We're going away for New Year

@JudyEv (326715)
Rockingham, Australia
December 29, 2021 6:47pm CST
Later this afternoon, we are driving half an hour to the holiday home of our friends. There will be a group of 11 and we’ll stay three or four nights. We used to rent a house somewhere but now our friends have this big home, we gather there. We’ve been getting together at New Year for perhaps 35 years so there is never any ‘settling in’ period. We all take a bit of this and a bit of that and it seems to work out nicely. Each couple is responsible for a course on Christmas Eve. We are making the smoked salmon entrees that I’ve written about before. I’m also taking chocolate slice and cheese straws, both of which are always warmly received. This year, I’ve also made mini cheesecakes which you can see in the photo. The base is a gingernut biscuit which was warmed and pushed into a saucer shape, then filled with a cheesecake mixture. They look a bit ‘ordinary’ so I might decorate the top when we get there. I’ll have limited time to myLot but hopefully I’ll get some time with my friends here.
35 people like this
33 responses
@RubyHawk (99421)
• Atlanta, Georgia
30 Dec 21
A retreat with old friends sounds wonderful. I hope you have a lovely holiday.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
Thanks. It's nice that we now have to travel only half an hour rather than the 2 1/2 it used to be.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@RubyHawk Thanks. It was enjoyable and we're home again now.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99421)
• Atlanta, Georgia
30 Dec 21
@JudyEv That will make it so much easier. Have lots of fun.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (74146)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Dec 21
Sounds like you'll have a great time, I hope you have a Happy New Year and really enjoy yourself, The food sounds delicious,
4 people like this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
We'll do jigsaws, cryptic crosswords, Qwirkle and other board games as well as talk and laugh a lot.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (74146)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Dec 21
@JudyEv the best to you but I have to say I have not laughed in a long time and it has become a strange word to me,
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@RasmaSandra I'm sorry you haven't been able to laugh a lot lately. Laughing is good for the soul.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
30 Dec 21
I am sure you will enjoy your time there. I am trying to decide our New Year's Eve Menu.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv I decided for shrimps and avocados, smoked salmon with crumpets, small appetizers, a fruit salad and cinnamon ice cream to close the dinner. It was too much for us. Happy New Year to you and to Vince.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@LadyDuck That does sound a very special meal indeed. Thanks for the good wishes. I hope 2022 is good for you too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
So what did you decide to have in the end? I have eaten way too much over the last few days.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
30 Dec 21
I hope you both enjoy your mini-vacation. Please be careful traveling there and back.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
30 Dec 21
@JudyEv You're welcome. Yeah, the roads here seemed quieter than before Christmas, too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
Thanks and yes, we'll be careful. The roads don't seem as busy as they were thank goodness.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (96449)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Dec 21
Sounds like a good time. Have fun
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (96449)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Dec 21
@JudyEv I remember closing the bars here. Now I make it past midnight and go to sleep
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
Thanks. We always have fun although we tend to go to bed a lot earlier than we used to years ago!
3 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5495)
• United States
30 Dec 21
Those look yummy, as do all of the other foods you have described. Well have fun on your trip and hope you can find a bit of time for us on Mylot!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
I guess we'll all eat a bit too much but never mind. We can always cut back later.
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
2 Jan 22
Happy New year, Judy. May you enjoy during the new year celebrations with your close friends.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv, oh, wow, you'll never forget the fun and experience.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thanks. We had a great time away and are home again now.
