Saturday 31 December 2011

A New Year.......

......a new beginning. Well that is how it always seems anyway. Already the sun is beginning to creep back up and though there is little warmth in it, at least it has been shining today.

What do I want for 2012? Well World Peace would be wonderful - that the Arab Spring should be completed and that democracy would spread throughout the area. That people could stop being killed for demonstrating for what they believe in.

That women throughout the world could get a better deal. Countries like the Congo have a terrible record of unspeakable violence against women and there are many countries where women are still treated as possessions, where they are violated as a matter of course, where they have no free choice in any single area of their lives.

That there should be peace in Afghanistan. I have never agreed with our troops being there - I think it is a war we cannot possibly 'win' - the terrain itself means that locals can melt into the mountains and come out again at will, whether we are there or not. Another young man has been killed today - it has just been announced on the news - what a New Year present for his family.

Closer to home I hope that family and friends have a happy, healthy 2012 and that all my blogging friends have a wonderful New Year.

There will be nine at our New Year's Party tonight. The three dishes are ready to heat up in the Aga - fish pie; pheasant casserole; vegetarian shepherd's pie; the puds are made - trifle; pavlova with fresh pineapple and little chocolate pots topped with a dab of cream and a strawberry. All I have to do now is to put on the vegetables.

Incidentally - the farmer dismantled the Aga and cleaned it out - it was carbonned up. Now it is chugging away merrily and I love it again.

Here's to another year of blogging.

18 comments:

angryparsnip said...

What better New Year but to spend it with family and friends... and the Aga is happily chugging away.
Your New Year wishes sound lovely if only !

cheers, gayle and The Square Ones !

Heather said...

If only your wishes could come true - the world has so many troubles.
So glad the Aga is feeling better - it's not the time of year for being without it.
Your party food sounds delicious - have a lovely evening and a very Happy New Year to you and the farmer.

Pondside said...

Happy New Year to you, Tess and the Farmer, Pat! I always look forward to your posts. I can't think of a better way to start 2012 than with friends, good food and newly cleaned stove!

MorningAJ said...

Supper sounds great. I'm glad you got the Aga fixed.

If only one of your world wishes for 2012 comes true it'll be a good year.

I hope it's good for you.

Bovey Belle said...

Wishing you a Happy New Year, and that what you wish for may in some measure come to pass.

I hope that you enjoy your party. It's just us two old 'uns here on our own with a bottle of red wine, as Danny is off at a party and we are the taxi from Swansea first thing tomorrow morning!

Mary said...

Sending my very best wishes that you all have a healthy and very happy New Year Pat.

Glad the AGA is fixed - clever farmer - and I know your party, which is probably underway as I write, will be a fabulous one with all that great food.

Looking forward to all the great posts you will be sharing in 2012.........and hoping I can keep up with them, each and every one. Looks like a busy year ahead!

Warm hugs from still warm - but about to get cool - North Carolina.

Mary

John Going Gently said...

happy new year pat x

George said...

I share all of your wishes for the new year, Pat. I only wish I could be there to share some of that great food you've described. Have a great evening and a great new year—and thanks for all of your lovely postings in 2011.

rkbsnana said...

I agree wholeheartedly with all your wishes. As for your New Year's dinner,I have never eaten any of these dishes. I love how we all have different traditions. I was wondering about your AGA. I hope you and yours have a very Happy New Year.

Elizabeth said...

Yes, world peace would be wonderful indeed!
On a more modest level, I wish all my blogging chums a happy, healthy, and, if at all possible, prosperous new year.
Healthy and happy most though.
Weather amazingly mild here still.
Out in just a sweater this morning. So glad the AGA is behaving as it should.

Dartford Warbler said...

Good to hear that the AGA is feeling better!

Wouldn`t it be wonderful if all your wishes for a peaceful world could come true? There has been so much man-made distress and pain in the world in 2011.

Enjoy your New Year`s Eve. We are quietly staying in, out of the rain.

Wishing you and yours a good, healthy year in 2012.

steven said...

happy new year weaver!!!! steven

Eryl said...

Keep those home fires burning; I'm coming to visit you in 2012, definitely!

Total peace to you, the farmer and Tess in 2012.

Penny said...

Sounds like a wonderful New Years Eve, I am afraid we went to bed early, ready for another stinking hot day, and now the air conditioner is not working. Back to the fans.
Have a lovely fun filled 2012.

Rachel Phillips said...

Heating oil is not what it used to be.

Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Have a wonderful New Year meal! Best wishes for 2012.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you all for your reciprocal new year wishes.