Chloe's Christening

With new babies, come the oohs, aahs, and, of course, the Christening.

On Sunday,19th February the sun shone and sweet baby Chloe was christened at Wimborne Minster at 12.45 p.m.  It was a beautiful occasion.

                                          Caroline and Mike with baby Chloe

                                         The font stands on eight Purbeck marble shafts.  The basin is octagonal and of the late Norman or early Decorated period.  Originally decorated with semi-precious stones it was stripped in Puritan times.

The Godparents, Alun, Caroline's brother, Joanna, Mike's sister and Hannah, Caroline's friend from U.C.L.

The Revd Derek Tighe, who also married Mike and Caroline at Wimborne Minister on 19th September, 2009.

Chloe's christening gown was made by my mother, Ethel Hilton, who has sadly passed away, but I am sure she was watching.  Caroline also wore this gown for her christening.

A great party afterwards at Mike and Caroline's home with family and close friends to celebrate.

Afternoon tea was served and thank you Gemma for making such a wonderful christening cake.  It was delicious.  So beautiful.

What can I do for the new young family?  My role today was onlooker, supporter, cook, consultant, and yes, Nanna.

The christening of Chloe is a major milestone and a day to celebrate her young life as she sets out on life's journey.  May the blessings she received today guide her thoughout her life.  We love you and will always be here for you. x

The best calamari in the world !!!

Everyone who visits South Africa says it is the most beautiful place on earth.  If you believe this to be an exaggeration I suggest you go and I bet you will return repeating the same message.  I know, because I've been.

 Phil and I went on a trip to Cape Town.  It was a "gin clear" day on our arrival and Table Mountain was majestic.  A wonderful start to a wonderful trip.

We stayed in an area called Somerset West at the Lord Charles Hotel with views of False Bay in the distance.  The hotel was extremely comfortable and staff very friendly.  We spent the afternoon by the pool with the temperature in the 30s.  In the evening dining in South Africa is a great pleasure - and a cheap one.  Dinner was at Steffanie's Place and the view from the terrace was amazing.  The fillet steak was so tender.

There's no better way of seeing a new country than by jumping in your hired car and going where the fancy takes you.  So we drove towards Cape Town and then followed the road signs to Muizenberg on the False Bay coastline.  We then drove along Boye's Drive for the spectacular views, stopping of course, to chat to the Shark Watcher.  In the distance you can see Seal Island and we all know what lurks near there. Continuing you will pass through Fish Hoek and Glencairn, before arriving at the Naval Base of Simon's Town.  We stopped here for coffee, toast and a stroll.  We then drove along the coastal road to Smitswinkel Bay.  This is where you turn into the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.  However, we decided to turn left and drive up the Atlantic seaboard, passing though the village of Scarborough and stopping for a walk on the beautiful beach.

Then on to Kommetjie and the wonderful beach at Noordhoek.  We then drove along Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's best drives:-

Chapman's Peak:-

Hout Bay, a picturesque fishing village, is next in line and we stopped for lunch at the Chapman's Peak Hotel.
It's quite old and lunch on the terrace is a must.

Not to be missed, along with the view, is the Calamari, served in a frying pan.  This is the specality of the house and it's delicious.  We think THE BEST CALAMARI IN THE WORLD!

After this wonderful lunch we strolled along the beach at Hout Bay then followed the coast road back towards Cape Town.  Taking the Kloof Nek Road we headed for Signal Hill Road and followed this road for about 3.5 km to the parking area at the end of the road.  Signal Hill affords spectacular views and we were lucky enough to look down on the Queen Mary II at dock.

and the Football Stadium famous for the South African World Cup and funny Trumpets.

Also a close up of Table Mountain, with lace tablecloth

and without

Then back to the hotel and the return journey home the next day.  However, we did also go shopping for some Simonsig wine which Phil has since drunk at home.  It travelled well.

An amazing holiday

Feeling stretched by the pressures of Christmas, although we had a truly wonderful time with our new Grand-daughters, and suffering from coughs we could not shake off we decided to head off to see Dr. Grenada at La Source - http://www.theamazingholiday.com/

Grenada is a landscape of extraordinary tropical beauty.  The views from our balcony  was "triple wow".

This way, that way, over the deep blue sea:-

Every day we had a wonderful spa treatment included in the all-inclusive price.  Phil on way to spa:-

Phil sailed the hobie-cat and I did aqua-aerobics with a mad instructor called Andy to try to get back into shape.  So many exercise classes but not enough days.  Phil did join in the golf lessons though with an excellent instructor and scuba-dived most days.  He saw sharks and string rays......

and lots of fish.

not to mention coral

I spent most of my time digesting the fine fusion cruisine at Oscars.  The fish tasted yummy.

and tasting the various cocktails

Phil liked this activity too

The pool at night

A wonderful holiday in an atmosphere of camaraderie on perfect Pink Gin Beach.

Christmas is coming COMFORT AND JOY

Festive food is a family affair so I hope the following dishes will be handed down through the generations for Emmie and Chloe's children to enjoy.

