Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Tuesday 1 January 2013

And so went 2012

This is a little glimpse of the end of 2012 for us. It was a jolly good ending, I have to say, if just a tad exhausting.

First, the arrival of my in-laws, who bring such joy and enthusiasm with them - and usually a little bit of chaos and unpredictability. Like their bed breaking in the middle of the night causing guffaws of laughter.

Then a gathering and eating with friends;


The chocolate game in full flow.


Mario tucking in whilst we await the next six.


Then a visit to a craft fair in Montefrio where I would have gone to sell chocolates if I hadn't sold out. There was a 'living' Belen - with exception of the camels, of course!


Not 100% convincing but rather sweet!

The goats and the chickens were quite authentic but I think the girl is on her mobile...
Comical camels watching on.
Noche Buena en familia - Christmas Eve is the main family meal in Spain, so when in Spain do as the Spanish!






Followed - at a very respectable hour - by a lovely relaxed Christmas Day ..









with everyone more than happy with their various and much appreciated gifts.













Then the children and I headed off for a brief spell in the UK on Boxing Day.
Flying out in beautiful sunshine and landing in Manchester to chilly damp and rather windy weather. But never mind - as Romy said, we didn't go for the weather.

Whilst we were away, FR and his parents took advantage of the weather we left behind.













And caught the first signs of the spring that will come.









I didn't take my camera to England...why? We were packed to the hilt and had not a spare place for it - however, I happened to have heard that Ruy was going to get a camera for Christmas, so all was not lost. Though I couldn't control his subject matter...

Mateo with his nose where it usually is.

Much tucking in - I am sure we spent more than half our time eating this Christmas
Oh, and watching 'The Hobbit' at the Printworks in Manchester - that took quite a while too but we did enjoy it.

We found time to go to Huddersfield to meet up with friends there and I was delighted - nay, emotional - to see Janice (not in Caunes today) looking absolutely stunning, notwithstanding her recent health problems. I hope 2013 brings her much good health and a return to all the things she loves doing. It was such a joy to spend a few hours with her, and my other friends who were able to join me and making my busy little trip so enjoyable. It was as if I'd never been away and just as I'd hoped. Thank you all!

Janice with Romy and I

Ruy took absolutely loads of photos and quite a number of videos, particularly on the evening we spent with Marion and Ali, after careful consideration, I decided none of them were what my blog needs. Unless of course you wanted to see screaming children sliding down the stairs or the stalking of cats or Romy playing on her new Nintendo... but I've decided probably not!

We had a very early start to get back to Spain and quite a few 'problems' before we successfully caught the plane but less said, soonest forgotten...

And last night, we enjoyed yet another delicious meal. I think I shall not eat much in 2013 to make up for the excesses of the end of 2012! I have really indulged this year - I foresee much dog walking in the weeks to come. But hey; I've missed the variety of food that's available and eaten in England. Spanish food is excellent but very.....Spanish. The miso soup was out of this world; and to eat Kalamata olives again was a joy; and turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce..sigh...plus lightly cooked spring cabbage and my sister's roast potatoes..heaven; Mum's mince pies and Christmas cake - perfection. And what did we bring back? Marmite - huge jars of it! A jar of crystallised ginger. Ryvitas! Sun-dried tomatoes and Maldon Sea Salt. What is it you can't live without?

Dig in! Not sure what Ruy's expression is saying!


After our long day, I was a bit concerned I might fall asleep before we saw the New Year in, but our dinner lasted until almost midnight and by the time we'd prepared 7 plates with 12 grapes on each there was only a little while to wait for the bells to strike midnight in Madrid. One grape to be eaten for each strike of the bells. Small panic when FR's father dropped his on the floor - we managed to find them all in time!



We popped open a bottle of bubbly and after the children and their father and grandfather had been out throwing a few 'petardos' - or bangers - in the streets along with others doing pretty much the same, we felt we should get our heads down for a good long sleep.


And so begins 2013. Happy New Year. I hope all is going well with you and yours.


26 comments:

  1. I love the grapes ritual...would have been hard here as Jools Holland only counts down from 10, we'd have had to watch Big Ben instead...not nearly so entertaining. All the food and family gatherings look to have been wonderful Annie. You must be exhausted. I am so glad you made it to Huddersfield though, and that hug was completely magical. Have a wonderful new year, and lets make sure we meet up again soon. Lots of love Janice xxx

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    1. Absolutely Janice. We've loved every minute of our extended blended (to borrow a charming phrase of yours) Christmas and New Year - but that hug was just a bit special. We'll do it again soon - meet up, I mean - and indulge in a lot more talking.
      Glad you too have had a lovely Christmas with lots of family things going on. Hope Jess has been having a magical time too.
      Much love,
      Axxx

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  2. That sounds such fun....do you think you only realise that you are exhausted when it's over?

