Alison

🎅 December in Review – 2021 🧑‍🎄

December started off with a bang, literally, as I went to see the latest 0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ film with a friend at our local cinema. It was the last one for Daniel Craig and we both enjoyed it, although it’s a mighty long film. Full of twists and turns and action packed as usual. The gadgets getting more techno every film. Daniel Craig has done a good job throughout but for me James Bond = Sean Connery.
As I came out of the cinema I saw one of my first Christmas decorations.

“let me out”

~Time for the tree to go up ~

On 2nd December Lachie decided it was time for the tree to go up. All the decorations we could find went on the tree. He was very happy with the result.

Also this first week was the start of the parties, brunches, lunches and dinners. Anthony and I went for dinner one night to a local restaurant, Miss Chow’s and had the most delicious dinner.

Sang Choy Bao
Sweet and Sour Pork
Spicy Crispy Squid

The tree and decorations in the town of Claremont, WA

A few days later it was our Zumba Christmas Party, held at our lovely instructor’s house in her amazing beautiful garden. The food was delicious and of course there was dancing.

A week later there was another zumba party, this time it was brunch attended by 55 ladies! So much food. It was held at another lovely instructor’s house, Laura. We were all asked to bring a small gift to put under the tree for Secret Santa. I couldn’t stay too long as I had another Christmas lunch to go to at the Bridge Club. I struck lucky with my gift, herb scissors and a basil plant, very useful.

It was a very hectic month indeed with a couple more parties and dinners with friends, but such a wonderful lead up to Christmas Eve. This was when the summer really arrived with temperatures in the forties for Christmas and Boxing Day.

We always celebrate Christmas Eve with a seafood dinner. On Christmas Day for the past few years we have been going to our neighbours for Christmas lunch as daughter and son visit respective parents. It is always good fun as they host for around 16 people!

Christmas Eve Table

Just a small table this year as Laurence and Maddy were back in Melbourne, due to the closure of the borders, but still a delicious menu of Cucumber Soup, Smoked Salmon, Cold Prawns and Potato and Green Salad.

Before
After

Santa also brought a big green slide that he spent nearly all night trying to assemble!

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

From Boxing Day until the 29th December we are gradually clearing the house up for our departure to England, we are off to see my parents. Thankfully Elena and Damian are moving in to take care of our two boys so they don’t have to go into kennels.

What a rigmarole to fly back, tests to be taken, forms to fill out, boosters to be had and more tests once we arrive. It will be worth it though to see my parents after such a long time.

My December gallery

Time for a swim!
Jacaranda Trees
Crayfish Salad
A hazy sunset over the Swan River

Hoping everyone has a healthy and happy 2022

25 comments

  1. It certainly sounds like the good life, Alison. I thoroughly enjoyed the Bond film too, and play croquet and walk to use up the Christmas calories. Not quite so effective as zumba. Enjoy the precious time with your folks. We made a 3 day dash to see our youngsters in Leeds and it was worth every second of aggravation. Wishing you a healthy, happy 22!

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  3. What delightful Christmas parties and a fun filled month Alison. Glad to discover that you are finally able to make it back over here to visit your parents. It will be lovely for all of you and the tests, jabs and form filling will all be worthwhile. Are you staying for several weeks? Happy New Year, Marion

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    • Thanks Marion, we are not sure at the moment. We are going due to my dad’s health, so for a good while I would say. I’m very glad my hubby is coming too.
      Still hoping to do some travelling though probably just in the UK though

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  4. What a food-filled December you had, to be sure but Zumba will take care of that I presume! I am just surfacing after Christmas. I didn’t look at any blogs or do anything on the internet for 3 days and although I found it strange not to be online, it was also a relief, and I’m determined to inject more discipline into my computer use. I’m not a Bond fan so didn’t see that film but I did go to see the new Stephen Spielberg West Side Story – twice! Absolutely brilliant, but then I’m a big musical theatre fan. Glad you’re making it back to the UK for a visit. Hope all goes well for you.

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    • The critics think that the new version of WSS is the better one and I’m inclined to agree, if only because it gives more reason as to why the gangs of N.Y. were as they were. The score is exactly the same but the film is less glamourous looking than the original, colours more subdued and with a less charismatic Bernardo but with a much better Tony, and the Puerto Ricans weren’t made to wear dark make-up but look like normal people from that island.

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  7. Sounds like a lovely if hectic month, but temperatures in the forties would be too much for me. Don’t expect anything like that over here 😂 It hasn’t been cold for the time of year (ten degrees today in London) but rather grey and dull. Hope you have a safe journey and manage to jump through all the necessary hoops!

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  9. Missed your blogs but can now access on another device. You’ve had a big December! Best wishes for a safe journey and the time ahead x

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  11. What a lovely wrap-up of parties and celebrations Ali! I wish you well in your travels and look forward to hearing how things go when you get a chance to blog. Take care and stay safe. happy New Year to you and thanks for all your support of my blog during the year.

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