03 August 2008

Wine O'Clock Around the Fire

Yesterday (Saturday), late in the afternoon, Fred lit a fire for the kids to toast marshmallows. Then we decided it was such a lovely evening, we'd have a couple of glasses of wine around the fire. Jane's brother, Scott and his wife, Pat, have been staying for the last month and yesterday was the last day before they flew back to Phuket in Thailand. Unfortunately, Roger, Jane's youngest brother was working...he's a chef, so Saturday nights are work nights for him...Ken was having a snooze, so we didn't disturb him.

That left Fred, Jane, Pat and me...that was enough...we didn't need a crowd. I made some guacamole and also brought a caramelised onion dip I found in the supermarket. It was different to your normal dips...this one was put in the microwave and nuked for 30 seconds...warm dip...and it was yummy. As well as the crackers to go with those, Jane brought out a large bowl of potato chips (crisps), which the kids got stuck into. Scott had gone down to the Gold Coast to see a friend and was due back...but Scott, like his sister, has no sense of time, so we didn't really expect him anytime soon.

It was very pleasant and we sat there for a couple of hours then it started to get a bit chilly around 7 pm so we decided to call it a day. A date was made for bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning as a farewell to Scott, Pat and Ken, their son and we headed inside to have dinner.

It was was lovely...we felt that summer was just around the corner and hopefully, now that it's August, the worst of our cold weather is over. We'll have to wait and see...


The fire.
The eats and drinks.

L to R: Fred, Pat and Jane.


If you look closely, you can see Ebony in the foreground...she's very well named. Shelby's at the back. Typical dogs, where there's anything to eat, they're there.


Fred refilling his glass with Chateau de Cardboard.

Fred and Hooks (the tart), with Pat looking on.

13 comments:

Christine and FAZ said...

What a lovely evening - sounds perfect. We're in the middle of summer here on the South Coast and although last weekend was a gloriously sunny 28, you wouldn't even know what season it was today. It's got elements of autumn, winter and spring and the waves are crashing on the shore at Hastings (enough to get the surfers out in their wetsuits which isn't often around here), I think they may be splashing over the road at high tide tonight (the waves that is not the surfers) if the wind keeps blowing in the same direction.

Gattina said...

What a nice evening, I would have loved to sit out there with all of you (especially the animals of course, lol) When I think that here it's the peak of the summer and I am sitting inside with a pullover !

Pear tree cottage! said...

Well I can tell you I loved these photos my husband and four children spent two years (living in a big tent)building our home before this little cottage and almost every night summer & winter was spent out by the fire enjoying the company of baby cows and other animals......I see Fred even in winter is just like my man (short sleeves) (smiles) it is very cold down here about 3deg this morning but getting up to 10deg's.

See you again soon.
Lee-ann

TorAa said...

Chateau de Cardboard - BiB - haha - thats a good one. I'll remember.

No doubt you had a real, great evening around the Fire.We too love to sit outside, with or without fire - during the summer - in the winter it's much to cold for such activities, unless dressed for Antartica.

btw. I have a good time in Michigan

Walker said...

This is what I miss living in the city. Having that back yard to sit with friends and just chill and enjouy the company.

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ You have some very nice neighbours and you all enjoy getting together. The fire would be nice too
Glad you enjoyed the evening and then
breakfast!! Thanks for the comments
and I agree, August got here too soon. I love blackbirds too and always have a few around. But since I got the bird hotel, the local pigeons are the most often visitors.
Take care, Love, Merle.

rel said...

Robyn,
Good friends, a camp fire to roast marshmallows on a chilly night, and of course un verre du vin rouge make for a perfect evening.
rel

Jeanette said...

Hi Robyn, If i lived closer I would have loved to sit around the camp fire and enjoy a glass or 3 of Chateau de Cardboard we you all looks like you had fun.. hope you threw some spuds in the fire... lol

Jellyhead said...

Robyn, I think it's wonderful how you have spontaneous 'parties' with your neighbours and friends.

As for the Chateau de Cardboard.... we have some in our cupboard right now, and drink a glass or two regularly!

Anonymous said...

Nothing is as relaxed as to sit around the bone fire and with good friends and a glass of wine: who could wish for more.

Not bad for your 'worst of cold weather' season. If it was in Norway, it would have been snowy and -10C you know :-)

Liz Hinds said...

Oh you have such fun!

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Anonymous said...

Party on Robyn! How anybody could have had anything negative to say about a nice evening out by the fire with friends, I'll never understand. I'm intrigued about what the religious nut-job could have said, but it's better to just ignore fanatics like that. That Chateau de Cardboard looks awesome! Cheers!