the Valley House ™: almost Happy New Year

Our blog has a New Year's resolution, we'd like more followers...if you read it, please become a follower! We'd like to thank Emily for the faithful comments....and other people commenting would be very welcome as well. On the tinfoil tiaras blog you will see Emily (daughter) looking lovely in front of our barn and with Marmalade on the bench by the side of the house.

We had a great Christmas Eve, enjoying tortiere (a wonderful French Canadian meat pie) and wonderfully decorated surroundings at our dear neighbours' home across the street. Snow had steadily fallen all day, so the walk over was magical, indeed. We shovelled the car out and enjoyed a beautiful candlelit service at our St. Luke's in Annapolis Royal. Brian was one of the readers and did a fine job, I love singing the carols at this joyous time of year. We came home and watched the Black Adder documentary before falling into bed. Brian awoke me wondering if I'd heard the shouting in the night. No, I'd slept soundly. He then wondered if I'd heard the scraping noises on the roof. Good heavens, I thought, are the shingles blowing off...will we need a new roof on top of everything else!!!??? Well, he then surmised that I must not have heard a voice yelling "Damm it...the chimney's hot and there's a lid on it!" A stunned moment later I cracked up...he always can tease me!

I have to admit to snuggling under the covers again, while Brian made some phone calls to England. We finally opened lovely presents before arriving in Granville Ferry to enjoy my friend Kim's fantastic eggs benedict, a new treat for us, and the fun of checking out their daughters' new toys and goodies. Next stop was Aunt Marg's, where there was more present opening, a fantastic turkey dinner with the best gravy I've ever had, a domino game where I got the worst score I've ever had, and all in all...it was a marvellous Christmas!

Boxing day included a hike in the sunny snow covered woods, and a pot-luck gathering at Aunt Thelma's where her adorable great-grandbabies got cuddled and 19 family members opened even more presents!

We were delighted to host a surprise birthday party for cousin Marcia (of de-construction fame this spring) and she was very surprised indeed. We attended a great party, where Brian learnt the uniquely Canadian game of crokinole.

Tomorrow is chores day...there's been far too much frivolity and chocolate..time to get some work done! I need some shelves in the kitchen for my cookbooks, the beam in the basement needs adjusting, the drip from the shower needs sorting, and there is a towering pile of paperwork to be dealt with. New Year's plans? None yet...but vague intentions (I find "resolutions" far too vehement and terrifying) include the annual 1. get in shape 2. produce even more art than last year 3. get this house finished so I can start up my British cream teas (yummy) business, and have a WARM studio...Brian's resolution is that he doesn't make resolutions. A PROSPEROUS, HAPPY and HEALTHY 2012 TO YOU ALL!

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