The Morning After.......

Seven a.m. in a silent household.
The bunting sags damply against the yellowing vine leaves. The fridge is over-stuffed with party foods; cold sausages, proper orange jelly made with juice and mandarins, cold rice salad, cheeses and fruits - and I have just remembered the miniature sausage rolls, still in the warming oven of the Rayburn. There are small cup cakes with only lightly licked toppings, and the remains of a birthday cake with  two candles and edible butterflies.

Today will be an easy time. Like Boxing Day, which is my favourite event of the year, people can graze happily on the remains of the day. After all the preparation there is time to relax and reflect.

Yesterday was a day of special celebration, warm enough to spend most of it out in the garden, or crouched within Granddaughter's second birthday gift of Walnut Cottage.
There is much to celebrate.
It is fitting that her birthday gift of the little house was originally made by her Grandfather, and Little E's birthday is also the anniversary of his death. So the two of them feel linked, even though they were destined not to meet.

I had a silent celebration for myself as well, because after eight months of incapacity I can begin to return to normal life.

There was an evening celebration for son and daughter-in-law who went out for a meal here (highly recommended) all by themselves. Not a high chair in sight.

There was celebration of a (potential) new friend for Little E. Little F, Granddaughter of a fellow blogger, who came for tea. The pair of them managed to share a few toys (well, sort of) and played alongside one another with only the odd wary glance. Another few hours together and they would be companions.

A celebration of a beautiful autumn day, and a step forward into the next adventure.