New Years Lunch

We have started our own little tradition - well, this will be the second time we have done this, but we have decided that it will now be an annual event !

It started as an idea in Mauritius last year - we had not seen our friends for a few weeks and, being so far from them while on holiday in Mauritius, we decided to have a "New Years Lunch" with everyone, once we returned - just to catch up and start the new year together.

This year we did the same !

I ordered platters with lost of snacky foods (Mediterranean, Italian & French theme) so everyone could sit outside at the tables just chatting and picking on different kinds of foods - this is where the afternoon was spent while the kids (and there were plenty of them), swam and played on the jungles gym etc.

We discovered a new shop called the Olive & Oil - they are exactly what the say - olives and oils but man, how awesome ! I bought a sherry balsamic vinegar as well as a passion fruit balsamic vinegar, which we had with breads - sounds really weird, but they are just so tasty.

After a wonderful pudding of 2 different homemade ice creams and chocolate brownies (smothered in dark chocolate) made by my friend Annie, all the girls (moms that is) ended up in the pool !

It was SO hot and we kept getting sprayed by the kids and their water guns, that we decided to join them - clothes and all. It was wonderful but we never took into account that some of us were in white pants while others were in skirts !

It was really funny and the guys were left on the side - holding babies, cell phones and cameras !

What a fantastic day. It was great seeing everyone again, back from their different holidays to different places and countries - it makes you appreciate all the special friends in your life.

So our tradition begins and I look forward to our 2010 New Years Lunch.