Christmas time is about family. With mine in another
continent this year I decided to spend it with my surrogate New York family…14
of them. And whilst we call New York home throughout the year the group of us
UK ExPats decided that it was only right and proper that we up-sticks and took
the party out of the city to a country cabin in up-state New York. This was the
best decision we ever made.
This cabin became home for us over the holidays…and what a
home it provided!
On the drive up to Lake Titus there was much merriment and
an unfortunate incident where the SatNav took us to a road that had been
completely decimated…no exaggeration (pic below):
And worryingly there was very little snow after an
unseasonably warm December. Now my main requirement for a Christmas cabin in the woods by a
lake is snow…so when we got there and it was white I almost screamed with
joy…actually I think I openly did, and I may have accompanied it with a bit of
a dance.
The rest of the weekend was focused mainly around eating
drinking and being merry.
I took the lead cooking most of the dinners (mainly to avoid
washing up) and in doing so I appear to have morphed into my mother. This means
I am only happy when I’m making more food than anyone can physically eat whilst
constantly worrying that the dinner spread isn’t big enough…this does not bode
well for my future children who will no-doubt end up the size of a house.
The first evening we hosted a quiz preformed by the
wonderful quizmisstress! After we all learnt some facts about New York and each
other (including who milked 35 cows in under an hour and which individual had a
radio show) some of us turned to the most traditional of Christmas Eve Eve
activities…the hot tub! Someone also found the head of a dear and there was
much hilarity ensuing…I personally did my usual trick & fell asleep on a
sofa with wet hair and only found my way up to bed at 6am.
The following day was spent on a frolic in an attempt to
circle the lake, after 40 minutes of walking it was clear that we had not
gotten anywhere fast and were wholly inadequately dressed so we made our way
back to the warmth of the cabin, acquiring a new friends in the form of a
gorgeous dog Herbert. Not being one for animals…I fell completely in love and
decided that upon return to the UK should I never find anyone willing to put up
with me I will indeed be acquiring a dog, moving to the country and never answering
the telephone (sorry, tangent)!
This outdoor activity was then continued by sitting on
baking trays and throwing ourselves down the snowy hill in an attempt at
sledging. This works very well it turns out. The trick is to lift your legs up
high and lean back as far as you can…and not being afraid of getting yourself
very wet, cold & snowy.
The evening brought with it the consumption of around 8
bottles of wine, 3 bottles of vodka, a bottle of tequila and the rest of the
beer supply. I remember dancing on chairs, tables and the kitchen worktop…after
that my memory is a blank.
With Christmas Eve over the final full day was the main
event…Christmas Day! Once the whole team had awoken and dragged themselves into
the living area we commenced opening our Secret Santa gifts. There were some
lovely ones and some funny ones. Mine was a survival kit for the inevitable
hangovers that I get in my old age – and particularly relate to one incident
that will never be forgotten.
After then breakfasting and opening our individual stockings
which contained 14 of the most random selection of presents., including but not
limited to: a ping pong ball, a plastic farm animal, a glow stick, Christmas
socks, chocolates, a neoprene waist belt and a large heart shaped lollypop.
After the main event of Christmas dinner we chilled out with Home Alone 2, some nap time and then desert and a cheese board. I promptly fell asleep and awoke to be reminded that it was time to pack up and leave.
And now I am back...writing this from the Highline. I've missed you New York!
XOXO
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