A Very Merry Christmas

Out on my morning jog I saw that someone had decorated their outdoor tree in their front garden. This always brings a smile to my face; I love the idea that people are sharing the gift of love and light. 

 

When I return from outdoor activities, I am always welcomed home by these little faces at the window. So cute! When I am trying to do a jigsaw puzzle, however, they still want all the attention. The fact that the current puzzle features a couple of kittens somehow makes it even worse in their opinion - why would I want to bother with those kittens when mine are right here? 

Him Outdoors has a birthday at this time of year; I know it's unfortunate, but it's not his fault. We met friends at the local pub to drink beer. We were not necessarily reserved as indicated in the picture. 

I made cake too! It was a toffee apple cake for Him Outdoors' birthday, and it was actually pretty good - despite the way it looks.

We are working our way through the ginvent calendar and decided that Christmas Eve was the perfect time to drink the coloured gin from Newy Distillery. We had a green and a turquoise gin that sparkle when shaken, like a snow globe. The surprise was that they were really tasty and not just a gimmick.

I also made these lamb and Greek salad burgers, of which I was rather proud.

On Christmas Day, Him Outdoors and I walked up Mt Painter. It was a glorious morning and a great start to the day.

In the evening we went round to Original Gravity's place to sample and share their 'gin bar'.

Then on Boxing Day I went for a walk to Square Rock with Design Diva. It was a pleasant walk, approximately five kilometres each way with absolutely stunning views from the top.

This device at the end (and beginning) of the walk is doubtless some sanitation device, but neither Design Diva nor I were game to stick our feet into it. 

We celebrated the festive season with the deicious fruity goodness of the Kriek de Ranke: lots of depth: cherries, leather, tart, and very tasty.

Gearing Up or Winding Down?

And so we begin our 'gin-vent' calendar, as we count down the days to Christmas.

 

Brunch with a friend in Kingston, involved a 'healthy bowl' with a side of bacon, of course. 

The kittens are busy as ever - all this pre-Christmas action is exhausting, as you can see. 

Him Outdoors had Sourfest for his birthday drinks - the sun shone on us and we had a pleasant evening in the garden drinking delicious beverages.

One of the costumes from The Penelopiad was made from a pair of old curtains - the colours are ghastly 70s style, and no one really wanted to keep them afterwards. The kittens seem to approve, however.

Penelope also decided she'd have a go on the cushions we used for the play as well - it's good to see the costumes and props continuing their usefulness.

The weather has been changeable to say the least, and a great wind swept through the garden, splintering trees and causing branches to fall. 

As we see, this was a traumatic time for the kittens again.

Our weekend walk took us to Yerabi Pond, where we encountered this interesting image. 

 

Graffito around Yerabi Pond