....... as we had more snow last night, and the road wasn't looking too good. So why the panic - because this was the day for my housegroup Christmas lunch! However, Lorraine, Tricia and Anne all braved the elements - although poor Tricia did have a slightly scary moment when her car skidded. Unfortunately Ali was poorly and Lizzi had a prior appointment, so perhaps we will have to do it all agin in the New Year.
The snow may cause travel problems, but it does make things look pretty
Of course Christmas lunch means pressies, so I had these little parcels ready
Then came the best bit of the day - usually we have our lunch in the kitchen, but today I laid the dining table with Christmas placemats, the best cutlery ....... and
lots of lovely food - we all contributed a dish (although perhaps I should have taken the photo before putting the bottle of chilli sauce on the table!).. That's Lorraine's hands on the left, dressing her caesar salad
For dessert, Anne brought the makings for a pavlova. When we finished the main course, I carefully put the cream in the middle of the meringue, then tastefully arranged the strawberries round the edge before filling the centre with raspberries ..... then forgot to take a photo! So you will have to make do with this photo of the leftover portion (which Malcolm had after dinner)
Anne also brought some chocolate teddies - Malcolm has already eaten his, but I am saving mine!
I sat the teddy on my coaster to take the photo, so it occurred to me that you might like to see it (there may be a glass of wine sitting on it as I write this!)
so of course that means that showing you Malcolm's coaster too!