Christmas Greetings

Christmas has rolled around, and sending Christmas Greetings to you all.  It certainly was a different Christmas this year, without my beloved Robin by my side. I drove up to Kiwitea to spend Christmas Day with my daughter and her family, about a 75 min drive away.  I left home early at 6.30am and nearing the Whirokino Bridge, spanning the Manawatu River, just south of Foxton, the road was enveloped in river mist, quite a spooky feeling so dropped my speed right down.  After all, I could hardly see a thing.  Once over the bridge and away from the river the mist disappeared and I went on my way.  At that hour, the traffic was very light and I had no more problems on the road, luckily.   

I wanted to arrive early as the family always make a big thing out of opening the presents, followed by a big breakfast.  Granddaughter Emma was dressed as a Christmas Elf.  She had constructed the tree, like a grotto, with some of the gifts hiding inside, with the help of her uncle visiting from Australia.

Christmas tree and gifts

Mr and Mrs Clause were filled with chocolates

Christmas loo paper!

The gifts were handed out, opened and duly admired.  I was lucky to receive several gift baskets full of assorted goodies.  Noodle, the family dog was excited to get his annual Christmas treat, a squeaky pink pig.  He settled down to destroy it, ears off first, then the legs before ripping the body open to reveal the squeak and the stuffing.  That done, he was very happy indeed.

Noodle with his Christmas pig

The family always have their own take on a traditional Christmas breakfast.  Freshly bake croissants filled with ham off the bone, sliced cheesed and tomatoes.  Served with orange juice and plenty of coffee - delicious.

Later in the morning SIL Robert got a phone call to say that one of his older horses grazing on a neighbour's property seemed unwell, so off they all raced to see what the problem was.  Luckily the horse was not too bad and after a little care perked up again, maybe it was the hot sun upsetting the elderly horse.  

Our Christmas lunch was late because of the rescue mission, but nobody minded.  Robert was busy cooking stuffed, rolled, chicken breasts wrapped in bacon on the BBQ, another family tradition.

Robert busy on the BBQ

The sun was scorching hot by this time, mush too hot to eat on the deck, so we all went back inside the house for our meal.  Delicious indeed, chicken, ham, sauteed garlic asparagus, green salad, potatoe salad, macaroni salad, all very tasty.  That kept us quiet for a while.

Christmas lunch is served

Mmm, several tasty desserts followed, but I was so full that I only had room for a slice of delicious chocolate cheesecake.  It was time for me to start on the homeward journey so I finally got on my way, after it was all hands on deck to find my missing car keys!  When I arrived I must have put them in my pocket instead of away in my hand bag.  Luckily granddaughter Megan checked the armchair I had been using.

I had several occasions with tears flowing during the day, and I'm grateful to the family to just being patient and let my emotions settle down without making a big fuss.  To tell the truth, I cried in the car the whole way home.  It is hard to come to terms with losing Robin, and I have to admit that getting through Christmas Day was very difficult for me.