And a Happy New Year to you too

Although it's only January 2nd 2011, I feel I am a little late in posting my Happy New Year wishes as there are many out there who have been far quicker off the mark. Nonetheless, I'll add mine now and wish everyone a wonderful, happy and healthy 2011 - all my friends and family and also to you my lovely fellow bloggers, followers (and please can I get to 100 soon?!) readers and commentators too - you, as they say, "rock my blogging world" !

Now, I have had a fun filled and busy few last days as on the evening of 30th December this plane below arriving into Melbourne brought.... my dear sister, V and her partner, Steve to Australia for a couple of weeks. Sister V is Beautiful Niece's mother and here they are embracing (photo courtesy of Mr SE) - a happy and emotional reunion for all - they hadn't seen each other since last April. I was, as you can see pretty happy too.

Then onto New Year's Eve.

We had the most wonderful time at BN and LAM's Hawaiian New Year's Eve Party at their apartment on their roof top terrace overlooking the skyline of Melbourne. Just look at that view. It was a great party with a barbeque, plenty to drink (too much as far as I was concerned I have to admit!) and lots of wild dancing too! There were about 40- 50 people there - one of the best New Year's Eves I have had in a very long time. Am sure that my niece will post on her blog about it very soon too.

And just look at the beautiful fireworks over lovely Melbourne city. Stunning.

On New Year's Day Mr SE and I hosted a Christmas dinner (as they were not here on 25th December) for my sister and partner with BN and LAM and presents were duly exchanged around our rather small but sweet Christmas tree.

BN and LAM gave me this lovely ceramic milk bottle container and the rustic iron heart from one of my very favourite places in Melbourne - Capital Kitchen. Love them.

And below, the festive table before we sat down to dinner.... Here I will admit that Mr SE did the lion's share of the cooking due to my very fragile state. All I did was decorate and lay the table, prepare the gravy and make the pudding!! He is a bit of a star at times....

We ate : stuffed and rolled turkey (pinenut and spinach stuffing), roast potatoes (very good and crispy), steamed carrots and asparagus, gravy(!) and for pudding - panetonne bread and butter pudding with vanilla icecream.

And to drink, a bottle of very nice white wine called "Siblings" - highly appropriate for the occasion although I only had a very small glass.

Happy Days.