Special Crazy Times
Love or hate it, Christmas has come and gone, a special time of togetherness but sadly a stark reminder of good times lost for whatever reason, for some.
It's a kind of bittersweet day for me, because of two tragic events around this time, but it's always good to spend the day with family and friends, and of course, enjoy the fun and laughter AND the delicious food made by everyone.
We were invited to spend the day with my sister-in-law's family.
I just loved the wall hangings, especially the...
Family Recipe
3 cups of forgiveness
1 gallon of friendship
a pinch of hope
a spoonful of laughter
endless LOVE
Cold platters once again were the chosen menu as we are in the midst of summer, although it was a wet and unseasonably cold day this year.
My job was...
Roast Lamb - stuffed with garlic & bacon, and marinated for two days before roasting.
Smoked Salmon Mini Quiches
Granadilla Yogurt Fridge Tart
Two days after Christmas brought the not-so-pleasant part of running a BnB at this time of year, and was beyond crazy!
Our staff takes their annual leave as we feel we cannot deny them their family time when they travel to their rural ancestral homes.
I've been dreading this period, as we have a number of same-day changeovers, and some are/were first-time guests, so you simply don't know what you're in for.
Some guests are super respectful of the accommodation, while others unfortunately are not!
We've had two of the latter these holidays; one fortunately before our staff went home, but yesterday's departure left hubby and I with a massive job - these guests' were atrociously messy and I honestly thought we were not going to have the two-bedroom cottage ready for the next guests; we were literally run off our feet, but made it in the nick of time. Needless to say, we were absolutely pooped last night!
Our older son and his girlfriend were still packing up their last belongings on Christmas day and only joined us the day after, so we had a double Christmas.
I had a bag full of spoils, but the cherry on the cake was - dummy flight tickets for Mom and Dad to visit them in the Netherlands in time for the tulips and my big birthday. We need to decide on the final dates, and they will book the real tickets, super-duper exciting!
So to all my friends, I am sorry to be neglecting you, but time has just been a commodity that no one has gifted me with this Christmas. I will pop in to read your posts and respond when I get the chance, like now when I simply had to make time to share a little bit of Christmas magic with you!
I however will definitely see you before this year is over.
Happy holidays everyone!
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See how am salivating looking at all the delicious meal here. Am sure is not longer throat, lol. Even if it is, let the sisterly love continue.
LOL, yep there's nothing left of that meal @ijelady, but my sister-in-law & I are always there for each other. Thanks for popping in😊
Thank you
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Looks like you had a great time my friend. Food looks delicious.
It's always good to spend time with family.
Have a great day.
It was a lovely day, it was really chilly up your way on Christmas day. Hope you enjoyed your day with the kids 😘
It rained and was very humid in Umhlanga, it was so nice to lie in bed at night and hear the waves, it's so calming.
Had a lovely time, quiet, but nice.
Silver Mamma Chef got a new toy for her kitchen, will tell you about it in her next post Lol.
I'm so glad you had a good time with the kids, it's nice that they're so close to the beach!
You've got me looking at airfryers now after reading your post 😉
You won't be sorry, it really makes the food so tasty and juicy.
One can even bake bread in it.
I want to use it all the time now.
Celeste has a bigger on with a see through bowl, it looks like glass.
One gets all sorts of types.
Have a great day my friend.
I also had a tragic event this time. My mother died five years ago (on 2017.12.17) because of brain tumor (cancer). Exactly one week before Christmas.
We (my brother, my father and me) still enjoyed the Christmas by spending it together.
And we will spend the New Year's Eve too together.
Happy New Year.
Have a nice day. All the best. Greetings and much love from Hungary.
Thank you for your kind wishes @xplosive, we had a really lovely Christmas with our sons and my brother's in-laws. He works in Kazakhstan and couldn't come home this time but we'll see him early January.
I'm glad that you and your brother get to spend this special time together, even though it brings sad memories.
Wishing you the very best for the new year💞
Thank you for the kind wishes @xplosive, so you know that feeling as well, but it's great that you and your brother get to spend the time together.
Happy new year to you and your family as well, hugs all the way from South Africa 🤗
I hope things are calmer with the BnB, Lizzie.
Time has flown by and it's amazing that as you say Christmas came and went. My son is already packing because he goes back to college on Sunday. But that's life and I'm grateful to be living it.
All those dishes look so yummy and great for that gift your son gave you, a trip to Holland is so exciting.
I wish you all the best for the coming year 🤗😘
Thank you so much for the good wishes Eli, yes time goes by way too quickly so we need to savour every moment of each day!
I'm so glad that you're doing so well health-wise.
As for the bnb, the one batch of new guests are turning out to be extremely messy as well. It's just been crazy this season, we rarely experienced it in the past!😠
I've now added 2 new policies - a cleaning deposit, refundable if they leave the accommodation in a reasonable state, as well as a fee for dishwashing pots & pans! It's been no fun but bless our one long-term guest who left everything spotless😊
Wishing you and your family a very good new year Eli ❤️❤️❤️
Shoooo.... can not imagine trying to do season and family and also deal with running an air bnb, mama!
Kudos.
I hope you have time for a break soon! ❤️
It's really just been the most crazy Christmas holidays! Turns out the next guests are just as bad, obviously spoilt brats who get their domestic workers to pick up after them!
Blame Covid lockdowns for bringing out the worst in some???
It really makes us feel like closing for Christmas & New Year in the future and staying with our regular off-season guests!!!
Anyway Nicky, wishing you a wonderful 2023, I can't wait for this year to be over😩❤️❤️❤️
My worst these days.
Spoiled, entitled humans. Ugh.
Sorry angel... perhaps you need to add cleaning fees and to get additional hands for season
Probably silly season and people thinking because it's their holiday they can let goings slide
Double your rates. Make them pay for the service. Let them know they can choose? Rates including cleaning or not.
It's almost over. Hang in there! 😘❤️
You can say that again!
At least we're over the worst, I've added daily dishwashing fees, as well as breakage and a cleaning fee refundable IF there's no excessive cleaning to be done - an incentive to be a little tidier!
That's fair. Shame man. Hardcore running a service driven business
Must be far worse in season
You're almost there. Hang in there!
Planning Christmas and running small business leaves one exhausted I can imagine, untidy people with no respect are the worst one wishes for at this time of year, well ever!
Glad you spent time with family to relax a little in between and enjoy a break, planning ahead for the big one with your son sounds simply amazing, hope their planned move runs smoothly.
Happy New Years Eve!
!LUV
Thank you so much, Joan, it's been tough but thankfully my sister-in-law and her family did all the planning for Christmas day, I just took what I was asked to make.
Those messy guests will not find availability so easily the next time they call me, that's for sure!
Happy new year to you and your family Joan, let's hope this is going to be a much better one!
Family together this year with no cooks except mwah, much running over two days, so be it! My brother up your way we visited later in the week and had a lovely relaxed lunch both bringing to the table which is a treat.
People have no respect of late in more ways than one, sad reality you get them.
Hopefully 2023 is more positive!