A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. 
Anonymous
I know, I know! The lyrics say '89, but I've decided to resurrect it for 'oh-nine'. [ More than 20 thanks for the correction, Cath! ] Nearly 30 years on (the song was first released in 1979) and they're still good to look at and listen to.
Such memories! Poignant, or what?
Roll out the old, roll in the new ...
Of course, this is the season to be jolly, but it is also a good time to be thinking about those who aren't.
Helen Valentine
This has been posted to lift your spirits a little if you feel that the frantic preparations are getting you down.
Noddy and the gang (Slade - as if you didn't know!) are a perennial hit, and I can't remember a Christmas since the release of this song that it hasn't been played for everybody's enjoyment.
Well, Enjoy!
See you again in the New Year ...
What do you call 12 investment bankers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.
Anonymous
Crunch!
Like everybody else, we haven't been able to avoid the effects of Le Crunch! But we are now conditioned against delays, frustrations and disappointments.
We simply keep bouncing back!
The plans continue in the background. The two extra specialist reports are almost complete. When they are, and when they've been paid for, we can peddle our complete begging bowl to the various lending organisations to see who is in a position to cough up. We are actually quite optimistic about the situation. We already own the property, so the collateral is secure. We aren't asking the lenders to give us the money to buy the property from scratch, we are asking them to fund the building project. If they are prepared to take the risk that they could be stuck with another property if things go TU, then we should be home and dry (pun intended)!
I should be able to post more on the progress in the next few weeks. Joana, our arquitecta, is excitedly impatient (or is that the other way around?), and is pushing this project as if it was her own house that she is building. She talks in positive terms like, "When you're living here, we can ..." Nice to be able to actually appreciate a professional that you've tasked with something you need done.
Until then, you will be served with a few more tales of past memories and some other bits about the pets.
But we'll try to make them as interesting a read as we can manage ...
In success you deserve it, and in defeat you need it. Winston Churchill
This is the 'world-famous' Fletch recipe for Sangria. Even the Portuguese and Spanish are envious of it. People from many countries in Europe, and even as far away as Australia, have called around to sample the brew.
I am soooooooo consumed with pride!
The ingredients.
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Add 3 heaped serving spoons of sugar to the 500ml of wine. Mix well. |
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Quarter the fruit and then slice each quarter into 3 segments. Trim the pith and de-seed the fruit. The pith and seeds tend to leave a bitter taste, not to mention unseating your drunken guests dentures! This is you being a good host! |
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3 x 33ml of cheap gin ... |
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... 2 of really cheap vodka ... |
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... and 1 of really, really cheap brandy! |
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Add lots of ice and top up with sparkling lemonaide which gives it a fizz. You could substitute a really awful 'sparkling wine' and call it a 'Champagne Sangria'! Your choice. |
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Preparations complete. Give it a good final stir. It is now ready to be served. |
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I would strongly recommend that you use smaller glasses, especially if there are many guests, or you'll be running in and out of the kitchen to make more, and MORE Sangria! |
Endnotes:
Enjoy ...
A cheeky little red
Here's a toast to your health.
"Lang May Yer Lumb Reek!"
(Scottish for 'long may your chimney smoke')
or if you prefer,
"Bottoms Up!"
