Happy New Year to all.

It is a gorgeous day here. We had a little snow last tonight and now it is
sunny and bright and just above freezing.

We are scrambling to prepare dinner for 8. It started off with just my
brother and his wife. I had invited another brother and his wife but my
brother didn't know if his wife had planned anything. When we didn't hear
from them we invited our neighbours. My wife went out and bought a prime
rib roast big enough for 6. This morning my other brother called to see if
the invitation still stands, and he is going to bring some beef tenderloin
steaks, so there will be enough meat.

We have some ready to heat and eat canapés...... goat cheese and fig in puff
pasty cups and a variety of "Mediterranean" puff pastry cups. We will have
this nice roast, the filets, roast potatoes and carrots, Yorkshire pudding,
salad, fresh rolls. For dessert we have meringue shells, freshly made
vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and strawberries (frozen with sugar and
thawing to make a nice sweet syrup) and an assortment of shortbreads, mince
meat tarts, fruitcake and squares.

I plan to have a few drinks over the course of the evening but hope to start
the new year without a hangover.