New Years

Rick and I had a quiet New Years Eve, ate a supper of snacks and didn't make it to midnight. Last year we had planned to go to Niagara Falls on New Years Day but due to a covid contact, we cancelled. We booked it again this year, with fingers crossed.

We drove to Fort Erie and then along the river in drizzle and occasional wet snow but it cleared, though still grey, by the time we got to Niagara Falls.

Too early to check, in we went to the greenhouse. It used to be free but now you pay for parking and the visit.

Warmth and lovely displays of

Poinsettias,

Orchids,

Amaryllis,

Lilies and

Cyclamen interspersed with Christmas decorations and plants that we did not recognize.

Built in 1946

and still using some of the original equipment.

Outside, more seasonal displays

 

Right now these sculptures are covered in lights

but in the summer

 they are planted with annuals.

 

The dragons wings were made of recycled plastic water bottles.

 

 When I booked the hotel it said that parking for the day was $60. That sounded exorbitant so we went looking for other options close to the hotel and found one for $20 for the day near the Skylon and just across the road from the Hilton. I had never been to the Skylon and Rick used to maintain their elevators when he worked for Otis. So in we went and noticed an "early bird dinner menu' in the revolving dining room. So we booked our dinner reservation.

Still to early to check in, we walked down beside the gorge

 

Lots of tourists, so many different languages being spoken, so many selfies being taken.

Opportunities

to experiment

with the new camera.

 When we got checked in we were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite with a jacuzzi tub

and had fabulous views

of both the falls.

 We had walked a lot so Rick lay down and I had a jacuzzi and then we headed over to the Skylon.

The sky began to clear just as the sun was going down.

and photos were a challenge for the camera. The night time setting wanted me to hold the camera steady on a shot....but the dining room was revolving!

As it got darker the reflections of inside were more obvious

and as it got colder outside, condensation started to fog the windows up.

We had a lovely 3 course meal, Rick had wine, I had Prosecco and we enjoyed the constantly changing view. After dinner we went up on to the observation deck but didn't stay long as it was very cold in the wind.

Pleasantly tired and full we went back to the room

to watch the lights changing on the falls and

with some more champagne, watch the fireworks in comfort.

  Early to bed and the next day I swam in the Infinity pool while Rick lazed in the hot tub. Drove home in the sun. Such a fun way to spend the first 2 day of 2025.

More Christmas photos

I ended the last installment saying that Rick and I were going to cook Christmas dinner but neglected to post our prep picture.

 Mum had a cookbook by an Italian chef, Pasquale somebody. We have always cooked "Pasquales turkey" recipe. A little unusual in that it is cooked on a very high heat for a short time, covered in bacon strips. Then the bacon is removed, heat turned down, rubbed with garlic and it is steamed in gin and white wine. It always ends up nice and moist. Mike called for the recipe for their Christmas dinner. We had it with brussel sprouts, stuffing (yes Rick bought stove top but I added fried onions and celery), potatoes and cranberry sauce. He took some leftovers and there was enough for Chris and Jason the next day.

When they got here Cigi had a nap and then we exchanged gifts. Chris and Jason gave me a cat doorstop.

Rasta was hilarious. He must have thought it a threat as his hackles were up and his tail was puffed out.

Then he sneaked up on it from behind.

Rather than a Gingerbread House, Chris wanted to make a "Charcuterie Cabin". We covered the table with crackers, cheese, pretzels, salami, vegetables, bread sticks, cream cheese mortar..... and proceeded to build.

Cigi and my "cabin". It became home to some "gummie unicorns". I loved that I found pretzel pine trees.

Chris declared hers more of a "Hunt camp" (didn't meet code) and ate it before we could tease her too much about it.

Rick bought Cigi a battery operated Unicorn that walked and made odd, vaguely horse like, noises. Chris and Jason were not impressed but Cigi was. Still trying to use all that Advent wool I crocheted Cigi a hat and the Unicorn, a coat.

Chocolate Log is another Joynes Christmas tradition....chocolate swiss roll and chocolate icing. Cigi was in charge of the icing sugar snow.

 They were only here for 2 days and it felt like it was a lot of cooking, gifting and eating!