It's all going on here with a full house, so haven't caught up today's posts yet, but eyed up some fabulous pics and hope to catch up after late NYD lunch done and dusted.
We were first footed after we'd all gone to bed, thanks to Dc's friend, who was apparently invited to come earlier but got waylaid, then played their trumpet briefly outside (sorry neighbors) and propelled through in the early hours loudly singing "Happy new year, happy new year, may your kitchen be full of food and good cheer, so please offer up a gift, to bring in the new year!" It was sweet if slightly beyond what might have been more appreciated time wise. Was dried off, fed, and put to bed to sleep it off. Have sent neighbor's tarts and apologies.
Many fireworks going off followed by a stormy, wet night here, but we've fared reasonably considering how Weasleyesque ramshackle we are.
Our elves are known for pairing up with crows, ravens, foxes, wolves, boar, bear, and hare, and causing issues, so the surprise gathering of rowdy crows got listened to, fed and thankfully, duly exited. The mistlethrush helped call in the dawn, having done such a good job on the mistletoe berries we've been using male mistletoe with pearl beads for berries for decorations, but works well enough. (In a few weeks I may venture out with an extendable hook, possibly your way @piscofrisco if you're where I think you may be, and find good berries to increase the amount of female mistletoe we have to hand in years to come.) Both robins seem to have come to some agreement with it over the holly and rowan.
We are happily (and exhaustedly tbh!) gearing up to our real Christmas just as others are sliding away from theirs, which is always an odd experience in itself. We do become more and more popular amongst many friends though, and I'm pleased to say many seem to be keeping their trees up later.
Not VN as no sticky bread here, but maybe NA as breakfast was rosemary laden ciabatta, which got eaten with toasted smoked goats cheese (thank you Belgium) topped with fresh pomegranate seeds for a prosperous new year.
Be back to catch up thread properly later.