And over the year's end

As we'd had separate Christmases because of the uncertainty over Husband's operation timing we i.e. the local family, gathered for an Italian style feast on New Year's Day.

There was bresaola with rocket, parmesan and balsamic dressing.

Griddled vegetables

Parma ham, rocket and melon.

Vitello tonnato (veal in tuna sauce) or rather pork tenderloin with tuna sauce.

Lasagne.

And butternut squash, mozzarella and sage risotto.

With pizza for children who preferred that.

Later we played a new game I'd bought, How well do you really know your family? We took it in turns to ask a question about ourselves and the one who guessed the right answer got the card, the winner being the one with the most cards at the end.

I got the question, "What is your strangest habit?" It was slightly concerning the number of options my family came up with, such as skipping, galloping, seeing faces in inanimate objects, and collecting sticks and stones. I personally wouldn't call those unusual habits, just things I do. 

My answer, by the way, was counting random objects, such as paving stones or pegs.

* * * * *

On Monday after foodbank closed the manager brought a load of vegetables and pastries to me for Zac's. I knew we wouldn't be able to use them all so I made up a couple of carrier bags and took them round to friends. Or more specifically I left one lot on a doorstep and the other lot I gave to her husband. My children seemed to think this was odd behaviour.

What was odd was when I dropped the bag off to the husband I had to go up a flight of steps and as I left I told him, "There are potatoes all over your steps." I hurriedly added, "Not from me."

I messaged the other friend and she said, "I guessed they were from you." You see I am the sort of person who leaves bags of vegetables on doorsteps, a sort of fairy grocer godmother. There are worse things to be known for.

And I currently have a few parsnips I'm going to make into soup for Zac's this afternoon.

* * * * *

Helped out at Zac's food service this morning. Afterwards ,as the sun was shining for probably the first time since before Christmas, Husband picked me up and we went for a little stroll around the Arena and marina.

The bridge across the main road to the Arena has been the subject of some controversy. I believe there was a competition to design it. It's very yellow. I thought it might grow on me but it hasn't. Spot the swans.

In the Arena 'gardens' there is another World Reimagined globe.

Also some fun mirrors!

And the water in the Marina looked positively Mediterranean if you ignored the swooshing-about rubbish.

* * * * *

2024 was such a rotten year healthwise for Husband we're both glad to see the back of it. We were hoping all the necessary procedures would have been done before the end of the year but that wasn't to be so here's to a better and healthier year - and some holidays!

Wishing you all the very best of everything for 2025!