Twinkling lights and funny nights

Ah.....yes the spirit of Christmas and alot of other spirits finally entered my soul.Christmas 2017 was a good one...and very social. BMM retired after 49 years last on December 20th, so having watched " Santa" and "Joseph" (with my heart bursting with pride and love) at the school Christmas plays, I got dolled up, GASP donned a sports jacket and we headed to The Kitchen restaurant to celebrate BMM's final day of work. The Burmese Scot started the party from afar by ordering two bottles of Prosecco and the Ambassadrice, The Hairy One , The Mad One, Spud Farmer, The Line Dancer and Gone to Stud joined us in enjoying a wine filled, giggly evening of funny stories and delicious food...a trend that was to continue for this festive season. On Friday 22nd we celebrated the Gorgeous Goddaughter turning 21 in the home of the Aged Aunt and the Belgian FOB. Their magnificent glittering home proved the perfect venue for a glamorous party and the Legal Eagle, Jim Bob and the Vintage Lady joined us in a few tipples to celebrate the birthday event. Those reindeer who failed to make sleigh duty made it into a truly delicious venison and cranberry ragout and the Pastel de Nata ( "egg tart pastry" does not describe it's lusciousness ) made by the birthday girl herself brought tears to GASPS's brown eyes. Jim Bob and I provided the entertainment as we sang a few wee tunes and he advised me that he was planning on toasting his nuts this Christmas and making his sprouts very fancy .On December 24th the Burmese Scot arrived by plane and Christmas was well and truly on it's way. GASP happily got into his Nevin Maguire mode and prepared the dinner, but Kevin Dundon got a look in as he stuffed the free range bronze birds neck with sausage ....ahem !
Homemade sausage rolls and the GAA butchers baked ham made for a pork filled Christmas eve tea before we headed to "midnight" mass at 7.30. The strains of "O Holy Night" brought me close to tears and we headed home happy out. The eldest son waited until 8.00 am Christmas morning to call us, woke his younger brother and Santa Claus got great applause for his efforts this year, even though he brought me a book entitled " Help, I am turning into my mother: how to survive a mid life crisis" . Oh how we laughed.....(GASP's funeral was lovely!!!***$$$). Full breakfast with Fat Freddie was followed by Canapes and Bubbly in BMM's and then GASP ( like the Cock O' the North) presented his magnificent bird with all the trimmings and BMM and The Ambassadrice helped us polish it off. A simple children's cracker game of " Who Am I" caused great hilarity but I am not sure the Ambassadrice will ever recover from the efforts she put into into guessing she was The Gingerbread Man.
Our December 26th ladies only tradition of a few early bevvies in a local hostelry changed slightly this year, as the invitation of 3 more ladies to our inner circle led to a full on session from 5.45 until The Spud Farmer collected us at 11.15. The Burmese Scot, who had never heard of a "Spice Box" but advised me she was unlikely to as she "never frequented establishments selling deep fried food " ( i.e. chippers) was seen at 10.30 that evening nosing straight down into said Spice Box like a woman possessed...well she was in fact possessed....by 7 Dark Rum and Cokes ! My favourite line of the evening came from a friend of mine, who when asked by the The Burmese Scot how we knew each to her advised her that we were " A Book Club who don't read books....only menus !" I could not have put it better myself. The fact that The Burmese Scot and I woke up fresh as daisies the following day has led us to believe that the aforementioned Spice Box is a hangover preventative and we will endeavour to use it as such in the future.
A walk on the beach, a dinner in a gastro pub and a lunch in a Castle finished off the Burmese Scots trip and with heavy hearts the boys and I returned her to the airport this afternoon, after a truly magical, fun wonderful Christmas.... for that we are truly grateful.