Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Happy New Year

For as long as I can remember my mum and dad hosted New Year's Eve parties. There was always lots of people - adults and kids - and the night was spent playing board games and chatting and generally having fun. I remember as a kid having so much fun running around in the dark and staying up really late!!
Lately though, there have been less family as they are growing up and doing their own things, and the friends that used to come have moved on or away......And mum and dad are no longer up to hosting the parties.....so I've taken it upon myself to revive the days of old and keep the tradition going.
Here's Louis with the big stack of board games (just a few that we own). We tidied up the garden, lit the lanterns and got ready for a little gathering. We were lucky that a cool change blew through, dropping temperatures from the high 30's to the 20's.
This is the little nook where my dad settled himself until the sun went down. I love this spot in the garden - it's gorgeous on those really hot mornings when you take your breakfast outside and sit in the shade of those vines........
Here we are at night, enjoying a few games......there still weren't many of us but at the end of the evening we decided it was so much fun we will make sure to invite more next year.

Part of the tradition of New Year's is to eat Oliebollen - a dutch treat reserved for this occasion. I remember when I was growing up that my dad would spend the whole day making them - usually in 40C heat! He would sit under the grapevines with a deep fryer and I would love to watch him do it. These days he doesn't make as many but we still love them so he makes us a few :)

Happy New Year my friends - I hope that 2011 brings much joy and happiness your way

l
x
Posted by Picasa

9 comments:

Jantine said...

I just can't believe sitting outside at New Year's Eve! It was freezing cold here! But Oliebollen we had!
Enjoy your new year!

Anonymous said...

levin nice the photo's Jacob helped me with a blog however I still donot know how to use it but he will help me again got straight away Herma as a friend and I met another friend a second cousin of Hans exciting love mum

dutchcomfort said...

Happy new Year Levineke!! I love traditions like playing games and oliebollen! I remember the wonderful New Years Eve’s in my childhood at my grandparents house with all the family gathered! Good for you to take over the traditions!

dutch sisters said...

Best wishes in the New Year to you and yours too!
groeten, corry en heleen

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

Your garden is so pretty. I love when my family comes for the same reason - we always stay up late and play games. It's the best part of any get together.

Lish said...

Looks like a lot of fun - I would love to have a board game night one day soon.

Leanne said...

Happy New Year to you Levin! I must say your garden is looking just lovely!! sigh...to sit under that grape vine...oh

Jenny said...

sounds like a lovely family tradition and it looks like you had a great time. Happy New year to you and ours and yes your garden is looking beautiful

Leanne said...

A late happy new year to you Levin. It looks like you had fun we had a very quite new years which suits me just fine. Looking forward to catching up in 2011.