Happy Christmas 2009

Christmas Day we went to Gerard and Dominique's. First we had mulled wine (an Irish tradition) with them, Clare and Eddie and their 2 daughters Kathy and AnnMarie.  Left: MFE, Yann, AnnMarie; Right: Kathy, Yann, AnnMarie. Below: Clare and Eddie

Later, after the O'Doherty's left, we had an American/French Christmas dinner:

Starter:  Crab claws and oysters

Main: Turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, broad beans and carrots, sweet potato biscuits

1st after: salad and cheeses

2nd after: Oranges in cognac

3rd after: Chocolate Christmas roll (a cake similar to Boston Creme Pie)

All in all a very nice day. St.Stephen's Day we relaxed all day - Dana needed this after working 9 straight days, having a bad cold, and cooking 1/2 (or more) of the dinner). Carina, William, Abbey and Lir came to visit.

Below is what we call the "Jude Rose". It bloomed right about the time she died - December 1. It has been gorgeous, and has persevered through rain, sleet, wind and heavy ice. At one point it was rock solid with ice. This is how beautiful it still was on Christmas Day!

Thanksgiving 2009, Church of Ireland, Tralee

My church periodically has social events based on a different culture. This year they chose to have an American Thanksgiving Dinner, which was wonderful for us. Above: Dana, Joe (his co-worker and an American), and Yvonne (Joe's wife, from Germany)

Below, on left, Peter (the wine master) and Michael - 2 members of the planning committee. On right, Gill and David in front of the American Indian display made by our elementary school children.

              This is the stellar kitchen crew: Mona, guest chef from Grand Hotel, Rhona, Mary, Shirley.

Table shots to show the decorations and many of the guests. If you look really closely, you will see little cut-out pilgrim figures - my contribution!

Evelyn, Trevor, Godfrey, ?, Sue                                    Olive on left; across Alice, Mae , Phyllis

Above, our table: Joe, Kay (American), Gene, ?,? , MFE, Yvonne

Below:  Desire, Samuel, Michael, Armond