The Last Day of the Year

And so we have reached the last day of the year. A lot has happened this year and a lot has changed, main change being the move into our new home in a beautiful and peaceful part of the country. As the year comes to a close,  there's a lot to be thankful for; we have all the space we could want now, to play and pursue our passions, clean air to breathe, beauty to gaze at everywhere we look and great tranquility that surrounds us. That pretty much ticks all the boxes I had on my wish list and therefore my almost non-existent social life doesn't really bother me too much at the moment.

As Muumipeikko puts it very eloquently...

Anyway, a little bit of socializing was on the cards for christmas; Mon Cheri's papa invited us to spend le Noel with them and so we packed our car, left the rain behind and whisked ourselves down south where it was 10 degrees warmer and sunny. Not exactly your normal xmas weather, but Mon Cheri was ecstatic; finally some heat and sunshine. Poor darling, he has been deprived from his climat prefere and taken into the freezer in the middle of nowhere. He must really love me!

 
We visited sunny Montpellier in the xmas eve morning and I realized that I hadn't missed it at all. Too many people, pushing and shoving, noise of the traffic, air that smells bad...Sure, it's easy for the shopping, restaurants and all the other things one might need, but I guess I was born a country pumpkin and will happily continue to be one. Put me in a forest and I'll be content. Mon Cheri on the other hand was eagerly sniffing the fumes of the cars and felt at home once again in the hustle-and-bustle of the big city. Needless to say, this has been a year of big compromises as well as big changes.

Back at the base the great preparations were on for the evening meal. And when the hour was upon us, we prepared ourselves for this great olympic-level event; warming up the muscles and stretching, wearing loose clothes and coming to the table with unfailing mental concentration.

First course: apéro. Meaning drinks and nibbles, kind of amuse-bouche, if you like. Champagne, of course, and saucisson and l'escargots. I can tell you, my bouche was verrry amused already!

Moving on to saumon fumee, foie gras and pate de forestier. Trying hard not to think what lies still ahead...

And when in France, les huitres are a must on festive season. With a sensational sauce of shallots, vinegar and few different oils to go with them.

The fruits de mer -theme continued and next we had les coquilles Saint-Jacques avec les crevettes with salad as a side-show. Tuck in everyone. I don't mind if I do!

At some point we had moved on to the red wine (apparently) and le fromage came out. We're nearly there! I can almost smell the finishing line and the coffee.

And last but not the least, le buche de noel, the yule log. Just coffee and chocolates to chuck down the hatch and voila! yet another xmas meal done. Maybe it's good that we do this only once a year...

And then finally the xmas gifts!! I am a big child when it comes to this tradition and I couldn't imagine a xmas without presents, no matter how few or how small. I must've been good since that pile looks quite impressive! And my mum has been busy in the knitting department (though I made the two pairs on the right, since I've got the knitting virus as well).

I can see why so many accidents happen at xmas time since we forgot TWICE that there was candles on the table when opening the presents...

Nothing to do with wine, eh Barbie??

Much fun was had by all and Mon Cheri got his vital dose of sunshine, but after a couple of days it was good to come back home again. And I know someone who was very happy to have us back. Sleepy cuddles with Papa are the best! Or is it just that he makes a good pillow....

Time to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new! Sante!

I leave you to enjoy the last hours of this year with this thought. Thank you so much for reading my blog and commenting on it. It gives me a lot of encouragement to keep going.

I wish you great health and blessings for the coming year, many big adventures, peace, abundance and every little thing your heart is secretly wishing for.
Happy new year 2020!