers this year with less parties being held but there was certainly no shortage of fireworks going off here at midnight last night.
Here are my 5 from last week
1) We got to celebrate Christmas with my son, DIL and 2 grandsons. We're in lockdown again and although we're only supposed to see our support bubble indoors (which is my daughter and her family) I can also form a childcare bubble with my son! Yep the rules are a bit daft. But we were all very careful leading up to Christmas, virtually isolating, so we didn't feel we posed a risk to one another. It was lovely to have them here as we hadn't seen them properly since we celebrated Thanksgiving with them.
2) A beautiful gift from my eldest son and family:
I love doing puzzles and this one will take pride of place somewhere once it's completed. I also have a matching fridge magnet of that pic.
3) Something to look forward to. Our younger son and his family gifted us an overnight stay with dinner at a venue in Saffron Waldon where we've been before and really enjoyed. It's valid for a year so hopefully we will be able to use it later in the year.
4) A second vaccine approved for use! This definitely gives me hope that we will be able to plan that getaway.
5) A lovely meal on New Year's Eve - this was gifted to us by my daughter and her family. It came all prepared in various pots and trays (supplied by Brown Butter Dining) and all we had to do was heat things and assemble. It was delicious. My photos don't really do it justice. (And I really should do some cropping before I post them lol.)
Pretty bowls
For delicious white onion soup
My starter of Chicken Liver parfait, onion jam & brioche toast
Nick's starter of Burrata, roasted squash, truffle pesto, puffed rice & seeds
Main course of Beef Wellington, pomme anna, ragu stuffed onion, winter greens and a red wine sauce
And finally dessert: Apple Tart Tatin with a toffee sauce and Creme Anglaise
All washed down with a nice red wine!
Yummy!
Love that puzzle gift. What a precious time you'll have putting that together! So glad you're family was able to be together for Christmas! Some of the regulations here are mind boggling too! Some of them make no sense whatsoever. The meal looks yummy! Happy New Year to you, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susanne. Yes our restrictions have been very confusing at times and the Government has had to change things at the last minute. There is a lot of controversy at the moment about the reopening of schools after the Christmas break. I am so glad I no longer work in a school.
DeleteThe puzzle and magnet are such a great gift!! Frameable, I'm sure!! Your NYEve dinner was such a great gift from your daughter and family! Love catching up with you and your family, Wendy!! Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri, yes will definitely be looking for a frame when the puzzle is finished.
DeleteHappy New Year! I love that cute picture on your puzzle. I hope your vaccination is going more quickly than over here in the U.S.. It is going to take years for everyone to get the vaccine over here at the current rate. Here's hoping that 2021 is much better than 2020. :-)
ReplyDeleteTime will tell on the vaccine but hopefully it won't be too long before a lot of people will have had it.
DeleteWhat a pretty area you will be visiting at Saffron Walden (I've been to Thaxted). I hope you can enjoy it this year.
ReplyDeleteThat puzzle is a great idea for a gift. Yes, it will be a frameable memento.
Happy New Year! I did notice all those firecrackers going off when we watched Big Ben chiming at midnight.
Thank you. Yes we've been to Saffron Walden before and Thaxted. Love the area. Apparently we should be able to watch the fireworks online somewhere but not sure I'll bother to check it out lol
DeleteHappy New Year to you - we are keeping such a close eye on news in the UK and in London with family there. I love that jigsaw puzzle we got into jigsaws on our first lockdown. I must send a jigsaw to my daughter and check out that wonderful food company your had for your NYE dinner.
ReplyDeleteWren x
Thank you and Happy New Year to you too.
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful holiday and very thoughtful and well planned gifts. It does seem as if the rules are a bit daft sometimes. I am all for being safe and keeping everyone healthy though.
ReplyDeleteYes our Government doesn't always seem to react quickly enough to situations so we are using our common sense a lot and trying to stay safe.
DeleteThe puzzle is a great gift idea! And you had some fine dining on New Year's Eve. Your kids are so creative with gift ideas. Happy New Year, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteMy kids put me to shame with their gifts this year. Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteI love the puzzle!!! what a thoughtful and loving gift!
ReplyDeleteWe are NOT in lockdown here in New York State thank the LORD!! People have been very careful now for which i am most grateful. My inlaws in MA do have covid and father in law not doing great. Mother in law is somewhat better for which we are glad.
thank you for all the nice comments on my blog posts. yes I love setting goals and even more I love working on them and seeing which ones I can actually accomplish!! I get bored just sitting around. hahah....
happy new year!! stay well!
Thanks Faith. Sorry to hear about your in-laws. I hope they're doing better.
DeleteWhat a sweet gift the puzzle was, and that wonderful meal. We feel the same with my kids--we're all mostly sheltering at home, so we don't worry about gathering together. We're not in lockdown here, but I just heard there's a confirmed case of the new strain here in the US. People in our area have not been good about isolating, and cases are soaring. That vaccine can't come quickly enough. Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete