Well, that was something ...
A typical Hong Kong Christmas apart from having no decorations this year.
My sister in law (daughter's aunt,) and her wife came over for a few hours - they've lived in HK for close to twenty years now. They haven't seen their niece for four years.
They all prepared/cooked a lunch together:
Linguine drizzled in olive oil ... with a bubbling, heaving, steaming pot of Philippine's style tomato-made-sauce with spicy sausage, minced pork, onion, what smelt like a fucking kilo of garlic, and a variety of seasonings, herbs, spices, potions and (bits and) pieces. The aroma was certainly exquisite when it was finally done but the first hour of frying-cooking was brutally, pungently garlic!
A huge mound of deep-fried chicken wings with a wee bottle of indeterminable Japanese dressing (sesame, miso, oil, vinegar, something, something?).
And a nice, plain salad with a variety of green stuff, sweetcorn, avocado, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.
For my part, I took a good share of the salad, added a large tin of chickpeas and some caesar dressing and had a wonderful vegetarian meal.
We sat, gathered, as they gorged, gossiped, giggled, reunited and enjoyed. For a beverage, let me tell you, there was pure coconut-water taken! Living large at its best!
I've not had any kind of gifts from anyone for many years (not a big deal for me at all,) but, this year, sis-in-law and her wife brought me some Japanese strawberries and daughter gifted me a wee pack of specialty, Marrakesh, Bacha coffee.
What delightful treats!
Bella enjoyed some deep fried chicken-wing-flesh - with skin - and a little linguine and sauce.
And the Orc came over for a half hour and brought me a bottle of Irish Jameson Whiskey - an old favourite! Strictly only for shared consumption on Fridays, of course. Nip by Nip.
Pretty much a perfect fucking day.
Simple. Small. Frugal. Family.
The in laws left at about 7:30pm. Daughter melted into bed not much later.
Some beer and reading for me and now Bella and I are off to bed.
Have a good evening peeps. Make it now.
Take care of each other. Quickly.
Blessings one and all.
"If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old North Wind (
)
Begins to blow,
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud,
Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door,
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am,
I'll come running, running, yeah, yeah,
To see you again,
Winter, spring summer or fall,
All you got to do is call ... "
G'night all. Come Bells.
(Edit: For a couple of minor typos (there are probably more!). The OCD thing is quirky and hard to shake. But bed now. It's very late.)
Woof