@DianneN (247216)
• United States
1 Jan 22
Have a wonderful time and Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247216)
• United States
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv Welcome home!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thanks very much. We're home again now and looking forward to a few early nights.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (75108)
• East Tawas, Michigan
30 Dec 21
Have a very nice New Years visit, with your friends! Are they the same couples that visited you, while traveling in the motor home? Your smoked salmon and cheesecake, sound and look so delicious
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
I'm not sure but probably as we've visited a lot back and forth over the years.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@kobesbuddy In that case, it's the same people. We have been friends a long time.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (75108)
• East Tawas, Michigan
30 Dec 21
@JudyEv About a year ago, a couple joined you in your motorhome, at a music festival. Vince took a nice picture of you and them.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17957)
• London, England
30 Dec 21
Have a good time and safe visit
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thanks very much. We're home again now but we did have fun. Did you see the New Year in?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@Ronrybs We could see the fireworks in the distance and we also saw the fireworks on TV on Sydney Harbour Bridge. They are always fantastic.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17957)
• London, England
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv I took it easy and went to bed early, listening to an audio book, until midnight when it was firework time. That lasted half an hour
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
3 Jan 22
Cheese straws.... that sounds really good! Happy New Year! I hope that your gathering with friends goes well
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
We had a very enjoyable time thanks. Cheese straws are a favourite with our friends.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
4 Jan 22
@JudyEv That's great :-) With a name like cheese straws it has to be good
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26778)
• United States
30 Dec 21
Looks yummy! Enjoy yourselves! Since you'll be enjoying yourself, a Happy early New Years filled with good health, good luck & good times! See you when you get back.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@oahuwriter So you should be just about out of quarantine by now.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
Thanks for the good wishes. I'll probably be able to log on a few times but it's not a given. Will you be seeing the New Year in?
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26778)
• United States
30 Dec 21
@JudyEv Yes, still quarantining, till Tuesday, official 10 days, but recommended 2 more days for quarantine. Mail on hold.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65280)
• Serbia
1 Jan 22
Sounds like you're going to have a great time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thank you. We did have a good time. Best wishes for 2022.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65280)
• Serbia
5 Jan 22
@JudyEv Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@prasuns (1288)
• New Delhi, India
30 Dec 21
Hope that you would have a good time, enjoy the new year. The mini cheesecakes look awesome.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec 21
Thanks. Do you see the new year in? As children on the farm, we never did but since I got married, we always have done.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
@prasuns Thank you. I have 2022 is a good year for you.
1 person likes this
@prasuns (1288)
• New Delhi, India
30 Dec 21
@JudyEv good for you that now you are enjoying your life to the fullest. Keep enjoying.
1 person likes this
• China
2 Jan 22
Happy New Year to you !Hope you have great time in the holiday home of your friends ! You seem to take there some food that you are excel at making.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thanks. All the guests took some things to eat and we shared them over the days we were away.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118813)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Dec 21
Happy New Year Judy! I hope you have a wonderful time visiting your friends! Interestingly, I had some amazing smoked salmon last night, and some smoked salmon dip this afternoon!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118813)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Jan 22
@JudyEv I used to eat it quite a bit, but don’t have it that often these days. It’s readily available, so I guess I could eat it every day if I wanted to.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
So do you have smoked salmon very often? We seem to have more since we moved. I guess it's more readily available here.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jan 22
I hope you had a good time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Jan 22
Thanks, we did. Very relaxing.
@just4him (308693)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Jan 22
They look delicious! Enjoy your time with your friends. Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@just4him (308693)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv Thank you. I'm working on it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thanks. I do hope 2022 is a great year for you too.
1 person likes this
@Rashnag (30594)
• Surat, India
30 Dec 21
Glad to know about your new year plans. Biscuits looks yummy. Happy New Year to you and your family dear
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
Thanks for the good wishes. Did you stay up till midnight?
1 person likes this
@Rashnag (30594)
• Surat, India
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv yes dear. I was awake as usual, not just for new year
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
30 Dec 21
that sounds delightful, our new years eve will also be with friends at a local pub. Normally we went (the first 9 years we were in Maryland, but didn't last year) I am so excited!!!!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326715)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jan 22
I hope you had a wonderful celebration. We always enjoy our New Year's Eve.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
3 Jan 22
@JudyEv glad to hear you had fun! we did as well thanks for asking!
1 person likes this