Cranberry and Orange Chutney

300 ml malt vinegar
900g fresh cranberries
225g sultanas
450g caster sugar
Orange rind and juice of two large oranges
cinnamon stick

Method

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan, bring to boil and simmer gently, uncovered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chutney is a thick pulpy consistency.  Spoon into warm sterlised jars, seal and store in a cool dark place.  Can be used immediately.

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We normally start on the champagne at about 11 a.m., and then the cooking begins.  I always post on the kitchen wall a set of strict instructions giving a detailed breakdown of what to do when - particularly helpful when I have been on the fizz all morning.  Timers are a must and, for the next few hours, the house is full of the sound of alarms ringing and the ensuing confusion as tipsy adults can't remember what each alarm is for and I have lost track of where we are on the list.

Christmas lunch 2011

Spiced-up houmous
Roasted Scallops in Pancetta with Saffron Mayonnaise
Thai fishcakes with sweet chilli dipping sauce
Slow-cooked belly of pork

Roast turkey with lemon and garlic
Xmas gravy
Classic roasted postatoes
Traditional bread sauce
Lemon and herb stuffing
Sage, leek and onion balls
Cranberry and orange sauce
Carrots
Red cabbage with beetroot
Sprouts with mustard
Leek and peas in lemon butter

Double choc Baileys tiramisu
Cape brandy tart with brandy ice cream

Mince pies with brandy butter
Xmas cake

Timetable:-

Xmas Eve

Pick up turkey and dress ready for oven
Parboil potatoes for 10 mins and dress in olive oil ready for oven tomorrow
Prepare leeks and put in plastic bag
Quarter bottom of sprouts and put in plastic bag
Peel carrots and put in plastic bag
Do Houmous
Set table
Champagne and wine in fridge
Frozen stuff out of freezer

Xmas Day to eat at 2 p.m.

09.25   Turkey (6 kg) into oven, pre-heated to 200 fan
10.15   Lower heat to 150 fan
12.25   Heat Pork belly
12.35   Heat fish cakes
12.50   Heat Scallops plus BBQ sauce added to pork belly
13.00   Serve starters
13.15   Foil off turkey, heat turned up to 180 fan
13.45   Potatoes in
14.00   Put sage,leek and onion balls on non-stick foil, cover with foil and bake for 10 mins 180 fan
            Cover lemon and herb stuffing with foil and cook for 20 mins 180 fan
            Turkey cooked.  Uncover sage balls and cook for 20 mins
14.10   Uncover lemon stuffing and cook for 20 mins
            Do gravy
            Microwave carrots 5 mins
            Microwave red cabbage 5 mins
            Warm bread sauce and add 2 tbs cream and 2 oz butter
             Cook peas and add to leeks, heat.
            Sprouts in boiling water for 10 mins then add 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
            Carve
14.30   Serve
            Cape Brandy Tart in oven - turned off
            Extra brandy in jug.

Must share this with you.  In February, 2003 the "perfect family" (Phil, Alun and Caroline and myself) went on holiday to Tobago and met Arthur Smith.  He nicknamed us the perfect family and wrote this wonderful poem for us after spending time with us.  Every word is true.  I did drop the turkey!!!!!!!!

Christmas be honest was a bit of a bore
The Turkey lay prone on the kitchen floor
Too many JDs, and Alun shouts
Too much water in the brussel sprouts.
Oh stuff all that they rise and go
Across the Atlantic to Tobago.
Caroline and Sheila anticipate heaven
Phil tells Alun about the 747
And soon they're here and sunny skies
Dissolve their cares and brighten their eyes.
Moistening sands and dreamy palms
Enfold the family in sensual arms.
Perfect harmony?  Of course there's not
Phil gets mad if the food's not hot.
Sheila worries the scales aren't right
She's put on a stone in the course of the night.
But little things lead to larger pleasures
They all got a lecture on weights and measures.
And while we're on the subject Caroline dear
When are you going to get a career?

There is no talking inside the sea
Yes they all are together but free
Drifting on currents at the dead of the day.
Alun can you please get out of my way?

The family are divers and fliers as well
They zoom up above and swim on the swell
There's nothing much disturbs the peace
And bold tranquillity of the family Rees
As they say goodbye one last thought in the air
What on earth does Bumbagman carry in there?

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Helping Jenny and Julia at the Christmas Craft Fair 3rd December, 2011

We raised over £400 for the Church.

Christmas Lunch on 12th December, 2011 with my swimming class of long ago.

Tricia and Geoff, Joan and Richard, John and Julia, Sylvia and Ron.

We still meet every Thursday for a swim and lunch.

Christmas Eve at the Captain's Club

Emmie's Christmas Tree

Tina's Christmas Tree

Beach House trees

Chloe's Xmas Tree

T'was the Night before Christmas

This is a poem by Clement Moore.

I used to read this poem to Alun and Caroline on Christmas Eve.  I do hope Alun and Gemma and Caroline and Mike will do the same with Emmie and Chloe.

(One year Alun would not go to sleep and  he called down that he couldn't go to sleep because "the goats" were prancing and pawing on his roof!)

T'was the Night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh,

and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

(Looks more like Nanna than Father Christmas?????)

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight.
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Speak to Uncle Douglas.  He once saw Father Christmas.

Merry Christmas