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    1. It was fun, Fly - there were just a few moments of exhaustion, mainly at the end. The return journey was rather fraught and left me totally wiped out but a siesta sorted it. Hope you've had a good one. Axxx

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  3. It all looks like the most immense fun, but yes I can see it might have been a tad exhausting too.

    Happy New Year my bloggy friend, and may 2013 bring you and yours all that you wish for :D

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    1. Thank you Annie - I do like to think of myself as your bloggy friend! Happy New Year to you too. This year, I'm wishing for good health and maybe a house of our own...and you?
      Axxx

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  4. it was great seeing you last friday it seems ages ago now! Happy New Year to you all

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    1. And lovely to see you too, Helen. It's good to know we don't really change, isn't it. Hope it's not too long til next time though. Axxx

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  5. What a whirlwind of a Christmas and New Year Annie. No wonder you're exhausted. And how lovely to meet up with Janice.

    I brought back custard, Bisto, cheddar, brie, bacon and sausages...and chewsticks for the dog. I can kind of live without most things really, but bringing these things has become a habit.

    A very Happy New Year to you xx

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    1. And a Very Hppy New Year to you too, Ayak. Here in Alcala I can buy cheddar and Brie in the supermarket; Bisto and custard from the English shop and we have an Ehglish butcher too if we want English bacon or sausages anytime! So feel free to pay us a visit if your stocks run low!! Axxx

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  6. Christine Renshaw2 January 2013 at 12:10

    I'm so sorry not to have made it to the Huddersfield gathering, Rodney has been over for Xmas from Ireland and so I was a little preoccupied! Your blog is as entertaining to read as ever and your photos are lovely.
    Warmest wishes for a fabulous 2013 for you and your lovely family Cx

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    1. Missed you Christine! Hope you had a lovely one and a good start to 2013. Much love, Axxx

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  7. You have such a well behaved dog; sitting by the door while the chocolate game is going on. Ours would have been crashing through the middle.

    Happy New Year

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    1. Of course, BtoB! Well trained is our Darwin...

      Shh...he was on a lead in the kitchen as the little boy is terrified of him. He has just enough length to sit and watch and he does it beautifully. Axxx

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  8. I just wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy New Year my new blogging friend :)

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    1. Thank you! Blogging's great, isn't it. A very Happy New Year to you too. Axxx

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  9. Happy New Year, Annie.
    Here we all go again - wheeeeeee...!

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    1. That's the spirit, Nilly! I'll join you on a wheeeeee..! into a wonderful new year. Axxx

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  10. I so enjoy reading your blog Annie.Your photos tell the story so well--with just the right amount of words.
    I have only started a blog this year so you are an inspiration to me.Thankyou. x Maria

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    1. Many thanks Maria - your words are very kind indeed! And the photos you take are also an inspiration to me. It must take a lot of patience to capture such beautiful pictures - and patience is something I don't always have enough of.
      I think blogging is such an excellent medium for communicating and sharing - I'm so glad you are enjoying it too. Love, Axxx

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  11. You really are one of the diamonds, Annie. Thank you for your support and gentle words over the last year. It's funny to think your toes will always be part of our lives here. My daughter fell asleep reading the Rainbow Toes book again last night. It makes us feel part of something bigger and more special in this global community.
    Nothing wrong with some cold weather at Christmas. In fact we could do with a little right here!

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    1. You were an inspiration before this year and all that fell upon you, Annie. Meeting people like you via the blogging community is really what makes it all so special. Have a wonderful year! Axxx

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  12. What a fantastic festive season of family, friends food and fun, Annie! I feel tired Just thinking about it. :-) I love these glimpses into your Spanish life with its differences of custom and tradition.

    You obviously had a wonderful meet-up in Huddersfield and your photo says it all. I'll be doing a round-up of our much quieter celebrations - once I've recovered from the journey and the piles of laundry. :-)

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    1. Thank you Perpetua. We had a lovely mix of both cultures and we still have 'Los Reyes Magos' to look forward to tomorrow evening. The in-laws have gone home and we are also having a peaceful few days. It was wonderful to see Janice again in the flesh - am thinking of her now as she embarks on session number 2 with her remarkable resilience and courage.
      Look forward to reading your round up!
      Axxx

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  13. Thank you, again, for stopping by and leaving a comment Annie - and giving me an opportunity to browse a bit on your blog.

    I giggled at the baby Jesus with a pacifier, reminding me of my grandchildren, and I really like the custom of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve. I will try to remember that and use it here on the Cutoff.

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    1. Thanks and welcome. I hope we'll keep in touch via our blogs and get to know each other a little better! Axxx

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